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Singh N, Siebzehnrubl FA, Martinez-Garay I. Transcriptional control of embryonic and adult neural progenitor activity. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1217596. [PMID: 37588515 PMCID: PMC10426504 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1217596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural precursors generate neurons in the embryonic brain and in restricted niches of the adult brain in a process called neurogenesis. The precise control of cell proliferation and differentiation in time and space required for neurogenesis depends on sophisticated orchestration of gene transcription in neural precursor cells. Much progress has been made in understanding the transcriptional regulation of neurogenesis, which relies on dose- and context-dependent expression of specific transcription factors that regulate the maintenance and proliferation of neural progenitors, followed by their differentiation into lineage-specified cells. Here, we review some of the most widely studied neurogenic transcription factors in the embryonic cortex and neurogenic niches in the adult brain. We compare functions of these transcription factors in embryonic and adult neurogenesis, highlighting biochemical, developmental, and cell biological properties. Our goal is to present an overview of transcriptional regulation underlying neurogenesis in the developing cerebral cortex and in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niharika Singh
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Florian A. Siebzehnrubl
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Isabel Martinez-Garay
- Division of Neuroscience, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
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2
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Leng F, Zhang W, Ramirez RN, Leon J, Zhong Y, Hou L, Yuki K, van der Veeken J, Rudensky AY, Benoist C, Hur S. The transcription factor FoxP3 can fold into two dimerization states with divergent implications for regulatory T cell function and immune homeostasis. Immunity 2022; 55:1354-1369.e8. [PMID: 35926508 PMCID: PMC9907729 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
FoxP3 is an essential transcription factor (TF) for immunologic homeostasis, but how it utilizes the common forkhead DNA-binding domain (DBD) to perform its unique function remains poorly understood. We here demonstrated that unlike other known forkhead TFs, FoxP3 formed a head-to-head dimer using a unique linker (Runx1-binding region [RBR]) preceding the forkhead domain. Head-to-head dimerization conferred distinct DNA-binding specificity and created a docking site for the cofactor Runx1. RBR was also important for proper folding of the forkhead domain, as truncation of RBR induced domain-swap dimerization of forkhead, which was previously considered the physiological form of FoxP3. Rather, swap-dimerization impaired FoxP3 function, as demonstrated with the disease-causing mutation R337Q, whereas a swap-suppressive mutation largely rescued R337Q-mediated functional impairment. Altogether, our findings suggest that FoxP3 can fold into two distinct dimerization states: head-to-head dimerization representing functional specialization of an ancient DBD and swap dimerization associated with impaired functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangwei Leng
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wenxiang Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ricardo N Ramirez
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Juliette Leon
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yi Zhong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lifei Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Koichi Yuki
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christophe Benoist
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sun Hur
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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3
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Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pituitary organogenesis and function is essential for improving therapeutics and molecular diagnoses for hypopituitarism. We previously found that deletion of the forkhead factor, Foxo1, in the pituitary gland early in development delays somatotrope differentiation. While these mice grow normally, they have reduced growth hormone expression and free serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) levels, suggesting a defect in somatotrope function. FOXO factors show functional redundancy in other tissues, so we deleted both Foxo1 and its closely related family member, Foxo3, from the primordial pituitary. We find that this results in a significant reduction in growth. Consistent with this, male and female mice in which both genes have been deleted in the pituitary gland (dKO) exhibit reduced pituitary growth hormone expression and serum IGF1 levels. Expression of the somatotrope differentiation factor, Neurod4, is reduced in these mice. This suggests a mechanism underlying proper somatotrope function is the regulation of Neurod4 expression by FOXO factors. Additionally, dKO mice have reduced Lhb expression and females also have reduced Fshb and Prl expression. These studies reveal FOXO transcription factors as important regulators of pituitary gland function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Stallings
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Jyoti Kapali
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Brian W Evans
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Stacey R McGee
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Buffy S Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
- Correspondence: Buffy S. Ellsworth, Ph.D., Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, 1135 Lincoln Drive, Life Science III room 2062, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
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Koch S. Regulation of Wnt Signaling by FOX Transcription Factors in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143446. [PMID: 34298659 PMCID: PMC8307807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer is caused by a breakdown of cell-to-cell communication, which results in the unrestricted expansion of cells within a tissue. In many cases, tumor growth is maintained by the continuous activation of cell signaling programs that normally drive embryonic development and wound repair. In this review article, I discuss how one of the largest human protein families, namely FOX proteins, controls the activity of the Wnt pathway, a major regulatory signaling cascade in developing organisms and adult stem cells. Evidence suggests that there is considerable crosstalk between FOX proteins and the Wnt pathway, which contributes to cancer initiation and progression. A better understanding of FOX biology may therefore lead to the development of new targeted treatments for many types of cancer. Abstract Aberrant activation of the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway is a hallmark of numerous types of cancer. However, in many cases, it is unclear how a chronically high Wnt signaling tone is maintained in the absence of activating pathway mutations. Forkhead box (FOX) family transcription factors are key regulators of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis, and there is mounting evidence that they act in part by fine-tuning the Wnt signaling output in a tissue-specific and context-dependent manner. Here, I review the diverse ways in which FOX transcription factors interact with the Wnt pathway, and how the ectopic reactivation of FOX proteins may affect Wnt signaling activity in various types of cancer. Many FOX transcription factors are partially functionally redundant and exhibit a highly restricted expression pattern, especially in adults. Thus, precision targeting of individual FOX proteins may lead to safe treatment options for Wnt-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Koch
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCMM), Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden; ; Tel.: +46-132-829-69
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, 58185 Linköping, Sweden
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Maiese K. Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Gaining Insight through Circadian Clock Gene Pathways. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1002. [PMID: 34356626 PMCID: PMC8301848 DOI: 10.3390/biom11071002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders affect fifteen percent of the world's population and pose a significant financial burden to all nations. Cognitive impairment is the seventh leading cause of death throughout the globe. Given the enormous challenges to treat cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, and the inability to markedly limit disease progression, circadian clock gene pathways offer an exciting strategy to address cognitive loss. Alterations in circadian clock genes can result in age-related motor deficits, affect treatment regimens with neurodegenerative disorders, and lead to the onset and progression of dementia. Interestingly, circadian pathways hold an intricate relationship with autophagy, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), mammalian forkhead transcription factors (FoxOs), and the trophic factor erythropoietin. Autophagy induction is necessary to maintain circadian rhythm homeostasis and limit cortical neurodegenerative disease, but requires a fine balance in biological activity to foster proper circadian clock gene regulation that is intimately dependent upon mTOR, SIRT1, FoxOs, and growth factor expression. Circadian rhythm mechanisms offer innovative prospects for the development of new avenues to comprehend the underlying mechanisms of cognitive loss and forge ahead with new therapeutics for dementia that can offer effective clinical treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, New York, NY 10022, USA
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Abstract
The global increase in lifespan noted not only in developed nations, but also in large developing countries parallels an observed increase in a significant number of non-communicable diseases, most notable neurodegenerative disorders. Neurodegenerative disorders present a number of challenges for treatment options that do not resolve disease progression. Furthermore, it is believed by the year 2030, the services required to treat cognitive disorders in the United States alone will exceed $2 trillion annually. Mammalian forkhead transcription factors, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), the mechanistic target of rapamycin, and the pathways of autophagy and apoptosis offer exciting avenues to address these challenges by focusing upon core cellular mechanisms that may significantly impact nervous system disease. These pathways are intimately linked such as through cell signaling pathways involving protein kinase B and can foster, sometimes in conjunction with trophic factors, enhanced neuronal survival, reduction in toxic intracellular accumulations, and mitochondrial stability. Feedback mechanisms among these pathways also exist that can oversee reparative processes in the nervous system. However, mammalian forkhead transcription factors, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1, mechanistic target of rapamycin, and autophagy can lead to cellular demise under some scenarios that may be dependent upon the precise cellular environment, warranting future studies to effectively translate these core pathways into successful clinical treatment strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling New York, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans possesses a unique (with various isoforms) FOXO transcription factor DAF-16, which is notorious for its role in aging and its regulation by the insulin-PI3K-AKT pathway. In humans, five genes (including a protein-coding pseudogene) encode for FOXO transcription factors that are targeted by the PI3K-AKT axis, such as in C. elegans. This common regulation and highly conserved DNA-binding domain are the pillars of this family. In this review, I will discuss the possible meaning of possessing a group of very similar proteins and how it can generate additional functionality to more complex organisms. I frame this discussion in relation to the much larger super family of Forkhead proteins to which they belong. FOXO members are very often co-expressed in the same cell type. The overlap of function and expression creates a certain redundancy that might be a safeguard against the accidental loss of FOXO function, which could otherwise lead to disease, particularly, cancer. This is one of the points that will be examined in this "family affair" report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Schmitt-Ney
- Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy
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8
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Abstract
FOXO1 transcription factors affect a number of cell types that are important in the host response. Cell types whose functions are modulated by FOXO1 include keratinocytes in the skin and mucosal dermis, neutrophils and macrophages, dendritic cells, Tregs and B-cells. FOXO1 is activated by bacterial or cytokine stimulation. Its translocation to the nucleus and binding to promoter regions of genes that have FOXO response elements is stimulated by the MAP kinase pathway and inhibited by the PI3 kinase/AKT pathway. Downstream gene targets of FOXO1 include pro-inflammatory signaling molecules (TLR2, TLR4, IL-1β, and TNF-α), wound healing factors (TGF-β, VEGF, and CTGF) adhesion molecules (integrins-β1, -β3, -β6, αvβ3, CD11b, CD18, and ICAM-1), chemokine receptors (CCR7 and CXCR2), B cell regulators (APRIL and BLYS), T-regulatory modulators (Foxp3 and CTLA-4), antioxidants (GPX-2 and cytoglobin), and DNA repair enzymes (GADD45α). Each of the above cell types are found in oral mucosa and modulated by bacteria or an inflammatory microenvironment. FOXO1 contributes to the regulation of these cells, which collectively maintain and repair the epithelial barrier, formation and activation of Tregs that are needed to resolve inflammation, mobilization, infiltration, and activation of anti-bacterial defenses in neutrophils, and the homing of dendritic cells to lymph nodes to induce T-cell and B-cell responses. The goal of the manuscript is to review how the transcription factor, FOXO1, contributes to the activation and regulation of key leukocytes needed to maintain homeostasis and respond to bacterial challenge in oral mucosal tissues. Examples are given with an emphasis on lineage specific deletion of Foxo1 to explore the impact of FOXO1 on cell behavior, inflammation and susceptibility to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana T Graves
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tatyana N Milovanova
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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9
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Abstract
Aberrant activation of the homeostatic Wnt signaling pathway is a hallmark of various types of cancer. In many cases, it is unclear how elevated Wnt levels are maintained in the absence of activating pathway mutations. Here we find that the uncharacterized transcription factor FOXB2, whose expression is usually restricted to the developing brain, is induced in aggressive prostate cancer. FOXB2 strongly activates Wnt signaling via the induction of multiple pathway agonists, particularly the neurogenic ligand WNT7B. Accordingly, our analyses suggest that FOXB2 imposes a neuronal differentiation program on prostate cancer cells, which is associated with treatment failure and poor prognosis. Thus, our work identifies FOXB2 as a tissue-specific Wnt activator that may play a role in prostate cancer progression. The Wnt signaling pathway is of paramount importance for development and disease. However, the tissue-specific regulation of Wnt pathway activity remains incompletely understood. Here we identify FOXB2, an uncharacterized forkhead box family transcription factor, as a potent activator of Wnt signaling in normal and cancer cells. Mechanistically, FOXB2 induces multiple Wnt ligands, including WNT7B, which increases TCF/LEF-dependent transcription without activating Wnt coreceptor LRP6 or β-catenin. Proximity ligation and functional complementation assays identified several transcription regulators, including YY1, JUN, and DDX5, as cofactors required for FOXB2-dependent pathway activation. Although FOXB2 expression is limited in adults, it is induced in select cancers, particularly advanced prostate cancer. RNA-seq data analysis suggests that FOXB2/WNT7B expression in prostate cancer is associated with a transcriptional program that favors neuronal differentiation and decreases recurrence-free survival. Consistently, FOXB2 controls Wnt signaling and neuroendocrine differentiation of prostate cancer cell lines. Our results suggest that FOXB2 is a tissue-specific Wnt activator that promotes the malignant transformation of prostate cancer.
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10
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Kong X, Zhai J, Yan C, Song Y, Wang J, Bai X, Brown JAL, Fang Y. Recent Advances in Understanding FOXN3 in Breast Cancer, and Other Malignancies. Front Oncol 2019; 9:234. [PMID: 31214487 PMCID: PMC6555274 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
FOXN3 (forkhead box N3; CHES1: check point suppressor 1) belongs to the forkhead box (FOX) protein family. FOXN3 displays transcriptional inhibitory activity, and is involved in cell cycle regulation and tumorigenesis. FOXN3 is a tumor suppresser and alterations in FOXN3 are found in of a variety of cancers including melanoma, osteosarcoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While the roles of FOXN3 role in some cancers have been explored, its role in breast cancer remains unclear. Here we describe current state of knowledge of FOXN3 functions, and focus on its roles (known and potential) in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Kong
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhai
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chengrui Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Song
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Bai
- Department of Pancreatic-Gastric Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - James A L Brown
- Discipline of Surgery, School of Medicine, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.,Centre for Chromosome Biology, National University of Ireland in Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Yi Fang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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11
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Zhang H, Petrie MV, He Y, Peace JM, Chiolo IE, Aparicio OM. Dynamic relocalization of replication origins by Fkh1 requires execution of DDK function and Cdc45 loading at origins. eLife 2019; 8:45512. [PMID: 31084713 PMCID: PMC6533057 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal DNA elements are organized into spatial domains within the eukaryotic nucleus. Sites undergoing DNA replication, high-level transcription, and repair of double-strand breaks coalesce into foci, although the significance and mechanisms giving rise to these dynamic structures are poorly understood. In S. cerevisiae, replication origins occupy characteristic subnuclear localizations that anticipate their initiation timing during S phase. Here, we link localization of replication origins in G1 phase with Fkh1 activity, which is required for their early replication timing. Using a Fkh1-dependent origin relocalization assay, we determine that execution of Dbf4-dependent kinase function, including Cdc45 loading, results in dynamic relocalization of a replication origin from the nuclear periphery to the interior in G1 phase. Origin mobility increases substantially with Fkh1-driven relocalization. These findings provide novel molecular insight into the mechanisms that govern dynamics and spatial organization of DNA replication origins and possibly other functional DNA elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Zhang
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Meghan V Petrie
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Yiwei He
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Jared M Peace
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Irene E Chiolo
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Oscar M Aparicio
- Molecular and Computational Biology Section, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, United States
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12
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Rogers JM, Waters CT, Seegar TCM, Jarrett SM, Hallworth AN, Blacklow SC, Bulyk ML. Bispecific Forkhead Transcription Factor FoxN3 Recognizes Two Distinct Motifs with Different DNA Shapes. Mol Cell 2019; 74:245-253.e6. [PMID: 30826165 PMCID: PMC6474805 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) control gene expression by binding DNA recognition sites in genomic regulatory regions. Although most forkhead TFs recognize a canonical forkhead (FKH) motif, RYAAAYA, some forkheads recognize a completely different (FHL) motif, GACGC. Bispecific forkhead proteins recognize both motifs, but the molecular basis for bispecific DNA recognition is not understood. We present co-crystal structures of the FoxN3 DNA binding domain bound to the FKH and FHL sites, respectively. FoxN3 adopts a similar conformation to recognize both motifs, making contacts with different DNA bases using the same amino acids. However, the DNA structure is different in the two complexes. These structures reveal how a single TF binds two unrelated DNA sequences and the importance of DNA shape in the mechanism of bispecific recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Rogers
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Committee on Higher Degrees in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Colin T Waters
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Tom C M Seegar
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sanchez M Jarrett
- Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Amelia N Hallworth
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephen C Blacklow
- Committee on Higher Degrees in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Martha L Bulyk
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Committee on Higher Degrees in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Program in Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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13
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Kostyuchenko RP, Kozin VV, Filippova NA, Sorokina EV. FoxA expression pattern in two polychaete species, Alitta virens and Platynereis dumerilii: Examination of the conserved key regulator of the gut development from cleavage through larval life, postlarval growth, and regeneration. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:728-743. [PMID: 30566266 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND foxA orthologs are involved in various processes from embryo patterning to regulation of metabolism. Since foxA conserved role in the development of the gut of errant annelids has never been thoroughly studied, we used a candidate gene approach to unravel the molecular profile of the alimentary canal in two closely related nereid worms with a trochophore-type lecithotrophic larva. RESULTS The character of foxA expression in the two polychaetes was similar but not identical. The genes were successively activated first in blastoporal cells, then in the stomodeum, the midgut, and hindgut primordia, and in the cells of central and peripheral nervous system. Before the start of active feeding of nectochaetes, we observed a short phase of foxA expression in the entire digestive tract. After amputation of posterior segments, foxA expression was established de novo in the new terminal part of the intestine, and then in the developing hindgut and the anus. CONCLUSIONS We discovered an early marker of endoderm formation previously unknown in errant annelids. Its expression dynamics provided valuable insights into the gut development. Comparative analysis of foxA activity suggests its primary role in gastrulation morphogenesis independently of its type and in midgut and foregut specification. Developmental Dynamics 248:728-743, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman P Kostyuchenko
- Department of Embryology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vitaly V Kozin
- Department of Embryology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nadezhda A Filippova
- Department of Embryology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ekaterina V Sorokina
- Department of Embryology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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14
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Jeon HH, Yu Q, Lu Y, Spencer E, Lu C, Milovanova T, Yang Y, Zhang C, Stepanchenko O, Vafa RP, Coelho PG, Graves DT. FOXO1 regulates VEGFA expression and promotes angiogenesis in healing wounds. J Pathol 2018; 245:258-264. [PMID: 29574902 DOI: 10.1002/path.5075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a critical aspect of wound healing. We investigated the role of keratinocytes in promoting angiogenesis in mice with lineage-specific deletion of the transcription factor FOXO1. The results indicate that keratinocyte-specific deletion of Foxo1 reduces VEGFA expression in mucosal and skin wounds and leads to reduced endothelial cell proliferation, reduced angiogenesis, and impaired re-epithelialization and granulation tissue formation. In vitro FOXO1 was needed for VEGFA transcription and expression. In a porcine dermal wound-healing model that closely resembles healing in humans, local application of a FOXO1 inhibitor reduced angiogenesis. This is the first report that FOXO1 directly regulates VEGFA expression and that FOXO1 is needed for normal angiogenesis during wound healing. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeran Helen Jeon
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Quan Yu
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Orthodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yongjian Lu
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Stomatology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Evelyn Spencer
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chanyi Lu
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tatyana Milovanova
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Chenying Zhang
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Preventive Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Olga Stepanchenko
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rameen P Vafa
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Paulo G Coelho
- Biomaterials and Biomimetics, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA.,Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dana T Graves
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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15
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Maiese K. Novel Treatment Strategies for the Nervous System: Circadian Clock Genes, Non-coding RNAs, and Forkhead Transcription Factors. Curr Neurovasc Res 2018; 15:81-91. [PMID: 29557749 PMCID: PMC6021214 DOI: 10.2174/1567202615666180319151244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the global increase in lifespan expectancy, neurodegenerative disorders continue to affect an ever-increasing number of individuals throughout the world. New treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases are desperately required given the lack of current treatment modalities. METHODS Here, we examine novel strategies for neurodegenerative disorders that include circadian clock genes, non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs), and the mammalian forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FoxOs). RESULTS Circadian clock genes, non-coding RNAs, and FoxOs offer exciting prospects to potentially limit or remove the significant disability and death associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Each of these pathways has an intimate relationship with the programmed death pathways of autophagy and apoptosis and share a common link to the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Circadian clock genes are necessary to modulate autophagy, limit cognitive loss, and prevent neuronal injury. Non-coding RNAs can control neuronal stem cell development and neuronal differentiation and offer protection against vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. FoxOs provide exciting prospects to block neuronal apoptotic death and to activate pathways of autophagy to remove toxic accumulations in neurons that can lead to neurodegenerative disorders. CONCLUSION Continued work with circadian clock genes, non-coding RNAs, and FoxOs can offer new prospects and hope for the development of vital strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These innovative investigative avenues have the potential to significantly limit disability and death from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101
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16
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Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells that capture, process, and present antigens to lymphocytes to initiate and regulate the adaptive immune response. DCs detect bacteria in skin and mucosa and migrate into regional lymph nodes, where they stimulate antigen-specific T and B lymphocyte activation and proliferation. DCs direct CD4 T cells to differentiate to T-cell subsets such as T helper cells types 1, 2, and 17, and regulatory T cells. The periodontium is chronically exposed to oral bacteria that stimulate an inflammatory response to induce gingivitis or periodontitis. DCs play both protective and destructive roles through activation of the acquired immune response and are also reported to be a source of osteoclast precursors that promote bone resorption. FOXO1, a member of the forkhead box O family of transcription factors, plays a significant role in the activation of DCs. The function of DCs in periodontal inflammation has been investigated in a mouse model by lineage-specific deletion of FOXO1 in these cells. Deletion of FOXO1 reduces DC protective function and enhances susceptibility to periodontitis. The kinase Akt, phosphorylates FOXO1 to inhibit FOXO activity. Hence the Akt-FOXO1 axis may play a key role in regulating DCs to have a significant impact on periodontal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Song
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Stomatology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - G Dong
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - L Guo
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Molecular Laboratory for Gene Therapy and Tooth Regeneration and Department of Orthodontics, Beijing Key Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function Reconstruction, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - D T Graves
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Dong G, Song L, Tian C, Wang Y, Miao F, Zheng J, Lu C, Alsadun S, Graves DT. FOXO1 Regulates Bacteria-Induced Neutrophil Activity. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1088. [PMID: 28928749 PMCID: PMC5591501 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils play an essential role in the innate immune response to microbial infection and are particularly important in clearing bacterial infection. We investigated the role of the transcription factor FOXO1 in the response of neutrophils to bacterial challenge with Porphyromonas gingivalis in vivo and in vitro. In these experiments, the effect of lineage-specific FOXO1 deletion in LyzM.Cre+FOXO1L/L mice was compared with matched littermate controls. FOXO1 deletion negatively affected several critical aspects of neutrophil function in vivo including mobilization of neutrophils from the bone marrow (BM) to the vasculature, recruitment of neutrophils to sites of bacterial inoculation, and clearance of bacteria. In vitro FOXO1 regulated neutrophil chemotaxis and bacterial killing. Moreover, bacteria-induced expression of CXCR2 and CD11b, which are essential for several aspects of neutrophil function, was dependent on FOXO1 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, FOXO1 directly interacted with the promoter regions of CXCR2 and CD11b. Bacteria-induced nuclear localization of FOXO1 was dependent upon toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and/or TLR4 and was significantly reduced by inhibitors of reactive oxygen species (ROS and nitric oxide synthase) and deacetylases (Sirt1 and histone deacetylases). These studies show for the first time that FOXO1 activation by bacterial challenge is needed to mobilize neutrophils to transit from the BM to peripheral tissues in response to infection as well as for bacterial clearance in vivo. Moreover, FOXO1 regulates neutrophil function that facilitates chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and bacterial killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Dong
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Liang Song
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Stomatology, The Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Tian
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Implantology, Stomatology Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fang Miao
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Shanxi Province People's Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jiabao Zheng
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chanyi Lu
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sarah Alsadun
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dana T Graves
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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18
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Feitosa NM, Pechmann M, Schwager EE, Tobias-Santos V, McGregor AP, Damen WGM, Nunes da Fonseca R. Molecular control of gut formation in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. Genesis 2017; 55. [PMID: 28432834 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of a digestive system is an essential feature of bilaterians. Studies of the molecular control of gut formation in arthropods have been studied in detail in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. However, little is known in other arthropods, especially in noninsect arthropods. To better understand the evolution of arthropod alimentary system, we investigate the molecular control of gut development in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum (Pt), the primary chelicerate model species for developmental studies. Orthologs of the ectodermal genes Pt-wingless (Pt-wg) and Pt-hedgehog (Pt-hh), of the endodermal genes, Pt-serpent (Pt-srp) and Pt-hepatocyte-nuclear factor-4 (Pt-hnf4) and of the mesodermal gene Pt-twist (Pt-twi) are expressed in the same germ layers during spider gut development as in D. melanogaster. Thus, our expression data suggest that the downstream molecular components involved in gut development in arthropods are conserved. However, Pt-forkhead (Pt-fkh) expression and function in spiders is considerably different from its D. melanogaster ortholog. Pt-fkh is expressed before gastrulation in a cell population that gives rise to endodermal and mesodermal precursors, suggesting a possible role for this factor in specification of both germ layers. To test this hypothesis, we knocked down Pt-fkh via RNA interference. Pt-fkh RNAi embryos not only fail to develop a proper gut, but also lack the mesodermal Pt-twi expressing cells. Thus, in spiders Pt-fkh specifies endodermal and mesodermal germ layers. We discuss the implications of these findings for the evolution and development of gut formation in Ecdysozoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália Martins Feitosa
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais, Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socio-Ambiental de Macaé (NUPEM), Campus Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, 27920-560, Brazil
| | - Matthias Pechmann
- Institute for Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, North-Rhine Westphalia, 50674, Germany
| | - Evelyn E Schwager
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 198 Riverside Street, Lowell, Massachusetts, 01854
| | - Vitória Tobias-Santos
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais, Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socio-Ambiental de Macaé (NUPEM), Campus Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, 27920-560, Brazil
| | - Alistair P McGregor
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford, OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Wim G M Damen
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Philosophenweg 12, Jena, 07743, Germany
| | - Rodrigo Nunes da Fonseca
- Laboratório Integrado de Ciências Morfofuncionais, Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socio-Ambiental de Macaé (NUPEM), Campus Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, 27920-560, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), 21941-599 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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19
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Plank-Bazinet JL, Mundell NA. The paradox of Foxd3: how does it function in pluripotency and differentiation of embryonic stem cells? Stem Cell Investig 2016; 3:73. [PMID: 27868055 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2016.09.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Uncommitted cells of the early mammalian embryo transition through distinct stages of pluripotency, including establishment of ground state "naïve" pluripotency in the early epiblast, transition to a post-implantation "primed" state, and subsequent lineage commitment of the gastrulating epiblast. Previous transcriptional profiling of in vitro models to recapitulate early to late epiblast transition and differentiation suggest that distinct gene regulatory networks are likely to function in each of these states. While the mechanisms underlying transition between pluripotent states are poorly understood, the forkhead family transcription factor Foxd3 has emerged as a key regulatory factor. Foxd3 is required to maintain pluripotent cells of the murine epiblast and for survival, self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Two recent, simultaneous studies have shed light on how Foxd3 regulates gene expression in early cell fate transitions of progenitor cells. While the two publications shared some common findings, they also presented some conflicting results and suggest different models for the mechanisms underlying Foxd3 function. Here, we discuss the key similarities and differences between the publications, highlight data from the literature relevant to their findings, and hypothesize a potential mechanism of Foxd3 action.
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20
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Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe public health problem that impacts more than four million individuals in the United States alone and is increasing in incidence on a global scale. Importantly, TBI can result in acute as well as chronic impairments for the nervous system leaving individuals with chronic disability and in instances of severe trauma, death becomes the ultimate outcome. In light of the significant negative health consequences of TBI, multiple therapeutic strategies are under investigation, but those focusing upon the cytokine and growth factor erythropoietin (EPO) have generated a great degree of enthusiasm. EPO can control cell death pathways tied to apoptosis and autophagy as well oversees processes that affect cellular longevity and aging. In vitro studies and experimental animal models of TBI have shown that EPO can restore axonal integrity, promote cellular proliferation, reduce brain edema, and preserve cellular energy homeostasis and mitochondrial function. Clinical studies for neurodegenerative disorders that involve loss of cognition or developmental brain injury support a positive role for EPO to prevent or reduce injury in the nervous system. However, recent clinical trials with EPO and TBI have not produced such clear conclusions. Further clinical studies are warranted to address the potential efficacy of EPO during TBI, the concerns with the onset, extent, and duration of EPO therapeutic strategies, and to focus upon the specific downstream pathways controlled by EPO such as protein kinase B (Akt), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuins, wingless pathways, and forkhead transcription factors for improved precision against the detrimental effects of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101, USA
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21
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Abstract
Globally, greater than 30 million individuals are afflicted with disorders of the nervous system accompanied by tens of thousands of new cases annually with limited, if any, treatment options. Erythropoietin (EPO) offers an exciting and novel therapeutic strategy to address both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. EPO governs a number of critical protective and regenerative mechanisms that can impact apoptotic and autophagic programmed cell death pathways through protein kinase B (Akt), sirtuins, mammalian forkhead transcription factors, and wingless signaling. Translation of the cytoprotective pathways of EPO into clinically effective treatments for some neurodegenerative disorders has been promising, but additional work is necessary. In particular, development of new treatments with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents such as EPO brings several important challenges that involve detrimental vascular outcomes and tumorigenesis. Future work that can effectively and safely harness the complexity of the signaling pathways of EPO will be vital for the fruitful treatment of disorders of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101
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22
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Maiese K. MicroRNAs and SIRT1: A Strategy for Stem Cell Renewal and Clinical Development? J Transl Sci 2015; 1:55-7. [PMID: 26561536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Small non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs), known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are now becoming recognized as significant agents that can affect the onset and progression of numerous disorders throughout the body. In particular, miRNAs also may determine stem cell renewal and differentiation. Intimately tied to the ability of miRNAs to govern stem cell proliferation are the proliferative pathways of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1) and the cell survival mechanisms of autophagy that can be coupled to the activity of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Targeting miRNAs that oversee SIRT1 activity offers interesting prospects for the translation of these pathways into efficacious clinical treatment programs for a host of disorders. Yet, as work in this area progresses, a number of challenges unfold that impact whether manipulation of non-coding RNAs and SIRT1 can finely guide stem cell renewal and differentiation to reach successful clinical outcomes.
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23
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Cuiffo BG, Karnoub AE. Silencing FOXP2 in breast cancer cells promotes cancer stem cell traits and metastasis. Mol Cell Oncol 2015; 3:e1019022. [PMID: 27314063 DOI: 10.1080/23723556.2015.1019022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In a recent article in Cell Stem Cell, we showed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), progenitor cells that populate the breast tumor stroma, induce microRNA-mediated FOXP2 repression in breast cancer cells (BCCs), thus promoting cancer stem cell (CSC) and metastatic traits. Here, we discuss the implications of these findings for understanding metastatic CSC genesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin G Cuiffo
- Division of Cancer Biology and Angiogenesis; Department of Pathology; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School , Boston, MA, USA
| | - Antoine E Karnoub
- Division of Cancer Biology and Angiogenesis; Department of Pathology; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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24
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Suárez MB, Alonso-Nuñez ML, del Rey F, McInerny CJ, Vázquez de Aldana CR. Regulation of Ace2-dependent genes requires components of the PBF complex in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:3124-37. [PMID: 26237280 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1078035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The division cycle of unicellular yeasts is completed with the activation of a cell separation program that results in the dissolution of the septum assembled during cytokinesis between the 2 daughter cells, allowing them to become independent entities. Expression of the eng1(+) and agn1(+) genes, encoding the hydrolytic enzymes responsible for septum degradation, is activated at the end of each cell cycle by the transcription factor Ace2. Periodic ace2(+) expression is regulated by the transcriptional complex PBF (PCB Binding Factor), composed of the forkhead-like proteins Sep1 and Fkh2 and the MADS box-like protein Mbx1. In this report, we show that Ace2-dependent genes contain several combinations of motifs for Ace2 and PBF binding in their promoters. Thus, Ace2, Fkh2 and Sep1 were found to bind in vivo to the eng1(+) promoter. Ace2 binding was coincident with maximum level of eng1(+) expression, whereas Fkh2 binding was maximal when mRNA levels were low, supporting the notion that they play opposing roles. In addition, we found that the expression of eng1(+) and agn1(+) was differentially affected by mutations in PBF components. Interestingly, agn1(+) was a major target of Mbx1, since its ectopic expression resulted in the suppression of Mbx1 deletion phenotypes. Our results reveal a complex regulation system through which the transcription factors Ace2, Fkh2, Sep1 and Mbx1 in combination control the expression of the genes involved in separation at the end of the cell division cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belén Suárez
- a Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica; CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca ; Salamanca , Spain
| | | | - Francisco del Rey
- a Instituto de Biología Funcional y Genómica; CSIC/Universidad de Salamanca ; Salamanca , Spain
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25
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Abstract
Mutations in the FOXP2 transcription factor cause an inherited speech and language disorder, but how FoxP2 contributes to learning of these vocal communication signals remains unclear. FoxP2 is enriched in corticostriatal circuits of both human and songbird brains. Experimental knockdown of this enrichment in song control neurons of the zebra finch basal ganglia impairs tutor song imitation, indicating that adequate FoxP2 levels are necessary for normal vocal learning. In unmanipulated birds, vocal practice acutely downregulates FoxP2, leading to increased vocal variability and dynamic regulation of FoxP2 target genes. To determine whether this behavioral regulation is important for song learning, here, we used viral-driven overexpression of FoxP2 to counteract its downregulation. This manipulation disrupted the acute effects of song practice on vocal variability and caused inaccurate song imitation. Together, these findings indicate that dynamic behavior-linked regulation of FoxP2, rather than absolute levels, is critical for vocal learning.
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26
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Ko KI, Coimbra LS, Tian C, Alblowi J, Kayal RA, Einhorn TA, Gerstenfeld LC, Pignolo RJ, Graves DT. Diabetes reduces mesenchymal stem cells in fracture healing through a TNFα-mediated mechanism. Diabetologia 2015; 58:633-642. [PMID: 25563724 PMCID: PMC4346353 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-014-3470-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Diabetes interferes with bone formation and impairs fracture healing, an important complication in humans and animal models. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of diabetes on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) during fracture repair. METHODS Fracture of the long bones was induced in a streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mouse model with or without insulin or a specific TNFα inhibitor, pegsunercept. MSCs were detected with cluster designation-271 (also known as p75 neurotrophin receptor) or stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) antibodies in areas of new endochondral bone formation in the calluses. MSC apoptosis was measured by TUNEL assay and proliferation was measured by Ki67 antibody. In vitro apoptosis and proliferation were examined in C3H10T1/2 and human-bone-marrow-derived MSCs following transfection with FOXO1 small interfering (si)RNA. RESULTS Diabetes significantly increased TNFα levels and reduced MSC numbers in new bone area. MSC numbers were restored to normal levels with insulin or pegsunercept treatment. Inhibition of TNFα significantly reduced MSC loss by increasing MSC proliferation and decreasing MSC apoptosis in diabetic animals, but had no effect on MSCs in normoglycaemic animals. In vitro experiments established that TNFα alone was sufficient to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of MSCs. Furthermore, silencing forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) prevented TNFα-induced MSC apoptosis and reduced proliferation by regulating apoptotic and cell cycle genes. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION Diabetes-enhanced TNFα significantly reduced MSC numbers in new bone areas during fracture healing. Mechanistically, diabetes-enhanced TNFα reduced MSC proliferation and increased MSC apoptosis. Reducing the activity of TNFα in vivo may help to preserve endogenous MSCs and maximise regenerative potential in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang I. Ko
- Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S 40th St, Levy 122 Philadelphia, PA19104, USA
| | - Leila S. Coimbra
- Department of Physiology and Pathology, Araraquara Dental School, State University of São Paulo, Araraquara, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Chen Tian
- Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S 40th St, Levy 122 Philadelphia, PA19104, USA
| | - Jazia Alblowi
- Department of Oral Basic and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rayyan A. Kayal
- Department of Oral Basic and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas A. Einhorn
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Louis C. Gerstenfeld
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert J. Pignolo
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dana T. Graves
- Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania, 240 S 40th St, Levy 122 Philadelphia, PA19104, USA
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27
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Abstract
Mammalian forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FoxO) are exciting targets under consideration for the development of new clinical entities to treat metabolic disorders and diabetes mellitus (DM). DM, a disorder that currently affects greater than 350 million individuals globally, can become a devastating disease that leads to cellular injury through oxidative stress pathways and affects multiple systems of the body. FoxO proteins can regulate insulin signaling, gluconeogenesis, insulin resistance, immune cell migration, and cell senescence. FoxO proteins also control cell fate through oxidative stress and pathways of autophagy and apoptosis that either lead to tissue regeneration or cell demise. Furthermore, FoxO signaling can be dependent upon signal transduction pathways that include silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (S. cerevisiae) (SIRT1), Wnt, and Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1). Cellular metabolic pathways driven by FoxO proteins are complex, can lead to variable clinical outcomes, and require in-depth analysis of the epigenetic and post-translation protein modifications that drive FoxO protein activation and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101, USA.
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28
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Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes mellitus (DM) in the year 2030 will be ranked the seventh leading cause of death in the world. DM impacts all systems of the body with oxidant stress controlling cell fate through endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in uncoupling proteins, and the induction of apoptosis and autophagy. Multiple treatment approaches are being entertained for DM with Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog) 1 (S. cerevisiae) (SIRT1) generating significant interest as target pathways that can address maintenance of glucose homeostasis as well as prevention of cellular pathology by controlling insulin resistance, stem cell proliferation, and the programmed cell death pathways of apoptosis and autophagy. WISP1, mTOR, and SIRT1 can rely upon similar pathways such as AMP activated protein kinase as well as govern cellular metabolism through cytokines such as EPO and oral hypoglycemics such as metformin. Yet, these pathways require precise biological control to exclude potentially detrimental clinical outcomes. Further elucidation of the ability to translate the roles of WISP1, mTOR, and SIRT1 into effective clinical avenues offers compelling prospects for new therapies against DM that can benefit hundreds of millions of individuals throughout the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- MD, Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101, USA.
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29
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Zhao L, Wei P, Guo H, Wang S, Tang B. Suppressing the expression of a forkhead transcription factor disrupts the chitin biosynthesis pathway in Spodoptera exigua. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2014; 86:4-18. [PMID: 24464395 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead (Fox) transcription factors display functional diversity and are involved in various metabolic and developmental processes. The Spodoptera exigua Fox (SeFox) encodes a protein of 353 amino acids with a theoretical molecular mass of approximately 38.99 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.86. qPCR results revealed that SeFox was expressed mainly in the brain, fat body, epidermis, midgut, Malpighian tubules, and testis. SeFox was expressed, with some changes, throughout development in the fat body and whole body. Injection of dsSeFox (SeFox dsRNA) into larvae resulted in incidences of albino plus molting deformity (4.8%), molting deformity (26.2%), and albino phenotypes (69.1%). dsSeFox injection resulted in approximately 50% knockdown of transcript levels at 36 h. Compared with control groups, hexokinase (HK) expression was reduced to approximately 40% at 48 h postinjection. Chitin synthase A (CHSA) expression was reduced to two-thirds at 24 h, but increased at 72 h. Compared with untreated control and green fluorescent protein-treated groups, Chitin synthase B (CHSB) expression decreased to 33% following dsSeFox injection by 36 h. We infer from our results that forkhead transcription factors act in chitin synthesis in S. exigua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Zhao
- Hangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Adaptation and Evolution, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Poulsen RC, Knowles HJ, Carr AJ, Hulley PA. Cell differentiation versus cell death: extracellular glucose is a key determinant of cell fate following oxidative stress exposure. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1074. [PMID: 24556689 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cells, particularly mechano-sensitive musculoskeletal cells such as tenocytes, routinely encounter oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can not only stimulate tissue repair, but also cause damage leading to tissue degeneration. As diabetes is associated with increased oxidative damage as well as increased risk of tendon degeneration, the aim of this study was to determine if extracellular glucose levels alter the response of tendon cells to oxidative stress. Primary human tenocytes were cultured in either high (17.5 mM) or low (5 mM) glucose and treated with 100 μM hydrogen peroxide. In low glucose, peroxide-treated cells remained fully viable and collagen synthesis was increased, suggesting an anabolic response. In high glucose, however, peroxide treatment led to increased bim-mediated apoptosis. The activities of both forkhead box O (FOXO1) and p53 were required for upregulation of bim RNA expression in high glucose. We found that both p53-mediated inhibition of the bim repressor micro RNA (miR17-92) and FOXO1-mediated upregulation of bim transcription were required to permit accumulation of bim RNA. High glucose coupled with oxidative stress resulted in upregulation of miR28-5p, which directly inhibited expression of the p53 deacetylase sirtuin 3, resulting in increased levels of acetylated p53. In peroxide-treated cells in both high and low glucose, protein levels of acetylated FOXO1 as well as HIF1α (hypoxia-inducible factor 1α) were increased. However, under low-glucose conditions, peroxide treatment resulted in activation of p38, which inhibited FOXO1-mediated but promoted HIF1α-mediated transcriptional activity. In low glucose, HIF1α upregulated expression of sox9 and scleraxis, two critical transcription factors involved in establishing the tenocyte phenotype, and increased collagen synthesis. The switch from FOXO1-mediated (proapoptosis) to HIF1α-mediated (prodifferentiation) transcription occurred at an extracellular glucose concentration of 7 mM, a concentration equivalent to the maximum normal blood glucose concentration. Extracellular glucose has a profound effect on the cellular response to oxidative stress. A level of oxidative stress normally anabolic may be pathological in high glucose.
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Jasurda JS, Jung DO, Froeter ED, Schwartz DB, Hopkins TD, Farris CL, McGee S, Narayan P, Ellsworth BS. The forkhead transcription factor, FOXP3: a critical role in male fertility in mice. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:4. [PMID: 24258212 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.112375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertility is dependent on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Each component of this axis is essential for normal reproductive function. Mice with a mutation in the forkhead transcription factor gene, Foxp3, exhibit autoimmunity and infertility. We have previously shown that Foxp3 mutant mice have significantly reduced expression of pituitary gonadotropins. To address the role of Foxp3 in gonadal function, we examined the gonadal phenotype of these mice. Foxp3 mutant mice have significantly reduced seminal vesicle and testis weights compared with Foxp3(+/Y) littermates. Spermatogenesis in Foxp3 mutant males is arrested prior to spermatid elongation. Activation of luteinizing hormone signaling in Foxp3 mutant mice by treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin significantly increases seminal vesicle and testis weights as well as testicular testosterone content and seminiferous tubule diameter. Interestingly, human chorionic gonadotropin treatments rescue spermatogenesis in Foxp3 mutant males, suggesting that their gonadal phenotype is due primarily to a loss of pituitary gonadotropin stimulation rather than an intrinsic gonadal defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake S Jasurda
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
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Frampton G, Ueno Y, Quinn M, McMillin M, Pae HY, Galindo C, Leyva-Illades D, DeMorrow S. The novel growth factor, progranulin, stimulates mouse cholangiocyte proliferation via sirtuin-1-mediated inactivation of FOXO1. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2012; 303:G1202-11. [PMID: 23086914 PMCID: PMC3532458 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00104.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Progranulin (PGRN), a secreted growth factor, regulates the proliferation of various epithelial cells. Its mechanism of action is largely unknown. Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) is a protein deacetylase that is known to regulate the transcriptional activity of the forkhead receptor FOXO1, thereby modulating the balance between proapoptotic and cell cycle-arresting genes. We have shown that PGRN is overexpressed in cholangiocarcinoma and stimulates proliferation. However, its effects on hyperplastic cholangiocyte proliferation are unknown. In the present study, the expression of PGRN and its downstream targets was determined after bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice and in a mouse cholangiocyte cell line after stimulation with PGRN. The effects of PGRN on cholangiocyte proliferation were assessed in sham-operated (sham) and BDL mice treated with PGRN or by specifically knocking down endogenous PGRN expression using Vivo-Morpholinos or short hairpin RNA. PGRN expression and secretion were upregulated in proliferating cholangiocytes isolated after BDL. Treatment of mice with PGRN increased biliary mass and cholangiocyte proliferation in vivo and in vitro and enhanced cholangiocyte proliferation observed after BDL. PGRN treatment decreased Sirt1 expression and increased the acetylation of FOXO1, resulting in the cytoplasmic accumulation of FOXO1 in cholangiocytes. Overexpression of Sirt1 in vitro prevented the proliferative effects of PGRN. Conversely, knocking down PGRN expression in vitro or in vivo inhibited cholangiocyte proliferation. In conclusion, these data suggest that the upregulation of PGRN may be a key feature stimulating cholangiocyte proliferation. Modulating PGRN levels may be a viable technique for regulating the balance between ductal proliferation and ductopenia observed in a variety of cholangiopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Frampton
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Yoshiyuki Ueno
- 4Department of Gastroenterology, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Matthew Quinn
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Matthew McMillin
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Hae Yong Pae
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Cheryl Galindo
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Dinorah Leyva-Illades
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
| | - Sharon DeMorrow
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas; ,2Digestive Disease Research Center, Scott & White Hospital, Temple, Texas; ,3Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, Temple, Texas; and
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Jung DO, Jasurda JS, Egashira N, Ellsworth BS. The forkhead transcription factor, FOXP3, is required for normal pituitary gonadotropin expression in mice. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:144, 1-9. [PMID: 22357547 PMCID: PMC3364925 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.094904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is central to normal reproductive function. This pathway begins with the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in systematic pulses by the hypothalamus. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is bound by receptors on gonadotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone and, to some extent, follicle-stimulating hormone. Once stimulated by these glycoprotein hormones, the gonads begin gametogenesis and the synthesis of sex hormones. In humans, mutations of the forkhead transcription factor, FOXP3, lead to an autoimmune disorder known as immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, and enteropathy, X-linked syndrome. Mice with a mutation in the Foxp3 gene have a similar autoimmune syndrome and are infertile. To understand why FOXP3 is required for reproductive function, we are investigating the reproductive phenotype of Foxp3 mutant mice (Foxp3(sf/Y)). Although the gonadotroph cells appear to be intact in Foxp3(sf/Y) mice, luteinizing hormone beta (Lhb) and follicle-stimulating hormone beta (Fshb) expression are significantly decreased, demonstrating that these mice exhibit a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Hypothalamic expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone is not significantly decreased in Foxp3(sf/Y) males. Treatment of Foxp3(sf/Y) males with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor agonist does not rescue expression of Lhb or Fshb. Interestingly, we do not detect Foxp3 expression in the pituitary or hypothalamus, suggesting that the infertility seen in Foxp3(sf/Y) males is a secondary effect, possibly due to loss of FOXP3 in immune cells. Pituitary expression of glycoprotein hormone alpha (Cga) and prolactin (Prl) are significantly reduced in Foxp3(sf/Y) males, whereas the precursor for adrenocorticotropic hormone, pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc), is increased. Human patients diagnosed with IPEX often exhibit thyroiditis due to destruction of the thyroid gland by autoimmune cells. We find that Foxp3(sf/Y) mice have elevated expression of thyroid-stimulating hormone beta (Tshb), suggesting that they may suffer from thyroiditis as well. Expression of the pituitary transcription factors, Pitx1, Pitx2, Lhx3, and Egr1, is normal; however, expression of Foxl2 and Gata2 is elevated. These data are the first to demonstrate a defect at the pituitary level in the absence of FOXP3, which contributes to the infertility observed in mice with Foxp3 loss of function mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah O. Jung
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois
| | - Jake S. Jasurda
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois
| | - Noboru Egashira
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Buffy S. Ellsworth
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois
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Abstract
For a number of disease entities, oxidative stress becomes a significant factor in the etiology and progression of cell dysfunction and injury. Therapeutic strategies that can identify novel signal transduction pathways to ameliorate the toxic effects of oxidative stress may lead to new avenues of treatment for a spectrum of disorders that include diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and immune system dysfunction. In this respect, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) may offer exciting prospects for several disorders since these receptors can limit or prevent apoptotic cell injury as well as impact upon cellular development and function. Yet the role of mGluRs is complex in nature and may require specific mGluR modulation for a particular disease entity to maximize clinical efficacy and limit potential disability. Here we discuss the potential clinical translation of mGluRs and highlight the role of novel signal transduction pathways in the metabotropic glutamate system that may be vital for the clinical utility of mGluRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cerebral Ischemia, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
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Davis SW, Castinetti F, Carvalho LR, Ellsworth BS, Potok MA, Lyons RH, Brinkmeier ML, Raetzman LT, Carninci P, Mortensen AH, Hayashizaki Y, Arnhold IJP, Mendonça BB, Brue T, Camper SA. Molecular mechanisms of pituitary organogenesis: In search of novel regulatory genes. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2010; 323:4-19. [PMID: 20025935 PMCID: PMC2909473 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2009.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Defects in pituitary gland organogenesis are sometimes associated with congenital anomalies that affect head development. Lesions in transcription factors and signaling pathways explain some of these developmental syndromes. Basic research studies, including the characterization of genetically engineered mice, provide a mechanistic framework for understanding how mutations create the clinical characteristics observed in patients. Defects in BMP, WNT, Notch, and FGF signaling pathways affect induction and growth of the pituitary primordium and other organ systems partly by altering the balance between signaling pathways. The PITX and LHX transcription factor families influence pituitary and head development and are clinically relevant. A few later-acting transcription factors have pituitary-specific effects, including PROP1, POU1F1 (PIT1), and TPIT (TBX19), while others, such as NeuroD1 and NR5A1 (SF1), are syndromic, influencing development of other endocrine organs. We conducted a survey of genes transcribed in developing mouse pituitary to find candidates for cases of pituitary hormone deficiency of unknown etiology. We identified numerous transcription factors that are members of gene families with roles in syndromic or non-syndromic pituitary hormone deficiency. This collection is a rich source for future basic and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S W Davis
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 41809-5618, USA
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Kayal RA, Siqueira M, Alblowi J, McLean J, Krothapalli N, Faibish D, Einhorn TA, Gerstenfeld LC, Graves DT. TNF-alpha mediates diabetes-enhanced chondrocyte apoptosis during fracture healing and stimulates chondrocyte apoptosis through FOXO1. J Bone Miner Res 2010; 25:1604-15. [PMID: 20200974 PMCID: PMC3154002 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To gain insight into the effect of diabetes on fracture healing, experiments were carried out focusing on chondrocyte apoptosis during the transition from cartilage to bone. Type 1 diabetes was induced in mice by multiple low-dose streptozotocin injections, and simple transverse fractures of the tibia or femur was carried out. Large-scale transcriptional profiling and gene set enrichment analysis were performed to examine apoptotic pathways on total RNA isolated from fracture calluses on days 12, 16, and 22, a period of endochondral bone formation when cartilage is resorbed and chondrocyte numbers decrease. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) protein levels were assessed by ELISA and caspase-3 by bioactivity assay. The role of TNF was examined by treating mice with the TNF-specific inhibitor pegsunercept. In vitro studies investigated the proapoptotic transcription factor FOXO1 in regulating TNF-induced apoptosis of chondrogenic ATDC5 and C3H10T1/2 cells as representative of differentiated chondrocytes, which are important during endochondral ossification. mRNA profiling revealed an upregulation of gene sets related to apoptosis in the diabetic group on day 16 when cartilage resorption is active but not day 12 or day 22. This coincided with elevated TNF-alpha protein levels, chondrocyte apoptosis, enhanced caspase-3 activity, and increased FOXO1 nuclear translocation (p < .05). Inhibition of TNF significantly reduced these parameters in the diabetic mice but not in normoglycemic control mice (p < .05). Silencing FOXO1 using siRNA in vitro significantly reduced TNF-induced apoptosis and caspase activity in differentiated chondrocytes. The mRNA levels of the proapoptotic genes caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and TRAIL were significantly reduced with silencing of FOXO1 in chondrocytic cells. Inhibiting caspase-8 and caspase-9 significantly reduced TNF-induced apoptosis in chondrogenic cells. These results suggest that diabetes causes an upregulation of proapoptotic genes during the transition from cartilage to bone in fracture healing. Diabetes increased chondrocyte apoptosis through a mechanism that involved enhanced production of TNF-alpha, which stimulates chondrocyte apoptosis and upregulates mRNA levels of apoptotic genes through FOXO1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayyan A Kayal
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Biology, Boston University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Verzi MP, Khan AH, Ito S, Shivdasani RA. Transcription factor foxq1 controls mucin gene expression and granule content in mouse stomach surface mucous cells. Gastroenterology 2008; 135:591-600. [PMID: 18558092 PMCID: PMC2955860 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2007] [Revised: 04/08/2008] [Accepted: 04/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The gastric mucosa provides a stringent epithelial barrier and produces acid and enzymes that initiate digestion. In this regenerating tissue, progenitors differentiate continually into 4 principal specialized cell types, yet underlying mechanisms of differentiation are poorly understood. We identified stomach-restricted expression of the forkhead transcription factor FOXQ1. METHODS We used a combination of genetic, histochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis to study gastric cell lineages with respect to FOXQ1. RESULTS Within the developing and adult gastrointestinal tract, Foxq1 messenger RNA (mRNA) is restricted to the stomach and expressed predominantly in foveolar (pit) cells, the abundant mucin-producing cells that line the mucosal surface. Mice carrying Foxq1 coding mutations show virtual absence of mRNA and protein for the backbone of the major stomach mucin MUC5AC. These observations correspond to a paucity of foveolar cell secretory vesicles and notable loss of stomach but not intestinal mucus. Transcriptional profiling identified a surprisingly restricted set of genes with altered expression in Foxq1 mutant stomachs. MUC5AC is a highly tissue-restricted product that similarly depends on FOXQ1 in its other major site of expression, conjunctival goblet cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these observations imply that promotion of gastric MUC5AC synthesis is a primary, cell-autonomous function of FOXQ1. This study is the first to implicate a transcription factor in terminal differentiation of foveolar cells and begins to define the requirements to assemble highly specialized organelles and cells in the gastric mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Verzi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Departments of Medicine, Boston, MA, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Abdul H. Khan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Departments of Medicine, Boston, MA, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Susumu Ito
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ramesh A. Shivdasani
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Departments of Medicine, Boston, MA, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,Corresponding author: Ramesh A. Shivdasani, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115, Tel. (617) 632-5746 Fax (617) 582-8490,
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Maiese K, Chong ZZ, Li F, Shang YC. Erythropoietin: elucidating new cellular targets that broaden therapeutic strategies. Prog Neurobiol 2008; 85:194-213. [PMID: 18396368 PMCID: PMC2441910 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2007] [Revised: 01/04/2008] [Accepted: 02/22/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Given that erythropoietin (EPO) is no longer believed to have exclusive biological activity in the hematopoietic system, EPO is now considered to have applicability in a variety of nervous system disorders that can overlap with vascular disease, metabolic impairments, and immune system function. As a result, EPO may offer efficacy for a broad number of disorders that involve Alzheimer's disease, cardiac insufficiency, stroke, trauma, and diabetic complications. During a number of clinical conditions, EPO is robust and can prevent metabolic compromise, neuronal and vascular degeneration, and inflammatory cell activation. Yet, use of EPO is not without its considerations especially in light of frequent concerns that may compromise clinical care. Recent work has elucidated a number of novel cellular pathways governed by EPO that can open new avenues to avert deleterious effects of this agent and offer previously unrecognized perspectives for therapeutic strategies. Obtaining greater insight into the role of EPO in the nervous system and elucidating its unique cellular pathways may provide greater cellular viability not only in the nervous system but also throughout the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cerebral Ischemia, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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Abstract
Unmitigated oxidative stress can lead to diminished cellular longevity, accelerated aging, and accumulated toxic effects for an organism. Current investigations further suggest the significant disadvantages that can occur with cellular oxidative stress that can lead to clinical disability in a number of disorders, such as myocardial infarction, dementia, stroke, and diabetes. New therapeutic strategies are therefore sought that can be directed toward ameliorating the toxic effects of oxidative stress. Here we discuss the exciting potential of the growth factor and cytokine erythropoietin for the treatment of diseases such as cardiac ischemia, vascular injury, neurodegeneration, and diabetes through the modulation of cellular oxidative stress. Erythropoietin controls a variety of signal transduction pathways during oxidative stress that can involve Janus-tyrosine kinase 2, protein kinase B, signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways, Wnt proteins, mammalian forkhead transcription factors, caspases, and nuclear factor kappaB. Yet, the biological effects of erythropoietin may not always be beneficial and may be poor tolerated in a number of clinical scenarios, necessitating further basic and clinical investigations that emphasize the elucidation of the signal transduction pathways controlled by erythropoietin to direct both successful and safe clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Cerebral Ischemia, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
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Hansen IA, Sieglaff DH, Munro JB, Shiao SH, Cruz J, Lee IW, Heraty JM, Raikhel AS. Forkhead transcription factors regulate mosquito reproduction. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2007; 37:985-97. [PMID: 17681238 PMCID: PMC2441594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2007] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 05/09/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Forkhead-box (Fox) genes encode a family of transcription factors defined by a 'winged helix' DNA-binding domain. In this study we aimed to identify Fox factors that are expressed within the fat body of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, and determine whether any of these are involved in the regulation of mosquito yolk protein gene expression. The Ae. aegypti genome contains 18 loci that encode putative Fox factors. Our stringent cladistic analysis has profound implications for the use of Fox genes as phylogenetic markers. Twelve Ae. aegypti Fox genes are expressed within various tissues of adult females, six of which are expressed within the fat body. All six Fox genes expressed in the fat body displayed dynamic expression profiles following a blood meal. We knocked down the 'fat body Foxes' through RNAi to determine whether these 'knockdowns' hindered amino acid-induced vitellogenin gene expression. We also determined the effect of these knockdowns on the number of eggs deposited following a blood meal. Knockdown of FoxN1, FoxN2, FoxL, and FoxO, had a negative effect on amino acid-induced vitellogenin gene expression and resulted in significantly fewer eggs laid. Our analysis stresses the importance of Fox transcription factors in regulating mosquito reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alexander S. Raikhel
- * Address correspondence to: Alexander S. Raikhel, Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside, Watkins Drive, CA 92521; Tel. 951-827-2146, Fax. 951 827-2140; E.mail:
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Steiner AB, Engleka MJ, Lu Q, Piwarzyk EC, Yaklichkin S, Lefebvre JL, Walters JW, Pineda-Salgado L, Labosky PA, Kessler DS. FoxD3 regulation of Nodal in the Spemann organizer is essential for Xenopus dorsal mesoderm development. Development 2006; 133:4827-38. [PMID: 17092955 PMCID: PMC1676154 DOI: 10.1242/dev.02663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Induction and patterning of the mesodermal germ layer is a key early step of vertebrate embryogenesis. We report that FoxD3 function in the Xenopus gastrula is essential for dorsal mesodermal development and for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer. In embryos and explants, FoxD3 induced mesodermal genes, convergent extension movements and differentiation of axial tissues. Engrailed-FoxD3, but not VP16-FoxD3, was identical to native FoxD3 in mesoderm-inducing activity, indicating that FoxD3 functions as a transcriptional repressor to induce mesoderm. Antagonism of FoxD3 with VP16-FoxD3 or morpholino-knockdown of FoxD3 protein resulted in a complete block to axis formation, a loss of mesodermal gene expression, and an absence of axial mesoderm, indicating that transcriptional repression by FoxD3 is required for mesodermal development. FoxD3 induced mesoderm in a non-cell-autonomous manner, indicating a role for secreted inducing factors in the response to FoxD3. Consistent with this mechanism, FoxD3 was necessary and sufficient for the expression of multiple Nodal-related genes, and inhibitors of Nodal signaling blocked mesoderm induction by FoxD3. Therefore, FoxD3 is required for Nodal expression in the Spemann organizer and this function is essential for dorsal mesoderm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron B. Steiner
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Mark J. Engleka
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Qun Lu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Eileen C. Piwarzyk
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Sergey Yaklichkin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Julie L. Lefebvre
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - James W. Walters
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
| | - Liliam Pineda-Salgado
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 1110 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Tel: 215-898-1478 Fax: 215-573-7601
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Yang JY, Xia W, Hu MCT. Ionizing radiation activates expression of FOXO3a, Fas ligand, and Bim, and induces cell apoptosis. Int J Oncol 2006; 29:643-8. [PMID: 16865280 PMCID: PMC2632978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Genotoxic stress such as ionizing radiation can induce DNA damage and promote cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis through either a p53-dependent or -independent pathway. Recently, members of the FOXO Forkhead transcription factor family have been implicated in playing a role in both DNA repair and apoptosis in mammalian cells that promoted us to examine the role of FOXO transcription factors in ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis. Here, we show that ionizing radiation can promote FOXO3a (FKHRL1) transcriptional activity and protein expression level, and induce nuclear translocation of FOXO3a in Saos2, a p53-null osteosarcoma cell line. Ionizing radiation stimulates expression of apoptosis-inducing proteins such as Fas ligand and the Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) leading to cellular apoptosis. The observed upregulation of proapoptotic genes and apoptosis in cells without p53 in response to ionizing radiation suggests a novel p53-independent mechanism underlying ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jer-Yen Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA
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Abstract
Forkhead proteins comprise a highly conserved family of transcription factors, named after the original forkhead gene in Drosophila. To date, over 100 forkhead genes have been identified in a large variety of species, all sharing the evolutionary conserved 'forkhead' DNA-binding domain, and the cloning and characterization of forkhead genes have continued in recent years. Forkhead transcription factors regulate the expression of countless genes downstream of important signalling pathways in most, if not all, tissues and cell types. Recent work has provided novel insights into the mechanisms that contribute to their functional diversity, including functional protein domains and interactions of forkheads with other transcription factors. Studies using loss- and gain-of-function models have elucidated the role of forkhead factors in developmental biology and cellular functions such as metabolism, cell division and cell survival. The importance of forkhead transcription factors is underlined by the developmental defects observed in mutant model organisms, and multiple human disorders and cancers which can be attributed to mutations within members of the forkhead gene family. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on forkhead transcription factors, from structural organization and regulatory mechanisms to cellular and developmental functions in mice and humans. Finally, we will discuss how novel insights gained from involvement of 'Foxes' in the mechanisms underlying human pathology may create new opportunities for treatment strategies.
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Key Words
- cell cycle
- development
- forkhead
- fox
- immunoregulation
- transcription factor
- cbp, creb (camp-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein
- ccnb, cyclin b
- cdk, cyclin-dependent kinase
- cki, cdk inhibitor
- dyrk1a, dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylated and -regulated kinase 1a
- er, oestrogen receptor
- fha, forkhead-associated domain
- fm, foxh1 motif
- fox, forkhead box
- gadd45a, growth arrest and dna-damage-inducible protein 45α
- hdac, histone deacetylase
- iκb, inhibitory κb
- ikkβ, iκb kinase β
- mh domain, mothers against decapentaplegic homology domain
- nf-κb, nuclear factor κb
- nls, nuclear localization signal
- pkb, protein kinase b
- plk-1, polo-like kinase 1
- scf, skp2/cullin/f-box
- sgk, serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase
- smad, similar to mothers against decapentaplegic
- sid, smad-interaction domain
- sim, smad-interaction motif
- tgfβ, transforming growth factor β
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J E C Wijchers
- Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Pharmacology and Anatomy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Universiteitsweg 100, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Hollenhorst PC, Pietz G, Fox CA. Mechanisms controlling differential promoter-occupancy by the yeast forkhead proteins Fkh1p and Fkh2p: implications for regulating the cell cycle and differentiation. Genes Dev 2001; 15:2445-56. [PMID: 11562353 PMCID: PMC312786 DOI: 10.1101/gad.906201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The roles of DNA and Mcm1p interactions in determining the overlapping and distinct functions of the yeast cell cycle regulatory transcription factors Fkh1p and Fkh2p were examined. Full-length recombinant Fkh1p and Fkh2p were purified and their binding to bona fide promoters examined in vitro. Each protein bound a variety of target promoters with similar specificity in vitro, consistent with the observation that these proteins bind common promoters in vivo. However, in vivo, the Fkh1p and Fkh2p occupied different target promoters to different extents, suggesting that each was primarily responsible for controlling a different set of genes. Additional in vitro studies provided a mechanistic explanation for this differential promoter-occupancy. Specifically, the Fkh2p, but not the Fkh1p, was capable of binding cooperatively with Mcm1p. The Mcm1p-Fkh2p cooperative binding was enhanced by, but did not require, the presence of a Mcm1p-binding site within a target promoter. Consistent with these data, Mcm1p was present at Fkh-controlled promoters in vivo regardless of whether they contained Mcm1p-binding sites, suggesting a role for Mcm1p at promoters not thought previously to be under Mcm1p control. Analysis of Fkh1p and Fkh2p binding to promoter targets in vivo by use of mutant strains indicated that the two proteins compete for promoter-occupancy at a number of target promoters. We postulate that Fkh1p and a stable Fkh2p/Mcm1p complex compete for binding to target promoters and that the levels and/or binding activity of Fkh1p, but not Fkh2p, are most limiting for promoter-occupancy in vivo. Interestingly, the in vitro DNA-binding assays, using a variety of promoter targets, revealed that bona fide Fkh target promoters contained two or more Fkh-binding sites that allowed the Fkh1p and Fkh2p proteins to form multiple protein-DNA complexes in vitro. Multiple Fkh-binding sites may be a distinguishing feature of bona fide Fkh promoters in yeast and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Hollenhorst
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
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Topczewska JM, Topczewski J, Shostak A, Kume T, Solnica-Krezel L, Hogan BL. The winged helix transcription factor Foxc1a is essential for somitogenesis in zebrafish. Genes Dev 2001; 15:2483-93. [PMID: 11562356 PMCID: PMC312789 DOI: 10.1101/gad.907401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies identified zebrafish foxc1a and foxc1b as homologs of the mouse forkhead gene, Foxc1. Both genes are transcribed in the unsegmented presomitic mesoderm (PSM), newly formed somites, adaxial cells, and head mesoderm. Here, we show that inhibiting synthesis of Foxc1a (but not Foxc1b) protein with two different morpholino antisense oligonucleotides blocks formation of morphological somites, segment boundaries, and segmented expression of genes normally transcribed in anterior and posterior somites and expression of paraxis implicated in somite epithelialization. Patterning of the anterior PSM is also affected, as judged by the absence of mesp-b, ephrinB2, and ephA4 expression, and the down-regulation of notch5 and notch6. In contrast, the expression of other genes, including mesp-a and papc, in the anterior of somite primordia, and the oscillating expression of deltaC and deltaD in the PSM appear normal. Nevertheless, this expression is apparently insufficient for the maturation of the presumptive somites to proceed to the stage when boundary formation occurs or for the maintenance of anterior/posterior patterning. Mouse embryos that are compound null mutants for Foxc1 and the closely related Foxc2 have no morphological somites and show abnormal expression of Notch signaling pathway genes in the anterior PSM. Therefore, zebrafish foxc1a plays an essential and conserved role in somite formation, regulating both the expression of paraxis and the A/P patterning of somite primordia.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Topczewska
- Department of Cell Biology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2175, USA
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Nash B, Colavita A, Zheng H, Roy PJ, Culotti JG. The forkhead transcription factor UNC-130 is required for the graded spatial expression of the UNC-129 TGF-beta guidance factor in C. elegans. Genes Dev 2000; 14:2486-500. [PMID: 11018016 PMCID: PMC316974 DOI: 10.1101/gad.831500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Secreted proteins required for cellular movements along the circumference of the body wall in Caenorhabditis elegans include UNC-6/netrin and the novel TGF-beta UNC-129. Expression of these proteins is graded along the dorsoventral (D/V) axis, providing polarity information to guide migrations. Here we show that the graded expression of UNC-129 in dorsal but not ventral body muscles depends on unc-130, which encodes a Forkhead transcription factor. The phenotype of unc-130 mutants closely mimics the reported effects of ectopically expressing unc-129 in both dorsal and ventral body muscles (). This fits our present finding that unc-130 cell autonomously represses unc-129 expression in the ventral body muscles. Thus the cell-specific effects of unc-130 on ventral, but not dorsal, body muscle expression of unc-129 accounts for the D/V polarity information required for UNC-129-mediated guidance. Genetic interactions between unc-130 and other guidance genes show that several molecular pathways function in parallel to guide the ventral to dorsal migration of distal tip cells (DTCs) and axonal growth cones in C. elegans. Genetic interactions confirm that UNC-129 does not require the only known type II TGF-beta receptor in C. elegans (DAF-4) for its guidance functions. Also, unc-130 is partially required for male tail morphogenesis and for embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Nash
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
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Abstract
Caenorhabditis elegans responds to its complex chemical environment using a small number of chemosensory neurons. Each of these neurons exhibits a unique sensory response repertoire. The developmental mechanisms that generate this diversity of function are largely unknown. Many C. elegans chemosensory neurons, including the AWA and ASG neurons, arise as lineal sisters of an asymmetric division. Here we describe the gene unc-130, which plays a role in the generation of the AWA and ASG neurons. In unc-130 mutants, the ASG neurons adopt the fate of the AWA neurons. unc-130 encodes a member of the forkhead domain family of transcription factors, and is expressed in the precursors to AWA and ASG neurons. Misexpression of unc-130 in the AWA neurons is partly sufficient to repress the AWA fate, but not to promote ASG fate. unc-130 also plays a role in the development of additional chemosensory neurons. Our experiments show that the ASG neurons share a developmental default state in common with three types of olfactory neurons. We propose that distinct cell fates and hence diversity of function in the chemosensory neurons of C. elegans are generated in a hierarchical manner, utilizing both lineage-dependent and independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Sarafi-Reinach
- Department of Biology and Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA
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Blixt A, Mahlapuu M, Aitola M, Pelto-Huikko M, Enerbäck S, Carlsson P. A forkhead gene, FoxE3, is essential for lens epithelial proliferation and closure of the lens vesicle. Genes Dev 2000; 14:245-54. [PMID: 10652278 PMCID: PMC316354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
In the mouse mutant dysgenetic lens (dyl) the lens vesicle fails to separate from the ectoderm, causing a fusion between the lens and the cornea. Lack of a proliferating anterior lens epithelium leads to absence of secondary lens fibers and a dysplastic, cataractic lens. We report the cloning of a gene, FoxE3, encoding a forkhead/winged helix transcription factor, which is expressed in the developing lens from the start of lens placode induction and becomes restricted to the anterior proliferating cells when lens fiber differentiation begins. We show that FoxE3 is colocalized with dyl in the mouse genome, that dyl mice have mutations in the part of FoxE3 encoding the DNA-binding domain, and that these mutations cosegregate with the dyl phenotype. During embryonic development, the primordial lens epithelium is formed in an apparently normal way in dyl mutants. However, instead of the proliferation characteristic of a normal lens epithelium, the posterior of these cells fail to divide and show signs of premature differentiation, whereas the most anterior cells are eliminated by apoptosis. This implies that FoxE3 is essential for closure of the lens vesicle and is a factor that promotes survival and proliferation, while preventing differentiation, in the lens epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Blixt
- Department of Molecular Biology, Göteborg University, The Lundberg Laboratory, Medicinaregatan 9C, Box 462, S-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
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Schlake T, Schorpp M, Nehls M, Boehm T. The nude gene encodes a sequence-specific DNA binding protein with homologs in organisms that lack an anticipatory immune system. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997; 94:3842-7. [PMID: 9108066 PMCID: PMC20529 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.94.8.3842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mouse, the product of the nude locus, Whn, is required for the keratinization of the hair shaft and the differentiation of epithelial progenitor cells in the thymus. A bacterially expressed peptide representing the presumptive DNA binding domain of the mouse whn gene in vitro specifically binds to a 11-bp consensus sequence containing the invariant tetranucleotide 5'-ACGC. In transient transfection assays, such binding sites stimulated reporter gene expression about 30- to 40-fold, when positioned upstream of a minimal promotor. Whn homologs from humans, bony fish (Danio rerio), cartilaginous fish (Scyliorhinus caniculus), agnathans (Lampetra planeri), and cephalochordates (Branchiostoma lanceolatum) share at least 80% of amino acids in the DNA binding domain. In agreement with this remarkable structural conservation, the DNA binding domains from zebrafish, which possesses a thymus but no hair, and amphioxus, which possesses neither thymus nor hair, recognize the same target sequence as the mouse DNA binding domain in vitro and in vivo. The genomes of vertebrates and cephalochordates contain only a single whn-like gene, suggesting that the primordial whn gene was not subject to gene-duplication events. Although the role of whn in cephalochordates and agnathans is unknown, its requirement in the development of the thymus gland and the differentiation of skin appendages in the mouse suggests that changes in the transcriptional control regions of whn genes accompanied their functional reassignments during evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Schlake
- Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany
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