1
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Stanton E, Sheridan S, Urata M, Chai Y. From Bedside to Bench and Back: Advancing Our Understanding of the Pathophysiology of Cleft Palate and Implications for the Future. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2024; 61:759-773. [PMID: 36457208 DOI: 10.1177/10556656221142098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of cleft palate (CP) and future perspectives. DESIGN Literature review. SETTING Setting varied across studies by level of care and geographical locations. INTERVENTIONS No interventions were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Primary outcome measures were to summarize our current understanding of palatogenesis in humans and animal models, the pathophysiology of CP, and potential future treatment modalities. RESULTS Animal research has provided considerable insight into the pathophysiology, molecular and cellular mechanisms of CP that have allowed for the development of novel treatment strategies. However, much work has yet to be done to connect our mouse model investigations and discoveries to CP in humans. The success of innovative strategies for tissue regeneration in mice provides promise for an exciting new avenue for improved and more targeted management of cleft care with precision medicine in patients. However, significant barriers to clinical translation remain. Among the most notable challenges include the differences in some aspects of palatogenesis and tissue repair between mice and humans, suggesting that potential therapies that have worked in animal models may not provide similar benefits to humans. CONCLUSIONS Increased translation of pathophysiological and tissue regeneration studies to clinical trials will bridge a wide gap in knowledge between animal models and human disease. By enhancing interaction between basic scientists and clinicians, and employing our animal model findings of disease mechanisms in concert with what we glean in the clinic, we can generate a more targeted and improved treatment algorithm for patients with CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise Stanton
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Sheridan
- Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mark Urata
- Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yang Chai
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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2
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Geng S, Paul F, Kowalczyk I, Raimundo S, Sporbert A, Mamo TM, Hammes A. Balancing WNT signalling in early forebrain development: The role of LRP4 as a modulator of LRP6 function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1173688. [PMID: 37091972 PMCID: PMC10119419 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1173688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The specification of the forebrain relies on the precise regulation of WNT/ß-catenin signalling to support neuronal progenitor cell expansion, patterning, and morphogenesis. Imbalances in WNT signalling activity in the early neuroepithelium lead to congenital disorders, such as neural tube defects (NTDs). LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) family members, including the well-studied receptors LRP5 and LRP6, play critical roles in modulating WNT signalling capacity through tightly regulated interactions with their co-receptor Frizzled, WNT ligands, inhibitors and intracellular WNT pathway components. However, little is known about the function of LRP4 as a potential modulator of WNT signalling in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the role of LRP4 in the regulation of WNT signalling during early mouse forebrain development. Our results demonstrate that LRP4 can modulate LRP5- and LRP6-mediated WNT signalling in the developing forebrain prior to the onset of neurogenesis at embryonic stage 9.5 and is therefore essential for accurate neural tube morphogenesis. Specifically, LRP4 functions as a genetic modifier for impaired mitotic activity and forebrain hypoplasia, but not for NTDs in LRP6-deficient mutants. In vivo and in vitro data provide evidence that LRP4 is a key player in fine-tuning WNT signalling capacity and mitotic activity of mouse neuronal progenitors and of human retinal pigment epithelial (hTERT RPE-1) cells. Our data demonstrate the crucial roles of LRP4 and LRP6 in regulating WNT signalling and forebrain development and highlight the need to consider the interaction between different signalling pathways to understand the underlying mechanisms of disease. The findings have significant implications for our mechanistic understanding of how LRPs participate in controlling WNT signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Geng
- Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Paul
- Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Izabela Kowalczyk
- Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Raimundo
- Advanced Light Microscopy Technology Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Anje Sporbert
- Advanced Light Microscopy Technology Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tamrat Meshka Mamo
- Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tamrat Meshka Mamo, ; Annette Hammes,
| | - Annette Hammes
- Neuroscience, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tamrat Meshka Mamo, ; Annette Hammes,
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3
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Shi DL. Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling controls morphogenetic movements of gastrulation and neural tube closure. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:586. [PMID: 36369349 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Gastrulation and neurulation are successive morphogenetic processes that play key roles in shaping the basic embryonic body plan. Importantly, they operate through common cellular and molecular mechanisms to set up the three spatially organized germ layers and to close the neural tube. During gastrulation and neurulation, convergent extension movements driven by cell intercalation and oriented cell division generate major forces to narrow the germ layers along the mediolateral axis and elongate the embryo in the anteroposterior direction. Apical constriction also makes an important contribution to promote the formation of the blastopore and the bending of the neural plate. Planar cell polarity proteins are major regulators of asymmetric cell behaviors and critically involved in a wide variety of developmental processes, from gastrulation and neurulation to organogenesis. Mutations of planar cell polarity genes can lead to general defects in the morphogenesis of different organs and the co-existence of distinct congenital diseases, such as spina bifida, hearing deficits, kidney diseases, and limb elongation defects. This review outlines our current understanding of non-canonical Wnt signaling, commonly known as Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling, in regulating morphogenetic movements of gastrulation and neural tube closure during development and disease. It also attempts to identify unanswered questions that deserve further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Li Shi
- Institute of Medical Research, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China. .,Laboratory of Developmental Biology, CNRS-UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Sorbonne University, Paris, France.
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4
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Zhao T, McMahon M, Reynolds K, Saha SK, Stokes A, Zhou CJ. The role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the development and intervention of spinal neural tube defects in mice. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275313. [PMID: 35514236 PMCID: PMC9194482 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the common and severe birth defects with poorly understood etiology. Mutations in the Wnt co-receptor LRP6 are associated with NTDs in humans. Either gain-of-function (GOF) or loss-of-function (LOF) mutations of Lrp6 can cause NTDs in mice. NTDs in Lrp6-GOF mutants may be attributed to altered β-catenin-independent noncanonical Wnt signaling. However, the mechanisms underlying NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants and the role of Lrp6-mediated canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neural tube closure remain unresolved. We previously demonstrated that β-catenin signaling is required for posterior neuropore (PNP) closure. In the current study, conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal PNP caused spinal NTDs with diminished activities of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its downstream target gene Pax3, which is required for PNP closure. β-catenin-GOF rescued NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants. Moreover, maternal supplementation of a Wnt/β-catenin signaling agonist reduced the frequency and severity of spinal NTDs in Lrp6-LOF mutants by restoring Pax3 expression. Together, these results demonstrate the essential role of Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling in PNP closure, which could also provide a therapeutic target for NTD intervention through manipulation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling activities. Summary: Conditional ablation of Lrp6 in dorsal neural folds causes spinal neural tube defects that can be rescued by genetic activation of β-catenin or maternal supplementation of Wnt signaling agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhao
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Moira McMahon
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Subbroto Kumar Saha
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Arjun Stokes
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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5
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St-Arnaud R, Pellicelli M, Ismail M, Arabian A, Jafarov T, Zhou CJ. NACA and LRP6 Are Part of a Common Genetic Pathway Necessary for Full Anabolic Response to Intermittent PTH. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020940. [PMID: 35055125 PMCID: PMC8780913 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PTH induces phosphorylation of the transcriptional coregulator NACA on serine 99 through Gαs and PKA. This leads to nuclear translocation of NACA and expression of the target gene Lrp6, encoding a coreceptor of the PTH receptor (PTH1R) necessary for full anabolic response to intermittent PTH (iPTH) treatment. We hypothesized that maintaining enough functional PTH1R/LRP6 coreceptor complexes at the plasma membrane through NACA-dependent Lrp6 transcription is important to ensure maximal response to iPTH. To test this model, we generated compound heterozygous mice in which one allele each of Naca and Lrp6 is inactivated in osteoblasts and osteocytes, using a knock-in strain with a Naca99 Ser-to-Ala mutation and an Lrp6 floxed strain (test genotype: Naca99S/A; Lrp6+/fl;OCN-Cre). Four-month-old females were injected with vehicle or 100 μg/kg PTH(1-34) once daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Control mice showed significant increases in vertebral trabecular bone mass and biomechanical properties that were abolished in compound heterozygotes. Lrp6 expression was reduced in compound heterozygotes vs. controls. The iPTH treatment increased Alpl and Col1a1 mRNA levels in the control but not in the test group. These results confirm that NACA and LRP6 form part of a common genetic pathway that is necessary for the full anabolic effect of iPTH.
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Affiliation(s)
- René St-Arnaud
- Research Centre, Shriners Hospital for Children—Canada, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; (M.P.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (T.J.)
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A4, Canada
- Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0C7, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-514-282-7155; Fax: +1-514-842-5581
| | - Martin Pellicelli
- Research Centre, Shriners Hospital for Children—Canada, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; (M.P.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (T.J.)
| | - Mahmoud Ismail
- Research Centre, Shriners Hospital for Children—Canada, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; (M.P.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (T.J.)
| | - Alice Arabian
- Research Centre, Shriners Hospital for Children—Canada, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; (M.P.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (T.J.)
| | - Toghrul Jafarov
- Research Centre, Shriners Hospital for Children—Canada, Montreal, QC H4A 0A9, Canada; (M.P.); (M.I.); (A.A.); (T.J.)
| | - Chengji J. Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children—Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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6
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LRP6 Receptor Plays Essential Functions in Development and Human Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010120. [PMID: 35052459 PMCID: PMC8775365 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
LRP6 is a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor superfamily of cell-surface receptors. It is required for the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. LRP6 is detected in different tissue types and is involved in numerous biological activities such as cell proliferation, specification, metastatic cancer, and embryonic development. LRP6 is essential for the proper development of different organs in vertebrates, such as Xenopus laevis, chickens, and mice. In human, LRP6 overexpression and mutations have been reported in multiple complex diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and cancers. Clinical studies have shown that LRP6 is involved in various kinds of cancer, such as bladder and breast cancer. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the structure of LRP6 and its interactions with Wnt inhibitors (DKK1, SOST). We also discuss the expression of LRP6 in different model systems, with emphasis on its function in development and human diseases.
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7
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Rare phenotype: Hand preaxial polydactyly associated with LRP6-related tooth agenesis in humans. NPJ Genom Med 2021; 6:93. [PMID: 34759310 PMCID: PMC8581002 DOI: 10.1038/s41525-021-00262-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) is a pathogenic gene of selective tooth agenesis-7 (OMIM#616724). Although the malformation of the digits and fore- and hindlimbs has been reported in Lrp6-deficient mice, it has been rarely discovered in humans with LRP6 mutations. Here, we demonstrate an unreported autosomal dominant LRP6 heterozygous mutation (c.2840 T > C;p.Met947Thr) in a tooth agenesis family with hand polydactyly, and another unreported autosomal dominant LRP6 heterozygous mutation (c.1154 G > C;p.Arg385Pro) in a non-syndromic tooth agenesis family. Bioinformatic prediction demonstrated the deleterious effects of the mutations, and LRP6 structure changes suggested the corresponding functional impairments. Analysis on the pattern of LRP6-related tooth agenesis demonstrated the maxillary lateral incisor was the most affected. Our study report that LRP6 mutation might be associated with hand preaxial polydactyly in humans, which broaden the phenotypic spectrum of LRP6-related disorders, and provide valuable information on the characteristics of LRP6-related tooth agenesis.
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8
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Unveiling the Roles of Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 6 in Intestinal Homeostasis, Regeneration and Oncogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071792. [PMID: 34359960 PMCID: PMC8307932 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal epithelial self-renewal is tightly regulated by signaling pathways controlling stem cell proliferation, determination and differentiation. In particular, Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls intestinal crypt cell division, survival and maintenance of the stem cell niche. Most colorectal cancers are initiated by mutations activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Wnt signals are transduced through Frizzled receptors and LRP5/LRP6 coreceptors to downregulate GSK3β activity, resulting in increased nuclear β-catenin. Herein, we explored if LRP6 expression is required for maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, regeneration and oncogenesis. Mice with an intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of Lrp6 (Lrp6IEC-KO) were generated and their phenotype analyzed. No difference in intestinal architecture nor in proliferative and stem cell numbers was found in Lrp6IEC-KO mice in comparison to controls. Nevertheless, using ex vivo intestinal organoid cultures, we found that LRP6 expression was critical for crypt cell proliferation and stem cell maintenance. When exposed to dextran sodium sulfate, Lrp6IEC-KO mice developed more severe colitis than control mice. However, loss of LRP6 did not affect tumorigenesis in ApcMin/+ mice nor growth of human colorectal cancer cells. By contrast, Lrp6 silencing diminished anchorage-independent growth of BRafV600E-transformed intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). Thus, LRP6 controls intestinal stem cell functionality and is necessary for BRAF-induced IEC oncogenesis.
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9
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Islam F, Htun S, Lai LW, Krall M, Poranki M, Martin PM, Sobreira N, Wohler ES, Yu J, Moore AT, Slavotinek AM. Exome sequencing in patients with microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) from a consanguineous population. Clin Genet 2020; 98:499-506. [PMID: 32799327 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Next-generation sequencing strategies have resulted in mutation detection rates of 21% to 61% in small cohorts of patients with microphthalmia, anophthalmia and coloboma (MAC), but despite progress in identifying novel causative genes, many patients remain without a genetic diagnosis. We studied a cohort of 19 patients with MAC who were ascertained from a population with high rates of consanguinity. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays and whole exome sequencing (WES), we identified one pathogenic variant in TENM3 in a patient with cataracts in addition to MAC. We also detected novel variants of unknown significance in genes that have previously been associated with MAC, including KIF26B, MICU1 and CDON, and identified variants in candidate genes for MAC from the Wnt signaling pathway, comprising LRP6, WNT2B and IQGAP1, but our findings do not prove causality. Plausible variants were not found for many of the cases, indicating that our current understanding of the pathogenesis of MAC, a highly heterogeneous group of ocular defects, remains incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farrah Islam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Al-Shifa Eye Trust Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Stephanie Htun
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Li-Wen Lai
- Department of Pathology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Max Krall
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Menitha Poranki
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pierre-Marie Martin
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nara Sobreira
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth S Wohler
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jingwei Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anthony T Moore
- Dept. Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Anne M Slavotinek
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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10
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Wang S, Lawless J, Zheng Z. Prenatal low-dose methyltestosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone, treatment induces penile formation in female mice and guinea pigs†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1248-1260. [PMID: 32219310 PMCID: PMC7253790 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genital tubercle has bisexual potential before sex differentiation. Females exposed to androgen during sex differentiation show masculinized external genitalia, but the effects of different androgens on tubular urethral and penile formation in females are mostly unknown. In this study, we compared the masculinization effects of commonly used androgens methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone on the induction of penile formation in females. Our results suggested that prenatal treatment with low doses of methyltestosterone, but not same doses of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, could induce penile formation in female mice. The minimum dose of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone for inducing tubular urethral formation in female mice was, respectively, 50 and 20 times higher than that of methyltestosterone. In vivo methyltestosterone treatment induced more nuclear translocation of androgen receptors in genital tubercles of female mice, affected Wnt signaling gene expressions, and then led to similar patterns of cell proliferation and death in developing genital tubercles to those of control males. We further revealed that low-dose methyltestosterone, but not same dose of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, treatment induced penile formation in female guinea pigs. Exposure of female mouse genital tubercle organ culture to methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or testosterone could induce nuclear translocation of androgen receptors, suggesting that the differential effect of the three androgens in vivo might be due to the hormonal profile in mother or fetus, rather than the local genital tissue. To understand the differential role of these androgens in masculinization process involved is fundamental to androgen replacement therapy for diseases related to external genital masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - John Lawless
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
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11
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Suzuki A, Yoshioka H, Summakia D, Desai NG, Jun G, Jia P, Loose DS, Ogata K, Gajera MV, Zhao Z, Iwata J. MicroRNA-124-3p suppresses mouse lip mesenchymal cell proliferation through the regulation of genes associated with cleft lip in the mouse. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:852. [PMID: 31727022 PMCID: PMC6854646 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6238-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cleft lip (CL), one of the most common congenital birth defects, shows considerable geographic and ethnic variation, with contribution of both genetic and environmental factors. Mouse genetic studies have identified several CL-associated genes. However, it remains elusive how these CL-associated genes are regulated and involved in CL. Environmental factors may regulate these genes at the post-transcriptional level through the regulation of non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we sought to identify miRNAs associated with CL in mice. Results Through a systematic literature review and a Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) database search, we identified 55 genes that were associated with CL in mice. Subsequent bioinformatic analysis of these genes predicted that a total of 33 miRNAs target multiple CL-associated genes, with 20 CL-associated genes being potentially regulated by multiple miRNAs. To experimentally validate miRNA function in cell proliferation, we conducted cell proliferation/viability assays for the selected five candidate miRNAs (miR-124-3p, let-7a-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7c-5p, and let-7d-5p). Overexpression of miR-124-3p, but not of the others, inhibited cell proliferation through suppression of CL-associated genes in cultured mouse embryonic lip mesenchymal cells (MELM cells) isolated from the developing mouse lip region. By contrast, miR-124-3p knockdown had no effect on MELM cell proliferation. This miRNA-gene regulatory mechanism was mostly conserved in O9–1 cells, an established cranial neural crest cell line. Expression of miR-124-3p was low in the maxillary processes at E10.5, when lip mesenchymal cells proliferate, whereas it was greatly increased at later developmental stages, suggesting that miR-124-3p expression is suppressed during the proliferation phase in normal palate development. Conclusions Our findings indicate that upregulated miR-124-3p inhibits cell proliferation in cultured lip cells through suppression of CL-associated genes. These results will have a significant impact, not only on our knowledge about lip morphogenesis, but also on the development of clinical approaches for the diagnosis and prevention of CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Suzuki
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hiroki Yoshioka
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dima Summakia
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA
| | - Neha G Desai
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Goo Jun
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peilin Jia
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David S Loose
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology and Pharmacology, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kenichi Ogata
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mona V Gajera
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Junichi Iwata
- Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1941 East Road, BBS 4208, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,Center for Craniofacial Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA. .,MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, USA.
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12
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A Role for the WNT Co-Receptor LRP6 in Pathogenesis and Therapy of Epithelial Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081162. [PMID: 31412666 PMCID: PMC6721565 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway controls stem and progenitor cell proliferation, survival and differentiation in epithelial tissues. Aberrant stimulation of this pathway is therefore frequently observed in cancers from epithelial origin. For instance, colorectal and hepatic cancers display activating mutations in the CTNNB1 gene encoding β-catenin, or inactivating APC and AXIN gene mutations. However, these mutations are uncommon in breast and pancreatic cancers despite nuclear β-catenin localization, indicative of pathway activation. Notably, the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), an indispensable co-receptor for WNT, is frequently overexpressed in colorectal, liver, breast and pancreatic adenocarcinomas in association with increased WNT/β -catenin signaling. Moreover, LRP6 is hyperphosphorylated in KRAS-mutated cells and in patient-derived colorectal tumours. Polymorphisms in the LRP6 gene are also associated with different susceptibility to developing specific types of lung, bladder and colorectal cancers. Additionally, recent observations suggest that LRP6 dysfunction may be involved in carcinogenesis. Indeed, reducing LRP6 expression and/or activity inhibits cancer cell proliferation and delays tumour growth in vivo. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the biological function and regulation of LRP6 in the development of epithelial cancers—especially colorectal, liver, breast and pancreatic cancers.
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13
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Kumar S, Reynolds K, Ji Y, Gu R, Rai S, Zhou CJ. Impaired neurodevelopmental pathways in autism spectrum disorder: a review of signaling mechanisms and crosstalk. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:10. [PMID: 31202261 PMCID: PMC6571119 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9268-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of an autistic brain is a highly complex process as evident from the involvement of various genetic and non-genetic factors in the etiology of the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Despite being a multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorder, autistic patients display a few key characteristics, such as the impaired social interactions and elevated repetitive behaviors, suggesting the perturbation of specific neuronal circuits resulted from abnormal signaling pathways during brain development in ASD. A comprehensive review for autistic signaling mechanisms and interactions may provide a better understanding of ASD etiology and treatment. Main body Recent studies on genetic models and ASD patients with several different mutated genes revealed the dysregulation of several key signaling pathways, such as WNT, BMP, SHH, and retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Although no direct evidence of dysfunctional FGF or TGF-β signaling in ASD has been reported so far, a few examples of indirect evidence can be found. This review article summarizes how various genetic and non-genetic factors which have been reported contributing to ASD interact with WNT, BMP/TGF-β, SHH, FGF, and RA signaling pathways. The autism-associated gene ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) has been reported to influence WNT, BMP, and RA signaling pathways, suggesting crosstalk between various signaling pathways during autistic brain development. Finally, the article comments on what further studies could be performed to gain deeper insights into the understanding of perturbed signaling pathways in the etiology of ASD. Conclusion The understanding of mechanisms behind various signaling pathways in the etiology of ASD may help to facilitate the identification of potential therapeutic targets and design of new treatment methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| | - Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Ran Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Sunil Rai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis School of Medicine, 2425 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
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14
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Reynolds K, Kumari P, Sepulveda Rincon L, Gu R, Ji Y, Kumar S, Zhou CJ. Wnt signaling in orofacial clefts: crosstalk, pathogenesis and models. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/2/dmm037051. [PMID: 30760477 PMCID: PMC6398499 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.037051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse signaling cues and attendant proteins work together during organogenesis, including craniofacial development. Lip and palate formation starts as early as the fourth week of gestation in humans or embryonic day 9.5 in mice. Disruptions in these early events may cause serious consequences, such as orofacial clefts, mainly cleft lip and/or cleft palate. Morphogenetic Wnt signaling, along with other signaling pathways and transcription regulation mechanisms, plays crucial roles during embryonic development, yet the signaling mechanisms and interactions in lip and palate formation and fusion remain poorly understood. Various Wnt signaling and related genes have been associated with orofacial clefts. This Review discusses the role of Wnt signaling and its crosstalk with cell adhesion molecules, transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and other morphogenetic signaling pathways, including the Bmp, Fgf, Tgfβ, Shh and retinoic acid pathways, in orofacial clefts in humans and animal models, which may provide a better understanding of these disorders and could be applied towards prevention and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Reynolds
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Priyanka Kumari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Lessly Sepulveda Rincon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Ran Gu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Yu Ji
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA .,Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine of Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (BMCDB) Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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15
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Yuan T, Wang S, Hu C, Wu Y, Liang D, Li L, Liu Y, Li J, Chen YH. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 regulates alternative pre-mRNA splicing. J Cell Mol Med 2018; 22:4653-4663. [PMID: 30070011 PMCID: PMC6156287 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) serves as a Wnt coreceptor. Although Wnt/LRP6 signalling is best known for the β-catenin-dependent regulation of target genes in tissue development and homeostasis, emerging evidence demonstrates the biological aspects of LRP6 beyond a Wnt coreceptor. Whether LRP6 modulates tissue development in a Wnt/β-catenin signalling-independent manner remains unknown. Using a model of striated muscle development, we observed that LRP6 was almost undetectable in proliferating myoblasts, whereas its expression gradually increased in the nucleus of myodifferentiating cells. During myodifferentiation, LRP6 modulated the muscle-specific splicing of integrin-β1D and consequent myotube maturation independently of the β-catenin-dependent Wnt signalling. Furthermore, we identified that the carboxy-terminal serine-rich region in LRP6 bond to the adenine-rich sequence within alternative exon D (AED) of integrin-β1 pre-mRNA, and therefore, elicited AED inclusion when the spliceosome was recruited to the splice site. The interaction of LRP6 with the adenine-rich sequence was sufficient to overcome AED exclusion by a splicing repressor, polypyrimidine tract binding protein-1. Besides the integrin-β1, deep RNA sequencing in different types of cells revealed that the LRP6-mediated splicing regulation was widespread. Thus, our findings implicate LRP6 as a potential regulator for alternative pre-mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyou Yuan
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiyi Wang
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyue Hu
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yufei Wu
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Liang
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Li
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Han Chen
- Institute of Medical Genetics, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Heart Health Center, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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16
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Wang Y, Stokes A, Duan Z, Hui J, Xu Y, Chen Y, Chen HW, Lam K, Zhou CJ. LDL Receptor-Related Protein 6 Modulates Ret Proto-Oncogene Signaling in Renal Development and Cystic Dysplasia. J Am Soc Nephrol 2015; 27:417-27. [PMID: 26047795 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2014100998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoplastic and/or cystic kidneys have been found in both LDL receptor-related protein 6 (Lrp6)- and β-catenin-mutant mouse embryos, and these proteins are key molecules for Wnt signaling. However, the underlying mechanisms of Lrp6/β-catenin signaling in renal development and cystic formation remain poorly understood. In this study, we found evidence that diminished cell proliferation and increased apoptosis occur before cystic dysplasia in the renal primordia of Lrp6-deficient mouse embryos. The expression of Ret proto-oncogene (Ret), a critical receptor for the growth factor glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which is required for early nephrogenesis, was dramatically diminished in the mutant renal primordia. The activities of other representative nephrogenic genes, including Lim1, Pax2, Pax8, GDNF, and Wnt11, were subsequently diminished in the mutant renal primordia. Molecular biology experiments demonstrated that Ret is a novel transcriptional target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Wnt agonist lithium promoted Ret expression in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Lrp6-knockdown or lithium treatment in vitro led to downregulation or upregulation, respectively, of the phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases 1 and 3, which act downstream of GDNF/Ret signaling. Mice with single and double mutations of Lrp6 and Ret were perinatal lethal and demonstrated gene dosage-dependent effects on the severity of renal hypoplasia during embryogenesis. Taken together, these results suggest that Lrp6-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulates or interacts with a signaling network consisting of Ret cascades and related nephrogenic factors for renal development, and the disruption of these genes or signaling activities may cause a spectrum of hypoplastic and cystic kidney disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongping Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California and University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Arjun Stokes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California and University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Zhijian Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Jordan Hui
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California and University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Ying Xu
- Cambridge-Suda Genome Resource Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - YiPing Chen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Hong-Wu Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Kit Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California
| | - Chengji J Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California; Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California and University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California;
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17
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Galli LM, Munji RN, Chapman SC, Easton A, Li L, Onguka O, Ramahi JS, Suriben R, Szabo LA, Teng C, Tran B, Hannoush RN, Burrus LW. Frizzled10 mediates WNT1 and WNT3A signaling in the dorsal spinal cord of the developing chick embryo. Dev Dyn 2014; 243:833-843. [PMID: 24599775 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND WNT1 and WNT3A drive a dorsal to ventral gradient of β-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling in the developing spinal cord. However, the identity of the receptors mediating downstream functions remains poorly understood. RESULTS In this report, we show that the spatiotemporal expression patterns of FZD10 and WNT1/WNT3A are highly correlated. We further show that in the presence of LRP6, FZD10 promotes WNT1 and WNT3A signaling using an 8xSuperTopFlash reporter assay. Consistent with a functional role for FZD10, we demonstrate that FZD10 is required for proliferation in the spinal cord. Finally, by using an in situ proximity ligation assay, we observe an interaction between FZD10 and WNT1 and WNT3A proteins. CONCLUSIONS Together, our results identify FZD10 as a receptor for WNT1 and WNT3A in the developing chick spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M Galli
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Roeben N Munji
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Susan C Chapman
- Clemson University, Biological Sciences, Long Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Ann Easton
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Lydia Li
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Ouma Onguka
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Joseph S Ramahi
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Rowena Suriben
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Linda A Szabo
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Camilla Teng
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Baouyen Tran
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
| | - Rami N Hannoush
- Department of Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Laura W Burrus
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA
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18
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Meng Q, Jin C, Chen Y, Chen J, Medvedovic M, Xia Y. Expression of signaling components in embryonic eyelid epithelium. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87038. [PMID: 24498290 PMCID: PMC3911929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Closure of an epithelium opening is a critical morphogenetic event for development. An excellent example for this process is the transient closure of embryonic eyelid. Eyelid closure requires shape change and migration of epithelial cells at the tip of the developing eyelids, and is dictated by numerous signaling pathways. Here we evaluated gene expression in epithelial cells isolated from the tip (leading edge, LE) and inner surface epithelium (IE) of the eyelid from E15.5 mouse fetuses by laser capture microdissection (LCM). We showed that the LE and IE cells are different at E15.5, such that IE had higher expression of muscle specific genes, while LE acquired epithelium identities. Despite their distinct destinies, these cells were overall similar in expression of signaling components for the “eyelid closure pathways”. However, while the LE cells had more abundant expression of Fgfr2, Erbb2, Shh, Ptch1 and 2, Smo and Gli2, and Jag1 and Notch1, the IE cells had more abundant expression of Bmp5 and Bmpr1a. In addition, the LE cells had more abundant expression of adenomatosis polyposis coli down-regulated 1 (Apcdd1), but the IE cells had high expression of Dkk2. Our results suggest that the functionally distinct LE and IE cells have also differential expression of signaling molecules that may contribute to the cell-specific responses to morphogenetic signals. The expression pattern suggests that the EGF, Shh and NOTCH pathways are preferentially active in LE cells, the BMP pathways are effective in IE cells, and the Wnt pathway may be repressed in LE and IE cells via different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghang Meng
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Chang Jin
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Yinglei Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ying Xia
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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Hägglund AC, Berghard A, Carlsson L. Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling is essential for optic cup formation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e81158. [PMID: 24324671 PMCID: PMC3852023 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A multitude of signalling pathways are involved in the process of forming an eye. Here we demonstrate that β-catenin is essential for eye development as inactivation of β-catenin prior to cellular specification in the optic vesicle caused anophthalmia in mice. By achieving this early and tissue-specific β-catenin inactivation we find that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) commitment was blocked and eye development was arrested prior to optic cup formation due to a loss of canonical Wnt signalling in the dorsal optic vesicle. Thus, these results show that Wnt/β-catenin signalling is required earlier and play a more central role in eye development than previous studies have indicated. In our genetic model system a few RPE cells could escape β-catenin inactivation leading to the formation of a small optic rudiment. The optic rudiment contained several neural retinal cell classes surrounded by an RPE. Unlike the RPE cells, the neural retinal cells could be β-catenin-negative revealing that differentiation of the neural retinal cell classes is β-catenin-independent. Moreover, although dorsoventral patterning is initiated in the mutant optic vesicle, the neural retinal cells in the optic rudiment displayed almost exclusively ventral identity. Thus, β-catenin is required for optic cup formation, commitment to RPE cells and maintenance of dorsal identity of the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Berghard
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Leif Carlsson
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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20
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Zhao T, Gan Q, Stokes A, Lassiter RNT, Wang Y, Chan J, Han JX, Pleasure DE, Epstein JA, Zhou CJ. β-catenin regulates Pax3 and Cdx2 for caudal neural tube closure and elongation. Development 2013; 141:148-57. [PMID: 24284205 DOI: 10.1242/dev.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Non-canonical Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling plays a primary role in the convergent extension that drives neural tube closure and body axis elongation. PCP signaling gene mutations cause severe neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the role of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in neural tube closure and NTDs remains poorly understood. This study shows that conditional gene targeting of β-catenin in the dorsal neural folds of mouse embryos represses the expression of the homeobox-containing genes Pax3 and Cdx2 at the dorsal posterior neuropore (PNP), and subsequently diminishes the expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling target genes T, Tbx6 and Fgf8 at the tail bud, leading to spina bifida aperta, caudal axis bending and tail truncation. We demonstrate that Pax3 and Cdx2 are novel downstream targets of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Transgenic activation of Pax3 cDNA can rescue the closure defect in the β-catenin mutants, suggesting that Pax3 is a key downstream effector of β-catenin signaling in the PNP closure process. Cdx2 is known to be crucial in posterior axis elongation and in neural tube closure. We found that Cdx2 expression is also repressed in the dorsal PNPs of Pax3-null embryos. However, the ectopically activated Pax3 in the β-catenin mutants cannot restore Cdx2 mRNA in the dorsal PNP, suggesting that the presence of both β-catenin and Pax3 is required for regional Cdx2 expression. Thus, β-catenin signaling is required for caudal neural tube closure and elongation, acting through the transcriptional regulation of key target genes in the PNP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Zhao
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Northern California, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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21
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Allache R, Lachance S, Guyot MC, De Marco P, Merello E, Justice MJ, Capra V, Kibar Z. Novel mutations in Lrp6 orthologs in mouse and human neural tube defects affect a highly dosage-sensitive Wnt non-canonical planar cell polarity pathway. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:1687-99. [PMID: 24203697 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling has been classified as canonical Wnt/β-catenin-dependent or non-canonical planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. Misregulation of either pathway is linked mainly to cancer or neural tube defects (NTDs), respectively. Both pathways seem to antagonize each other, and recent studies have implicated a number of molecular switches that activate one pathway while simultaneously inhibiting the other thereby partially mediating this antagonism. The lipoprotein receptor-related protein Lrp6 is crucial for the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, but its function in Wnt/PCP signaling remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigate the role of Lrp6 as a molecular switch between both Wnt pathways in a novel ENU mouse mutant of Lrp6 (Skax26(m1Jus)) and in human NTDs. We demonstrate that Skax26(m1Jus) represents a hypermorphic allele of Lrp6 with increased Wnt canonical and abolished PCP-induced JNK activities. We also show that Lrp6(Skax26-Jus) genetically interacts with a PCP mutant (Vangl2(Lp)) where double heterozygotes showed an increased frequency of NTDs and defects in cochlear hair cells' polarity. Importantly, our study also demonstrates the association of rare and novel missense mutations in LRP6 that is an inhibitor rather than an activator of the PCP pathway with human NTDs. We show that three LRP6 mutations in NTDs led to a reduced Wnt canonical activity and enhanced PCP signaling. Our data confirm an inhibitory role of Lrp6 in PCP signaling in neurulation and indicate the importance of a tightly regulated and highly dosage-sensitive antagonism between both Wnt pathways in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Redouane Allache
- CHU Sainte Justine Research Center and University of Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada H3T 1C5
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22
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Ha S, Stottmann RW, Furley AJ, Beier DR. A forward genetic screen in mice identifies mutants with abnormal cortical patterning. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 25:167-79. [PMID: 23968836 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bht209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Formation of a 6-layered cortical plate and axon tract patterning are key features of cerebral cortex development. Abnormalities of these processes may be the underlying cause for a range of functional disabilities seen in human neurodevelopmental disorders. To identify mouse mutants with defects in cortical lamination or corticofugal axon guidance, N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis was performed using mice expressing LacZ reporter genes in layers II/III and V of the cortex (Rgs4-lacZ) or in corticofugal axons (TAG1-tau-lacZ). Four lines with abnormal cortical lamination have been identified. One of these was a splice site mutation in reelin (Reln) that results in a premature stop codon and the truncation of the C-terminal region (CTR) domain of reelin. Interestingly, this novel allele of Reln did not display cerebellar malformation or ataxia, and this is the first report of a Reln mutant without a cerebellar defect. Four lines with abnormal cortical axon development were also identified, one of which was found by whole-genome resequencing to carry a mutation in Lrp2. These findings demonstrated that the application of ENU mutagenesis to mice carrying transgenic reporters marking cortical anatomy is a sensitive and specific method to identify mutations that disrupt patterning of the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungshin Ha
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Rolf W Stottmann
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Divisions of Human Genetics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA and
| | - Andrew J Furley
- Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - David R Beier
- Genetics Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
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23
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Ahn Y, Sims C, Logue JM, Weatherbee SD, Krumlauf R. Lrp4 and Wise interplay controls the formation and patterning of mammary and other skin appendage placodes by modulating Wnt signaling. Development 2013; 140:583-93. [PMID: 23293290 DOI: 10.1242/dev.085118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The future site of skin appendage development is marked by a placode during embryogenesis. Although Wnt/β-catenin signaling is known to be essential for skin appendage development, it is unclear which cellular processes are controlled by the signaling and how the precise level of the signaling activity is achieved during placode formation. We have investigated roles for Lrp4 and its potential ligand Wise (Sostdc1) in mammary and other skin appendage placodes. Lrp4 mutant mice displayed a delay in placode initiation and changes in distribution and number of mammary precursor cells leading to abnormal morphology, number and position of mammary placodes. These Lrp4 mammary defects, as well as limb defects, were associated with elevated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and were rescued by reducing the dose of the Wnt co-receptor genes Lrp5 and Lrp6, or by inactivating the gene encoding β-catenin. Wise-null mice phenocopied a subset of the Lrp4 mammary defects and Wise overexpression reduced the number of mammary precursor cells. Genetic epistasis analyses suggest that Wise requires Lrp4 to exert its function and that, together, they have a role in limiting mammary fate, but Lrp4 has an early Wise-independent role in facilitating placode formation. Lrp4 and Wise mutants also share defects in vibrissa and hair follicle development, suggesting that the roles played by Lrp4 and Wise are common to skin appendages. Our study presents genetic evidence for interplay between Lrp4 and Wise in inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling and provides an insight into how modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls cellular processes important for skin placode formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngwook Ahn
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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24
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Joiner DM, Ke J, Zhong Z, Xu HE, Williams BO. LRP5 and LRP6 in development and disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2013; 24:31-9. [PMID: 23245947 PMCID: PMC3592934 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2012.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2012] [Revised: 10/09/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein-related receptors 5 and 6 (LRP5/6) are highly homologous proteins with key functions in canonical Wnt signaling. Alterations in the genes encoding these receptors or their interacting proteins are linked to human diseases, and as such they have been a major focus of drug development efforts to treat several human conditions including osteoporosis, cancer, and metabolic disease. Here, we discuss the links between alterations in LRP5/6 and disease, proteins that interact with them, and insights gained into their function from mouse models. We also highlight current drug development related to LRP5/6 as well as how the recent elucidation of their crystal structures may allow further refinement of our ability to target them for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danese M. Joiner
- Center for Skeletal Disease Research, Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Jiyuan Ke
- Center for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, Laboratory of Structural Sciences, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Zhendong Zhong
- Center for Skeletal Disease Research, Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - H. Eric Xu
- Center for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, Laboratory of Structural Sciences, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Bart O. Williams
- Center for Skeletal Disease Research, Laboratory of Cell Signaling and Carcinogenesis, Van Andel Research Institute, 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Abstract
Wnt signaling is involved in numerous aspects of vertebrate development and homeostasis, including the formation and function of blood cells. Here, we show that canonical and noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways are present and functional in megakaryocytes (MKs), with several Wnt effectors displaying MK-restricted expression. Using the CHRF288-11 cell line as a model for human MKs, the canonical Wnt3a signal was found to induce a time and dose-dependent increase in β-catenin expression. β-catenin accumulation was inhibited by the canonical antagonist dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and by the noncanonical agonist Wnt5a. Whole genome expression analysis demonstrated that Wnt3a and Wnt5a regulated distinct patterns of gene expression in MKs, and revealed a further interplay between canonical and noncanonical Wnt pathways. Fetal liver cells derived from low-density-lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6-deficient mice (LRP6(-/-)), generated dramatically reduced numbers of MKs in culture of lower ploidy (2N and 4N) than wild-type controls, implicating LRP6-dependent Wnt signaling in MK proliferation and maturation. Finally, in wild-type mature murine fetal liver-derived MKs, Wnt3a potently induced proplatelet formation, an effect that could be completely abrogated by DKK1. These data identify novel extrinsic regulators of proplatelet formation, and reveal a profound role for Wnt signaling in platelet production.
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Yu H, Ye X, Guo N, Nathans J. Frizzled 2 and frizzled 7 function redundantly in convergent extension and closure of the ventricular septum and palate: evidence for a network of interacting genes. Development 2012; 139:4383-94. [PMID: 23095888 DOI: 10.1242/dev.083352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Frizzled (Fz) 2 and Fz7, together with Fz1, form a distinct subfamily within the Frizzled family of Wnt receptors. Using targeted gene deletion, we show that: Fz7(-/-) mice exhibit tail truncation and kinking with 100% penetrance and ventricular septal defects (VSDs) with ~15% penetrance; Fz2(+/-);Fz7(-/-) mice exhibit VSDs with ~50% penetrance and cleft palate with less than 10% penetrance; and Fz2(-/-);Fz7(-/-) mice exhibit convergent extension defects and mid-gestational lethality with 100% penetrance. When Fz2 and/or Fz7 mutations are combined with mutations in Vangl2, Dvl3, Wnt3a, Wnt5a or Wnt11, an increased frequency of VSDs is observed with Dvl3, Wnt3a and Wnt11; an increased frequency of palate closure defects is observed with Vangl2; and early lethality and enhanced tail shortening are observed with Wnt5a. To assess the signaling pathways that underlie these and other Frizzled-mediated genetic interactions, we used transfected mammalian cells to analyze (1) canonical Wnt signaling induced by all pairwise combinations of the ten mouse Frizzleds and the 19 mouse Wnts and (2) localization of each Frizzled at cell-cell junctional complexes formed by mouse Celsr1, a likely indicator of competence for planar cell polarity signaling. These in vitro experiments indicate that Fz2 and Fz7 are competent to signal via the canonical pathway. Taken together, the data suggest that genetic interactions between Fz2, Fz7 and Vangl2, Dvl3 and Wnt genes reflect interactions among different signaling pathways in developmental processes that are highly sensitive to perturbations in Frizzled signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MA 21205, USA
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27
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Chen J, Stahl A, Krah NM, Seaward MR, Joyal JS, Juan AM, Hatton CJ, Aderman CM, Dennison RJ, Willett KL, Sapieha P, Smith LEH. Retinal expression of Wnt-pathway mediated genes in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) knockout mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30203. [PMID: 22272305 PMCID: PMC3260226 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) impair retinal angiogenesis in patients with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), a rare type of blinding vascular eye disease. The defective retinal vasculature phenotype in human FEVR patients is recapitulated in Lrp5 knockout (Lrp5−/−) mouse with delayed and incomplete development of retinal vessels. In this study we examined gene expression changes in the developing Lrp5−/− mouse retina to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms that underlie the pathology of FEVR in humans. Gene expression levels were assessed with an Illumina microarray on total RNA from Lrp5−/− and WT retinas isolated on postnatal day (P) 8. Regulated genes were confirmed using RT-qPCR analysis. Consistent with a role in vascular development, we identified expression changes in genes involved in cell-cell adhesion, blood vessel morphogenesis and membrane transport in Lrp5−/− retina compared to WT retina. In particular, tight junction protein claudin5 and amino acid transporter slc38a5 are both highly down-regulated in Lrp5−/− retina. Similarly, several Wnt ligands including Wnt7b show decreased expression levels. Plasmalemma vesicle associated protein (plvap), an endothelial permeability marker, in contrast, is up-regulated consistent with increased permeability in Lrp5−/− retinas. Together these data suggest that Lrp5 regulates multiple groups of genes that influence retinal angiogenesis and may contribute to the pathogenesis of FEVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andreas Stahl
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- University Eye Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Nathan M. Krah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Molly R. Seaward
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jean-Sebastian Joyal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aimee M. Juan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Colman J. Hatton
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Aderman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Roberta J. Dennison
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Keirnan L. Willett
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Przemyslaw Sapieha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Lois E. H. Smith
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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28
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Cohn MJ. Development of the external genitalia: conserved and divergent mechanisms of appendage patterning. Dev Dyn 2011; 240:1108-15. [PMID: 21465625 PMCID: PMC4761266 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the genetics of external genital development have begun to be understood. Male and female external genitalia develop from the genital tubercle. The early tubercle has a superficial resemblance to the limb bud, but an important distinction is that the limb consists of only mesoderm and ectoderm, whereas the genital tubercle also has an endodermal component, the urethral epithelium. Urethral epithelium, which expresses Sonic hedgehog, acts as a signaling region that controls outgrowth and pattern formation, and ultimately differentiates into the urethral tube. While there are intriguing parallels between limb and genital development, recent studies have identified some key differences, including the role of Fgf signaling. Our understanding of the mechanisms of genital development still lags far behind the limb, and major questions remain to be answered, including the molecular nature of the signals that initiate genital budding, sustain outgrowth, induce tissue polarity and orchestrate urethral tubulogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J Cohn
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
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29
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Warner DR, Mukhopadhyay P, Brock GN, Pihur V, Pisano MM, Greene RM. TGFβ-1 and Wnt-3a interact to induce unique gene expression profiles in murine embryonic palate mesenchymal cells. Reprod Toxicol 2010; 31:128-33. [PMID: 20955781 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2010.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Revised: 09/14/2010] [Accepted: 10/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Development of the secondary palate in mammals is a complex process under the control of numerous growth and differentiation factors that regulate key processes such as cell proliferation, synthesis of extracellular matrix molecules, and epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation. Alterations in any one of these processes either through genetic mutation or environmental insult have the potential to lead to clefts of the secondary palate. Members of the TGFβ family of cytokines are crucial mediators of these processes and emerging evidence supports a pivotal role for members of the Wnt family of secreted growth and differentiation factors. Previous work in this laboratory demonstrated cross-talk between the Wnt and TGFβ signaling pathways in cultured mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal cells. In the current study we tested the hypothesis that unique gene expression profiles are induced in murine embryonic palate mesenchymal cells as a result of this cross-talk between the TGFβ and Wnt signal transduction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Warner
- University of Louisville Birth Defects Center, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Craniofacial Biology, University of Louisville, ULSD, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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30
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Song L, Li Y, Wang K, Zhou CJ. Cardiac neural crest and outflow tract defects in Lrp6 mutant mice. Dev Dyn 2010; 239:200-10. [PMID: 19705442 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of a key Wnt coreceptor Lrp6 during heart development remains unclear. Here we show that ablation of Lrp6 in mice causes conotruncal anomalies including double-outlet right ventricle (DORV), outflow tract (OFT) cushion hypoplasia, and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Cardiac neural crest cells are specifically lost in the dorsal neural tube and caudal pharyngeal arches of the mutant embryos. We also demonstrate that Lrp6 is required for proliferation and survival of cardiac progenitors and for the expression of Isl1 in the secondary heart field. Other known cardiogenic regulators such as Msx1, Msx2, and Fgf8 are also significantly diminished in the mutant pharyngeal arches and/or OFT. Unexpectedly, the myocardium differentiation factors Mef2c and Myocardin are upregulated in the mutant OFT. Our results indicate that Lrp6 is essential for cardiac neural crest and OFT development upstream of multiple important cardiogenic genes in different cardiac lineage cells during early cardiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Song
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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31
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Canonical Wnt signaling activity during synovial joint development. J Mol Histol 2009; 40:311-6. [PMID: 19921490 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-009-9242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays important roles in skeletal development. However, the activation and function of canonical Wnt signaling in joint development remains unclear. We analyzed the lineage identity and developmental changes of the Wnt-responsive cells during synovial joint formation as well as adulthood in the Wnt signaling reporter TOPgal transgenic mice. At embryonic day (E) 12.5, we found that the TOPgal was inactivated in the presumptive joint forming interzone, but it was intensively activated in the cartilage anlage of developing long bones and digits. At E14.5, the TOPgal activity was found in a subgroup of the articular chondrocyte lineage cells, which were co-immunolabeled with Doublecortin intensively and with Vinculin weakly. At E18.5, the TOPgal/Doublecortin co-immunolabeled cells were found in the superficial layer of the developing articular cartilage. During postnatal development, the TOPgal(+) articular chondrocytes were abundant at P7 and decreased from P10. A small number of TOPgal(+) articular chondrocytes were also found in adult joints. Our study suggests an age- and lineage-specific role of canonical Wnt signaling in joint development and maintenance.
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32
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Song L, Li Y, Wang K, Wang YZ, Molotkov A, Gao L, Zhao T, Yamagami T, Wang Y, Gan Q, Pleasure DE, Zhou CJ. Lrp6-mediated canonical Wnt signaling is required for lip formation and fusion. Development 2009; 136:3161-71. [PMID: 19700620 DOI: 10.1242/dev.037440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neither the mechanisms that govern lip morphogenesis nor the cause of cleft lip are well understood. We report that genetic inactivation of Lrp6, a co-receptor of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, leads to cleft lip with cleft palate. The activity of a Wnt signaling reporter is blocked in the orofacial primordia by Lrp6 deletion in mice. The morphological dynamic that is required for normal lip formation and fusion is disrupted in these mutants. The expression of the homeobox genes Msx1 and Msx2 is dramatically reduced in the mutants, which prevents the outgrowth of orofacial primordia, especially in the fusion site. We further demonstrate that Msx1 and Msx2 (but not their potential regulator Bmp4) are the downstream targets of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway during lip formation and fusion. By contrast, a ;fusion-resistant' gene, Raldh3 (also known as Aldh1a3), that encodes a retinoic acid-synthesizing enzyme is ectopically expressed in the upper lip primordia of Lrp6-deficient embryos, indicating a region-specific role of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in repressing retinoic acid signaling. Thus, the Lrp6-mediated Wnt signaling pathway is required for lip development by orchestrating two distinctively different morphogenetic movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Song
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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