The roles of Mesp family proteins: functional diversity and redundancy in differentiation of pluripotent stem cells and mammalian mesodermal development

Whole-Exome Sequencing Analysis Identifies Risk Genes in Atlantoaxial Dislocation Patients with Sandwich Fusion

Sandwich fusion of Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS), which is a rare congenital disorder involving the fusion of cervical vertebrae, poses significant challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). While the disorder's genetic basis is not well-understood, the rarity of the sandwich fusion makes it difficult to study. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted on 68 unrelated Chinese patients with sandwich fusion. The study compared their genetic data with a control group of 219 individuals without musculoskeletal disorders. Various analyses, including mutational burden assessments, were employed to identify potential pathogenic genes. The study identified significant genetic variations in patients with sandwich fusion, highlighting genes like KMT5A, HYDIN, and PCDHB4 as potential contributors. Notably, severe cases exhibited oligogenic effects, with mutations in genes like MEOX1 associated with the severity of spinal issues. These findings offer critical insights into the genetic basis of sandwich fusion and provide a foundation for future research and therapeutic development.

MESP2 binds competitively to TCF4 to suppress gastric cancer progression by regulating the SKP2/p27 axis

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major cause of human deaths worldwide, and is notorious for its high incidence and mortality rates. Mesoderm Posterior Basic Helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor 2 (MESP2) acts as a transcription factor with a conserved bHLH domain. However, whether MESP2 contributes to tumorigenesis and its potential molecular mechanisms, remain unexplored. Noticeably, MESP2 expression levels are decreased in GC tissues and cell lines compared to those in normal tissue. Further, in vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed that MESP2 overexpression suppresses GC cell growth, migration, and invasion, whereas MESP2 knockdown results in the exact opposite. Here, we present the first report that MESP2 binds to transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2/TCF4) to inhibit the activation of the TCF4/beta-catenin transcriptional complex, decrease the occupancy of the complex on the S-phase kinase Associated Protein 2 (SKP2) promoter, and promote p27 accumulation. MESP2 knockdown facilitated tumorigenesis, which was partially suppressed by SKP2 knockdown. Taken together, we conclude that MESP2 binds competitively to TCF4 to suppress GC progression by regulating the SKP2/p27 axis, thus offering a potential therapeutic strategy for future treatment.

Diosgenin inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells via inducing mesoderm posterior 1 down-regulation-mediated alternative reading frame expression

INTRODUCTION

Whether and how mesoderm posterior 1 (MESP1) plays a role in the proliferation of gastric cancer cells remain unclear.

METHODS

The expression of MESP1 was compared in 48 human gastric cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of MESP1 was performed to investigate the role of MESP1 in the proliferation and apoptosis of BGC-823 and MGC-803 gastric cancer cells. Knockdown of alternative reading frame (ARF) was performed to study the role of ARF in the inhibitory effect of MESP1 knockdown on cell proliferation in gastric cancer cells. Mouse subcutaneous xenograft tumor model bearing BGC-823 cells was used to investigate the role of MESP1 in the growth of gastric tumor in vivo. The effect of seven active ingredients from T. terrestris on MESP1 expression was tested. The anti-cancer effect of diosgenin was confirmed in gastric cancer cells. MESP1 dependence of the anti-cancer effect of diosgenin was confirmed by MESP1 knockdown.

RESULTS

MESP1 was highly expressed in human gastric cancer tissues (p < 0.05). MESP1 knockdown induced apoptosis and up-regulated the expression of ARF in gastric cancer cells (p < 0.05). Knockdown of ARF attenuated the anti-cancer effect of MESP1 knockdown (p < 0.05). In addition, MESP1 knockdown also suppressed tumor growth in vivo (p < 0.05). Diosgenin inhibits both mRNA and protein expression of MESP1 (p < 0.05). MESP1 knockdown attenuated the anti-cancer effect of diosgenin (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

MESP1 promotes the proliferation of gastric cancer cells via inhibiting ARF expression. Diosgenin exerts anti-cancer effect through inhibiting MESP1 expression in gastric cancer cells.

Soluble expression, purification, and secondary structure determination of human MESP1 transcription factor

Transcription factor MESP1 is a crucial factor regulating cardiac, hematopoietic, and skeletal myogenic development. Besides, it also contributes to the generation of functional cardiomyocytes. Here, we report the soluble expression and purification of the full-length human MESP1 protein from the heterologous system, which can be delivered into the target mammalian cells. To generate this biological macromolecule, we cloned its codon-optimized gene sequence fused to a nuclear localization sequence, a cell-penetrating peptide, and a His-tag into the protein expression vector and expressed in the bacterial system (E. coli strain BL21(DE3)). Subsequently, we have screened and identified the optimal expression parameters to obtain this recombinant fusion protein in soluble form from E. coli and examined its expression concerning the placement of fusion tags at either terminal. Further, we have purified this recombinant fusion protein to homogeneity under native conditions. Notably, this purified fusion protein has maintained its secondary structure after purification, primarily comprising α-helices and random coils. This molecular tool can potentially replace its genetic and viral forms in the cardiac reprogramming of fibroblasts to induce a cardiac transcriptional profile in an integration-free manner and elucidating its role in various biological processes and diseases. KEY POINTS: • Screening of the suitable gene construct was performed and identified. • Screening of optimal expression conditions was performed and identified. • Native purification of recombinant human MESP1 protein from E. coli was performed. • Recombinant MESP1 protein has retained its secondary structure after purification.

Transcription Factors of the bHLH Family Delineate Vertebrate Landmarks in the Nervous System of a Simple Chordate

Tunicates are marine invertebrates whose tadpole-like larvae feature a highly simplified version of the chordate body plan. Similar to their distant vertebrate relatives, tunicate larvae develop a regionalized central nervous system and form distinct neural structures, which include a rostral sensory vesicle, a motor ganglion, and a caudal nerve cord. The sensory vesicle contains a photoreceptive complex and a statocyst, and based on the comparable expression patterns of evolutionarily conserved marker genes, it is believed to include proto-hypothalamic and proto-retinal territories. The evolutionarily conserved molecular fingerprints of these landmarks of the vertebrate brain consist of genes encoding for different transcription factors, and of the gene batteries that they control, and include several members of the bHLH family. Here we review the complement of bHLH genes present in the streamlined genome of the tunicate Ciona robusta and their current classification, and summarize recent studies on proneural bHLH transcription factors and their expression territories. We discuss the possible roles of bHLH genes in establishing the molecular compartmentalization of the enticing nervous system of this unassuming chordate.

MESP2 variants contribute to conotruncal heart defects by inhibiting cardiac neural crest cell proliferation

Conotruncal heart defects (CTDs) are closely related to defective outflow tract (OFT) development, in which cardiac neural crest cells (CNCCs) play an indispensable role. However, the genetic etiology of CTDs remains unclear. Mesoderm posterior 2 (MESP2) is an important transcription factor regulating early cardiogenesis. Nevertheless, MESP2 variants have not been reported in congenital heart defect (CHD) patients. We first identified four MESP2 variants in 601 sporadic nonsyndromic CTD patients that were not detected in 400 healthy controls using targeted sequencing. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence assays revealed MESP2 expression in the OFT of Carnegie stage (CS) 11, CS13, and CS15 human embryos and embryonic day (E) 8.5, E10, and E11.5 mouse embryos. Functional analyses in HEK 293T cells, HL-1 cells, JoMa1 cells, and primary mouse CNCCs revealed that MESP2 directly regulates the transcriptional activities of downstream CTD-related genes and promotes CNCC proliferation by regulating cell cycle factors. Three MESP2 variants, c.346G>C (p.G116R), c.921C>G (p.Y307X), and c.59A>T (p.Q20L), altered the transcriptional activities of MYOCD, GATA4, NKX2.5, and CFC1 and inhibited CNCC proliferation by upregulating p21^cip1 or downregulating Cdk4. Based on our findings, MESP2 variants disrupted MESP2 function by interfering with CNCC proliferation during OFT development, which may contribute to CTDs. KEY MESSAGES: This study first analyzed MESP2 variants identified in sporadic nonsyndromic CTD patients. MESP2 is expressed in the OFT of different stages of human and mouse embryos. MESP2 regulates the transcriptional activities of downstream CTD-related genes and promotes CNCC proliferation by regulating cell cycle factor p21^cip1 or Cdk4.

Aberrant expression of embryonic mesendoderm factor MESP1 promotes tumorigenesis

Background

Mesoderm Posterior 1 (MESP1) belongs to the family of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors. It is a master regulator of mesendoderm development, leading to formation of organs such as heart and lung. However, its role in adult pathophysiology remains unknown. Here, we report for the first time a previously-unknown association of MESP1 with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

MESP1 mRNA and protein levels were measured in NSCLC-derived cells by qPCR and immunoblotting respectively. Colony formation assay, colorimetric cell proliferation assay and soft agar colony formation assays were used to assess the effects of MESP1 knockdown and overexpression in vitro. RNA-sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR were used to determine direct target genes of MESP1. Subcutaneous injection of MESP1-depleted NSCLC cells in immuno-compromised mice was done to study the effects of MESP1 mediated tumor formation in vivo.

Findings

We found that MESP1 expression correlates with poor prognosis in NSCLC patients, and is critical for proliferation and survival of NSCLC-derived cells, thus implicating MESP1 as a lung cancer oncogene. Ectopic MESP1 expression cooperates with loss of tumor suppressor ARF to transform murine fibroblasts. Xenografts from MESP1-depleted cells showed decreased tumor growth in vivo. Global transcriptome analysis revealed a MESP1 DNA-binding-dependent gene signature associated with various hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that transcription activity of MESP1 is most likely responsible for its oncogenic abilities.

Interpretation

Our study demonstrates MESP1 as a previously-unknown lineage-survival oncogene in NSCLC which may serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for lung cancer in the future.

Establishment of A Protocol for In Vitro Culture of Cardiogenic Mesodermal Cells Derived from Human Embryonic Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) are introduced as one of the promising cell sources for preclinical studies and regenerative medicine. One of the earliest type of CPCs is cardiogenic mesoderm cells (CMCs), which have the capability to generate all types of cardiac lineage derivatives. In order to benefit from CMCs, development of an efficient culture strategy is required. We aim to explore an optimized culture condition that uses human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived CMCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this experimental study, hESCs were expanded and induced toward cardiac lineage in a suspension culture. Mesoderm posterior 1-positive (MESP1+) CMCs were subjected to four different culture conditions: i. Suspension culture of CMC spheroids, ii. Adherent culture of CMC spheroids, iii. Adherent culture of single CMCs using gelatin, and iv. Adherent culture of single CMCs using Matrigel.

RESULTS

Although, we observed no substantial changes in the percentage of MESP1+ cells in different culture conditions, there were significantly higher viability and total cell numbers in CMCs cultured on Matrigel (condition iv) compared to the other groups. CMCs cultivated on Matrigel maintained their progenitor cell signature, which included the tendency for cardiogenic differentiation.

CONCLUSION

These results showed the efficacy of an adherent culture on Matrigel for hESC-derived CMCs, which would facilitate their use for future applications.

(Re-)programming of subtype specific cardiomyocytes

Adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) possess a highly restricted intrinsic regenerative potential - a major barrier to the effective treatment of a range of chronic degenerative cardiac disorders characterized by cellular loss and/or irreversible dysfunction and which underlies the majority of deaths in developed countries. Both stem cell programming and direct cell reprogramming hold promise as novel, potentially curative approaches to address this therapeutic challenge. The advent of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has introduced a second pluripotent stem cell source besides embryonic stem cells (ESCs), enabling even autologous cardiomyocyte production. In addition, the recent achievement of directly reprogramming somatic cells into cardiomyocytes is likely to become of great importance. In either case, different clinical scenarios will require the generation of highly pure, specific cardiac cellular-subtypes. In this review, we discuss these themes as related to the cardiovascular stem cell and programming field, including a focus on the emergent topic of pacemaker cell generation for the development of biological pacemakers and in vitro drug testing.