DeltaEF1, a zinc finger and homeodomain transcription factor, is required for skeleton patterning in multiple lineages

The transcription factor ZEB1 is aberrantly expressed in aggressive uterine cancers

The transcription factor ZEB1 (deltaEF1 in mice) has been implicated in cellular processes during development and tumor progression including epithelial to mesenchymal transition. deltaEF1 null mice die at birth, but heterozygotes expressing a LacZ reporter inserted into the deltaEF1 gene live and reproduce. Using these mice, we observed ZEB1 promoter activity in the virgin myometrium, and stroma and myometrium of the pregnant uterus. ZEB1 protein is up-regulated in the myometrium and endometrial stroma after progesterone or estrogen treatment of ovariectomized mice. In the normal human uterus, ZEB1 protein is increased in the myometrium and stroma during the secretory stage of the menstrual cycle. ZEB1 is not expressed in the normal endometrial epithelium. In malignancies of the uterus, we find that ZEB1 (a) is overexpressed in malignant tumors derived from the myometrium (leiomyosarcomas), (b) is overexpressed in tumor-associated stroma of low-grade endometrioid adenocarcinomas, and (c) is aberrantly expressed in the tumor epithelial cells of aggressive endometrial cancers. Specifically, in grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinomas and uterine papillary serous carcinomas, ZEB1 could be expressed in the epithelial-derived carcinoma cells as well as in the stroma. In malignant mixed Müllerian tumors, the sarcomatous component always expresses ZEB1, and the carcinomatous component can also be positive. In summary, ZEB1 is normally regulated by both estrogen and progesterone receptors, but in uterine cancers, it is likely no longer under control of steroid hormone receptors and becomes aberrantly expressed in epithelial-derived tumor cells, supporting a role for ZEB1 in epithelial to mesenchymal transitions associated with aggressive tumors.

FOXO Transcription Factors Cooperate with δEF1 to Activate Growth Suppressive Genes in B Lymphocytes

Forkhead transcription factors regulate many aspects of lymphocyte development and function. The FOXO subgroup of Forkhead factors opposes proliferation and survival, and FOXO inactivation is an important outcome of Ag receptor signaling. FOXO activity at target promoters is modulated by other transcription factors in a manner dependent on cell type and external stimulus. We have investigated the mechanisms by which FOXO proteins activate the promoters of two target genes in murine B lymphocytes, Ccng2 (encoding cyclin G2) and Rbl2 (p130), each of which has been implicated in cell cycle arrest. FOXO proteins bound directly to both promoters in vitro and in vivo, augmented transcriptional activity in reporter assays, and increased expression of the endogenous genes. Each of the promoter sequences has consensus binding sites for the deltaEF1 transcription factor, previously shown to either repress or activate different promoters. deltaEF1 bound to the Ccng2 and Rbl2 promoters in vitro and in vivo and increased reporter activity as well as endogenous mRNA levels for these genes. Strikingly, deltaEF1 synergized with FOXO proteins to strongly activate transcription from both promoters. Coexpression of deltaEF1 enhanced FOXO-induced cell cycle arrest in B lymphoma cells. These findings establish a novel mechanism of FOXO function at target promoters: cooperation with deltaEF1.

Zfh1, a somatic motor neuron transcription factor, regulates axon exit from the CNS

Motor neurons are defined by their axon projections, which exit the CNS to innervate somatic or visceral musculature, yet remarkably little is known about how motor axons are programmed to exit the CNS. Here, we describe the role of the Drosophila Zfh1 transcription factor in promoting axon exit from the CNS. Zfh1 is detected in all embryonic somatic motor neurons, glia associated with the CNS surface and motor axons, and one identified interneuron. In zfh1 mutants, ventral projecting motor axons often stall at the edge of the CNS, failing to enter the muscle field, despite having normal motor neuron identity. Conversely, ectopic Zfh1 induces a subset of interneurons--all normally expressing two or more "ventral motor neuron transcription factors" (e.g. Islet, Hb9, Nkx6, Lim3)--to project laterally and exit the CNS. We conclude that Zfh1 is required for ventral motor axon exit from the CNS.

Complementary expression pattern ofZfhx1 genesSip1 andδEF1 in the mouse embryo and their genetic interaction revealed by compound mutants

In mouse embryos, the Zfhx1 transcription factor genes, Sip1 and deltaEF1, are expressed in complementary domains in many tissues. Their possible synergism in embryogenesis was investigated by comparing the phenotype of Sip1-/-;deltaEF1-/- double homozygotes with single homozygous embryos. Unexpectedly, in Sip1-/- embryos deltaEF1 was ectopically activated, suggesting a negative regulation of deltaEF1 expression by Sip1. Sip1-/-;deltaEF1-/- embryos were similar to Sip1-/- embryos in short somite production and developmental arrest around E8.5, but showed more severe defects in dorsal neural tube morphogenesis accompanied by a larger reduction of Sox2 expression, ascribable to the loss of the ectopic deltaEF1 expression. Sip1+/-;deltaEF1-/- embryos develop various morphological defects after E10 that were absent in deltaEF1-/- embryos even in tissues without significant overlap of Sip1 and deltaEF1 expression, and arrested during mid gestation earlier than deltaEF1-/- embryos. These findings indicate that complex synergistic interactions occur between Zfhx1 transcription factor genes during mouse embryogenesis.

deltaEF1 repressor controls selectively p53 family members during differentiation

The discovery of two new p53 homologs, p73 and p63, has defined a family of transcription factors heavily involved in the control of growth suppression, apoptosis, differentiation and development. While p53-deficient mice undergo spontaneous tumors, p73 and p63 knockout mice exhibit severe developmental defects. We demonstrate here that p73 gene is an in vivo transcriptional target of the muscle regulatory factors MyoD, myogenin, Myf5 and Myf6. Ectopic expression of the transcriptional repressor deltaEF1/ZEB/zfhx1a counteracts MyoD/Myf5- or MyoD/Myf6-mediated transcriptional activation of p73. A distinct pattern of in vivo recruitment of muscle regulatory factors and deltaEF1 on p73 regulatory regions was found between proliferating and differentiating muscle cells. We also found that deltaEF1 plays a role in the transcriptional regulation of p53 family members during keratinocytic differentiation. Mouse embryo fibroblasts derived from deltaEF1-deficient mice exhibit unbalanced expression of DeltaNp63, TAp73 and DeltaNp73 but not of TAp63 and p53. The analysis of tissues derived from deltaEF1+/- mice exhibit a selective enrichment of DeltaNp63 in skin.

Mutations in TCF8 cause posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy and ectopic expression of COL4A3 by corneal endothelial cells

Posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD, also known as PPMD) is a rare disease involving metaplasia and overgrowth of corneal endothelial cells. In patients with PPCD, these cells manifest in an epithelial morphology and gene expression pattern, produce an aberrant basement membrane, and, sometimes, spread over the iris and nearby structures in a way that increases the risk for glaucoma. We previously mapped PPCD to a region (PPCD3) on chromosome 10 containing the gene that encodes the two-handed zinc-finger homeodomain transcription factor TCF8. Here, we report a heterozygous frameshift mutation in TCF8 that segregates with PPCD in the family used to map PPCD3 and four different heterozygous nonsense and frameshift mutations in TCF8 in four other PPCD probands. Family reports of inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and possible bone anomalies in affected individuals suggest that individuals with TCF8 mutations should be examined for nonocular anomalies. We detect transcripts of all three identified PPCD genes (VSX1, COL8A2, and TCF8) in the cornea. We show presence of a complex (core plus secondary) binding site for TCF8 in the promoter of Alport syndrome gene COL4A3, which encodes collagen type IV alpha 3, and we present immunohistochemical evidence of ectopic expression of COL4A3 in corneal endothelium of the proband of the original PPCD3 family. Identification of TCF8 as the PPCD3 gene provides a valuable tool for the study of critical gene regulation events in PPCD pathology and suggests a possible role for TCF8 mutations in altered structure and function of cells lining body cavities other than the anterior chamber of the eye. Thus, this study has identified TCF8 as the gene responsible for approximately half of the cases of PPCD, has implicated TCF8 mutations in developmental abnormalities outside the eye, and has presented the TCF8 regulatory target, COL4A3, as a key, shared molecular component of two different diseases, PPCD and Alport syndrome.

ZFH4 protein is expressed in many neurons of developing rat brain

The zinc finger-homeodomain (ZFH) transcription factors contain a zinc finger motif and a homeodomain that might regulate neural and mesenchymal cell differentiation. We have cloned the ZFH4 gene that encodes a protein with structures closely related to ATBF1. In order to study the expression pattern of ZFH4 in the developing rat brain, we raised an antibody against a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein of ZFH4. Western blotting with this antibody identified a gene product of 390 kDa in the normal rat brain. Levels of the protein were high in the brainstem at embryonic and neonatal periods and in the midbrain and diencephalon in neonatal rat brain. In addition, the corresponding mRNA of 12.5 kb was detected by Northern blotting. An immunolocalization study showed that postmitotic neurons in the brainstem were the major site of ZFH4 expression, and the levels of expression varied depending on age and anatomical sites. Expression was transient and weak in precursor cells at early neurogenesis. Although ZFH4 levels decreased after birth, ZFH4 continued to be expressed in the mature neurons including DOPA decarboxylase-positive neurons. High levels of expression were also detected in non-neuronal cells of the subcommissural organ, but the expression was almost undetectable throughout precursor cells to mature neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The spatial and temporal expression patterns closely resembled those of ATBF1, and we detected neurons that expressed ZFH4, ATBF1, or both. We postulate that ZFH4 participates in the regulation of neural cell maturation or of region-specific differentiation of the brain.

Identification of alternative promoter usage for the matrix Gla protein gene. Evidence for differential expression during early development in Xenopus laevis

Recent cloning of the Xenopus laevis (Xl) matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene indicated the presence of a conserved overall structure for this gene between mammals and amphibians but identified an additional 5'-exon, not detected in mammals, flanked by a functional, calcium-sensitive promoter, 3042 bp distant from the ATG initiation codon. DNA sequence analysis identified a second TATA-like DNA motif located at the 3' end of intron 1 and adjacent to the ATG-containing second exon. This putative proximal promoter was found to direct transcription of the luciferase reporter gene in the X. laevis A6 cell line, a result confirmed by subsequent deletion mutant analysis. RT-PCR analysis of XlMGP gene expression during early development identified a different temporal expression of the two transcripts, strongly suggesting differential promoter activation under the control of either maternally inherited or developmentally induced regulatory factors. Our results provide further evidence of the usefulness of nonmammalian model systems to elucidate the complex regulation of MGP gene transcription and raise the possibility that a similar mechanism of regulation may also exist in mammals.

Signals regulating tendon formation during chick embryonic development

Tendons are collagen-rich structures that link muscle to cartilage. By using quail-chick chimeras, it has been shown that tendon and cartilage cells originate from the same mesodermic compartment, which is distinct from that giving rise to muscle cells. Axial tendons originate from the sclerotomal compartment, and limb tendons originate from the lateral plate, whereas axial and limb muscles derive from dermomyotomes. Despite these different embryologic origins, muscle and tendon morphogenesis occurs in close spatial and temporal association. Facilitated by the distinct embryologic origin of myogenic and tendon cells, surgical studies in the avian embryo have highlighted interactions between tendons and muscles, during embryonic development. However, these interactions seem to differ between axial and limb levels. The molecular mechanisms underlying muscle and tendon interactions have been shown recently to involve different members of the fibroblast growth factor family. This review covers the available data on the early steps of tendon formation in the limb and along the primary axis. The relationship with muscle morphogenesis will be highlighted.

Extracellular matrix gene regulation

Extracellular matrix metabolism plays a central role in development of skeletal tissues and in most orthopaedic diseases and trauma such as fracture or osteotomy repair, arthritis, cartilage repair, and congenital skeletal deformity. During development or disease, specific genes must be expressed in order to make or repair appropriate extracellular matrix. For example, specific gene expression patterns are characteristic of bone and cartilage. The precise expression pattern depends on a balance of positive and negative transcription factors, proteins that control the synthesis of mRNA from the specific gene. In cartilage, a number of studies indicate that Sox transcription factors are critical positive regulators in genes such as COL2A1, COL9A2, COL11A2, aggrecan, and CD-RAP. In addition, negative regulators are also essential to fine tune gene regulation in chondrocytes and to turn off gene expression in noncartilaginous tissues. Negative transcription factors in cartilage include partial differentialEF-1, snail/slug, CYRBP1, NT2, and C/EBP. Runx2 and osterix are critical transcription factors for osteogenesis but also have some influence on chondrogenesis. The availability of cis-regulatory sites in specific genes combined with the availability of transcription factors in the nucleus determines the level of gene expression.

Expression of Zfhep/deltaEF1 protein in palate, neural progenitors, and differentiated neurons

Zfhep/deltaEF1 is essential for embryonic development. We have investigated the expression pattern of Zfhep protein during mouse embryogenesis. We show expression of Zfhep in the mesenchyme of the palatal shelves, establishing concordance of expression with the reported cleft palate of the deltaEF1-null mice. Zfhep protein is strongly expressed in proliferating progenitors of the nervous system. In most regions of the brain, post-mitotic cells stop expressing Zfhep when they migrate out of the ventricular zone (VZ) and differentiate. However, in the hindbrain, Zfhep protein is also highly expressed in post-mitotic migratory neuronal cells of the precerebellar extramural stream that arise from the neuroepithelium adjacent to the lower rhombic lip. Also, Zfhep is expressed as cells migrate from a narrow region of the pons VZ towards the trigeminal nucleus. Co-expression with Islet1 shows that Zfhep is expressed in motor neurons of the trigeminal nucleus of the pons, but not in the inferior olive motor neurons at E12.5. Therefore, Zfhep is strongly expressed in a tightly regulated pattern in proliferating neural stem cells and a subset of neurons. Zfhep protein is also strongly expressed in trigeminal ganglia, and is moderately expressed in other cranial ganglia. In vitro studies have implicated Zfhep as a repressor of myogenesis, however, we find that Zfhep protein expression increases during muscle differentiation.

Characterization and chondrocyte differentiation stage-specific expression of KRAB zinc-finger protein gene ZNF470

As part of a study to identify novel transcriptional regulators of chondrogenesis-related gene expression, we have cloned and characterized cDNA for zinc-finger protein 470 (ZNF470), the human ortholog of which encodes a 717 amino acid residue protein containing 17 Cys(2)His(2) zinc-finger domains, as well as KRAB-A and KRAB-B motifs. The cDNA library used to isolate the initial ZNF470 clone was prepared from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells at an intermediate stage of chondrogenic differentiation. We have determined the intron-exon structure of the human ZNF470 gene, which has been mapped to a zinc-finger cluster in a known imprinted region of human chromosome 19q13.4. ZNF470 is expressed at high levels in human testis and is expressed at low or undetectible levels in other adult tissues. Human ZNF470 expressed in mammalian cells as an EGFP fusion protein localizes predominantly to the nucleus, consistent with a role in transcriptional regulation. ZNF470, analyzed by quantitative real time PCR, was transiently expressed before the maximal expression of COL2A1 during chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. We have also characterized the bovine ortholog of human ZNF470, which encodes a 508 amino acid residue protein having 10 zinc-finger domains. A bovine ZNF470 cDNA clone was used to examine expression of ZNF470 in bovine articular chondrocytes treated with retinoic acid to stimulate dedifferentiation. Bovine ZNF470 expression was undetectable in freshly isolated bovine articular chondrocytes, but was dramatically upregulated in dedifferentiated retinoic acid-treated chondrocytes. These results, in two model systems, suggest a possible role for ZNF470 in the regulation of chondrogenesis-specific gene expression.

Ndrg1-deficient mice exhibit a progressive demyelinating disorder of peripheral nerves

NDRG1 is an intracellular protein that is induced under a number of stress and pathological conditions, and it is thought to be associated with cell growth and differentiation. Recently, human NDRG1 was identified as a gene responsible for hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom (classified as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D), which is characterized by early-onset peripheral neuropathy, leading to severe disability in adulthood. In this study, we generated mice lacking Ndrg1 to analyze its function and elucidate the pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4D. Histological analysis showed that the sciatic nerve of Ndrg1-deficient mice degenerated with demyelination at about 5 weeks of age. However, myelination of Schwann cells in the sciatic nerve was normal for 2 weeks after birth. Ndrg1-deficient mice showed muscle weakness, especially in the hind limbs, but complicated motor skills were retained. In wild-type mice, NDRG1 was abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells rather than the myelin sheath. These results indicate that NDRG1 deficiency leads to Schwann cell dysfunction, suggesting that NDRG1 is essential for maintenance of the myelin sheaths in peripheral nerves. These mice will be used for future analyses of the mechanisms of myelin maintenance.

ATBF1-A protein, but not ATBF1-B, is preferentially expressed in developing rat brain

The ATBF1 gene encodes transcription factors containing four homeodomains and multiple zinc finger motifs. However, the gene products have yet to be identified and the role remains unknown in vivo. In this study, we raised an antiserum for ATBF1 and found high levels of expression of ATBF1 in developing rat brain. Western and Northern blot analyses detected a 400 kDa protein and 12.5 kb mRNA in developing rat brain, respectively; both corresponding to ATBF1-A but not the B isoform. The protein was highly expressed in the midbrain and diencephalon and mRNA was highly expressed in the brainstem, mostly in embryo and neonatal brain. Immunohistochemistry identified postmitotic neurons in the brainstem as the major site of ATBF1 expression, and the expression levels varied depending on age of and location in the brain. Expression was transient and weak in the precursor cells at early neurogenesis. ATBF1 decreased postnatally, but remained in mature neurons, including those expressing DOPA decarboxylase (DDC). High levels of ATBF1 were expressed in precursor cells in accordance with neurogenesis and were continued to the mature neurons in specific areas such as the inferior colliculus. Expression was not significant from precursor cells to mature neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. ATBF1 and its Drosophila homolog, Zfh-2, are known to regulate cell differentiation and proliferation via the interaction with either of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, c-myb, or the DDC gene. Together with these reported functions the expression features detected here suggest that ATBF1 may participate in the regulation of neuronal cell maturation or region-specific central nervous system differentiation.

Analysis of the molecular cascade responsible for mesodermal limb chondrogenesis: Sox genes and BMP signaling

Here, we have studied how Sox genes and BMP signaling are functionally coupled during limb chondrogenesis. Using the experimental model of TGFbeta1-induced interdigital digits, we dissect the sequence of morphological and molecular events during in vivo chondrogenesis. Our results show that Sox8 and Sox9 are the most precocious markers of limb cartilage, and their induction is independent and precedes the activation of BMP signaling. Sox10 appears also to cooperate with Sox9 and Sox8 in the establishment of the digit cartilages. In addition, we show that experimental induction of Sox gene expression in the interdigital mesoderm is accompanied by loss of the apoptotic response to exogenous BMPs. L-Sox5 and Sox6 are respectively induced coincident and after the expression of Bmpr1b in the prechondrogenic aggregate, and their activation correlates with the induction of Type II Collagen and Aggrecan genes in the differentiating cartilages. The expression of Bmpr1b precedes the appearance of morphological changes in the prechondrogenic aggregate and establishes a landmark from which the maintenance of the expression of all Sox genes and the progress of cartilage differentiation becomes dependent on BMPs. Moreover, we show that Ventroptin precedes Noggin in the modulation of BMP activity in the developing cartilages. In summary, our findings suggest that Sox8, Sox9, and Sox10 have a cooperative function conferring chondrogenic competence to limb mesoderm in response to BMP signals. In turn, BMPs in concert with Sox9, Sox6, and L-Sox5 would be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the cartilage differentiation program.

Zfhx1a and Zfhx1b mRNAs have non-overlapping expression domains during chick and mouse midgestation limb development

Smad-interacting protein 1 (Zfhx1b, Sip1) and Zfhx1a (deltaEF1) are transcriptional repressors belonging to the family of two-handed zinc finger/homeodomain proteins. Both of the proteins bind to a bipartite CACCT/CACCTG DNA sequence, but only Sip 1 can interact with activated SMAD proteins in vitro. To gain insight into their developmental roles, we investigated the mRNA expression patterns of both genes in developing mouse and chick limbs by in situ hybridization. To improve the resolution of the expression mapping we have used a dual in situ hybridization (DISH) technique allowing for a detection of expression of two different mRNAs on the same tissue section. Using DISH we could demonstrate that both genes were expressed in distinct non-overlapping patterns in developing limbs of both species. Zfhx1a was expressed in a cell population immediately adjacent to cartilage anlagen as well as in developing tendons. Zfhx1b, in contrast, was present in a broad area around developing tendon and partially overlapping with the expression of genes associated with myogenic differentiation.

Identification of I kappa BL as the second major histocompatibility complex-linked susceptibility locus for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease with a complex etiology in which environmental factors within a genetically susceptible host maneuver the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system toward recognition of autoantigens. This ultimately leads to joint destruction and clinical symptomatology. Despite the identification of a number of disease-susceptibility regions across the genome, RA's major genetic linkage remains with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which contains not only the key immune-response class I and class II genes but also a host of other loci, some with potential immunological relevance. Inside the MHC itself, the sole consistent RA association is that with HLA-DRB1, although this does not encode all MHC-related susceptibility. Indeed, in a set of Japanese patients with RA and a control group, we previously reported the presence of a second RA-susceptibility gene within the telomeric human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class III region. Using microsatellites, we narrowed the susceptibility region to 70 kb telomeric of the TNF cluster, known to harbor four expressed genes (I kappa BL, ATP6G, BAT1, and MICB). Here, using numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletion polymorphisms, we identify the second RA-susceptibility locus within the HLA region, as the T allele of SNP 96452 (T/A), in the promoter region (position -62) of the I kappa BL gene (P=.0062). This -62T/A SNP disrupts the putative binding motif for the transcriptional repressor, delta EF1, and hence may influence the transcription of I kappa BL, homologous to I kappa B alpha, the latter being a known inhibitor of NF kappa B, which is central to innate immunity. Therefore, the MHC may harbor RA genetic determinants affecting the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system.

Multiple joint and skeletal patterning defects caused by single and double mutations in the mouse Gdf6 and Gdf5 genes

Growth/differentiation factors 5, 6, and 7 (GDF5/6/7) represent a distinct subgroup within the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of secreted signaling molecules. Previous studies have shown that the Gdf5 gene is expressed in transverse stripes across developing skeletal elements and is one of the earliest known markers of joint formation during embryonic development. Although null mutations in this gene disrupt formation of some bones and joints in the skeleton, many sites are unaffected. Here, we show that the closely related family members Gdf6 and Gdf7 are expressed in different subsets of developing joints. Inactivation of the Gdf6 gene causes defects in joint, ligament, and cartilage formation at sites distinct from those seen in Gdf5 mutants, including the wrist and ankle, the middle ear, and the coronal suture between bones in the skull. Mice lacking both Gdf5 and Gdf6 show additional defects, including severe reduction or loss of some skeletal elements in the limb, additional fusions between skeletal structures, scoliosis, and altered cartilage in the intervertebral joints of the spinal column. These results show that members of the GDF5/6/7 subgroup are required for normal formation of bones and joints in the limbs, skull, and axial skeleton. The diverse effects on joint development and the different types of joints affected in the mutants suggest that members of the GDF family play a key role in establishing boundaries between many different skeletal elements during normal development. Some of the skeletal defects seen in single or double mutant mice resemble defects seen in human skeletal diseases, which suggests that these genes may be candidates that underlie some forms of carpal/tarsal coalition, conductive deafness, scoliosis, and craniosynostosis.

Snail induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in tumor cells is accompanied by MUC1 repression and ZEB1 expression

E-cadherin protein plays a key role in the establishment and maintenance of adherent junctions. Recent evidence implicates the transcription factor Snail in the blockage of E-cadherin expression in fibroblasts and some epithelial tumor cells through direct binding to three E-boxes in the E-cadherin promoter. Transfection of Snail into epithelial cells leads to a more fibroblastic phenotype. Cells expressing Snail presented a scattered flattened phenotype with low intercellular contacts. Other epithelial markers like Cytokeratin 18 or MUC1 were also repressed. The effects of Snail on MUC1 transcription were mediated by two E-boxes present in the proximal promoter. Snail also induced expression of the mesenchymal markers fibronectin and LEF1 and the transcription repressor ZEB1. ZEB1 and Snail had a similar pattern of expression in epithelial cell lines, and both were induced by overexpression of ILK1, a kinase that causes the loss of E-cadherin and the acquisition of a fibroblastic phenotype. Snail overexpression in several cell lines raised ZEB1 RNA levels and increased the activity of ZEB1 promoter. ZEB1 could also repress E-cadherin and MUC1 promoters but less strongly than Snail. However, since ZEB1 expression persisted after Snail was down-regulated, ZEB1 may regulate epithelial genes in several tumor cell lines.

Transcriptional repression of the rat osteocalcin gene by deltaEF1

Intron I of the rat osteocalcin gene contains silencer elements that suppress osteocalcin-reporter fusion gene transcription. The consensus sequence for the transcription factor deltaEF1 is homologous to two pyrimidine-rich repeats in intron 1 that contribute to silencing of osteocalcin-reporter fusion genes. To assess if overexpression of deltaEF1 augments transcriptional repression by these sequences, the intron 1 sequences (wtS) were placed upstream to the native rat osteocalcin promoter fused to a luciferase reporter gene (-306-OCluc). Coexpression of the wtS-(-306-OCluc) fusion gene with deltaEF1 decreased luciferase activity 30% relative to cotransfection with empty vector. Repression was abolished by point mutations in the putative deltaEF1 motifs, mS-(-306-OCluc). To determine whether deltaEF1 binds to these DNA sequences, gel retardation assays were performed using oligonucleotides containing the putative osteocalcin deltaEF1 motifs and a classical deltaEF1 motif, as radiolabeled probes. A comigrating DNA-protein complex generated by these probes was recognized by an antibody directed against deltaEF1 and competed for by excess unlabeled wild-type oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotides with mutations in the osteocalcin sequences, which abolish suppression, and in the deltaEF1 consensus site, that abolishes binding to deltaEF1, were unable to compete for the formation of this complex. Overexpression of deltaEF1 in ROS 17/2.8 cells led to an 84% decrease in osteocalcin mRNA levels relative to cells transfected with empty vector, confirming that deltaEF1 suppresses expression of the endogenous osteocalcin gene.

Cell-specific phosphorylation of Zfhep transcription factor

Zinc finger homeodomain enhancer-binding protein (Zfhep/Zfhx1a) is a transcription factor essential for immune system development, skeletal patterning, and life. Regulation of the interleukin-2 gene in T cells has been suggested to depend on post-translational processing of Zfhep, however, no modifications of Zfhep are known. Here we demonstrate that Zfhep is present in both hyperphosphorylated and hypophosphorylated forms. Western blot analysis demonstrates two forms of Zfhep with different mobilities. Differences in phosphorylation are sufficient to explain the difference in mobilities. Zfhep is primarily phosphorylated on Ser and Thr residues since PP2A dephosphorylates the slower mobility band. Treatment of nuclear extract with O-GlcNAcase did not detect O-linked sugar. Importantly, post-translational processing is cell-specific. Doublets of Zfhep were detected in five cell lines, whereas 6 cell lines contain only, or predominantly, non-phosphorylated Zfhep, and Saos-2 cells contain predominantly the phosphorylated form. These data provide the first demonstration that Zfhep is post-translationally modified.

Distribution of the transcription factors Sox9, AP-2, and [delta]EF1 in adult murine articular and meniscal cartilage and growth plate

The control of extracellular matrix (ECM) production is important for the development, maintenance, and repair of cartilage tissues. Matrix molecule synthesis is generally regulated by the rate of gene transcription determined by DNA transcription factors. We have shown that transcription factors Sox9, AP-2, and [delta]EF1 are able to alter the rate of CD-RAP transcription in vitro: Sox9 upregulates, AP-2 exhibits biphasic effects, and [delta]EF1 represses expression of the CD-RAP gene. To correlate these in vitro activities in vivo, transcription factors were co-immunolocalized with ECM proteins in three different cartilage tissues in which the rates of biosynthesis are quite different: articular, meniscal, and growth plate. Immunoreactivities of type II collagen and CD-RAP were higher in growth plate than in either the articular or meniscal cartilages and correlated positively with Sox9 protein. Sox9 staining decreased with hypertrophy and was low in articular and meniscal cartilages. In contrast, AP-2 and [delta]EF1 were low in proliferating chondrocytes but high in lower growth plate, articular, and meniscal cartilages. This increase was also accompanied by intense nuclear staining. These immunohistochemical results are the first to localize both [delta]EF1 and AP-2 to adult articular, meniscal, and growth plate cartilages and provide in vivo correlation of previous molecular biological studies.

Overlapping and unique roles for C-terminal binding protein 1 (CtBP1) and CtBP2 during mouse development

The C-terminal binding protein (CtBP) family of proteins has been linked to multiple biological processes through their association with numerous transcription factors. We generated mice harboring mutations in both Ctbp1 and Ctbp2 to address the in vivo function of CtBPs during vertebrate development. Ctbp1 mutant mice are small but viable and fertile, whereas Ctbp2-null mice show defects in axial patterning and die by E10.5 due to aberrant extraembryonic development. Mice harboring various combinations of Ctbp1 and Ctbp2 mutant alleles exhibit dosage-sensitive defects in a wide range of developmental processes. The strong genetic interaction, as well as transcription assays with CtBP-deficient cells, indicates that CtBPs have overlapping roles in regulating gene expression. We suggest that the observed phenotypes reflect the large number of transcription factors whose activities are compromised in the absence of CtBP.

Overgrowth of a mouse model of the Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome is independent of IGF signaling

The type 1 Simpson-Golabi-Behmel overgrowth syndrome (SGBS1) is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the X-linked GPC3 gene encoding glypican-3, a cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan that apparently plays a negative role in growth control by an unknown mechanism. Mice carrying a Gpc3 gene knockout exhibited several phenotypic features that resemble clinical hallmarks of SGBS1, including somatic overgrowth, renal dysplasia, accessory spleens, polydactyly, and placentomegaly. In Gpc3/DeltaH19 double mutants (lacking GPC3 and also carrying a deletion around the H19 gene region that causes bialellic expression of the closely linked Igf2 gene by imprint relaxation), the Gpc3-null phenotype was exacerbated, while additional SGBS1 features (omphalocele and skeletal defects) were manifested. However, results from a detailed comparative analysis of growth patterns in double mutants lacking GPC3 and also IGF2, IGF1, or the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF1R) provided conclusive genetic evidence inconsistent with the hypothesis that GPC3 acts as a growth suppressor by sequestering or downregulating an IGF ligand. Nevertheless, our data are compatible with a model positing that there is downstream convergence of the independent signaling pathways in which either IGFs or (indirectly) GPC3 participate.

Dynamic regulation of Brachyury expression in the amphibian embryo by XSIP1

Xenopus Brachyury (Xbra) plays a key role in mesoderm formation during early development. One factor thought to be involved in the regulation of Xbra is XSIP1, a zinc finger/homeodomain-like DNA-binding protein that belongs to the deltaEF1 family of transcriptional repressors. We show here that Xbra and XSIP1 are co-expressed at the onset of gastrulation, but that expression subsequently refines such that Xbra is expressed in prospective mesoderm and XSIP1 in anterior neurectoderm. This refinement of the expression patterns of the two genes is due in part to the ability of XSIP1 to repress expression of Xbra. This repression is highly specific, in the sense that XSIP1 does not repress the expression of other regionally expressed genes in the early embryo, and that other members of the family to which XSIP1 belongs, such as deltaEF1 and its Xenopus homologue ZEB, cannot regulate Xbra expression. The function of XSIP1 was studied further by making an interfering construct comprising the open reading frame of XSIP1 fused to the VP16 transactivation domain. Experiments using this chimeric protein suggest that XSIP1 is required for normal gastrulation movements to occur and for the development of the anterior neural plate.

The transcriptional repressor ZEB regulates p73 expression at the crossroad between proliferation and differentiation

The newly discovered p73 gene encodes a nuclear protein that has high homology with p53. Furthermore, ectopic expression of p73 in p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) cancer cells recapitulates some of the biological activities of p53 such as growth arrest, apoptosis, and differentiation. p73(-/-)-deficient mice exhibit severe defects in proper development of the central nervous system and pheromone sensory pathway. They also suffer from inflammation and infections. Here we studied the transcriptional regulation of p73 at the crossroad between proliferation and differentiation. p73 mRNA is undetectable in proliferating C2C12 cells and is expressed at very low levels in undifferentiated P19 and HL60 cells. Conversely, it is upregulated during muscle and neuronal differentiation as well as in response to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate-induced monocytic differentiation of HL60 cells. We identified a 1-kb regulatory fragment located within the first intron of p73, which is positioned immediately upstream to the ATG codon of the second exon. This fragment exerts silencer activity on p73 as well as on heterologous promoters. The p73 intronic fragment contains six consensus binding sites for transcriptional repressor ZEB, which binds these sites in vitro and in vivo. Ectopic expression of dominant-negative ZEB (ZEB-DB) restores p73 expression in proliferating C2C12 and P19 cells. Thus, transcriptional repression of p73 expression by ZEB binding may contribute to the modulation of p73 expression during differentiation.

Developmental and functional evidence of a role for Zfhep in neural cell development

The rat Zfhep gene encodes a member of the Zfh family of transcription factors having a homeodomain-like sequence and multiple zinc fingers. We examined expression of Zfhep in the rat forebrain during embryonic and postnatal development. Zfhep mRNA was strongly expressed in the progenitor cells of the ventricular zone around the lateral ventricles on E14 and E16, but showed little expression in cells that had migrated to form the developing cortex. Dual labeling with PCNA demonstrated expression of Zfhep mRNA in proliferating cells. Expression of Zfhep in the ventricular zone decreases during late development as the population of progenitor cells decreases. This pattern is distinctly different from other members of the Zfh family. We also examined the expression of Zfhep protein during retinoic acid-induced neurogenesis of P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. Zfhep is highly expressed in P19 neuroblasts, and expression decreases by the time of morphological neurogenesis. Hence, both P19 cells and embryonic brain demonstrate a loss of Zfhep expression during the transition from proliferating precursor to differentiated neural cells. We investigated a possible link between Zfhep and proliferation by treating human glial cell lines with Zfhep antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides. Two Zfhep antisense oligonucleotides repressed proliferation of either U-138 or U-343 glioblastoma cells more than control oligonucleotides. Based on the expression patterns of Zfhep in vivo and in the P19 cell model of neurogenesis, we suggest that Zfhep may play a role in proliferation or differentiation of neural cells.

Smad-interacting protein 1 is a repressor of liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase transcription in bone morphogenetic protein-induced osteogenic differentiation of C2C12 cells

Up-regulation of liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase (LBK-ALP) has been associated with the onset of osteogenesis in vitro. Its transcription can be up-regulated by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), constitutively active forms of their cognate receptors, or appropriate Smads. The promoter of LBK-ALP has been characterized partially, but not much is known about its transcriptional modulation by BMPs. A few Smad-interacting transcriptional factors have been isolated to date. One of them, Smad-interacting protein 1 (SIP1), belongs to the family of two-handed zinc finger proteins binding to E2-box sequences present, among others, in the promoter of mouse LBK-ALP. In the present study we investigated whether SIP1 could be a candidate regulator of LBK-ALP transcription in C2C12 cells. We demonstrate that SIP1 can repress LBK-ALP promoter activity induced by constitutively active Alk2-Smad1/Smad5 and that this repression depends on the binding of SIP1 to the CACCT/CACCTG cluster present in this promoter. Interestingly, SIP1 and alkaline phosphatase expression domains in developing mouse limb are mutually exclusive, suggesting the possibility that SIP1 could also be involved in the transcriptional regulation of LBK-ALP in vivo. Taken together, these results offer an intriguing possibility that ALP up-regulation at the onset of BMP-induced osteogenesis could involve Smad/SIP1 interactions, resulting in the derepression of that gene.

delta Ef1 binds to a far upstream sequence of the mouse pro-alpha 1(I) collagen gene and represses its expression in osteoblasts

The transcription of type I collagen genes is tightly regulated, but few cis-acting elements have been identified that can modulate the levels of expression of these genes. Generation of transgenic mice harboring various segments of the mouse pro-alpha1(I) collagen promoter led us to suspect that a repressor element was located between -10.5 and -17 kilobase pairs. Stable and transient transfection experiments in ROS17/2.8 osteoblastic cells confirmed the existence of such a repressor element at about -14 kilobase pairs and showed that it consisted in an almost perfect three-time repeat of a 41-base pair sequence. This element, which we named COIN-1, contains three E2-boxes, and a point mutation in at least two of them completely abolished its repressor effect. In gel shift assays, COIN-1 bound a DNA-binding protein named delta EF1/ZEB-1, and mutations that abolished the repressor effect of COIN-1 also suppressed the binding of delta EF1. We also showed that the repressor effect of COIN-1 was not mediated by chromatin compaction. Furthermore, overexpression of delta EF1 in ROS17/2.8 osteoblastic cells enhanced the inhibitory effect of COIN-1 in a dose-dependent manner and repressed the expression of the pro-alpha 1(I) collagen gene. Thus, delta EF1 appears to repress the expression of the mouse pro-alpha 1(I) collagen gene, through its binding to COIN-1.

Defects in pulmonary vasculature and perinatal lung hemorrhage in mice heterozygous null for the Forkhead Box f1 transcription factor

Decreased pulmonary expression of Forkhead Box f1 (Foxf1) transcription factor was associated with lethal alveolar hemorrhage in 55% of the Foxf1 +/- newborn mice. The severity of the pulmonary abnormalities correlates with the levels of Foxf1 mRNA. Defects in alveolarization and vasculogenesis were observed in subsets of the Foxf1 +/- mice with relatively low levels of expression from the normal Foxf1 allele. Lung hemorrhage was coincident with disruption of the mesenchymal-epithelial cell interfaces in the alveolar and bronchiolar regions of the lung parenchyma and was associated with increased apoptosis and reduced surfactant protein B (SP-B) expression. Finally, the lung defect associated with the Foxf1 +/- mutation was accompanied by reduced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the VEGF receptor 2 (Flk-1), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (Bmp-4), and the transcription factors of the Brachyury T-Box family (Tbx2-Tbx5) and Lung Kruppel-like Factor. Reduction in the level of Foxf1 caused neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage and abnormalities in alveologenesis, implicating this transcription factor in the regulation of mesenchyme-epithelial interaction critical for lung morphogenesis.

T3-activation of the rat growth hormone gene is inhibited by a zinc finger/homeodomain protein

Since the transcription factor Zfhep is expressed in somatotropes and binds the rat growth hormone (rGH) gene T3-response element (TRE), we investigated whether Zfhep regulates the response of this gene to T3. In cotransfection experiments, Zfhep did not regulate the native rGH promoter in the absence of T3. However, Zfhep repressed T3-mediated activation significantly in either GH(3) or JEG-3 cells. Up to 70% repression was mediated through the rGH TRE in a heterologous promoter (thymidine kinase), but was not observed with the idealized DR4 or chicken lysozyme F2 TREs. Zfhep apparently does not repress T3-mediated activation simply by competition for binding to DNA since the C-terminal DNA-binding domain of Zfhep (which is sufficient for DNA-binding) is not sufficient for repression and since cotransfection of excess thyroid hormone receptor (TR) did not prevent repression by Zfhep. These data indicate that the rGH TRE is a composite element that can integrate Zfhep and T3 regulation.

Transforming growth factor beta signalling in vitro and in vivo: activin ligand-receptor interaction, Smad5 in vasculogenesis, and repression of target genes by the deltaEF1/ZEB-related SIP1 in the vertebrate embryo

The identification and characterization of components of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signalling pathway are proceeding at a very fast pace. To illustrate a number of our activities in this field, we first summarize our work aiming at the selection from a large collection of single residue substitution mutants of two activin A polypeptides in which D27 and K102, respectively, have been modified. This work has highlighted the importance of K102 and its positive charge for binding to activin type II receptors. Activin K102E, which did not bind to high-affinity receptor complexes, may be a valuable beta chain, when incorporated in recombinant inhibin to unambiguously detect novel inhibin binding sites at the cell surface. We then illustrate how Smad5 knockout mice and an overexpression approach with a truncated TGFbeta type II receptor in the mouse embryo can contribute to the identification of a novel TGFbeta-->TbetaRII/ALK1-->Smad5 pathway in endothelial cells in the embryo proper and the yolk sac vasculature. We conclude with a summary of our results with a Smad-interacting transcriptional repressor but focus on its biological significance in the vertebrate embryo.

Kheper, a novel ZFH/deltaEF1 family member, regulates the development of the neuroectoderm of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Kheper is a novel member of the ZFH (zinc-finger and homeodomain protein)/deltaEF1 family in zebrafish. kheper transcripts are first detected in the epiblast of the dorsal blastoderm margin at the early gastrula stage and kheper is expressed in nearly all the neuroectoderm at later stages. kheper expression was expanded in noggin RNA-injected embryos and also in swirl mutant embryos and was reduced in bmp4 RNA-injected embryos and chordino mutant embryos, suggesting that kheper acts downstream of the neural inducers Noggin and Chordino. Overexpression of Kheper elicited ectopic expansion of the neuroectoderm-specific genes fkd3, hoxa-1, and eng3, and the ectopic expression of hoxa-1 was not inhibited by BMP4 overexpression. Kheper interacted with the transcriptional corepressors CtBP1 and CtBP2. Overexpression of a Kheper mutant lacking the homeodomain or of a VP16-Kheper fusion protein disturbed the development of the neuroectoderm and head structures. These data underscore the role of Kheper in the development of the neuroectoderm and indicate that Kheper acts as a transcriptional repressor.

Genomic organization, sequence and chromosomal localization of the mouse Tbr2 gene and a comparative study with Tbr1

Members of the T-box family are known to play critical roles in the embryonic development of most animal species. Recently, we have isolated its new mammalian member, Tbr2, from mouse embryonic brain. We have also shown that the expression patterns of Tbr2 and the closely related Tbr1 appear to be reciprocal in the developing brain; Tbr2 is expressed in mesencephalon and rhombencephalon, but expression of Tbr1 is restricted to telencephalon. To investigate possible structural and functional relationships of Tbr2 and other T-box containing genes, we analyzed genomic organization of the murine Tbr2 gene. The Tbr2 gene is composed of six exons (1353, 155, 122, 159, 62 and 1035bp), and five introns (920, 643, 602, 85 and 2036bp). This exon/intron organization is very similar to that of Tbr1. We also analyzed the 3.9kb sequence of the 5' promoter region flanking the Tbr2 gene and the corresponding region of the Tbr1 gene. The sites for Brn-2 and Tst-1 were found in the promoter of Tbr2 but not Tbr1. On the contrary, there were eight HNF-3beta binding sites in the Tbr1 gene promoter but only three in the Tbr2 promoter. The differential presence of putative binding sites for these brain-specific transcription factors may explain the reciprocal expression of Tbr1 and Tbr2. Furthermore, a single chromosomal locus for mouse Tbr2 was assigned to 9F3 by fluorescence in-situ hybridization 1.

Evidence for a function of CtBP in epithelial gene regulation and anoikis

Previously, we reported that adenovirus E1a protein behaves as a tumor suppressor in human cells. It apparently functions by transcriptionally inducing an array of epithelial cell adhesion genes, while repressing other cell-type specific genes, thus producing an epithelial phenotype. Concomitantly, the cells become sensitive to anoikis (apoptosis of epithelial cells detached from extracellular matrix), potentially causing tumor suppression. E1a protein interacts with the nuclear acetylases p300, CBP and P/CAF, and also with the co-repressor protein CtBP. In this study, we have determined the role of these interactions in E1a's phenotypic effects on human tumor cells. The results indicate that E1a's interaction with CtBP activates at least three epithelial cell adhesion gene promoters. The E-cadherin repressor appeared to be the CtBP-interacting protein delta EF1/ZEB, which bound the ras-repressible E-boxes of the E-cadherin promoter. The E1a-CtBP interaction also contributed to anoikis-sensitization. E1a's interactions with the nuclear acetylases conferred epithelial morphologies but did not activate epithelial genes. These latter interactions did not sensitize tumor cells to anoikis but nevertheless conferred tumor suppression. These results implicate CtBP as an antagonist of the epithelial phenotype and anoikis. They also indicate a new but undefined role for nuclear acetylases in maintaining the transformed phenotype.

Suppression of polydactyly of the Gli3 mutant (extra toes) by deltaEF1 homozygous mutation

Digit patterning is established through multiple genetic interactions. Delta-crystallin enhancer/E2-box factor (deltaEF1) is a zinc finger and homeodomain containing repressor protein, and is expressed in the posterior half of the forelimb bud and in the entire hindlimb bud during the early stage of limb development. The 6EF1-deficient mutant mice display various skeletal abnormalities, among which inferior ossification and abnormal patterning of autopodial bones are similar to those observed in Hox and Gli gene mutants. Gli3 mutant mice, extra toes (Xt), exhibit pre-axial polydactyly losing the identity of digit I. It is demonstrated here that deltaEF1null(lacZ) homozygosity suppressed formation of the extra digit, uniquely of the hindlimb, in both Gli3XtJ heterozygous and homozygous mutants, but with no restoration of digit I identity. In Gli3XtJ mutants, the Hoxd13 expression domain was expanded more dramatically in homozygotes. In Gli3XtJ;deltaEF1null(lacZ) double homozygous mutants, Hoxd13 expression once expanded in Gli3XtJ homozygous mutant was reduced, more conspicuously in the hindlimbs, which may account for hindlimb-restricted suppression of formation of the extra digit. The data suggest the possibility that the extent of Hoxd13 expression along the distal margin of the limb bud is determinative in defining the digit number.

Differential expression and function of members of the zfh-1 family of zinc finger/homeodomain repressors

zfh-1 is a zinc finger/homeodomain transcriptional repressor in Drosophila that regulates differentiation of muscle and gonadal cells and is also expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Binding sites for zfh-1 overlap with those for snail, and like snail, it recruits the corepressor CtBP-1. The protein ZEB-1 appears to be a vertebrate homologue of zfh-1 and is expressed in several tissues including muscle, CNS, and T lymphocytes, and during skeletal differentiation. Mutation of the ZEB-1 gene led to a severe T cell phenotype and skeletal defects but, interestingly, no defects were evident in other ZEB-1-expressing tissues. These results suggested that another ZEB-1-related factor may compensate for the loss of ZEB-1 in other tissues. Here, we characterize such a ZEB-1-related protein, which we have termed as ZEB-2. The overall organization of ZEB-2 is similar to ZEB-1 and zfh-1 and it has similar biochemical properties: it binds E boxes and interacts with CtBP-1 to repress transcription. However, there are also differences between ZEB-1 and ZEB-2, both in activity and tissue distribution. Whereas ZEB-1 and ZEB-2 overlap in skeletal muscle and CNS (providing an explanation for why mutation of ZEB-1 alone has little effect in these tissues), they show a different pattern of expression in lymphoid cells. ZEB-1, but not ZEB-2, is expressed in T cells from the thymus ZEB-2 appears to be expressed on splenic B cells. Additionally, ZEB-2 inhibits a wider spectrum of transcription factors than ZEB-1.

XSIP1, a Xenopus zinc finger/homeodomain encoding gene highly expressed during early neural development

We have isolated a Xenopus homologue of the zinc finger/homeodomain-containing transcriptional repressor Smad-interacting protein-1 (SIP1) from mouse. XSIP1 is activated at the early gastrula stage and transcription occurs throughout embryogenesis. At the beginning of gastrulation, XSIP1 is strongly expressed in prospective neurectoderm. At the neurula stage, XSIP1 is highly expressed within the neural plate but weakly in the dorsal midline. At later stages of development transcripts are detected primarily within the neural tube and neural crest. In the adult, XSIP1 expression is detected at variable levels in several organs.

The transcription factor deltaEF1 is inversely expressed with type II collagen mRNA and can repress Col2a1 promoter activity in transfected chondrocytes

The regulation of Col2a1, which encodes type II collagen, likely results from a balance of both positive and negative proteins. Here we present evidence that the transcription factor deltaEF1 participates in the negative regulation of Col2a1 transcription. A deletion analysis suggested that a region between -100 and -307 of the rat Col2a1 gene was required for activity in differentiating chick limb bud mesenchymal cells; however, mutation of a conserved E2 box site in this region actually increased promoter activity. Supershift analysis demonstrated that deltaEF1, a known transcriptional repressor, bound to the E2 box in a sequence-dependent manner. Chick limb bud mesenchymal cells, which do not express type II collagen, expressed abundant deltaEF1 mRNA, but, following differentiation in micromass culture, deltaEF1 mRNA expression was lost. Primary embryonic chick sternal chondrocytes, which express abundant type II collagen, displayed minimal levels of deltaEF1 mRNA. The inhibition of Col2a1 transcription following treatment of chick sternal chondrocytes with growth factors was accompanied by increased deltaEF1 expression. Overexpression of deltaEF1 in differentiated chondrocytes resulted in decreased expression of a reporter construct containing a collagen II promoter/enhancer insert; however, this negative regulation was not dependent on the proximal E2 box. This is the first report of a specific transcription factor involved in the negative regulation of Col2a1.

Independent repressor domains in ZEB regulate muscle and T-cell differentiation

ZEB is a zinc finger-homeodomain protein that represses transcription by binding to a subset of E-box sequences. ZEB inhibits muscle differentiation in mammalian systems, and its Drosophila orthologue, zfh-1, inhibits somatic and cardiac muscle differentiation during Drosophila embryogenesis. ZEB also binds to the promoter of pivotal hematopoietic genes (including those encoding interleukin-2, CD4, GATA-3, and alpha(4)-integrin), and mice in which ZEB has been genetically targeted show thymic atrophy, severe defects in lymphocyte differentiation, and increased expression of the alpha(4)-integrin and CD4. Here, we demonstrate that ZEB contains separate repressor domains which function in T lymphocytes and muscle, respectively. The most C-terminal domain inhibits muscle differentiation in mammalian cells by specifically blocking the transcriptional activity of the myogenic factor MEF2C. The more N-terminal domain blocks activity of hematopoietic transcription factors such as c-myb, members of the ets family, and TFE-III. Our results demonstrate that ZEB has evolved with two independent repressor domains which target distinct sets of transcription factors and function in different tissues.

Identification of CtBP1 and CtBP2 as corepressors of zinc finger-homeodomain factor deltaEF1

deltaEF1, a representative of the zinc finger-homeodomain protein family, is a transcriptional repressor which binds E2-box (CACCTG) and related sequences and counteracts the activators through transrepression mechanisms. It has been shown that the N-proximal region of the protein is involved in the transrepression. Here we demonstrate that deltaEF1 has a second mechanism of transrepression recruiting CtBP1 or CtBP2 as its corepressor. A two-hybrid screen of mouse cDNAs with various portions of deltaEF1 identified these proteins, which bind to deltaEF1 in a manner dependent on the PLDLSL sequence located in the short medial (MS) portion of deltaEF1. CtBP1 is the mouse orthologue of human CtBP, known as the C-terminal binding protein of adenovirus E1A, while CtBP2 is the second homologue. Fusion of mouse CtBP1 or CtBP2 to Gal4DBD (Gal4 DNA binding domain) made them Gal4 binding site-dependent transcriptional repressors in transfected 10T1/2 cells, indicating their involvement in a transcriptional repression mechanism. When the MS portion of deltaEF1 was used to Gal4DBD and used to transfect cells, a strong transrepression activity was generated, but this activity was totally dependent on the PLDLSL sequence which served as the site for interaction with endogenous CtBP proteins, indicating that CtBP1 and -2 can act as corepressors. Exogenous CtBP1/2 significantly enhanced transcriptional repression by deltaEF1, and this enhancement was lost if the PLDLSL sequence was altered, demonstrating that CtBP1 and -2 act as corepressors of deltaEF1. In the mouse, CtBP1 is expressed from embryo to adult, but CtBP2 is mainly expressed during embryogenesis. In developing embryos, CtBP1 and CtBP2 are expressed broadly with different tissue preferences. Remarkably, their high expression occurs in subsets of deltaEF1-expressing tissues, e.g., cephalic and dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, posterior-distal halves of the limb bud mesenchyme, and perichondrium of forming digits, supporting the conclusion that CtBP1 and -2 play crucial roles in the repressor action of deltaEF1 in these tissues.

Bix4 is activated directly by VegT and mediates endoderm formation in Xenopus development

The maternal T-box gene VegT, whose transcripts are restricted to the vegetal hemisphere of the Xenopus embryo, plays an essential role in early development. Depletion of maternal VegT transcripts causes embryos to develop with no endoderm, while vegetal blastomeres lose the ability to induce mesoderm (Zhang, J., Houston, D. W., King, M. L., Payne, C., Wylie, C. and Heasman, J. (1998) Cell 94, 515–524). The targets of VegT, a transcription activator, must therefore include genes involved both in the specification of endoderm and in the production of mesoderm-inducing signals. We recently reported that the upstream regulatory region of the homeobox-containing gene Bix4 contains T-box binding sites. Here we show that expression of Bix4 requires maternal VegT and that two T-box binding sites are necessary and sufficient for mesodermal and endodermal expression of reporter genes driven by the Bix4 promoter in transgenic Xenopus embryos. Remarkably, a single T-box binding site is able to act as a mesoderm-specific enhancer when placed upstream of a minimal promoter. Finally, we show that Bix4 rescues the formation of endodermal markers in embryos in which VegT transcripts have been ablated but does not restore the ability of vegetal pole blastomeres to induce mesoderm. These results demonstrate that Bix4 acts directly downstream of VegT to specify endodermal differentiation in Xenopus embryos.

Pathogenesis of cleft palate in TGF-beta3 knockout mice

We previously reported that mutation of the transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-beta3) gene caused cleft palate in homozygous null (−/−) mice. TGF-beta3 is normally expressed in the medial edge epithelial (MEE) cells of the palatal shelf. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which TGF-beta3 deletions caused cleft palate in 129 × CF-1 mice. For organ culture, palatal shelves were dissected from embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) mouse embryos. Palatal shelves were placed singly or in pairs on Millipore filters and cultured in DMEM/F12 medium. Shelves were placed in homologous (+/+ vs +/+, −/− vs −/−, +/− vs +/−) or heterologous (+/+ vs −/−, +/− vs −/−, +/+ vs +/−) paired combinations and examined by macroscopy and histology. Pairs of −/− and −/− shelves failed to fuse over 72 hours of culture whereas pairs of +/+ (wild-type) and +/+ or +/− (heterozygote) and +/−, as well as +/+ and −/− shelves, fused within the first 48 hour period. Histological examination of the fused +/+ and +/+ shelves showed complete disappearance of the midline epithelial seam whereas −/− and +/+ shelves still had some seam remnants. In order to investigate the ability of TGF-beta family members to rescue the fusion between −/− and −/− palatal shelves in vitro, either recombinant human (rh) TGF-beta1, porcine (p) TGF-beta2, rh TGF-beta3, rh activin, or p inhibin was added to the medium in different concentrations at specific times and for various periods during the culture. In untreated organ culture −/− palate pairs completely failed to fuse, treatment with TGF-beta3 induced complete palatal fusion, TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta2 near normal fusion, but activin and inhibin had no effect. We investigated ultrastructural features of the surface of the MEE cells using SEM to compare TGF-beta3-null embryos (E 12. 5-E 16.5) with +/+ and +/− embryos in vivo and in vitro. Up to E13.5 and after E15.5, structures resembling short rods were observed in both +/+ and −/− embryos. Just before fusion, at E14.5, a lot of filopodia-like structures appeared on the surface of the MEE cells in +/+ embryos, however, none were observed in −/− embryos, either in vivo or in vitro. With TEM these filopodia are coated with material resembling proteoglycan. Interestingly, addition of TGF-beta3 to the culture medium which caused fusion between the −/− palatal shelves also induced the appearance of these filopodia on their MEE surfaces. TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 also induced filopodia on the −/− MEE but to a lesser extent than TGF-beta3 and additionally induced lamellipodia on their cell surfaces. These results suggest that TGF-beta3 may regulate palatal fusion by inducing filopodia on the outer cell membrane of the palatal medial edge epithelia prior to shelf contact. Exogenous recombinant TGF-beta3 can rescue fusion in −/− palatal shelves by inducing such filopodia, illustrating that the effects of TGF-beta3 are transduced by cell surface receptors which raises interesting potential therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat embryonic cleft palate.

SIP1, a novel zinc finger/homeodomain repressor, interacts with Smad proteins and binds to 5'-CACCT sequences in candidate target genes

Activation of transforming growth factor beta receptors causes the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of Smad proteins, which then participate in the regulation of expression of target genes. We describe a novel Smad-interacting protein, SIP1, which was identified using the yeast two-hybrid system. Although SIP1 interacts with the MH2 domain of receptor-regulated Smads in yeast and in vitro, its interaction with full-length Smads in mammalian cells requires receptor-mediated Smad activation. SIP1 is a new member of the deltaEF1/Zfh-1 family of two-handed zinc finger/homeodomain proteins. Like deltaEF1, SIP1 binds to 5'-CACCT sequences in different promoters, including the Xenopus brachyury promoter. Overexpression of either full-length SIP1 or its C-terminal zinc finger cluster, which bind to the Xbra2 promoter in vitro, prevented expression of the endogenous Xbra gene in early Xenopus embryos. Therefore, SIP1, like deltaEF1, is likely to be a transcriptional repressor, which may be involved in the regulation of at least one immediate response gene for activin-dependent signal transduction pathways. The identification of this Smad-interacting protein opens new routes to investigate the mechanisms by which transforming growth factor beta members exert their effects on expression of target genes in responsive cells and in the vertebrate embryo.

The Drosophila homeobox genes zfh-1 and even-skipped are required for cardiac-specific differentiation of a numb-dependent lineage decision

A series of inductive signals are necessary to subdivide the mesoderm in order to allow the formation of the progenitor cells of the heart. Mesoderm-endogenous transcription factors, such as those encoded by twist and tinman, seem to cooperate with these signals to confer correct context and competence for a cardiac cell fate. Additional factors are likely to be required for the appropriate specification of individual cell types within the forming heart. Similar to tinman, the zinc finger- and homeobox-containing gene, zfh-1, is expressed in the early mesoderm and later in the forming heart, suggesting a possible role in heart development. Here, we show that zfh-1 is specifically required for formation of the even-skipped (eve)-expressing subset of pericardial cells (EPCs), without affecting the formation of their siblings, the founders of a dorsal body wall muscle (DA1). In addition to zfh-1, mesodermal eve itself appears to be needed for correct EPC differentiation, possibly as a direct target of zfh-1. Epistasis experiments show that zfh-1 specifies EPC development independently of numb, the lineage gene that controls DA1 founder versus EPC cell fate. We discuss the combinatorial control mechanisms that specify the EPC cell fate in a spatially precise pattern within the embryo.

Identification of the novel player deltaEF1 in estrogen transcriptional cascades

Although many genes are regulated by estrogen, very few have been shown to directly bind the estrogen receptor complex. Therefore, transcriptional cascades probably occur in which the estrogen receptor directly binds to a target gene that encodes another transcription factor that subsequently regulates additional genes. Through the use of a differential display assay, a transcription factor has been identified that may be involved in estrogen transcriptional cascades. This report demonstrates that transcription factor deltaEF1 is induced eightfold by estrogen in the chick oviduct. Furthermore, the regulation by estrogen occurs at the transcriptional level and is likely to be a direct effect of the estrogen receptor complex, as it does not require concomitant protein synthesis. A putative binding site was identified in the 5'-flanking region of the chick ovalbumin gene identifying it as a possible target gene for regulation by deltaEF1. Characterization of this binding site revealed that deltaEF1 binds to and regulates the chick ovalbumin gene. Thus, a novel regulatory cascade that is triggered by estrogen has been defined.

Neural crest can form cartilages normally derived from mesoderm during development of the avian head skeleton

The lateral wall of the avian braincase, which is indicative of the primitive amniote condition, is formed from mesoderm. In contrast, mammals have replaced this portion of their head skeleton with a nonhomologous bone of neural crest origin. Features that characterize the local developmental environment may have enabled a neural crest-derived skeletal element to be integrated into a mesodermal region of the braincase during the course of evolution. The lateral wall of the braincase lies along a boundary in the head that separates neural crest from mesoderm, and also, neural crest cells migrate through this region on their way to the first visceral arch. Differences in the availability of one skeletogenic population versus the other may determine the final composition of the lateral wall of the braincase. Using the quail-chick chimeric system, this investigation tests if populations of neural crest, when augmented and expanded within populations of mesoderm, will give rise to the lateral wall of the braincase. Results demonstrate that neural crest can produce cartilages that are morphologically indistinguishable from elements normally generated by mesoderm. These findings (1) indicate that neural crest can respond to the same cues that both promote skeletogenesis and enable proper patterning in mesoderm, (2) challenge hypotheses on the nature of the boundary between neural crest and mesoderm in the head, and (3) suggest that changes in the allocation of migrating cells could have enabled a neural crest-derived skeletal element to replace a mesodermal portion of the braincase during evolution.

Expression of chick Barx-1 and its differential regulation by FGF-8 and BMP signaling in the maxillary primordia

The vertebrate face develops from a series of primordia surrounding the primitive mouth and is thought to be patterned by the differential expression of homeobox-containing genes. Here we describe the isolation of the chick homologue of the homeobox-containing gene, Barx-1, and show its expression in the developing facial primordia, stomach, and appendicular skeleton. In the maxillary primordia, mesenchymal expression of Barx-1 is complementary to that of Msx-1, which correlate with overlying epithelial expression of Fgf-8 and Bmp-4, respectively. We show that epithelial signals are required to maintain Barx-1 expression and that FGF-8 can substitute for the epithelium. By contrast, BMPs reduce Barx-1 expression and can antagonize FGF-8 signaling. This suggests that in vivo, FGF-8/BMP signaling may regulate Barx-1 gene expression. This provides evidence that the differential expression of FGF-8 and BMPs may determine homeobox-containing gene expression and hence patterning of the facial primordia.