1
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Wang F, Mehta P, Bach I. How does the Xist activator Rlim/Rnf12 regulate Xist expression? Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1099-1107. [PMID: 38747697 PMCID: PMC11346418 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Xist is crucially involved in a process called X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female mammals to achieve X dosage compensation between the sexes. Because Xist RNA silences the X chromosome from which it is transcribed, the activation of Xist transcription marks the initiation of the XCI process and thus, mechanisms and players that activate this gene are of central importance to the XCI process. During female mouse embryogenesis, XCI occurs in two steps. At the 2-4 cell stages imprinted XCI (iXCI) silences exclusively the paternally inherited X chromosome (Xp). While extraembryonic cells including trophoblasts keep the Xp silenced, epiblast cells that give rise to the embryo proper reactivate the Xp and undergo random XCI (rXCI) around implantation. Both iXCI and rXCI are dependent on Xist. Rlim, also known as Rnf12, is an X-linked E3 ubiquitin ligase that is involved in the transcriptional activation of Xist. However, while data on the crucial involvement of Rlim during iXCI appear clear, its role in rXCI has been controversial. This review discusses data leading to this disagreement and recent evidence for a regulatory switch of Xist transcription in epiblasts of implanting embryos, partially reconciling the roles of Rlim during Xist activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, U.S.A
| | - Poonam Mehta
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, U.S.A
| | - Ingolf Bach
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, U.S.A
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2
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Malcore RM, Kalantry S. A Comparative Analysis of Mouse Imprinted and Random X-Chromosome Inactivation. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:8. [PMID: 38390899 PMCID: PMC10885068 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The mammalian sexes are distinguished by the X and Y chromosomes. Whereas males harbor one X and one Y chromosome, females harbor two X chromosomes. To equalize X-linked gene expression between the sexes, therian mammals have evolved X-chromosome inactivation as a dosage compensation mechanism. During X-inactivation, most genes on one of the two X chromosomes in females are transcriptionally silenced, thus equalizing X-linked gene expression between the sexes. Two forms of X-inactivation characterize eutherian mammals, imprinted and random. Imprinted X-inactivation is defined by the exclusive inactivation of the paternal X chromosome in all cells, whereas random X-inactivation results in the silencing of genes on either the paternal or maternal X chromosome in individual cells. Both forms of X-inactivation have been studied intensively in the mouse model system, which undergoes both imprinted and random X-inactivation early in embryonic development. Stable imprinted and random X-inactivation requires the induction of the Xist long non-coding RNA. Following its induction, Xist RNA recruits proteins and complexes that silence genes on the inactive-X. In this review, we present a current understanding of the mechanisms of Xist RNA induction, and, separately, the establishment and maintenance of gene silencing on the inactive-X by Xist RNA during imprinted and random X-inactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sundeep Kalantry
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
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3
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Rajawat D, Panigrahi M, Nayak SS, Bhushan B, Mishra BP, Dutt T. Dissecting the genomic regions of selection on the X chromosome in different cattle breeds. 3 Biotech 2024; 14:50. [PMID: 38268984 PMCID: PMC10803714 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03905-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian X and Y chromosomes independently evolved from various autosomes approximately 300 million years ago (MYA). To fully understand the relationship between genomic composition and phenotypic diversity arising due to the course of evolution, we have scanned regions of selection signatures on the X chromosome in different cattle breeds. In this study, we have prepared the datasets of 184 individuals of different cattle breeds and explored the complete X chromosome by utilizing four within-population and two between-population methods. There were 23, 25, 30, 17, 17, and 12 outlier regions identified in Tajima's D, CLR, iHS, ROH, FST, and XP-EHH. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these regions harbor important candidate genes like AKAP4 for reproduction in Brown Swiss, MBTS2 for production traits in Brown Swiss and Guernsey, CXCR3 and CITED1 for health traits in Jersey and Nelore, and BMX and CD40LG for regulation of X chromosome inactivation in Nelore and Gir. We identified genes shared among multiple methods, such as TRNAC-GCA and IL1RAPL1, which appeared in Tajima's D, ROH, and iHS analyses. The gene TRNAW-CCA was found in ROH, CLR and iHS analyses. The X chromosome exhibits a distinctive interaction between demographic factors and genetic variations, and these findings may provide new insight into the X-linked selection in different cattle breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Divya Rajawat
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122 India
| | - Manjit Panigrahi
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122 India
| | - Sonali Sonejita Nayak
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122 India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122 India
| | - B. P. Mishra
- ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, Karnal, India
| | - Triveni Dutt
- Livestock Production and Management Section, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, UP 243122 India
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4
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Li Y, Yang C, Wang H, Zhao L, Kong Q, Cang Y, Zhao S, Lv L, Li Y, Mao B, Ma P. Sequential stabilization of RNF220 by RLIM and ZC4H2 during cerebellum development and Shh-group medulloblastoma progression. J Mol Cell Biol 2022; 14:6510822. [PMID: 35040952 PMCID: PMC8982406 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjab082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling is essential for the proliferation of cerebellar granule neuron progenitors (CGNPs), and its misregulation is linked to various disorders, including cerebellar cancer medulloblastoma (MB). During vertebrate neural development, RNF220, a ubiquitin E3 ligase, is involved in spinal cord patterning by modulating the subcellular location of glioma-associated oncogene homologs (Glis) through ubiquitination. RNF220 is also required for full activation of Shh signaling during cerebellum development in an epigenetic manner through targeting embryonic ectoderm development. ZC4H2 was reported to be involved in spinal cord patterning by acting as an RNF220 stabilizer. Here, we provided evidence to show that ZC4H2 is also required for full activation of Shh signaling in CGNP and MB progression by stabilizing RNF220. In addition, we found that the ubiquitin E3 ligase RING finger LIM domain-binding protein (RLIM) is responsible for ZC4H2 stabilization via direct ubiquitination, through which RNF220 is also thus stabilized. RLIM is a direct target of Shh signaling and is also required for full activation of Shh signaling in CGNP and MB cell proliferation. We further provided clinical evidence to show that the RLIM‒ZC4H2‒RNF220 cascade is involved in Shh-group MB progression. Disease-causative human RLIM and ZC4H2 mutations affect their interaction and regulation. Therefore, our study sheds light on the regulation of Shh signaling during cerebellar development and MB progression and provides insights into neural disorders caused by RLIM or ZC4H2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650203, China
| | - Chencheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650203, China
| | - Huishan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650203, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Experimental Animal Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Qinghua Kong
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yu Cang
- Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650021, China
| | - Shuhua Zhao
- First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China
| | - Longbao Lv
- Experimental Animal Center, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Yan Li
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Bingyu Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Pengcheng Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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5
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Huang Y, Liu S, Shan M, Hagenaars SC, Mesker WE, Cohen D, Wang L, Zheng Z, Devilee P, Tollenaar RAEM, Li Z, Song Y, Zhang L, Li D, Ten Dijke P. RNF12 is regulated by AKT phosphorylation and promotes TGF-β driven breast cancer metastasis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:44. [PMID: 35013159 PMCID: PMC8748510 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04493-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) acts as a pro-metastatic factor in advanced breast cancer. RNF12, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, stimulates TGF-β signaling by binding to the inhibitory SMAD7 and inducing its proteasomal degradation. How RNF12 activity is regulated and its exact role in cancer is incompletely understood. Here we report that RNF12 was overexpressed in invasive breast cancers and its high expression correlated with poor prognosis. RNF12 promoted breast cancer cell migration, invasion, and experimental metastasis in zebrafish and murine xenograft models. RNF12 levels were positively associated with the phosphorylated AKT/protein kinase B (PKB) levels, and both displayed significant higher levels in the basal-like subtype compared with the levels in luminal-like subtype of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, AKT-mediated phosphorylation induced the nuclear localization of RNF12, maintained its stability, and accelerated the degradation of SMAD7 mediated by RNF12. Furthermore, we demonstrated that RNF12 and AKT cooperated functionally in breast cancer cell migration. Notably, RNF12 expression strongly correlated with both phosphorylated AKT and phosphorylated SMAD2 levels in breast cancer tissues. Thus, our results uncovered RNF12 as an important determinant in the crosstalk between the TGF-β and AKT signaling pathways during breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Huang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. .,Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Sijia Liu
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mengjie Shan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Sophie C Hagenaars
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma E Mesker
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Danielle Cohen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lin Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Zheng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peter Devilee
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rob A E M Tollenaar
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Zhangfu Li
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongmei Song
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Dan Li
- Key Laboratory of Cancer and Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Peter Ten Dijke
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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6
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Wang F, Gervasi MG, Bošković A, Sun F, Rinaldi VD, Yu J, Wallingford MC, Tourzani DA, Mager J, Zhu LJ, Rando OJ, Visconti PE, Strittmatter L, Bach I. Deficient spermiogenesis in mice lacking Rlim. eLife 2021; 10:e63556. [PMID: 33620316 PMCID: PMC7935487 DOI: 10.7554/elife.63556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The X-linked gene Rlim plays major roles in female mouse development and reproduction, where it is crucial for the maintenance of imprinted X chromosome inactivation in extraembryonic tissues of embryos. However, while females carrying a systemic Rlim knockout (KO) die around implantation, male Rlim KO mice appear healthy and are fertile. Here, we report an important role for Rlim in testis where it is highly expressed in post-meiotic round spermatids as well as in Sertoli cells. Systemic deletion of the Rlim gene results in lower numbers of mature sperm that contains excess cytoplasm, leading to decreased sperm motility and in vitro fertilization rates. Targeting the conditional Rlim cKO specifically to the spermatogenic cell lineage largely recapitulates this phenotype. These results reveal functions of Rlim in male reproduction specifically in round spermatids during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Maria Gracia Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Ana Bošković
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Fengyun Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Vera D Rinaldi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Mary C Wallingford
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Darya A Tourzani
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Lihua Julie Zhu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Oliver J Rando
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Pablo E Visconti
- Department of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherstUnited States
| | - Lara Strittmatter
- Electron Microscopy Core, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
| | - Ingolf Bach
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterUnited States
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7
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Wang F, Bach I. Rlim/Rnf12, Rex1, and X Chromosome Inactivation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:258. [PMID: 31737626 PMCID: PMC6834644 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
RLIM/Rnf12 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that has originally been identified as a transcriptional cofactor associated with LIM domain transcription factors. Indeed, this protein modulates transcriptional activities and multiprotein complexes recruited by several classes of transcription factors thereby enhancing or repressing transcription. Around 10 years ago, RLIM/Rnf12 has been identified as a major regulator for the process of X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female mice and ESCs. However, the precise roles of RLIM during XCI have been controversial. Here, we discuss the cellular and developmental functions of RLIM as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and its roles during XCI in conjunction with its target protein Rex1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ingolf Bach
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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8
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Frints SGM, Ozanturk A, Rodríguez Criado G, Grasshoff U, de Hoon B, Field M, Manouvrier-Hanu S, E Hickey S, Kammoun M, Gripp KW, Bauer C, Schroeder C, Toutain A, Mihalic Mosher T, Kelly BJ, White P, Dufke A, Rentmeester E, Moon S, Koboldt DC, van Roozendaal KEP, Hu H, Haas SA, Ropers HH, Murray L, Haan E, Shaw M, Carroll R, Friend K, Liebelt J, Hobson L, De Rademaeker M, Geraedts J, Fryns JP, Vermeesch J, Raynaud M, Riess O, Gribnau J, Katsanis N, Devriendt K, Bauer P, Gecz J, Golzio C, Gontan C, Kalscheuer VM. Pathogenic variants in E3 ubiquitin ligase RLIM/RNF12 lead to a syndromic X-linked intellectual disability and behavior disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1748-1768. [PMID: 29728705 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
RLIM, also known as RNF12, is an X-linked E3 ubiquitin ligase acting as a negative regulator of LIM-domain containing transcription factors and participates in X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in mice. We report the genetic and clinical findings of 84 individuals from nine unrelated families, eight of whom who have pathogenic variants in RLIM (RING finger LIM domain-interacting protein). A total of 40 affected males have X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) and variable behavioral anomalies with or without congenital malformations. In contrast, 44 heterozygous female carriers have normal cognition and behavior, but eight showed mild physical features. All RLIM variants identified are missense changes co-segregating with the phenotype and predicted to affect protein function. Eight of the nine altered amino acids are conserved and lie either within a domain essential for binding interacting proteins or in the C-terminal RING finger catalytic domain. In vitro experiments revealed that these amino acid changes in the RLIM RING finger impaired RLIM ubiquitin ligase activity. In vivo experiments in rlim mutant zebrafish showed that wild type RLIM rescued the zebrafish rlim phenotype, whereas the patient-specific missense RLIM variants failed to rescue the phenotype and thus represent likely severe loss-of-function mutations. In summary, we identified a spectrum of RLIM missense variants causing syndromic XLID and affecting the ubiquitin ligase activity of RLIM, suggesting that enzymatic activity of RLIM is required for normal development, cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanna G M Frints
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+, azM, Maastricht, 6202 AZ, The Netherlands. .,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands.
| | - Aysegul Ozanturk
- Center for Human Disease Modeling and Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | - Ute Grasshoff
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Bas de Hoon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Field
- GOLD (Genetics of Learning and Disability) Service, Hunter Genetics, Waratah, NSW, 2298, Australia
| | - Sylvie Manouvrier-Hanu
- Clinique de Génétique médicale Guy Fontaine, Centre de référence maladies rares Anomalies du développement Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, Lille, 59000, France.,EA 7364 RADEME Maladies Rares du Développement et du Métabolisme, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille, Lille, 59000, France
| | - Scott E Hickey
- Division of Molecular & Human Genetics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Molka Kammoun
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Karen W Gripp
- Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Nemours, Wilmington, DE, 19803, USA
| | - Claudia Bauer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Christopher Schroeder
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Annick Toutain
- Service de Génétique, Hôpital Bretonneau, CHU de Tours, Tours, 37044, France.,UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, 37032, France
| | - Theresa Mihalic Mosher
- Division of Molecular & Human Genetics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Benjamin J Kelly
- The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Peter White
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Andreas Dufke
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Eveline Rentmeester
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sungjin Moon
- Center for Human Disease Modeling and Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Daniel C Koboldt
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,The Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Kees E P van Roozendaal
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+, azM, Maastricht, 6202 AZ, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Hao Hu
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Stefan A Haas
- Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Hans-Hilger Ropers
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Lucinda Murray
- GOLD (Genetics of Learning and Disability) Service, Hunter Genetics, Waratah, NSW, 2298, Australia
| | - Eric Haan
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, SA Pathology (at Women's and Children's Hospital), North Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia
| | - Marie Shaw
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Renee Carroll
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Kathryn Friend
- Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia
| | - Jan Liebelt
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, SA Pathology (at Women's and Children's Hospital), North Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia
| | - Lynne Hobson
- Genetics and Molecular Pathology, SA Pathology, Adelaide, SA, 5006, Australia
| | - Marjan De Rademaeker
- Centre for Medical Genetics, Reproduction and Genetics, Reproduction Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), UZ Brussel, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Joep Geraedts
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Maastricht University Medical Center+, azM, Maastricht, 6202 AZ, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, The Netherlands
| | - Jean-Pierre Fryns
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Joris Vermeesch
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Martine Raynaud
- Service de Génétique, Hôpital Bretonneau, CHU de Tours, Tours, 37044, France.,UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, 37032, France
| | - Olaf Riess
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling and Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Koen Devriendt
- Center for Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, 3000, Belgium
| | - Peter Bauer
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.,South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Christelle Golzio
- Center for Human Disease Modeling and Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.,Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Department of Translational Medicine and Neurogenetics; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Université de Strasbourg, 67400, Illkirch, France
| | - Cristina Gontan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vera M Kalscheuer
- Research Group Development and Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, 14195, Germany.
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9
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Wang P, Chen Y, Li C, Zhao R, Wang F, Lin X, Cao L, Li S, Hu L, Gao Y, Li Y, Wu S. Drosophila eye developmental defect caused by elevation of the activity of the LIM-homeodomain protein, Lmx1a, requires its association with the Co-activator Chip. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 470:29-34. [PMID: 26718403 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.12.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The LIM-homeodomain (LIM-HD) family member Lmx1a has been successfully used to induce dopaminergic neurons from other cell types, thus showing significant implications in replacement therapies of Parkinson's disease, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we used Drosophila eye as a model system to investigate how forced expression of dLmx1a, the fly homolog of human Lmx1a, alters cell identify. We found that ectopic expression of dLmx1a suppresses the formation of Drosophila eye tissue and identified the LIM and HD as two essential domains. dLmx1a requires and physically binds to Chip, a well-known cofactor of LIM-HD proteins. Chip connects two dLmx1a proteins to form a functional tetrameric complex. In addition, we provide evidence showing that dLmx1a expression results in the suppression of two retina determination gene eyes absent (eya) and string (stg). Taken together, our findings identified Chip as a novel partner of dLmx1a to alter cell differentiation in Drosophila eye through repressing eya and stg expression, and provide an animal model for further understanding the molecular mechanism whereby Lmx1a determines cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Yan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Chaojie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Runan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Feng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Xiaohui Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Lei Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Shanshan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Liangchang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Yang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Yuanpei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China
| | - Shian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology and College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, PR China.
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10
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Syndromic X-linked intellectual disability segregating with a missense variant in RLIM. Eur J Hum Genet 2015; 23:1652-6. [PMID: 25735484 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a three-generation Norwegian family with a novel X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) syndrome characterized by subtle facial dysmorphism, autism and severe feeding problems. By exome sequencing we detected a rare missense variant (c.1067A>G, p.(Tyr356Cys)) in the RLIM gene, in two affected male second cousins. Sanger sequencing confirmed the presence of the variant in the four affected males (none of whom were siblings) and in three mothers available for testing. The variant was not present in 100 normal Norwegian controls, has not been reported in variant databases and is deleterious according to in silico prediction tools. The clinical phenotype and the variant co-segregate, yielding a LOD score of 3.0 for linkage to the shared region (36.09 Mb), which contains 242 genes. No other shared rare variants on the X chromosome were detected in the two affected exome-sequenced individuals, and all female carriers had an extremely skewed X-chromosome inactivation pattern. RLIM encodes RING zinc finger protein 12 (RNF12), an ubiquitin ligase that is essential for X inactivation in mice and that acts as a co-regulator of a range of transcription factors, particularly those containing a LIM homeodomain. Tyrosine in position 356 in RNF12 is located within a highly conserved domain essential for binding such transcription factors. Expression of RNF12 is widespread during embryogenesis, and is particularly high in the outer layers of the cerebral cortex. Functional studies are needed to prove a definite causal relationship between the variant and the phenotype. Subsequent reports may confirm a role for RLIM variants in patients with XLID.
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11
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Chen X, Shen J, Li X, Wang X, Long M, Lin F, Wei J, Yang L, Yang C, Dong K, Zhang H. Rlim, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, influences the stability of Stathmin protein in human osteosarcoma cells. Cell Signal 2014; 26:1532-8. [PMID: 24686088 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2014.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stathmin is an oncoprotein and is expressed at high levels in a wide variety of human malignancies, which plays important roles in maintenance of malignant phenotypes. The regulation of Stathmin gene overexpression has been wildly explored, but the exact mechanism still needs to be elucidated. It is believed that regulation of an oncogene protein abundance through post-translational modifications is essential for maintenance of malignant phenotypes. Here we identified the Rlim, a Ring H2 zinc finger protein with intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity, as a Stathmin-interacting protein that could increase Stathmin turnover through binding with this targeted protein and then induce its degradation by proteasome in a ubiquitin-dependent manner. Inhibition of endogenous Rlim expression by siRNA could increase the level of Stathmin protein, which further led to cell proliferation and cell cycle changes in human osteosarcoma cell lines. On the other hand, forced overexpression of Rlim could decrease the level of Stathmin protein. These results demonstrate that Rlim is involved in the negative regulation of Stathmin protein level through physical interaction and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Hence, Rlim is a novel regulator of Stathmin protein in a ubiquitin-dependent manner, and represents a new pathway for malignant phenotype turnover by modulating the level of Stathmin protein in human osteosarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianjun Shen
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xingyu Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Min Long
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Fang Lin
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Junxia Wei
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Longfei Yang
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chinglai Yang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
| | - Ke Dong
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Huizhong Zhang
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Research Center, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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12
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Jiao B, Taniguchi-Ishigaki N, Güngör C, Peters MA, Chen YW, Riethdorf S, Drung A, Ahronian LG, Shin J, Pagnis R, Pantel K, Tachibana T, Lewis BC, Johnsen SA, Bach I. Functional activity of RLIM/Rnf12 is regulated by phosphorylation-dependent nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Mol Biol Cell 2013; 24:3085-96. [PMID: 23904271 PMCID: PMC3784382 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e13-05-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In mice, the ubiquitin ligase RLIM/Rnf12 is a critical survival factor for mammary milk-producing alveolar cells, but little is known about how its activity is regulated. It is shown here that RLIM shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, and shuttling is important for its alveolar survival function. The X-linked gene Rnf12 encodes the ubiquitin ligase really interesting new gene (RING) finger LIM domain–interacting protein (RLIM)/RING finger protein 12 (Rnf12), which serves as a major sex-specific epigenetic regulator of female mouse nurturing tissues. Early during embryogenesis, RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the maternal allele is crucial for the development of extraembryonic trophoblast cells. In contrast, in mammary glands of pregnant and lactating adult females RLIM/Rnf12 expressed from the paternal allele functions as a critical survival factor for milk-producing alveolar cells. Although RLIM/Rnf12 is detected mostly in the nucleus, little is known about how and in which cellular compartment(s) RLIM/Rnf12 mediates its biological functions. Here we demonstrate that RLIM/Rnf12 protein shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm and this is regulated by phosphorylation of serine S214 located within its nuclear localization sequence. We show that shuttling is important for RLIM to exert its biological functions, as alveolar cell survival activity is inhibited in cells expressing shuttling-deficient nuclear or cytoplasmic RLIM/Rnf12. Thus regulated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of RLIM/Rnf12 coordinates cellular compartments during mammary alveolar cell survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baowei Jiao
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605-2324 Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605-2324 Centre for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany Institute for Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Kong X, Peng B, Yang Y, Zhang P, Qin B, Han D, Wang C, Dang Y, Liu JO, Yu L. p53 Represses transcription of RING finger LIM domain-binding protein RLIM through Sp1. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62832. [PMID: 23650532 PMCID: PMC3641103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RLIM acts as a negative regulator of LIM-Homeodomain proteins either by recruiting Sin3A/Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) co-repressor complex or through degradation of CLIM coactivator, thus playing an important role in embryonic development. Recent studies by different research groups have shown that RLIM acts as an X-encoded, dose-dependent inducer of X chromosome inactivation in mouse embryonic stem cells. However, until now, very little is known about the expression regulation of RLIM gene, and we tried to study the transcriptional regulation of RLIM gene. In the present study, we identified RLIM as a novel target of p53 and demonstrated that p53 repressed both mRNA and protein levels of RLIM. Expression of wild type p53, but not p53 mutants, led to repression of the RLIM promoter activity. We further identified four putative Sp1 elements (S1 to S4) on the RLIM promoter that are essential for p53-mediated repression of RLIM. Although p53 does not directly bind to the RLIM promoter, it physically interacts with and prevents the binding of Sp1 to the RLIM promoter. Thus, RLIM is a novel target of p53, and p53 exerts its inhibitory effect on RLIM expression by interfering with Sp1-mediated transcriptional activation on RLIM. Our results provided data to enlarge the knowledge of transcriptional regulation of RLIM and suggested a new pathway by which physiological and pathological activators of p53 may affect development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtao Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bo Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Pingzhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Bo Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Division of Oncology Research, Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Dingding Han
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Chenji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yongjun Dang
- Departments of Pharmacology and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jun O. Liu
- Departments of Pharmacology and Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Long Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
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14
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Zhang L, Huang H, Zhou F, Schimmel J, Pardo CG, Zhang T, Barakat TS, Sheppard KA, Mickanin C, Porter JA, Vertegaal ACO, van Dam H, Gribnau J, Lu CX, ten Dijke P. RNF12 controls embryonic stem cell fate and morphogenesis in zebrafish embryos by targeting Smad7 for degradation. Mol Cell 2012; 46:650-61. [PMID: 22560923 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2012.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2011] [Revised: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
TGF-β members are of key importance during embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Smad7 is a potent antagonist of TGF-β family/Smad-mediated responses, but the regulation of Smad7 activity is not well understood. We identified the RING domain-containing E3 ligase RNF12 as a critical component of TGF-β signaling. Depletion of RNF12 dramatically reduced TGF-β/Smad-induced effects in mammalian cells, whereas ectopic expression of RNF12 strongly enhanced these responses. RNF12 specifically binds to Smad7 and induces its polyubiquitination and degradation. Smad7 levels were increased in RNF12-deficient mouse embryonic stem cells, resulting in mitigation of both BMP-mediated repression of neural induction and activin-induced anterior mesoderm formation. RNF12 also antagonized Smad7 during Nodal-dependent and BMP-dependent signaling and morphogenic events in early zebrafish embryos. The gastrulation defects induced by ectopic and depleted Smad7 were rescued in part by RNF12 gain and loss of function, respectively. These findings demonstrate that RNF12 plays a critical role in TGF-β family signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhang
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Centre for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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15
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Barakat TS, Gunhanlar N, Gontan Pardo C, Achame EM, Ghazvini M, Boers R, Kenter A, Rentmeester E, Grootegoed JA, Gribnau J. RNF12 activates Xist and is essential for X chromosome inactivation. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1002001. [PMID: 21298085 PMCID: PMC3029249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In somatic cells of female placental mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is transcriptionally silenced to accomplish an equal dose of X-encoded gene products in males and females. Initiation of random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is thought to be regulated by X-encoded activators and autosomally encoded suppressors controlling Xist. Spreading of Xist RNA leads to silencing of the X chromosome in cis. Here, we demonstrate that the dose dependent X-encoded XCI activator RNF12/RLIM acts in trans and activates Xist. We did not find evidence for RNF12-mediated regulation of XCI through Tsix or the Xist intron 1 region, which are both known to be involved in inhibition of Xist. In addition, we found that Xist intron 1, which contains a pluripotency factor binding site, is not required for suppression of Xist in undifferentiated ES cells. Analysis of female Rnf12−/− knockout ES cells showed that RNF12 is essential for initiation of XCI and is mainly involved in the regulation of Xist. We conclude that RNF12 is an indispensable factor in up-regulation of Xist transcription, thereby leading to initiation of random XCI. In all placental mammals, the males have only one X chromosome per diploid genome, as compared to the females who have two copies of this relatively large chromosome, carrying more than 1,000 genes. Hence, the evolution of the heterologous XY sex chromosome pair has resulted in an inevitable need for gene dosage compensation between males and females. This is achieved at the whole-chromosome level, by transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes in female somatic cells. Initiation of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is regulated by X-encoded activators and autosomally encoded suppressors controlling Xist gene transcription. Spreading of Xist RNA in cis leads to silencing of one of the X chromosomes. Previously, we obtained evidence that the X-encoded E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF12 (RLIM) is a dose-dependent XCI activator. Here, we demonstrate that RNF12 exerts its action in trans and find that RNF12 regulates XCI through activation of transcription from the Xist promoter. Furthermore, analysis of female Rnf12−/− knockout ES cells shows that RNF12 is essential for initiation of XCI and that loss of RNF12 resulted in pronounced and exclusive down-regulation of Xist. It is concluded that RNF12 is an indispensable factor in Xist transcription and activation of XCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahsin Stefan Barakat
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nilhan Gunhanlar
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cristina Gontan Pardo
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eskeatnaf Mulugeta Achame
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mehrnaz Ghazvini
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus Stem Cell Institute, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben Boers
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annegien Kenter
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline Rentmeester
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - J. Anton Grootegoed
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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16
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Shin J, Bossenz M, Chung Y, Ma H, Byron M, Taniguchi-Ishigaki N, Zhu X, Jiao B, Hall LL, Green MR, Jones SN, Hermans-Borgmeyer I, Lawrence JB, Bach I. Maternal Rnf12/RLIM is required for imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in mice. Nature 2010; 467:977-81. [PMID: 20962847 PMCID: PMC2967734 DOI: 10.1038/nature09457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Two forms of XCI ensure the selective silencing of female sex chromosomes during mouse embryogenesis. Imprinted XCI begins with the detection of Xist RNA expression on the paternal X chromosome (Xp) around the four cell stage of embryonic development. In the embryonic tissues of the inner cell mass (ICM), a random form of XCI occurs in blastocysts which inactivates either the Xp or the maternal X chromosome (Xm) 1,2. Both forms of XCI require the non-coding Xist RNA which coats the inactive X chromosome (Xi) from which it is expressed. Xist plays crucial functions for the silencing of X-linked genes including Rnf123,4 encoding the ubiquitin ligase RLIM. Targeting a conditional knockout (KO) of Rnf12 to oocytes where RLIM accumulates to high levels, we find that the maternal transmission of the mutant X chromosome (Δm) leads to embryonic lethality due to defective imprinted XCI. We show that in Δm female embryos the initial formation of Xist clouds and Xp silencing is inhibited. In contrast, ES cells lacking RLIM are able to form Xist clouds and silence at least some X-linked genes during random XCI. These results assign crucial roles to the maternal deposit of Rnf12/RLIM for the initiation of imprinted XCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongdae Shin
- Program in Gene Function and Expression, University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA
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17
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Klingenberg JM, McFarland KL, Friedman AJ, Boyce ST, Aronow BJ, Supp DM. Engineered human skin substitutes undergo large-scale genomic reprogramming and normal skin-like maturation after transplantation to athymic mice. J Invest Dermatol 2009; 130:587-601. [PMID: 19798058 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2009.295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Bioengineered skin substitutes can facilitate wound closure in severely burned patients, but deficiencies limit their outcomes compared with native skin autografts. To identify gene programs associated with their in vivo capabilities and limitations, we extended previous gene expression profile analyses to now compare engineered skin after in vivo grafting with both in vitro maturation and normal human skin. Cultured skin substitutes were grafted on full-thickness wounds in athymic mice, and biopsy samples for microarray analyses were collected at multiple in vitro and in vivo time points. Over 10,000 transcripts exhibited large-scale expression pattern differences during in vitro and in vivo maturation. Using hierarchical clustering, 11 different expression profile clusters were partitioned on the basis of differential sample type and temporal stage-specific activation or repression. Analyses show that the wound environment exerts a massive influence on gene expression in skin substitutes. For example, in vivo-healed skin substitutes gained the expression of many native skin-expressed genes, including those associated with epidermal barrier and multiple categories of cell-cell and cell-basement membrane adhesion. In contrast, immunological, trichogenic, and endothelial gene programs were largely lacking. These analyses suggest important areas for guiding further improvement of engineered skin for both increased homology with native skin and enhanced wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Klingenberg
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
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18
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Her YR, Chung IK. Ubiquitin Ligase RLIM Modulates Telomere Length Homeostasis through a Proteolysis of TRF1. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:8557-66. [PMID: 19164295 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m806702200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The telomeric protein TRF1 negatively regulates telomere length by inhibiting telomerase access at the telomere termini, suggesting that the protein level of TRF1 at telomeres is tightly regulated. Regulation of TRF1 protein abundance is essential for proper telomere function and occurs primarily through post-translational modifications of TRF1. Here we describe RLIM, a RING H2 zinc finger protein with intrinsic ubiquitin ligase activity, as a TRF1-interacting protein. RLIM increases TRF1 turnover by targeting it for degradation by the proteasome in a ubiquitin-dependent manner, independently of Fbx4, which is known to interact with and negatively regulate TRF1. Whereas overexpression of RLIM decreases the level of TRF1 protein, depletion of endogenous RLIM expression by small hairpin RNA increases the level of TRF1 and leads to telomere shortening, thereby impairing cell growth. These results demonstrate that RLIM is involved in the negative regulation of TRF1 function through physical interaction and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Hence, RLIM represents a new pathway for telomere maintenance by modulating the level of TRF1 at telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon Ra Her
- Department of Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 120-749, Korea
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19
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Tursun B, Schlüter A, Peters MA, Viehweger B, Ostendorff HP, Soosairajah J, Drung A, Bossenz M, Johnsen SA, Schweizer M, Bernard O, Bach I. The ubiquitin ligase Rnf6 regulates local LIM kinase 1 levels in axonal growth cones. Genes Dev 2005; 19:2307-19. [PMID: 16204183 PMCID: PMC1240040 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1340605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2005] [Accepted: 08/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) controls important cellular functions such as morphogenesis, cell motility, tumor cell metastasis, development of neuronal projections, and growth cone actin dynamics. We have investigated the role of the RING finger protein Rnf6 during neuronal development and detected high Rnf6 protein levels in developing axonal projections of motor and DRG neurons during mouse embryogenesis as well as cultured hippocampal neurons. RNAi-mediated knock-down experiments in primary hippocampal neurons identified Rnf6 as a regulator of axon outgrowth. Consistent with a role in axonal growth, we found that Rnf6 binds to, polyubiquitinates, and targets LIMK1 for proteasomal degradation in growth cones of primary hippocampal neurons. Rnf6 is functionally linked to LIMK1 during the development of axons, as the changes in axon outgrowth induced by up- or down-regulation of Rnf6 levels can be restored by modulation of LIMK1 expression. Thus, these results assign a specific role for Rnf6 in the control of cellular LIMK1 concentrations and indicate a new function for the ubiquitin/proteasome system in regulating local growth cone actin dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baris Tursun
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie Hamburg, Universität Hamburg, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Gault PM, Morgan K, Pawson AJ, Millar RP, Lincoln GA. Sheep exhibit novel variations in the organization of the mammalian type II gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene. Endocrinology 2004; 145:2362-74. [PMID: 14749360 DOI: 10.1210/en.2003-1625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Species-specific differences in genes encoding type II GnRH receptor indicate that a functional hepta-helical receptor is produced in monkeys but not in rodents, cows, chimpanzees, or humans. To further investigate the extent of evolutionary differences, we sequenced the type II GnRH receptor gene from wild-type Soay sheep. The gene was isolated by long-distance PCR using primers to PEX11beta and RBM8A genes known to flank type II GnRH receptor gene homologues. The gene spans 5.7-kb DNA and was sequenced after shot-gun subcloning. Its novel features include absence of a Pit-1 transcription factor binding site, a premature stop codon (TAG) in exon 1, an in-frame deletion of 51 bp (17 codons) in exon 2, and several nonconservative codon changes. Sheep breed variation in the gene was assessed using genomic DNA in PCR-restriction digest assays for the premature stop codon and in a PCR assay for the deletion. Both characteristics were present in all 15 breeds tested. Receptor gene expression was investigated using poly-A(+) RNA Northern analysis, RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization. An oligonucleotide probe to exon 1 revealed an alternative transcript in testis but not in pituitary gland. No transcripts in testis or pituitary were detectable using an exon 2-3 probe. All tissues examined including multiple brain areas and gonadotrope-enriched cell cultures were negative for type II GnRH receptor in RT-PCR. Testis and pituitary sections were negative with exon 1 riboprobes and exon 1 or 2-3 oligonucleotide probes in in situ hybridization. A hepta-helical type II GnRH receptor is therefore not expressed from this sheep gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula M Gault
- Medical Research Council Human Reproductive Sciences Unit, University of Edinburgh Academic Centre, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
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Ostendorff HP, Peirano RI, Peters MA, Schlüter A, Bossenz M, Scheffner M, Bach I. Ubiquitination-dependent cofactor exchange on LIM homeodomain transcription factors. Nature 2002; 416:99-103. [PMID: 11882901 DOI: 10.1038/416099a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The interactions of distinct cofactor complexes with transcription factors are decisive determinants for the regulation of gene expression. Depending on the bound cofactor, transcription factors can have either repressing or transactivating activities. To allow a switch between these different states, regulated cofactor exchange has been proposed; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that are involved in this process. LIM homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors associate with RLIM (RING finger LIM domain-binding protein) and with CLIM (cofactor of LIM-HD proteins; also known as NLI, Ldb and Chip) cofactors. The co-repressor RLIM inhibits the function of LIM-HD transcription factors, whereas interaction with CLIM proteins is important for the exertion of the biological activity conferred by LIM-HD transcription-factors. Here we identify RLIM as a ubiquitin protein ligase that is able to target CLIM cofactors for degradation through the 26S proteasome pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrate a ubiquitination-dependent association of RLIM with LIM-HD proteins in the presence of CLIM cofactors. Our data provide a mechanistic basis for cofactor exchange on DNA-bound transcription factors, and probably represent a general mechanism of transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather P Ostendorff
- Zentrum für Molekulare Neurobiologie Hamburg (ZMNH), Universität Hamburg, Martinistrasse 85, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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