1
|
Wang G, Gu Y, Liu Z. Deciphering the genetic interactions between Pou4f3, Gfi1, and Rbm24 in maintaining mouse cochlear hair cell survival. eLife 2024; 12:RP90025. [PMID: 38483314 PMCID: PMC10939501 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90025] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammals harbor a limited number of sound-receptor hair cells (HCs) that cannot be regenerated after damage. Thus, investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms that maintain HC survival is crucial for preventing hearing impairment. Intriguingly, Pou4f3-/- or Gfi1-/- HCs form initially but then rapidly degenerate, whereas Rbm24-/- HCs degenerate considerably later. However, the transcriptional cascades involving Pou4f3, Gfi1, and Rbm24 remain undescribed. Here, we demonstrate that Rbm24 expression is completely repressed in Pou4f3-/- HCs but unaltered in Gfi1-/- HCs, and further that the expression of both POU4F3 and GFI1 is intact in Rbm24-/- HCs. Moreover, by using in vivo mouse transgenic reporter assays, we identify three Rbm24 enhancers to which POU4F3 binds. Lastly, through in vivo genetic testing of whether Rbm24 restoration alleviates the degeneration of Pou4f3-/- HCs, we show that ectopic Rbm24 alone cannot prevent Pou4f3-/- HCs from degenerating. Collectively, our findings provide new molecular and genetic insights into how HC survival is regulated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangqin Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yunpeng Gu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence TechnologyShanghaiChina
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lee SY, Kim MY, Han JH, Park SS, Yun Y, Jee SC, Han JJ, Lee JH, Seok H, Choi BY. Ramifications of POU4F3 variants associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss in various molecular aspects. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12584. [PMID: 37537203 PMCID: PMC10400627 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38272-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
POU4F3, a member of the POU family of transcription factors, commonly causes autosomal dominant deafness. Exome sequencing was used to identify four novel variants in POU4F3 (NM_002700.2), including c.564dupA: p.Ala189SerfsTer26, c.743T > C:p.Leu248Pro, c.879C > A:p.Phe293Leu, and c.952G > A:p.Val318Met, and diverse aspects of the molecular consequences of their protein expression, stability, subcellular localization, and transcriptional activity were investigated. The expression of three mutant proteins, encoded by missense variants, was reduced compared to the wild-type protein, demonstrating that the mutants were unstable and vulnerable to degradation. Additionally, all the mutant proteins had distinct subcellular localization patterns. A mutant protein carrying p.Ala189SerfsTer26, in which both mono- and bi-partite nuclear localization signals were disrupted, showed abnormal subcellular localization. Resultantly, all the mutant proteins significantly reduced the transcriptional activity required to regulate the downstream target gene expression. Furthermore, we identified the altered expression of 14 downstream target genes associated with inner ear development using patient-derived lymphoblastoid cell lines. There was a significant correlation of the expression profile between patient-derived cells and the cochlear hair cells, which provided a breakthrough for cases where the collection of human cochlear samples for transcriptome studies was unfeasible. This study expanded the genotypic spectrum of POU4F3 in DFNA15, and further refined the molecular mechanisms underlying POU4F3-associated DFNA15.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Yeon Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Young Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hee Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Soo Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yejin Yun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Cheol Jee
- Department of Transdisciplinary Research and Collaboration, Genomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Joon Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyoung Seok
- Department of Transdisciplinary Research and Collaboration, Genomics Core Facility, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung Yoon Choi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 300 Gumi-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam, 463-707, Republic of Korea.
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Iyer AA, Hosamani I, Nguyen JD, Cai T, Singh S, McGovern MM, Beyer L, Zhang H, Jen HI, Yousaf R, Birol O, Sun JJ, Ray RS, Raphael Y, Segil N, Groves AK. Cellular reprogramming with ATOH1, GFI1, and POU4F3 implicate epigenetic changes and cell-cell signaling as obstacles to hair cell regeneration in mature mammals. eLife 2022; 11:e79712. [PMID: 36445327 PMCID: PMC9708077 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [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: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of the cochlea with hair-cell-specific transcription factors such as ATOH1 has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for hearing loss. ATOH1 expression in the developing cochlea can efficiently induce hair cell regeneration but the efficiency of hair cell reprogramming declines rapidly as the cochlea matures. We developed Cre-inducible mice to compare hair cell reprogramming with ATOH1 alone or in combination with two other hair cell transcription factors, GFI1 and POU4F3. In newborn mice, all transcription factor combinations tested produced large numbers of cells with the morphology of hair cells and rudimentary mechanotransduction properties. However, 1 week later, only a combination of ATOH1, GFI1 and POU4F3 could reprogram non-sensory cells of the cochlea to a hair cell fate, and these new cells were less mature than cells generated by reprogramming 1 week earlier. We used scRNA-seq and combined scRNA-seq and ATAC-seq to suggest at least two impediments to hair cell reprogramming in older animals. First, hair cell gene loci become less epigenetically accessible in non-sensory cells of the cochlea with increasing age. Second, signaling from hair cells to supporting cells, including Notch signaling, can prevent reprogramming of many supporting cells to hair cells, even with three hair cell transcription factors. Our results shed light on the molecular barriers that must be overcome to promote hair cell regeneration in the adult cochlea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amrita A Iyer
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Ishwar Hosamani
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - John D Nguyen
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at USCLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Tiantian Cai
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Sunita Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Melissa M McGovern
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Lisa Beyer
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Hongyuan Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Hsin-I Jen
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Rizwan Yousaf
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Onur Birol
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jenny J Sun
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Russell S Ray
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Yehoash Raphael
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of MichiganAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Neil Segil
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology at USCLos AngelesUnited States
- Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Andrew K Groves
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kim GS, Wang T, Sayyid ZN, Fuhriman J, Jones SM, Cheng AG. Repair of surviving hair cells in the damaged mouse utricle. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2116973119. [PMID: 35380897 PMCID: PMC9169652 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116973119] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory hair cells (HCs) in the utricle are mechanoreceptors required to detect linear acceleration. After damage, the mammalian utricle partially restores the HC population and organ function, although regenerated HCs are primarily type II and immature. Whether native, surviving HCs can repair and contribute to this recovery is unclear. Here, we generated the Pou4f3DTR/+; Atoh1CreERTM/+; Rosa26RtdTomato/+ mouse to fate map HCs prior to ablation. After HC ablation, vestibular evoked potentials were abolished in all animals, with ∼57% later recovering responses. Relative to nonrecovery mice, recovery animals harbored more Atoh1-tdTomato+ surviving HCs. In both groups, surviving HCs displayed markers of both type I and type II subtypes and afferent synapses, despite distorted lamination and morphology. Surviving type II HCs remained innervated in both groups, whereas surviving type I HCs first lacked and later regained calyces in the recovery, but not the nonrecovery, group. Finally, surviving HCs initially displayed immature and subsequently mature-appearing bundles in the recovery group. These results demonstrate that surviving HCs are capable of self-repair and may contribute to the recovery of vestibular function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace S. Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Zahra N. Sayyid
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Jessica Fuhriman
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Sherri M. Jones
- Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583
| | - Alan G. Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rochon PL, Theriault C, Rangel Olguin AG, Krishnaswamy A. The cell adhesion molecule Sdk1 shapes assembly of a retinal circuit that detects localized edges. eLife 2021; 10:e70870. [PMID: 34545809 PMCID: PMC8514235 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly 50 different mouse retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types sample the visual scene for distinct features. RGC feature selectivity arises from their synapses with a specific subset of amacrine (AC) and bipolar cell (BC) types, but how RGC dendrites arborize and collect input from these specific subsets remains poorly understood. Here we examine the hypothesis that RGCs employ molecular recognition systems to meet this challenge. By combining calcium imaging and type-specific histological stains, we define a family of circuits that express the recognition molecule Sidekick-1 (Sdk1), which include a novel RGC type (S1-RGC) that responds to local edges. Genetic and physiological studies revealed that Sdk1 loss selectively disrupts S1-RGC visual responses, which result from a loss of excitatory and inhibitory inputs and selective dendritic deficits on this neuron. We conclude that Sdk1 shapes dendrite growth and wiring to help S1-RGCs become feature selective.
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhu GJ, Gong S, Ma DB, Tao T, He WQ, Zhang L, Wang F, Qian XY, Zhou H, Fan C, Wang P, Chen X, Zhao W, Sun J, Chen H, Wang Y, Gao X, Zuo J, Zhu MS, Gao X, Wan G. Aldh inhibitor restores auditory function in a mouse model of human deafness. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009040. [PMID: 32970669 PMCID: PMC7553308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic hearing loss is a common health problem with no effective therapy currently available. DFNA15, caused by mutations of the transcription factor POU4F3, is one of the most common forms of autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. In this study, we established a novel mouse model of the human DFNA15 deafness, with a Pou4f3 gene mutation (Pou4f3Δ) identical to that found in a familial case of DFNA15. The Pou4f3(Δ/+) mice suffered progressive deafness in a similar manner to the DFNA15 patients. Hair cells in the Pou4f3(Δ/+) cochlea displayed significant stereociliary and mitochondrial pathologies, with apparent loss of outer hair cells. Progression of hearing and outer hair cell loss of the Pou4f3(Δ/+) mice was significantly modified by other genetic and environmental factors. Using Pou4f3(-/+) heterozygous knockout mice, we also showed that DFNA15 is likely caused by haploinsufficiency of the Pou4f3 gene. Importantly, inhibition of retinoic acid signaling by the aldehyde dehydrogenase (Aldh) and retinoic acid receptor inhibitors promoted Pou4f3 expression in the cochlear tissue and suppressed the progression of hearing loss in the mutant mice. These data demonstrate Pou4f3 haploinsufficiency as the main underlying cause of human DFNA15 deafness and highlight the therapeutic potential of Aldh inhibitors for treatment of progressive hearing loss. More than 50% of deafness cases are due to genetic defects with no treatment available. DFNA15, caused by mutations of the transcription factor POU4F3, is one of the most common types of autosomal dominant non-syndromic deafness. Here, we established a novel mouse model with the exact Pou4f3 mutation identified in human patients. The mutant mouse display similar auditory pathophysiology as human patients and exhibit multiple hair cell abnormalities. The onset and severity of hearing loss in the mouse model is highly modifiable to environmental factors, such as aging, noise exposure or genetic backgrounds. Using a new knockout mouse model, we found Pou4f3 haploinsufficiency as the underlying mechanism of human DFNA15. Importantly, we identified Aldh inhibitor as a potent small molecule for upregulation of Pou4f3 and treatment of hearing loss in the mutant mouse. The identification of Aldh inhibitor for treatment of DFNA15 deafness represents a major advance in the unmet medical need for this common form of progressive hearing loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Jie Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sihao Gong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Deng-Bin Ma
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Tao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei-Qi He
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Cambridge-Suda (CAM-SU) Genomic Resource Center, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Linqing Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Qian
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Han Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chi Fan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pei Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huaqun Chen
- College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Nanjing MuCyte Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Zuo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Creighton University, United States of America
| | - Min-Sheng Zhu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
| | - Xia Gao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
| | - Guoqiang Wan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Provincial Key Discipline of the affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University and Model Animal Research Center, MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Studies, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Institute for Brain Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail: (MSZ); (XG); (GW)
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xu F, Yan W, Cheng Y. Pou4f3 gene mutation promotes autophagy and apoptosis of cochlear hair cells in cisplatin-induced deafness mice. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 680:108224. [PMID: 31830441 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.108224] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pou4f3 plays an important role in the development of hair cells in the inner ear sensory epithelia. Autophagy is related to the auditory damage. However, the role and mechanism of Pou4f3 on drug-induced ototoxicity are incompletely understood. Hence, this study aimed to explore the effects of Pou4f3 on the apoptosis of cochlear hair cells (CHCs) and to explore whether autophagy was involved in this process. The cisplatin was used to produce a loss of CHCs to create a murine model of deafness. The AAV vectors were delivered into the scala media through the lateral wall. Compared with the control mice, the cisplatin-treated mice exhibited significantly enhanced apoptosis and autophagy in the cochleae, accompanied by a notably decreased Pou4f3 levels. Both mutation and knockdown of Pou4f3 promoted the apoptosis- and autophagy-related protein levels, and enhanced the cisplatin-induced levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins. Furthermore, the autophagy activator rapamycin promoted the apoptosis and autophagy in the cochlea. In addition, the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA overturned the promoting effect of Pou4f3 knockdown on the apoptosis and autophagy. Collectively, in cisplatin-induced deafness mice, the Pou4f3 gene mutation facilitated apoptosis of cochlear hair cells, at least partially, through inducing autophagy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Feilong Xu
- Department of Otology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenya Yan
- Department of Otology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjie Cheng
- Department of Otology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Duran Alonso MB, Lopez Hernandez I, de la Fuente MA, Garcia-Sancho J, Giraldez F, Schimmang T. Transcription factor induced conversion of human fibroblasts towards the hair cell lineage. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200210. [PMID: 29979748 PMCID: PMC6034836 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200210] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hearing loss is the most common sensorineural disorder, affecting over 5% of the population worldwide. Its most frequent cause is the loss of hair cells (HCs), the mechanosensory receptors of the cochlea. HCs transduce incoming sounds into electrical signals that activate auditory neurons, which in turn send this information to the brain. Although some spontaneous HC regeneration has been observed in neonatal mammals, the very small pool of putative progenitor cells that have been identified in the adult mammalian cochlea is not able to replace the damaged HCs, making any hearing impairment permanent. To date, guided differentiation of human cells to HC-like cells has only been achieved using either embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, use of such cell types suffers from a number of important disadvantages, such as the risk of tumourigenicity if transplanted into the host´s tissue. We have obtained cells expressing hair cell markers from cultures of human fibroblasts by overexpression of GFI1, Pou4f3 and ATOH1 (GPA), three genes that are known to play a critical role in the development of HCs. Immunocytochemical, qPCR and RNAseq analyses demonstrate the expression of genes typically expressed by HCs in the transdifferentiated cells. Our protocol represents a much faster approach than the methods applied to ESCs and iPSCs and validates the combination of GPA as a set of genes whose activation leads to the direct conversion of human somatic cells towards the hair cell lineage. Our observations are expected to contribute to the development of future therapies aimed at the regeneration of the auditory organ and the restoration of hearing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Beatriz Duran Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Iris Lopez Hernandez
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Miguel Angel de la Fuente
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Garcia-Sancho
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Fernando Giraldez
- CEXS, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Parc de Recerca Biomédica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, C/Sanz y Forés 3, Valladolid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Kitano T, Miyagawa M, Nishio SY, Moteki H, Oda K, Ohyama K, Miyazaki H, Hidaka H, Nakamura KI, Murata T, Matsuoka R, Ohta Y, Nishiyama N, Kumakawa K, Furutate S, Iwasaki S, Yamada T, Ohta Y, Uehara N, Noguchi Y, Usami SI. POU4F3 mutation screening in Japanese hearing loss patients: Massively parallel DNA sequencing-based analysis identified novel variants associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177636. [PMID: 28545070 PMCID: PMC5435223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A variant in a transcription factor gene, POU4F3, is responsible for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hereditary hearing loss, DFNA15. To date, 14 variants, including a whole deletion of POU4F3, have been reported to cause HL in various ethnic groups. In the present study, genetic screening for POU4F3 variants was carried out for a large series of Japanese hearing loss (HL) patients to clarify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DFNA15 in the Japanese population. Massively parallel DNA sequencing of 68 target candidate genes was utilized in 2,549 unrelated Japanese HL patients (probands) to identify genomic variations responsible for HL. The detailed clinical features in patients with POU4F3 variants were collected from medical charts and analyzed. Novel 12 POU4F3 likely pathogenic variants (six missense variants, three frameshift variants, and three nonsense variants) were successfully identified in 15 probands (2.5%) among 602 families exhibiting autosomal dominant HL, whereas no variants were detected in the other 1,947 probands with autosomal recessive or inheritance pattern unknown HL. To obtain the audiovestibular configuration of the patients harboring POU4F3 variants, we collected audiograms and vestibular symptoms of the probands and their affected family members. Audiovestibular phenotypes in a total of 24 individuals from the 15 families possessing variants were characterized by progressive HL, with a large variation in the onset age and severity with or without vestibular symptoms observed. Pure-tone audiograms indicated the most prevalent configuration as mid-frequency HL type followed by high-frequency HL type, with asymmetry observed in approximately 20% of affected individuals. Analysis of the relationship between age and pure-tone average suggested that individuals with truncating variants showed earlier onset and slower progression of HL than did those with non-truncating variants. The present study showed that variants in POU4F3 were a common cause of autosomal dominant HL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Kitano
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Maiko Miyagawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shin-ya Nishio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Hideaki Moteki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Oda
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kenji Ohyama
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Miyazaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hidaka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ken-ichi Nakamura
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Takaaki Murata
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Maebashi, Japan
| | - Rina Matsuoka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Ohta
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nishiyama
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kozo Kumakawa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sakiko Furutate
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Iwasaki
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, Mita Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takechiyo Yamada
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yumi Ohta
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Natsumi Uehara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noguchi
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Shin-ichi Usami
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- Department of Hearing Implant Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rey S, Moiche V, Boltaña S, Teles M, MacKenzie S. Behavioural fever in zebrafish larvae. Dev Comp Immunol 2017; 67:287-292. [PMID: 27670815 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2016.09.008] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Behavioural fever has been reported in different species of mobile ectotherms including the zebrafish, Danio rerio, in response to exogenous pyrogens. In this study we report, to our knowledge for the first time, upon the ontogenic onset of behavioural fever in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. For this, zebrafish larvae (from first feeding to juveniles) were placed in a continuous thermal gradient providing the opportunity to select their preferred temperature. The novel thermal preference aquarium was based upon a continuous vertical column system and allows for non-invasive observation of larvae vertical distribution under isothermal (TR at 28 °C) and thermal gradient conditions (TCH: 28-32 °C). Larval thermal preference was assessed under both conditions with or without an immersion challenge, in order to detect the onset of the behavioural fever response. Our results defined the onset of the dsRNA induced behavioural fever at 18-20 days post fertilization (dpf). Significant differences were observed in dsRNA challenged larvae, which prefer higher temperatures (1-4 °C increase) throughout the experimental period as compared to non-challenged larvae. In parallel we measured the abundance of antiviral transcripts; viperin, gig2, irf7, trim25 and Mxb mRNAs in dsRNA challenged larvae under both thermal regimes: TR and TCh. Significant increases in the abundance of all measured transcripts were recorded under thermal choice conditions signifying that thermo-coupling and the resultant enhancement of the immune response to dsRNA challenge occurs from 18 dpf onwards in the zebrafish. The results are of importance as they identify a key developmental stage where the neuro-immune interface matures in the zebrafish likely providing increased resistance to viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Rey
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Visila Moiche
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Sebastian Boltaña
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mariana Teles
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Simon MacKenzie
- Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chang CC, Ou YC, Wang KL, Chang TC, Cheng YM, Chen CH, Chu TY, Hsu ST, Liou WS, Chang YY, Wu HH, Chen TH, Lai HC. Triage of Atypical Glandular Cell by SOX1 and POU4F3 Methylation: A Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) Study. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128705. [PMID: 26057869 PMCID: PMC4461194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Invasive procedures including loop electrosurgical excision, cervical conization, and endometrial sampling are often recommended when atypical glandular cells (AGC) are detected on Pap smear with unsatisfactory colposcopy. These invasive procedures may result in patient anxiety, increased medical expense, and increasing the risk of preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancies. This study was performed to assess methylation biomarkers in the triage of AGC on Pap smear for invasive procedures. Methods We conducted a multicenter study in 13 medical centers in Taiwan from May 2012 to May 2014. A total of 55 samples diagnosed “AGC not otherwise specified” (AGC-NOS) were included. All patients with AGC underwent colposcopy, cervical biopsy, endometrial sampling, and conization if indicated. Multiplex quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (QMSPCR) was performed. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for detecting CIN3+ and endometrial complex hyperplasia. Results In 55 patients with AGC, the sensitivity for methylated (m) SOX1m, PAX1 m, ZNF582m,PTPRRm, AJAP1m, HS3ST2m, and POU4F3m for detecting CIN3+ and endometrial complex hyperplasia lesions was 100, 86, 71, 86, 86, 57, and 100%; specificity was 67, 79, 85, 50, 52, 96, and 52%, respectively. Testing for high risk-HPV had a sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 75% for CIN3+ and endometrial complex hyperplasia lesions. Conclusion Methylated (m) SOX1m and POU4F3m could be new methylation biomarkers for detection of CIN3+ and endometrial complex hyperplasia in AGC. Women with AGC and positive SOX1m / POU4F3m, colposcopy, cervical conization or endometrial sampling should be considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Chang Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yu-Che Ou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Kung-Liahng Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ting-Chang Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Ya-Min Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Chi-Hau Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tang-Yuan Chu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Shih-Tien Hsu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Wen-Shiung Liou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Yin-Yi Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hua-Hsi Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Tze-Ho Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Hung-Cheng Lai
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Tornari C, Towers ER, Gale JE, Dawson SJ. Regulation of the orphan nuclear receptor Nr2f2 by the DFNA15 deafness gene Pou4f3. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112247. [PMID: 25372459 PMCID: PMC4221282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair cells are the mechanotransducing cells of the inner ear that are essential for hearing and balance. POU4F3--a POU-domain transcription factor selectively expressed by these cells--has been shown to be essential for hair cell differentiation and survival in mice and its mutation in humans underlies late-onset progressive hearing loss (DFNA15). The downstream targets of POU4F3 are required for hair cell differentiation and survival. We aimed to identify such targets in order to elucidate the molecular pathways involved in hair cell production and maintenance. The orphan thyroid nuclear receptor Nr2f2 was identified as a POU4F3 target using a subtractive hybridization strategy and EMSA analysis showed that POU4F3 binds to two sites in the Nr2f2 5' flanking region. These sites were shown to be required for POU4F3 activation as their mutation leads to a reduction in the response of an Nr2f2 5' flanking region reporter construct to POU4F3. Immunocytochemistry was carried out in the developing and adult inner ear in order to investigate the relevance of this interaction in hearing. NR2F2 expression in the postnatal mouse organ of Corti was shown to be detectable in all sensory epithelia examined and characterised. These data demonstrate that Nr2f2 is a direct target of POU4F3 in vitro and that this regulatory relationship may be relevant to hair cell development and survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily R. Towers
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan E. Gale
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sally J. Dawson
- UCL Ear Institute, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Freitas ÉL, Oiticica J, Silva AG, Bittar RSM, Rosenberg C, Mingroni-Netto RC. Deletion of the entire POU4F3 gene in a familial case of autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss. Eur J Med Genet 2014; 57:125-8. [PMID: 24556497 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In 20% of cases, hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss has an autosomal dominant inheritance (ADNSHL). To date, more than 50 loci for ADNSHL have been mapped to different chromosomal regions. In order to verify whether genomic alterations contribute to the hearing loss etiology and to search for novel deafness candidate loci, we investigated probands from families with ADNSHL by oligonucleotide array-CGH. A deletion in the 5q32 region encompassing only one gene, POU4F3, which corresponds to DFNA15, was detected in one family. POU4F3 protein has an important role in the maturation, differentiation and survival of cochlear hair cells. Defects in these cells may therefore explain sensorineural hearing loss. Mutations in this gene have already been associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss but this is the first description of a germline POUF4F3 deletion associated with hearing impairment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Érika L Freitas
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jeanne Oiticica
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda G Silva
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roseli S M Bittar
- Department of Otolaryngology, Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Rosenberg
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Regina C Mingroni-Netto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Kim HJ, Won HH, Park KJ, Hong SH, Ki CS, Cho SS, Venselaar H, Vriend G, Kim JW. SNP linkage analysis and whole exome sequencing identify a novel POU4F3 mutation in autosomal dominant late-onset nonsyndromic hearing loss (DFNA15). PLoS One 2013; 8:e79063. [PMID: 24260153 PMCID: PMC3832514 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss (AD-NSHL) is one of the most common genetic diseases in human and is well-known for the considerable genetic heterogeneity. In this study, we utilized whole exome sequencing (WES) and linkage analysis for direct genetic diagnosis in AD-NSHL. The Korean family had typical AD-NSHL running over 6 generations. Linkage analysis was performed by using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip and pinpointed a genomic region on 5q31 with a significant linkage signal. Sequential filtering of variants obtained from WES, application of the linkage region, bioinformatic analyses, and Sanger sequencing validation identified a novel missense mutation Arg326Lys (c.977G>A) in the POU homeodomain of the POU4F3 gene as the candidate disease-causing mutation in the family. POU4F3 is a known disease gene causing AD-HSLH (DFNA15) described in 5 unrelated families until now each with a unique mutation. Arg326Lys was the first missense mutation affecting the 3(rd) alpha helix of the POU homeodomain harboring a bipartite nuclear localization signal sequence. The phenotype findings in our family further supported previously noted intrafamilial and interfamilial variability of DFNA15. This study demonstrated that WES in combination with linkage analysis utilizing bi-allelic SNP markers successfully identified the disease locus and causative mutation in AD-NSHL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Jin Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong-Hee Won
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyoung-Jin Park
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Hwa Hong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Seok Ki
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Sun Cho
- Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hanka Venselaar
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Vriend
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jong-Won Kim
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Shi M, Kumar SR, Motajo O, Kretschmer F, Mu X, Badea TC. Genetic interactions between Brn3 transcription factors in retinal ganglion cell type specification. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76347. [PMID: 24116103 PMCID: PMC3792956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visual information is conveyed from the retina to the brain via 15–20 Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) types. The developmental mechanisms by which RGC types acquire their distinct molecular, morphological, physiological and circuit properties are essentially unknown, but may involve combinatorial transcriptional regulation. Brn3 transcription factors are expressed in RGCs from early developmental stages, and are restricted in adults to distinct, partially overlapping populations of RGC types. Previously, we described cell autonomous effects of Brn3b (Pou4f2) and Brn3a (Pou4f1) on RGC axon and dendrites development. Methods and Findings We now have investigated genetic interactions between Brn3 transcription factors with respect to RGC development, by crossing conventional knock-out alleles of each Brn3 gene with conditional knock-in reporter alleles of a second Brn3 gene, and analyzing the effects of single or double Brn3 knockouts on RGC survival and morphology. We find that Brn3b loss results in axon defects and dendritic arbor area and lamination defects in Brn3a positive RGCs, and selectively affects survival and morphology of specific Brn3c (Pou4f3) positive RGC types. Brn3a and Brn3b interact synergistically to control RGC numbers. Melanopsin positive ipRGCs are resistant to combined Brn3 loss but are under the transcriptional control of Isl1, expanding the combinatorial code of RGC specification. Conclusions Taken together these results complete our knowledge on the mechanisms of transcriptional control of RGC type specification. They demonstrate that Brn3b is required for the correct development of more RGC cell types than suggested by its expression pattern in the adult, but that several cell types, including some Brn3a, Brn3c or Melanopsin positive RGCs are Brn3b independent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melody Shi
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sumit R. Kumar
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Oluwaseyi Motajo
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Friedrich Kretschmer
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiuqian Mu
- Department of Ophthalmology/Ross Eye Institute, Developmental Genomics Group, and Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- SUNY Eye Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- CCSG Genetics Program, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Tudor C. Badea
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Karnas D, Hicks D, Mordel J, Pévet P, Meissl H. Intrinsic photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in the diurnal rodent, Arvicanthis ansorgei. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73343. [PMID: 23951350 PMCID: PMC3739746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) represent a new class of photoreceptors which support a variety of non-image forming physiological functions, such as circadian photoentrainment, pupillary light reflex and masking responses to light. In view of the recently proposed role of retinal inputs for the regulation of diurnal and nocturnal behavior, we performed the first deep analysis of the ipRGC system in a diurnal rodent model, Arvicanthisansorgei, and compared the anatomical and physiological properties of ipRGCs with those of nocturnal mice. Based on somata location, stratification pattern and melanopsin expression, we identified two main ipRGC types in the retina of Arvicanthis: M1, constituting 74% of all ipRGCs and non-M1 (consisting mainly of the M2 type) constituting the following 25%. The displaced ipRGCs were rarely encountered. Phenotypical staining patterns of ganglion cell markers showed a preferential expression of Brn3 and neurofilaments in non-M1 ipRGCs. In general, the anatomical properties and molecular phenotyping of ipRGCs in Arvicanthis resemble ipRGCs of the mouse retina, however the percentage of M1 cells is considerably higher in the diurnal animal. Multi-electrode array recordings (MEA) identified in newborn retinas of Arvicanthis three response types of ipRGCs (type I, II and III) which are distinguished by their light sensitivity, response strength, latency and duration. Type I ipRGCs exhibited a high sensitivity to short light flashes and showed, contrary to mouse type I ipRGCs, robust light responses to 10 ms flashes. The morphological, molecular and physiological analysis reveals very few differences between mouse and Arvicanthis ipRGCs. These data imply that the influence of retinal inputs in defining the temporal niche could be related to a stronger cone input into ipRGCs in the cone-rich Arvicanthis retina, and to the higher sensitivity of type I ipRGCs and elevated proportion of M1 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Karnas
- Neuroanatomical Department, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/M, Germany
- Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, CNRS UPR-3212 Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - David Hicks
- Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, CNRS UPR-3212 Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
- * E-mail: (HM); (DH)
| | - Jérôme Mordel
- Neuroanatomical Department, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/M, Germany
- Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, CNRS UPR-3212 Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Paul Pévet
- Institute for Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience, CNRS UPR-3212 Strasbourg University, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hilmar Meissl
- Neuroanatomical Department, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt/M, Germany
- * E-mail: (HM); (DH)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Li S, Sun F, Zhang YB, Gui JF, Zhang QY. Identification of DreI as an antiviral factor regulated by RLR signaling pathway. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32427. [PMID: 22412872 PMCID: PMC3296712 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)–like receptors (RLRs) had been demonstrated to prime interferon (IFN) response against viral infection via the conserved RLR signaling in fish, and a novel fish-specific gene, the grass carp reovirus (GCRV)-induced gene 2 (Gig2), had been suggested to play important role in host antiviral response. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we cloned and characterized zebrafish Gig2 homolog (named Danio rerio Gig2-I, DreI), and revealed its antiviral role and expressional regulation signaling pathway. RT-PCR, Western blot and promoter activity assay indicate that DreI can be induced by poly I:C, spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and recombinant IFN (rIFN), showing that DreI is a typical ISG. Using the pivotal signaling molecules of RLR pathway, including RIG-I, MDA5 and IRF3 from crucian carp, it is found that DreI expression is regulated by RLR cascade and IRF3 plays an important role in this regulation. Furthermore, promoter mutation assay confirms that the IFN-stimulated regulatory elements (ISRE) in the 5′ flanking region of DreI is essential for its induction. Finally, overexpression of DreI leads to establish a strong antiviral state against SVCV and Rana grylio virus (RGV) infection in EPC (Epithelioma papulosum cyprinid) cells. Conclusions/Significance These data indicate that DreI is an antiviral protein, which is regulated by RLR signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Qi-Ya Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Wuhan Center for Developmental Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pan N, Jahan I, Kersigo J, Duncan JS, Kopecky B, Fritzsch B. A novel Atoh1 "self-terminating" mouse model reveals the necessity of proper Atoh1 level and duration for hair cell differentiation and viability. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30358. [PMID: 22279587 PMCID: PMC3261193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Atonal homolog1 (Atoh1) is a bHLH transcription factor essential for inner ear hair cell differentiation. Targeted expression of Atoh1 at various stages in development can result in hair cell differentiation in the ear. However, the level and duration of Atoh1 expression required for proper hair cell differentiation and maintenance remain unknown. We generated an Atoh1 conditional knockout (CKO) mouse line using Tg(Atoh1-cre), in which the cre expression is driven by an Atoh1 enhancer element that is regulated by Atoh1 protein to “self-terminate” its expression. The mutant mice show transient, limited expression of Atoh1 in all hair cells in the ear. In the organ of Corti, reduction and delayed deletion of Atoh1 result in progressive loss of almost all the inner hair cells and the majority of the outer hair cells within three weeks after birth. The remaining cells express hair cell marker Myo7a and attract nerve fibers, but do not differentiate normal stereocilia bundles. Some Myo7a-positive cells persist in the cochlea into adult stages in the position of outer hair cells, flanked by a single row of pillar cells and two to three rows of disorganized Deiters cells. Gene expression analyses of Atoh1, Barhl1 and Pou4f3, genes required for survival and maturation of hair cells, reveal earlier and higher expression levels in the inner compared to the outer hair cells. Our data show that Atoh1 is crucial for hair cell mechanotransduction development, viability, and maintenance and also suggest that Atoh1 expression level and duration may play a role in inner vs. outer hair cell development. These genetically engineered Atoh1 CKO mice provide a novel model for establishing critical conditions needed to regenerate viable and functional hair cells with Atoh1 therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Pan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NP); (BF)
| | - Israt Jahan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Kersigo
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Jeremy S. Duncan
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Kopecky
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
| | - Bernd Fritzsch
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America
- * E-mail: (NP); (BF)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hu X, Huang J, Feng L, Fukudome S, Hamajima Y, Lin J. Sonic hedgehog (SHH) promotes the differentiation of mouse cochlear neural progenitors via the Math1-Brn3.1 signaling pathway in vitro. J Neurosci Res 2010; 88:927-35. [PMID: 19908278 PMCID: PMC2823973 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (SHH) is essential for the development of the cochlear duct that harbors the organ of Corti. However, little is known about the molecular signaling pathway through which SHH promotes the development of the organ of Corti, especially cochlear sensory epithelial cells. In this study, we demonstrated that SHH contributes to the differentiation of cochlear neural progenitors (CNPs), which are derived from the postnatal day 1 organ of Corti in mice. Addition of SHH to CNPs increased the formation of epithelial cell islands, simultaneously activated the expression of Math1 that is a transcription factor for the initial differentiation of auditory hair cells. The increased expression of Math1 then regulated the promoter activity of Brn3.1, another transcription factor that controls the further differentiation and survival of auditory hair cells. Taken together, our data suggest that SHH plays an important role in the promotion of auditory hair cell differentiation via the Math1-Brn3.1 signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Hu
- Auditory Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Frenz CM, Lefebvre PP. Molecular modelling insights into DFNA15 mediated enhancement of POU4F3 stability. Int J Comput Biol Drug Des 2008; 1:295-301. [PMID: 20054994 DOI: 10.1504/ijcbdd.2008.021429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The POU4F3 transcription factor is expressed in the cochlear and vestibular hair cells of the inner ear and its targeted deletion results in a loss of inner ear hair cells. The DFNA15 truncation mutation has been demonstrated to result in a loss of transcriptional activity, but an increase in the stability of the protein. Molecular modelling is utilised to propose a mechanism of stability enhancement, via an interaction between the truncated POU(HD) domain and the POU(S) domain of the transcription factor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Frenz
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Liege, CHU de Liege, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Nolan LS, Jagutpal SS, Cadge BA, Woo P, Dawson SJ. Identification and functional analysis of common sequence variants in the DFNA15 gene, Brn-3c. Gene 2007; 400:89-97. [PMID: 17611044 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2007.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2006] [Revised: 03/29/2007] [Accepted: 05/31/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A rare mutation in Brn-3c (Brn3.1, POU4F3) underlies adult onset hearing loss (DFNA15) and targeted deletion of this gene in mice leads to complete deafness due to loss of sensory hair cells from the cochlea. Therefore the aim of our study was to identify and characterise common functional variation in the Brn-3c gene, which could potentially be a genetic risk for more common forms of adult onset hearing loss. We identified seven sequence variants at the Brn-3c locus. One of these, a novel, common variant at position -3432 was extremely complex consisting of a variable guanine repeat that also exhibited single nucleotide substitutions within the poly-guanine repeat: -3432 poly-G polymorphism. In-vitro studies show that this polymorphism modifies binding affinity for the SP1 transcription factor. Furthermore, reporter constructs of the Brn-3c 5'-flanking region containing different -3432 poly-G alleles show altered transcriptional activity when endogenous SP1 levels are reduced using a dominant negative approach. Results also indicate that this effect is influenced by the length of a novel polymorphic (GT)(n) repeat at position -566 in the Brn-3c 5'-flanking region. In summary, our data show there are common sequence variants in the Brn-3c 5'-flanking region that affect transcriptional regulation in vitro; these variants are candidates for large-scale population based association analysis as they could potentially affect the genetic risk for more common types of adult onset hearing loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa S Nolan
- Centre for Auditory Research, Ear Institute, University College London, 332 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8EE, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yerukhimovich MV, Bai L, Chen DHC, Miller RH, Alagramam KN. Identification and characterization of mouse cochlear stem cells. Dev Neurosci 2006; 29:251-60. [PMID: 17047322 DOI: 10.1159/000096415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2006] [Accepted: 06/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic, noise- and drug-induced loss of hair cells in the mouse and human cochlea leads to permanent hearing loss due to lack of regeneration of hair cells, which may be due to reduced numbers or loss of the regenerative ability of stem cells in the adult cochlea. We hypothesized that the mouse neonate cochlea harbors stem cells capable of differentiating into hair cells. Cells from the primary neonate cochlear culture began to proliferate and formed floating spheres after 14 days in vitro (DIV). By comparison, spheres from the primary culture of the cortex were observed after 7 DIV. Cochlear sphere cells could be passaged and the new spheres were observed after 7 DIV. Cochlear sphere cells were capable of differentiating into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, but not neurons under the conditions tested. Cochlear sphere cells expressed Sox2 and Myo7a, but failed to show markers that are expressed exclusively in mature cochlear tissue, while cells from cortex spheres expressed Sox2 and Otx2, but not Myo7a. Our results show that cochleae from neonatal mice harbor cells capable of forming spheres and cells from these spheres appear to be better endowed to become hair cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael V Yerukhimovich
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Diss JKJ, Faulkes DJ, Walker MM, Patel A, Foster CS, Budhram-Mahadeo V, Djamgoz MBA, Latchman DS. Brn-3a neuronal transcription factor functional expression in human prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2006; 9:83-91. [PMID: 16276351 DOI: 10.1038/sj.pcan.4500837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Neuroendocrine differentiation has been associated with prostate cancer (CaP). Brn-3a (short isoform) and Brn-3c, transcriptional controllers of neuronal differentiation, were readily detectable in human CaP both in vitro and in vivo. Brn-3a expression, but not Brn-3c, was significantly upregulated in >50% of tumours. Furthermore, overexpression of this transcription factor in vitro (i) potentiated CaP cell growth and (ii) regulated the expression of a neuronal gene, the Nav1.7 sodium channel, concomitantly upregulated in human CaP, in an isoform-specific manner. It is concluded that targeting Brn-3a could be a useful strategy for controlling the expression of multiple genes that promote CaP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J K J Diss
- Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Sud R, Jones CM, Banfi S, Dawson SJ. Transcriptional regulation by Barhl1 and Brn-3c in organ of corti derived cell lines. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 141:174-80. [PMID: 16226339 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2005.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2005] [Revised: 08/22/2005] [Accepted: 09/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Barhl1 and Brn-3c have been identified as transcription factors that are essential for survival and maintenance of hair cells of the inner ear. Little is known about the mechanism of how Brn-3c or Barhl1 may regulate transcription in the inner ear. In this study, the transcriptional function of both Brn-3c and Barhl1 was investigated in the organ-of-Corti-derived cell lines, OC-1 and OC-2. We examined regulatory domains in these transcription factors by linking regions of Barhl1 and Brn-3c to the DNA binding domain of the heterologous transcription factor GAL4 and assayed their effect on a heterologous promoter containing GAL4 DNA binding sites by co-transfection into OC-1 and OC-2 cell lines. Brn-3c was found to contain an independent N-terminal activation domain that is sufficient to activate gene transcription in the organ of corti derived cell lines. Barhl1 on the other hand was found to act as a transcriptional repressor with repressive activity not restricted to a particular domain of Barhl1. In addition, we analyzed the effect of Barhl1 on the promoters of the neurotrophin genes NT-3 and BDNF in OC-1 and OC-2 cell lines. However, Barhl1 was not found to directly regulate neurotrophin promoter constructs in these cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richa Sud
- Molecular Audiology Group, Centre for Auditory Research, UCL Ear Institute, 332 Gray's Inn Rd, London WC1X 8EE, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|