Identification of Dll1 (Delta1) target genes during mouse embryogenesis using differential expression profiling

Novel small molecule DMAMCL induces differentiation in rhabdomyosarcoma by downregulating of DLL1

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a mesenchymal tumor occurring in the soft tissue of children, is associated with a defect in differentiation. This study unveils a novel anti-tumor mechanism of dimethylaminomicheliolide (DMAMCL), which is a water-soluble derivative of Micheliolide. First, we demonstrate that DMAMCL inhibits RMS cell growth without obvious cell death, leading to morphological alterations, enhanced expression of muscle differentiation markers, and a shift from a malignant to a more benign metabolic phenotype. Second, we detected decreased expression of DLL1 in RMS cells after DMAMCL treatment, known as a pivotal ligand in the Notch signaling pathway. Downregulation of DLL1 inhibits RMS cell growth and induces morphological changes similar to the effects of DMAMCL. Furthermore, DMAMCL treatment or loss of DLL1 expression also inhibits RMS xenograft tumor growth and augmented the expression of differentiation markers. Surprisingly, in C2C12 cells DMAMCL treatment or DLL1 downregulation also induces cell growth inhibition and an elevation in muscle differentiation marker expression. These data indicated that DMAMCL induced RMS differentiation and DLL1 is an important factor for RMS differentiation, opening a new window for the clinical use of DMAMCL as an agent for differentiation-inducing therapy for RMS treatment.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 6

Fibroblast Growth Factor 6 (FGF6), also referred to as HST2 or HBGF6, is a member of the Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), the Heparin Binding Growth Factor (HBGF) and the Heparin Binding Secretory Transforming Gene (HST) families. The genomic and protein structure of FGF6 is highly conserved among varied species, as is its expression in muscle and muscle progenitor cells. Like other members of the FGF family, FGF6 regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Specifically, it plays key roles in myogenesis and muscular regeneration, angiogenesis, along with iron transport and lipid metabolism. Similar to others from the FGF family, FGF6 also possesses oncogenic transforming activity, and as such is implicated in a variety of cancers.

The magic of MAGI-1: A scaffolding protein with multi signalosomes and functional plasticity

MAGI-1 is a critical cellular scaffolding protein with over 110 different cellular and microbial protein interactors. Since the discovery of MAGI-1 in 1997, MAGI-1 has been implicated in diverse cellular functions such as polarity, cell-cell communication, neurological processes, kidney function, and a host of diseases including cancer and microbial infection. Additionally, MAGI-1 has undergone nomenclature changes in response to the discovery of an additional PDZ domain, leading to lack of continuity in the literature. We address the nomenclature of MAGI-1 as well as summarize many of the critical functions of the known interactions. Given the importance of many of the interactors, such as human papillomavirus E6, the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), and PTEN, the enhancement or disruption of MAGI-based interactions has the potential to affect cellular functions that can potentially be harnessed as a therapeutic strategy for a variety of diseases.

Late Maternal Folate Supplementation Rescues from Methyl Donor Deficiency-Associated Brain Defects by Restoring Let-7 and miR-34 Pathways

The micronutrients folate and vitamin B12 are essential for the proper development of the central nervous system, and their deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with a wide range of disorders. They act as methyl donors in the one-carbon metabolism which critically influences epigenetic mechanisms. In order to depict further underlying mechanisms, we investigated the role of let-7 and miR-34, two microRNAs regulated by methylation, on a rat model of maternal deficiency. In several countries, public health policies recommend periconceptional supplementation with folic acid. However, the question about the duration and periodicity of supplementation remains. We therefore tested maternal supply (3 mg/kg/day) during the last third of gestation from embryonic days (E) 13 to 20. Methyl donor deficiency-related developmental disorders at E20, including cerebellar and interhemispheric suture defects and atrophy of selective cerebral layers, were associated with increased brain expression (by 2.5-fold) of let-7a and miR-34a, with subsequent downregulation of their regulatory targets such as Trim71 and Notch signaling partners, respectively. These processes could be reversed by siRNA strategy in differentiating neuroprogenitors lacking folate, with improvement of their morphological characteristics. While folic acid supplementation helped restoring the levels of let-7a and miR-34a and their downstream targets, it led to a reduction of structural and functional defects taking place during the perinatal period. Our data outline the potential role of let-7 and miR-34 and their related signaling pathways in the developmental defects following gestational methyl donor deficiency and support the likely usefulness of late folate supplementation in at risk women.

Genetic studies of myelomeningocele

INTRODUCTION

Myelomeningocele is one of the major congenital malformations involving the central nervous system. It is caused by a disruption of the neural tube closure, which is completed at 3-4 weeks of gestation.

DISCUSSION

Multidisciplinary approach is necessary to treat and support this malformation which is a huge burden to the patient, family, and the society. This is a characteristic anomaly that it is known that taking folic acid during the periconceptional period, it is possible to reduce the risk of having a neural tube defect (NTD). Although folate fortification had dramatically reduced the incidence, it was not possible to diminish the risk. To date, many studies have been conducted focusing on candidate genes related to folate and glucose metabolism. We will describe a brief review of genetic etiology of candidate genes of metabolic pathways of folate and glucose, animal models of NTDs, and finally recent studies of microRNA.

A new perspective on neural tube defects: folic acid and microRNA misexpression

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common birth defects in the United States. It is well known that folic acid supplementation decreases about 70% of all NTDs, although the mechanism by which this occurs is still relatively unknown. The current theory is that folic acid deficiency ultimately leads to depletion of the methyl pool, leaving critical genes unmethylated, and, in turn, their improper expression leads to failure of normal neural tube development. Recently, new studies in human cell lines have shown that folic acid deficiency and DNA hypomethylation can lead to misexpression of microRNAs (miRNAs). Misexpression of critical miRNAs during neural development may lead to a subtle effect on neural gene regulation, causing the sometimes mild to severely debilitating range of phenotypes exhibited in NTDs. This review seeks to cohesively integrate current information regarding folic acid deficiency, methylation cycles, neural development, and miRNAs to propose a potential model of NTD formation. In addition, we have examined the relevant gene pathways and miRNAs that are predicted to affect them, and based on our investigation, we have devised a basic template of experiments for exploring the idea that miRNA misregulation may be linked to folic acid deficiency and NTDs.

Mouse phenotyping

Model organisms like the mouse are important tools to learn more about gene function in man. Within the last 20 years many mutant mouse lines have been generated by different methods such as ENU mutagenesis, constitutive and conditional knock-out approaches, knock-down, introduction of human genes, and knock-in techniques, thus creating models which mimic human conditions. Due to pleiotropic effects, one gene may have different functions in different organ systems or time points during development. Therefore mutant mouse lines have to be phenotyped comprehensively in a highly standardized manner to enable the detection of phenotypes which might otherwise remain hidden. The German Mouse Clinic (GMC) has been established at the Helmholtz Zentrum München as a phenotyping platform with open access to the scientific community (www.mousclinic.de; [1]). The GMC is a member of the EUMODIC consortium which created the European standard workflow EMPReSSslim for the systemic phenotyping of mouse models (http://www.eumodic.org/[2]).

Systematic comparative protein expression profiling of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a pilot study based on the separation of tissue specimens by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Proteome-based technologies represent powerful tools for the analysis of protein expression profiles, including the identification of potential cancer candidate biomarkers. Thus, here we provide a comprehensive protein expression map for clear cell renal cell carcinoma established by systematic comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based protein expression profiling of 16 paired tissue systems comprising clear cell renal cell carcinoma lesions and corresponding tumor-adjacent renal epithelium using overlapping narrow pH gradients. This approach led to the mapping of 348 distinct spots corresponding to 248 different protein identities. By implementing restriction criteria concerning their detection frequency and overall regulation mode, 28 up- and 56 down-regulated single target spots were considered as potential candidate biomarkers. Based on their gene ontology information, these differentially expressed proteins were classified into distinct functional groups and according to their cellular distribution. Moreover, three representative members of this group, namely calbindin, gelsolin, and heart fatty acid-binding protein, were selected, and their expression pattern was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. Thus, this pilot study provides a significant update of the current renal cell carcinoma map and defines a number of differentially expressed proteins, but both their potential as candidate biomarkers and clinical relevance has to be further explored in tissues and for body fluids like serum and urine.

Dll1 haploinsufficiency in adult mice leads to a complex phenotype affecting metabolic and immunological processes

Background

The Notch signaling pathway is an evolutionary conserved signal transduction pathway involved in embryonic patterning and regulation of cell fates during development and self-renewal. Recent studies have demonstrated that this pathway is integral to a complex system of interactions, involving as well other signal transduction pathways, and implicated in distinct human diseases. Delta-like 1 (Dll1) is one of the known ligands of the Notch receptors. The role of the Notch ligands is less well understood. Loss-of-function of Dll1 leads to embryonic lethality, but reduction of Delta-like 1 protein levels has not been studied in adult stage.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here we present the haploinsufficient phenotype of Dll1 and a missense mutant Dll1 allele (Dll1^C413Y). Haploinsufficiency leads to a complex phenotype with several biological processes altered. These alterations reveal the importance of Dll1 mainly in metabolism, energy balance and in immunology. The animals are smaller, lighter, with altered fat to lean ratio and have increased blood pressure and a slight bradycardia. The animals have reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood. At the immunological level a subtle phenotype is observed due to the effect and fine-tuning of the signaling network at the different levels of differentiation, proliferation and function of lymphocytes. Moreover, the importance of the proteolytic regulation of the Notch signaling network emphasized.

Conclusions/Significance

In conclusion, slight alterations in one player of Notch signaling alter the entire organism, emphasizing the fine-tuning character of this pathway in a high number of processes.

Cyclical expression of the Notch/Wnt regulator Nrarp requires modulation by Dll3 in somitogenesis

Delta-like 3 (Dll3) is a divergent ligand and modulator of the Notch signaling pathway only identified so far in mammals. Null mutations of Dll3 disrupt cycling expression of Notch targets Hes1, Hes5, and Lfng, but not of Hes7. Compared with Dll1 or Notch1, the effects of Dll3 mutations are less severe for gene expression in the presomitic mesoderm, yet severe segmentation phenotypes and vertebral defects result in both human and mouse. Reasoning that Dll3 specifically disrupts key regulators of somite cycling, we carried out functional analysis to identify targets accounting for the segmental phenotype. Using microdissected embryonic tissue from somitic and presomitic mesodermal tissue, we identified new genes enriched in these tissues, including Limch1, Rhpn2, and A130022J15Rik. Surprisingly, we only identified a small number of genes disrupted by the Dll3 mutation. These include Uncx, a somite gene required for rib and vertebral patterning, and Nrarp, a regulator of Notch/Wnt signaling in zebrafish and a cycling gene in mouse. To determine the effects of Dll3 mutation on Nrarp, we characterized the cycling expression of this gene from early (8.5 dpc) to late (10.5 dpc) somitogenesis. Nrarp displays a distinct pattern of cycling phases when compared to Lfng and Axin2 (a Wnt pathway gene) at 9.5 dpc but appears to be in phase with Lfng by 10.5 dpc. Nrarp cycling appears to require Dll3 but not Lfng modulation. In Dll3 null embryos, Nrarp displayed static patterns. However, in Lfng null embryos, Nrarp appeared static at 8.5 dpc but resumed cycling expression by 9.5 and dynamic expression at 10.5 dpc stages. By contrast, in Wnt3a null embryos, Nrarp expression was completely absent in the presomitic mesoderm. Towards identifying the role of Dll3 in regulating somitogenesis, Nrarp emerges as a potentially important regulator that requires Dll3 but not Lfng for normal function.

Progress in the understanding of the genetic etiology of vertebral segmentation disorders in humans

Vertebral malformations contribute substantially to the pathophysiology of kyphosis and scoliosis, common health problems associated with back and neck pain, disability, cosmetic disfigurement, and functional distress. This review explores (1) recent advances in the understanding of the molecular embryology underlying vertebral development and relevance to elucidation of etiologies of several known human vertebral malformation syndromes; (2) outcomes of molecular studies elucidating genetic contributions to congenital and sporadic vertebral malformation; and (3) complex interrelationships between genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of isolated syndromic and nonsyndromic congenital vertebral malformation. Discussion includes exploration of the importance of establishing improved classification systems for vertebral malformation, future directions in molecular and genetic research approaches to vertebral malformation, and translational value of research efforts to clinical management and genetic counseling of affected individuals and their families.

Transcriptome and proteome analysis of early embryonic mouse brain development

Mouse embryonic brain development involves sequential differentiation of multipotent progenitors into neurons and glia cells. Using microarrays and large 2-DE, we investigated the mouse brain transcriptome and proteome of embryonic days 9.5, 11.5, and 13.5. During this developmental period, neural progenitor cells shift from proliferation to neuronal differentiation. As expected, we detected numerous expression changes between all time points investigated, but interestingly, the rate of alteration remained in a similar range within 2 days of development. Furthermore, up- and down-regulation of gene products was balanced at each time point which was also seen at embryonic days 16-18. We hypothesize that during embryonic development, the rate of gene expression alteration is rather constant due to limited cellular resources such as energy, space, and free water. A similar complexity in terms of expressed genes and proteins suggests that changes in relative concentrations rather than an increase in the number of gene products dominate cellular differentiation. In general, expression of metabolism and cell cycle related gene products was down-regulated when precursor cells switched from proliferation to neuronal differentiation (days 9.5-11.5), whereas neuron specific gene products were up-regulated. A detailed functional analysis revealed their implication in differentiation related processes such as rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton as well as Notch- and Wnt-signaling pathways.

ER stress-mediated apoptosis in a new mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disorder characterized by increased bone fragility, fractures, and osteoporosis, and most cases are caused by mutations affecting the type I collagen genes. Here, we describe a new mouse model for Osteogenesis imperfecta termed Aga2 (abnormal gait 2) that was isolated from the Munich N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis program and exhibited phenotypic variability, including reduced bone mass, multiple fractures, and early lethality. The causal gene was mapped to Chromosome 11 by linkage analysis, and a C-terminal frameshift mutation was identified in the Col1a1 (procollagen type I, alpha 1) gene as the cause of the disorder. Aga2 heterozygous animals had markedly increased bone turnover and a disrupted native collagen network. Further studies showed that abnormal proα1(I) chains accumulated intracellularly in Aga2/+ dermal fibroblasts and were poorly secreted extracellularly. This was associated with the induction of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-specific unfolded protein response involving upregulation of BiP, Hsp47, and Gadd153 with caspases-12 and −3 activation and apoptosis of osteoblasts both in vitro and in vivo. These studies resulted in the identification of a new model for Osteogenesis imperfecta, and identified a role for intracellular modulation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated unfolded protein response machinery toward osteoblast apoptosis during the pathogenesis of disease.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous collection of connective tissue disorders typically caused by mutations in the COL1A1/2 genes that encode the chains of type I collagen, the principle structural protein of bone. Phenotypic expression in OI depends on the nature of the mutation, causing a clinical heterogeneity ranging from a mild risk of fractures to perinatal lethality. Here, we describe a new OI mouse model with a dominant mutation in the terminal C-propeptide domain of Col1a1 generated using the N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis strategy. Heterozygous animals developed severe-to-lethal phenotypes that were associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress, and caspases-12 and −3 activation within calvarial osteoblasts. We provide evidence for endoplasmic reticulum stress–associated apoptosis as a key component in the pathogenesis of disease.

High Performance Proteomics: 7th HUPO Brain Proteome Project Workshop March 7–9, 2007 Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Hinxton, UK

The Wellcome Trust Conference Centre at Hinxton, UK, was the meeting place of the 7th HUPO Brain Proteome Project Workshop entitled "High Performance Proteomics". It started on Wednesday, March 7, 2007 with a steering committee meeting followed by a two days series of talks dealing with the standardization and handling of tissues, body fluids as well as of proteomics data. The presentation and accompanying vivid discussions created a picture of actual strategies and standards in recent proteomics.

Notch signaling enhances nestin expression in gliomas

Recent findings suggest that Notch signaling is active in brain tumors and stem cells, and that stem cells or cells with progenitor characteristics contribute to brain tumor formation. These stem cells are marked by expression of several markers, including nestin, an intermediate filament protein. We have studied how the Notch signaling pathway affects nestin expression in brain tumors. We find that Notch receptors and ligands are expressed in vitro and in human samples of glioblastomas, the highest grade of malignant gliomas. In culture, Notch activity activates the nestin promoter. Activation of the Notch pathway also occurs in a glioblastoma multiforme mouse model induced by Kras, with translational regulation playing a role in Notch expression. Combined activation of Notch and Kras in wild-type nestin-expressing cells leads to their expansion within the subventricular zone and retention of proliferation and nestin expression. However, activation of Notch alone is unable to induce this cellular expansion. These data suggest that Notch may have a contributing role in the stem-like character of glioma cells.

Identification of oscillatory genes in somitogenesis from functional genomic analysis of a human mesenchymal stem cell model

During somitogenesis, oscillatory expression of genes in the notch and wnt signaling pathways plays a key role in regulating segmentation. These oscillations in expression levels are elements of a species-specific developmental mechanism. To date, the periodicity and components of the human clock remain unstudied. Here we show that a human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) model can be induced to display oscillatory gene expression. We observed that the known cycling gene HES1 oscillated with a 5 h period consistent with available data on the rate of somitogenesis in humans. We also observed cycling of Hes1 expression in mouse C2C12 myoblasts with a period of 2 h, consistent with previous in vitro and embryonic studies. Furthermore, we used microarray and quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) analysis to identify additional genes that display oscillatory expression both in vitro and in mouse embryos. We confirmed oscillatory expression of the notch pathway gene Maml3 and the wnt pathway gene Nkd2 by whole mount in situ hybridization analysis and Q-PCR. Expression patterns of these genes were disrupted in Wnt3a(tm1Amc) mutants but not in Dll3(pu) mutants. Our results demonstrate that human and mouse in vitro models can recapitulate oscillatory expression observed in embryo and that a number of genes in multiple developmental pathways display dynamic expression in vitro.

Genetic analysis of molecular oscillators in mammalian somitogenesis: Clues for studies of human vertebral disorders

The repeating pattern of the human vertebral column is shaped early in development, by a process called somitogenesis. In this embryonic process, pairs of mesodermal segments called somites are serially laid down along the developing neural tube. Somitogenesis is an iterative process, repeating at regular time intervals until the last somite is formed. This process lays down the vertebrate body axis from head to tail, making for a progression of developmental steps along the rostral-caudal axis. In this review, the roles of the Notch, Wnt, fibroblast growth factor, retinoic acid and other pathways are described during the following key steps in somitogenesis: formation of the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and establishment of molecular gradients; prepatterning of the PSM by molecular oscillators; patterning of rostral-caudal polarity within the somite; formation of somite borders; and maturation and resegmentation of somites to form musculoskeletal tissues. Disruption of somitogenesis can lead to severe vertebral birth defects such as spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD). Genetic studies in the mouse have been instrumental in finding mutations in this disorder, and ongoing mouse studies should provide functional insights and additional candidate genes to help in efforts to identify genes causing human spinal birth defects.