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Su H, Zhi D, Song Y, Yang Y, Wang D, Li X, Cao G. Exploring the formation mechanism of short-tailed phenotypes in animals using mutant mice with the TBXT gene c.G334T developed by CRISPR/Cas9. Gene 2024; 910:148310. [PMID: 38401832 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
With the change in diet structure, individuals prefer to consume mutton with less fat. However, sheep tail has a lot of fat. We identified a breed of low-fat short-tailed sheep (i.e., Hulunbuir short-tailed sheep). It is necessary to develop an animal model that can promote research on the potential mechanisms of the short-tail phenotype in sheep, which results from the TBXT gene c.G334T mutation. To create animal models, we selected mice as experimental animals. Mouse embryos lacking the TBXT protein, which crucially regulates mouse embryonic development, cannot develop normally. We utilized CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology to generate site-specific mutation (c.G334T) in the TBXT gene of mice, and found that the mouse TBXT mutation (c.G334T) leads to a short-tail phenotype. Furthermore, we investigated the interaction between TBXT and Wnt signaling pathways. The expressions of TBXT, Axin2, Dkk1, Wnt3, Wnt3a, and Wnt5a were discovered to be significantly different between mutant embryos and wild embryos by obtaining mouse embryos at various developmental stages and examining the expression relationship between the TBXT and Wnt signaling pathway-related components in all of these embryos. Therefore, as a transcription factor, TBXT regulates the expression of the aforementioned Wnt signaling pathway components by forming a regulatory network for the normal development of mouse embryos. This study enriches the research on the functional role of the TBXT in the development of mouse embryos and the mechanism by which the short-tailed phenotype in sheep develops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Dafu Zhi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
| | - Yongli Song
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, China.
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Daqing Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Xiunan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China; Inner Mongolia Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, China.
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, China; Animal Embryo and Developmental Engineering Key Laboratory of Higher Education, Institutions of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine, China.
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Chen S, Lei Y, Yang Y, Liu C, Kuang L, Jin L, Finnell RH, Yang X, Wang H. A mutation in TBXT causes congenital vertebral malformations in humans and mice. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:433-442. [PMID: 37751845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
T-box transcription factor T (TBXT; T) is required for mesodermal formation and axial skeletal development. Although it has been extensively studied in various model organisms, human congenital vertebral malformations (CVMs) involving T are not well established. Here, we report a family with 15 CVM patients distributed across 4 generations. All affected individuals carry a heterozygous mutation, T c.596A>G (p.Q199R), which is not found in unaffected family members, indicating co-segregation of the genotype and phenotype. In vitro assays show that T p.Q199R increases the nucleocytoplasmic ratio and enhances its DNA-binding affinity, but reduces its transcriptional activity compared to the wild-type. To determine the pathogenicity of this mutation in vivo, we generated a Q199R knock-in mouse model that recapitulates the human CVM phenotype. Most heterozygous Q199R mice show subtle kinked or shortened tails, while homozygous mice exhibit tail filaments and severe vertebral deformities. Overall, we show that the Q199R mutation in T causes CVM in humans and mice, providing previously unreported evidence supporting the function of T in the genetic etiology of human CVM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxia Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yunping Lei
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yajun Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chennan Liu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Lele Kuang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Li Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xueyan Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Hongyan Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering at School of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Metabolic Remodeling and Health, Institute of Metabolism and Integrative Biology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Children's Hospital, Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, Shanghai 201102, China.
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Kemmler CL, Smolikova J, Moran HR, Mannion BJ, Knapp D, Lim F, Czarkwiani A, Hermosilla Aguayo V, Rapp V, Fitch OE, Bötschi S, Selleri L, Farley E, Braasch I, Yun M, Visel A, Osterwalder M, Mosimann C, Kozmik Z, Burger A. Conserved enhancers control notochord expression of vertebrate Brachyury. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6594. [PMID: 37852970 PMCID: PMC10584899 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42151-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell type-specific expression of key transcription factors is central to development and disease. Brachyury/T/TBXT is a major transcription factor for gastrulation, tailbud patterning, and notochord formation; however, how its expression is controlled in the mammalian notochord has remained elusive. Here, we identify the complement of notochord-specific enhancers in the mammalian Brachyury/T/TBXT gene. Using transgenic assays in zebrafish, axolotl, and mouse, we discover three conserved Brachyury-controlling notochord enhancers, T3, C, and I, in human, mouse, and marsupial genomes. Acting as Brachyury-responsive, auto-regulatory shadow enhancers, in cis deletion of all three enhancers in mouse abolishes Brachyury/T/Tbxt expression selectively in the notochord, causing specific trunk and neural tube defects without gastrulation or tailbud defects. The three Brachyury-driving notochord enhancers are conserved beyond mammals in the brachyury/tbxtb loci of fishes, dating their origin to the last common ancestor of jawed vertebrates. Our data define the vertebrate enhancers for Brachyury/T/TBXTB notochord expression through an auto-regulatory mechanism that conveys robustness and adaptability as ancient basis for axis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L Kemmler
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jana Smolikova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah R Moran
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brandon J Mannion
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Dunja Knapp
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Lim
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Czarkwiani
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Viviana Hermosilla Aguayo
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Rapp
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia E Fitch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emma Farley
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Maximina Yun
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Alexa Burger
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Kemmler CL, Smolikova J, Moran HR, Mannion BJ, Knapp D, Lim F, Czarkwiani A, Hermosilla Aguayo V, Rapp V, Fitch OE, Bötschi S, Selleri L, Farley E, Braasch I, Yun M, Visel A, Osterwalder M, Mosimann C, Kozmik Z, Burger A. Conserved enhancer logic controls the notochord expression of vertebrate Brachyury. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.20.536761. [PMID: 37131681 PMCID: PMC10153258 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.536761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The cell type-specific expression of key transcription factors is central to development. Brachyury/T/TBXT is a major transcription factor for gastrulation, tailbud patterning, and notochord formation; however, how its expression is controlled in the mammalian notochord has remained elusive. Here, we identify the complement of notochord-specific enhancers in the mammalian Brachyury/T/TBXT gene. Using transgenic assays in zebrafish, axolotl, and mouse, we discover three Brachyury-controlling notochord enhancers T3, C, and I in human, mouse, and marsupial genomes. Acting as Brachyury-responsive, auto-regulatory shadow enhancers, deletion of all three enhancers in mouse abolishes Brachyury/T expression selectively in the notochord, causing specific trunk and neural tube defects without gastrulation or tailbud defects. Sequence and functional conservation of Brachyury-driving notochord enhancers with the brachyury/tbxtb loci from diverse lineages of fishes dates their origin to the last common ancestor of jawed vertebrates. Our data define the enhancers for Brachyury/T/TBXTB notochord expression as ancient mechanism in axis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassie L. Kemmler
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jana Smolikova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hannah R. Moran
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Brandon J. Mannion
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Comparative Biochemistry Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Dunja Knapp
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Lim
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Biological Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anna Czarkwiani
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Viviana Hermosilla Aguayo
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vincent Rapp
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia E. Fitch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Seraina Bötschi
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Licia Selleri
- Program in Craniofacial Biology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emma Farley
- Department of Medicine, Health Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Ingo Braasch
- Department of Integrative Biology and Ecology, Evolution and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Maximina Yun
- Technische Universität Dresden, CRTD/Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Axel Visel
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | - Marco Osterwalder
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology, Berne University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alexa Burger
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Su H, Yang G, Yang HX, Liu MN, Li XD, Chen L, Li Y, Wang DQ, Ma T, Song YL, Li HJ, Du CG, Li XH, Cao GF. Downregulated FGFR3 Expression Inhibits In Vitro Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Mice with TBXT Gene Mutation. Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 174:578-584. [PMID: 36913092 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05750-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
We studied the effect of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) inhibitor BGJ-398 on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM MSC) into osteoblasts in wild type (wt) mice and in animals with mutation in TBXT gene (mt) and possible differences in the pluripotency of these cells. Cytology tests showed that the cultured BM MSC could differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. The effect of different BGJ-398 concentrations on the expression of FGFR3, RUNX2, SMAD1, SMAD4, SMAD5, SMAD6, SMAD7, and SMAD8 were studied by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The expression of RUNX2 protein was evaluated by Western blotting. BM MSC of mt and wt mice did not differ in pluripotency and expressed the same membrane marker antigens. BGJ-398 inhibitor reduced the expression of FGFR3 and RUNX2. In BM MSC from mt and wt mice have similar gene expression (and its changing) in FGFR3, RUNX2, SMAD1, SMAD4, SMAD5, SMAD6, SMAD7, and SMAD8 genes. Thus, our experiments confirmed the effect of decreased expression of FGFR3 on osteogenic differentiation of BM MSC from wt and mt mice. However, BM MSC from mt and wt mice did not differ in pluripotency and are an adequate model for laboratory research.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Su
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - G Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - H X Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - M N Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - X D Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - L Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
| | - Y Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - D Q Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - T Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - Y L Song
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - H J Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - C G Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China
| | - X H Li
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China
| | - G F Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, China.
- Key Laboratory of Basic Veterinary Medicine of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hohhot, China.
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Lee S, Kim KH, Lee ES, Kim VJ, Kim SP, Ban S, Wang KC, Lee JY. The transcriptomic landscape of caudal cell mass in different developmental stages of the chick embryo. Childs Nerv Syst 2022; 38:2101-2111. [PMID: 36181521 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-022-05675-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The caudal cell mass (CCM) is an aggregate of undifferentiated pluripotent cells and the main player in secondary neurulation. Previous studies have elucidated the dynamic fate of the multipotent cell lineages, with a recent interest in the neuromesodermal progenitors. However, a transcriptomic analysis of the CCM during secondary neurulation has not been performed yet. METHODS We analyzed RNA sequencing data of CCM samples at three different developmental stages of chicken embryos; HH16 (largest CCM phase), HH20 (secondary neural tube formation phase), and HH28 (degeneration phase). RESULTS The transcriptomic profiles were clearly distinguishable according to developmental stage, and HH20 was shown to have not only intermediate, but also unique properties in secondary neurulation. A total of 10,666 differentially expressed genes, including FGF18 and GDF11, were identified and enriched in several gene ontologies related to embryogenesis or organogenesis. We also found that genes encoding transcription factors, such as TWIST2, IRX4, HOXB4, HOXD13, LIN28A, CDX4, and Brachyury, were among the top-ranked differentially expressed genes. CONCLUSION Through transcriptomic profiling, we provided a picture of the developmental process of the CCM. We identified several key molecules or pathways involved in secondary neurulation and the pathogenesis of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungbok Lee
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hyun Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Sun Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Veronica Jihyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Saet Pyoul Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Saeli Ban
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu-Chang Wang
- Center for Rare Cancers, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeoun Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehakro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea. .,Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Fuselier KTB, Salbaum JM, Kappen C. Broad spectrum of CRISPR-induced edits in an embryonic lethal gene. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23732. [PMID: 34887431 PMCID: PMC8660864 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Mendelian genetics poses practical limitations on the number of mutant genes that can be investigated simultaneously for their roles in embryonic development in the mouse. While CRISPR-based gene editing of multiple genes at once offers an attractive alternative strategy, subsequent breeding or establishment of permanent mouse lines will rapidly segregate the different mutant loci again. Direct phenotypic analysis of genomic edits in an embryonic lethal gene in F0 generation mice, or F0 mouse embryos, circumvents the need for breeding or establishment of mutant mouse lines. In the course of genotyping a large cohort of F0 CRISPants, where the embryonic lethal gene T/brachyury was targeted, we noted the presence of multiple CRISPR-induced modifications in individual embryos. Using long-read single-molecule Nanopore sequencing, we identified a wide variety of deletions, ranging up to 3 kb, that would not have been detected or scored as wildtype with commonly used genotyping methods that rely on subcloning and short-read or Sanger sequencing. Long-read sequencing results were crucial for accurate genotype-phenotype correlation in our F0 CRISPants. We thus demonstrate feasibility of screening manipulated F0 embryos for mid-gestation phenotypic consequences of CRISPR-induced mutations without requiring derivation of permanent mouse lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla T B Fuselier
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA
| | - J Michael Salbaum
- Department of Regulation of Gene Expression, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA
| | - Claudia Kappen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA.
- Peggy M. Pennington Cole Chair in Developmental Biology, Pennington Biomedical Research Center/Louisiana State University System, 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808, USA.
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Schifferl D, Scholze-Wittler M, Wittler L, Veenvliet JV, Koch F, Herrmann BG. A 37 kb region upstream of brachyury comprising a notochord enhancer is essential for notochord and tail development. Development 2021; 148:273520. [PMID: 34822716 PMCID: PMC8722351 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The node-streak border region comprising notochord progenitor cells (NPCs) at the posterior node and neuro-mesodermal progenitor cells (NMPs) in the adjacent epiblast is the prime organizing center for axial elongation in mouse embryos. The T-box transcription factor brachyury (T) is essential for both formation of the notochord and maintenance of NMPs, and thus is a key regulator of trunk and tail development. The T promoter controlling T expression in NMPs and nascent mesoderm has been characterized in detail; however, control elements for T expression in the notochord have not been identified yet. We have generated a series of deletion alleles by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in mESCs, and analyzed their effects in mutant mouse embryos. We identified a 37 kb region upstream of T that is essential for notochord function and tailbud outgrowth. Within that region, we discovered a T-binding enhancer required for notochord cell specification and differentiation. Our data reveal a complex regulatory landscape controlling cell type-specific expression and function of T in NMP/nascent mesoderm and node/notochord, allowing proper trunk and tail development. Summary: Genetic dissection of the mouse brachyury locus identifies a notochord enhancer and predicts additional control elements essential for trunk and tail development of the mouse embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Schifferl
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Biology, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Scholze-Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jesse V Veenvliet
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frederic Koch
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernhard G Herrmann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Department of Developmental Genetics, Ihnestr. 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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9
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Kalds P, Luo Q, Sun K, Zhou S, Chen Y, Wang X. Trends towards revealing the genetic architecture of sheep tail patterning: Promising genes and investigatory pathways. Anim Genet 2021; 52:799-812. [PMID: 34472112 DOI: 10.1111/age.13133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Different sheep breeds have evolved after initial domestication, generating various tail phenotypic patterns. The phenotypic diversity of sheep tail patterns offers ideal materials for comparative analysis of its genetic basis. Evolutionary biologists, animal geneticists, breeders, and producers have been curious to clearly understand the underlying genetics behind phenotypic differences in sheep tails. Understanding the causal gene(s) and mutation(s) underlying these differences will help probe an evolutionary riddle, improve animal production performance, promote animal welfare, and provide lessons that help comprehend human diseases related to fat deposition (i.e., obesity). Historically, fat tails have served as an adaptive response to aridification and climate change. However, the fat tail is currently associated with compromised mating and animal locomotion, fat distribution in the animal body, increased raising costs, reduced consumer preference, and other animal welfare issues such as tail docking. The developing genomic approaches provide unprecedented opportunities to determine causal variants underlying phenotypic differences among populations. In the last decade, researchers have performed several genomic investigations to assess the genomic causality underlying phenotypic variations in sheep tails. Various genes have been suggested with the prominence of several potentially significant causatives, including the BMP2 and PDGFD genes associated with the fat tail phenotype and the TBXT gene linked with the caudal vertebrae number and tail length. Although the potential genes related to sheep tail characteristics have been revealed, the causal variant(s) and mutation(s) of these high-ranking candidate genes are still elusive and need further investigation. The review discusses the potential genes, sheds light on a knowledge gap, and provides possible investigative approaches that could help determine the specific genomic causatives of sheep tail patterns. Besides, characterizing and revealing the genetic determinism of sheep tails will help solve issues compromising sheep breeding and welfare in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Kalds
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.,Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Environmental Agricultural Sciences, Arish University, El-Arish, Egypt
| | - Q Luo
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - K Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - S Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - Y Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
| | - X Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
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10
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Libby ARG, Joy DA, Elder NH, Bulger EA, Krakora MZ, Gaylord EA, Mendoza-Camacho F, Butts JC, McDevitt TC. Axial elongation of caudalized human organoids mimics aspects of neural tube development. Development 2021; 148:269182. [PMID: 34142711 DOI: 10.1242/dev.198275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Axial elongation of the neural tube is crucial during mammalian embryogenesis for anterior-posterior body axis establishment and subsequent spinal cord development, but these processes cannot be interrogated directly in humans as they occur post-implantation. Here, we report an organoid model of neural tube extension derived from human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) aggregates that have been caudalized with Wnt agonism, enabling them to recapitulate aspects of the morphological and temporal gene expression patterns of neural tube development. Elongating organoids consist largely of neuroepithelial compartments and contain TBXT+SOX2+ neuro-mesodermal progenitors in addition to PAX6+NES+ neural progenitors. A critical threshold of Wnt agonism stimulated singular axial extensions while maintaining multiple cell lineages, such that organoids displayed regionalized anterior-to-posterior HOX gene expression with hindbrain (HOXB1) regions spatially distinct from brachial (HOXC6) and thoracic (HOXB9) regions. CRISPR interference-mediated silencing of TBXT, a Wnt pathway target, increased neuroepithelial compartmentalization, abrogated HOX expression and disrupted uniaxial elongation. Together, these results demonstrate the potent capacity of caudalized hPSC organoids to undergo axial elongation in a manner that can be used to dissect the cellular organization and patterning decisions that dictate early human nervous system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R G Libby
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - David A Joy
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,UC Berkeley-UC San Francisco Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Nicholas H Elder
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Emily A Bulger
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Eliza A Gaylord
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Frederico Mendoza-Camacho
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology PhD Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Todd C McDevitt
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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11
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Dworschak GC, Reutter HM, Ludwig M. Currarino syndrome: a comprehensive genetic review of a rare congenital disorder. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:167. [PMID: 33836786 PMCID: PMC8034116 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01799-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The triad of a presacral mass, sacral agenesis and an anorectal anomaly constitutes the rare Currarino syndrome (CS), which is caused by dorsal–ventral patterning defects during embryonic development. The major causative CS gene is MNX1, encoding a homeobox protein. Main body In the majority of patients, CS occurs as an autosomal dominant trait; however, a female predominance observed, implies that CS may underlie an additional mode(s) of inheritance. Often, the diagnosis of CS is established solely by clinical findings, impacting a detailed analysis of the disease. Our combined data, evaluating more than 60 studies reporting patients with CS-associated mutations, revealed a slightly higher incidence rate in females with a female-to-male ratio of 1.39:1. Overall, MNX1 mutation analysis was successful in only 57.4% of all CS patients investigated, with no mutation detected in 7.7% of the familial and 68% of the sporadic patients. Our studies failed to detect the presence of an expressed MNX1 isoform that might explain at least some of these mutation-negative cases. Conclusion Aside from MNX1, other genes or regulatory regions may contribute to CS and we discuss several cytogenetic studies and whole-exome sequencing data that have implicated further loci/genes in its etiology. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-01799-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel C Dworschak
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany. .,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, 53115, Bonn, Germany. .,Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Heiko M Reutter
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Ludwig
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
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12
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Thompson DNP. Gastrulation : Current Concepts and Implications for Spinal Malformations. J Korean Neurosurg Soc 2020; 64:329-339. [PMID: 33321561 PMCID: PMC8128527 DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2020.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been recognised for over a century that the events of gastrulation are fundamental in determining, not only the development of the neuraxis but the organisation of the entire primitive embryo. Until recently our understanding of gastrulation was based on detailed histological analysis in animal models and relatively rare human tissue preparations from aborted fetuses. Such studies resulted in a model of gastrulation that neurosurgeons have subsequently used as a means of trying to explain some of the congenital anomalies of caudal spinal cord and vertebral development that present in paediatric neurosurgical practice. Recent advances in developmental biology, in particular cellular biology and molecular genetics have offered new insights into very early development. Understanding the processes that underlie cellular interactions, gene expression and activation/inhibition of signalling pathways has changed the way embryologists view gastrulation and this has led to a shift in emphasis from the ‘descriptive and morphological’ to the ‘mechanistic and functional’. Unfortunately, thus far it has proved difficult to translate this improved knowledge of normal development, typically derived from non-human models, into an understanding of the mechanisms underlying human malformations such as the spinal dysraphisms and anomalies of caudal development. A paediatric neurosurgeons perspective of current concepts in gastrulation is presented along with a critical review of the current hypotheses of human malformations that have been attributed to disorders of this stage of embryogenesis.
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13
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Warner T, Scullen TA, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Bui CJ, Dumont AS, Tubbs RS. Caudal Regression Syndrome-A Review Focusing on Genetic Associations. World Neurosurg 2020; 138:461-467. [PMID: 32200015 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.03.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) represents a spectrum of clinical phenotypes with varying degrees of malformation of the lower body with involvement of structures deriving from all 3 layers of the trilaminar embryo. We review areas of active investigation in the diagnosis, etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of the disease with a focus on underlying genetics. CRS pathobiology is complex and multifactorial with a significant contribution from environmental factors as evidenced in twin studies. Contemporary genomic and genetic investigations in both human primary tissue and murine in vitro and in vivo models implicate various genes associated with caudal differentiation and neural cell migration in embryogenesis. A large number of identified targets center around the metabolic regulation of retinoic acid and its derivatives. Dysregulation of retinoic acid homeostasis has been associated with abnormal embryonic cell migration, differentiation, and organogenesis with resulting malformations and agenesis in both a laboratory and a clinical setting. There appears to be a significant overlap in potential genetic targets with CRS and other developmental syndromes with similar presentations, such as VACTERL (vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities) association. CRS represents a spectrum of caudal developmental abnormalities with treatment options limited to mild and moderate expressions of disease. Continued research is necessary to further clarify mechanisms of disease pathobiology and complex polygenetic and environmental interaction. Despite this, progress has been made in identifying genetic targets and downstream effectors contributing to preclinical and clinical progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler Warner
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada
| | - Tyler A Scullen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Joe Iwanaga
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
| | - Marios Loukas
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada
| | - C J Bui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Aaron S Dumont
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - R Shane Tubbs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Department of Structural and Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
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14
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Orchard P, White JS, Thomas PE, Mychalowych A, Kiseleva A, Hensley J, Allen B, Parker SCJ, Keegan CE. Genome-wide chromatin accessibility and transcriptome profiling show minimal epigenome changes and coordinated transcriptional dysregulation of hedgehog signaling in Danforth's short tail mice. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:736-750. [PMID: 30380057 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Danforth's short tail (Sd) mice provide an excellent model for investigating the underlying etiology of human caudal birth defects, which affect 1 in 10 000 live births. Sd animals exhibit aberrant axial skeleton, urogenital and gastrointestinal development similar to human caudal malformation syndromes including urorectal septum malformation, caudal regression, vertebral-anal-cardiac-tracheo-esophageal fistula-renal-limb (VACTERL) association and persistent cloaca. Previous studies have shown that the Sd mutation results from an endogenous retroviral (ERV) insertion upstream of the Ptf1a gene resulting in its ectopic expression at E9.5. Though the genetic lesion has been determined, the resulting epigenomic and transcriptomic changes driving the phenotype have not been investigated. Here, we performed ATAC-seq experiments on isolated E9.5 tailbud tissue, which revealed minimal changes in chromatin accessibility in Sd/Sd mutant embryos. Interestingly, chromatin changes were localized to a small interval adjacent to the Sd ERV insertion overlapping a known Ptf1a enhancer region, which is conserved in mice and humans. Furthermore, mRNA-seq experiments revealed increased transcription of Ptf1a target genes and, importantly, downregulation of hedgehog pathway genes. Reduced sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling was confirmed by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence suggesting that the Sd phenotype results, in part, from downregulated SHH signaling. Taken together, these data demonstrate substantial transcriptome changes in the Sd mouse, and indicate that the effect of the ERV insertion on Ptf1a expression may be mediated by increased chromatin accessibility at a conserved Ptf1a enhancer. We propose that human caudal dysgenesis disorders may result from dysregulation of hedgehog signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Orchard
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James S White
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peedikayil E Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anna Mychalowych
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anya Kiseleva
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - John Hensley
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Benjamin Allen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephen C J Parker
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Catherine E Keegan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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15
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Serizawa T, Isotani A, Matsumura T, Nakanishi K, Nonaka S, Shibata S, Ikawa M, Okano H. Developmental analyses of mouse embryos and adults using a non-overlapping tracing system for all three germ layers. Development 2019; 146:dev.174938. [PMID: 31597657 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Genetic lineage-tracing techniques are powerful tools for studying specific cell populations in development and pathogenesis. Previous techniques have mainly involved systems for tracing a single gene, which are limited in their ability to facilitate direct comparisons of the contributions of different cell lineages. We have developed a new combinatorial system for tracing all three germ layers using self-cleaving 2A peptides and multiple site-specific recombinases (SSRs). In the resulting TRiCK (TRiple Coloured germ layer Knock-in) mice, the three germ layers are conditionally and simultaneously labelled with distinct fluorescent proteins via embryogenesis. We show that previously reported ectopic expressions of lineage markers are the outcome of secondary gene expression. The results presented here also indicate that the commitment of caudal axial stem cells to neural or mesodermal fate proceeds without lineage fluctuations, contrary to the notion of their bi-potency. Moreover, we developed IMES, an optimized tissue clearing method that is highly compatible with a variety of fluorescent proteins and immunostaining, and the combined use of TRiCK mice and IMES can facilitate comprehensive analyses of dynamic contributions of all three germ layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Serizawa
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Ayako Isotani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.,Organ developmental engineering, Division of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Shigenori Nonaka
- Spatiotemporal Regulations Group, Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan.,Laboratory for Spatiotemporal Regulations, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
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16
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Downs KM, Rodriguez AM. The mouse fetal-placental arterial connection: A paradigm involving the primitive streak and visceral endoderm with implications for human development. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 9:e362. [PMID: 31622045 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In Placentalia, the fetus depends upon an organized vascular connection with its mother for survival and development. Yet, this connection was, until recently, obscure. Here, we summarize how two unrelated tissues, the primitive streak, or body axis, and extraembryonic visceral endoderm collaborate to create and organize the fetal-placental arterial connection in the mouse gastrula. The primitive streak reaches into the extraembryonic space, where it marks the site of arterial union and creates a progenitor cell pool. Through contact with the streak, associated visceral endoderm undergoes an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, contributing extraembryonic mesoderm to the placental arterial vasculature, and to the allantois, or pre-umbilical tissue. In addition, visceral endoderm bifurcates into the allantois where, with the primitive streak, it organizes the nascent umbilical artery and promotes allantoic elongation to the chorion, the site of fetal-maternal exchange. Brachyury mediates streak extension and vascular patterning, while Hedgehog is involved in visceral endoderm's conversion to mesoderm. A unique CASPASE-3-positive cell separates streak- and non-streak-associated domains in visceral endoderm. Based on these new insights at the posterior embryonic-extraembryonic interface, we conclude by asking whether so-called primordial germ cells are truly antecedents to the germ line that segregate within the allantois, or whether they are placental progenitor cells. Incorporating these new working hypotheses into mutational analyses in which the placentae are affected will aid understanding a spectrum of disorders, including orphan diseases, which often include abnormalities of the umbilical cord, yolk sac, and hindgut, whose developmental relationship to each other has, until now, been poorly understood. This article is categorized under: Birth Defects > Associated with Preimplantation and Gastrulation Early Embryonic Development > Gastrulation and Neurulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Downs
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Adriana M Rodriguez
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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17
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Tessier S, Madhu V, Johnson ZI, Shapiro IM, Risbud MV. NFAT5/TonEBP controls early acquisition of notochord phenotypic markers, collagen composition, and sonic hedgehog signaling during mouse intervertebral disc embryogenesis. Dev Biol 2019; 455:369-381. [PMID: 31301300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
High osmolarity, bound water, and hydrostatic pressure contribute to notochord mechanics and its morphogenesis into the nucleus pulposus (NP) compartment of the intervertebral disc. Indeed, the osmoadaptive transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5 aka TonEBP), is robustly expressed by resident cells of the notochord and NP. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms that drive notochord osmoregulation and the functions of NFAT5 in disc embryogenesis remain largely unexplored. In this study, we show that deletion of NFAT5 in mice results in delayed vertebral column development and a reduced NP aspect ratio in the caudal spine. This phenotype is associated with lower levels of the T-box transcription factor, Brachyury, delayed expression of notochord phenotypic markers, and decreased collagen II deposition in the perinotochordal sheath and condensing mesenchyme. In addition, NFAT5 mutants showed a stage-dependent dysregulation of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling with non-classical expression of Gli1. Generation of mice with notochord-specific deletion of IFT88 (ShhcreERT2;Ift88f/f) supported this mode of Gli1 regulation. Using isolated primary NP cells and bioinformatics approaches, we further show that Ptch1 and Smo expression is controlled by NFAT5 in a cell autonomous manner. Altogether, our results demonstrate that NFAT5 contributes to notochord and disc embryogenesis through its regulation of hallmark notochord phenotypic markers, extracellular matrix, and Shh signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Tessier
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vedavathi Madhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zariel I Johnson
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Irving M Shapiro
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Makarand V Risbud
- Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Jefferson College of Life Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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18
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Mohanty S, Dahia CL. Defects in intervertebral disc and spine during development, degeneration, and pain: New research directions for disc regeneration and therapy. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2019; 8:e343. [PMID: 30977275 DOI: 10.1002/wdev.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intervertebral discs are cartilaginous joints present between vertebrae. The centers of the intervertebral discs consist of a gelatinous nucleus pulposus derived from the embryonic notochord. With age or injury, intervertebral discs may degenerate, causing neurological symptoms including back pain, which affects millions of people worldwide. Back pain is a multifactorial disorder, and disc degeneration is one of the primary contributing factors. Recent studies in mice have identified the key molecules involved in the formation of intervertebral discs. Several of these key molecules including sonic hedgehog and Brachyury are not only expressed by notochord during development, but are also expressed by neonatal mouse nucleus pulposus cells, and are crucial for postnatal disc maintenance. These findings suggest that intrinsic signals in each disc may maintain the nucleus pulposus microenvironment. However, since expression of these developmental signals declines with age and degeneration, disc degeneration may be related to the loss of these intrinsic signals. In addition, findings from mouse and other mammalian models have identified similarities between the patterning capabilities of the embryonic notochord and young nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting that mouse is a suitable model system to understand disc development and aging. Future research aimed at understanding the upstream regulators of these developmental signals and the modes by which they regulate disc growth and maintenance will likely provide mechanistic insights into disc growth and aging. Further, such findings will likely provide insights relevant to the development of effective therapies for treatment of back pain and reversing the disc degenerative process. This article is categorized under: Birth Defects > Organ Anomalies Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Mohanty
- Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Chitra L Dahia
- Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, New York, New York
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19
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Wang W, Zhang X, Zhou X, Zhang Y, La Y, Zhang Y, Li C, Zhao Y, Li F, Liu B, Jiang Z. Deep Genome Resequencing Reveals Artificial and Natural Selection for Visual Deterioration, Plateau Adaptability and High Prolificacy in Chinese Domestic Sheep. Front Genet 2019; 10:300. [PMID: 31001329 PMCID: PMC6454055 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheep were one of the earliest domesticated animals. Both artificial and natural selection during domestication has resulted in remarkable changes in behavioral, physiological, and morphological phenotypes; however, the genetic mechanisms underpinning these changes remain unclear, particularly for indigenous Chinese sheep. In the present study, we performed pooled whole-genome resequencing of 338 sheep from five breeds representative of indigenous Chinese breeds and compared them to the wild ancestors of domestic sheep (Asian mouflon, Ovis orientalis) for detection of genome-wide selective sweeps. Comparative genomic analysis between domestic sheep and Asian mouflon showed that selected regions were enriched for genes involved in bone morphogenesis, growth regulation, and embryonic and neural development in domestic sheep. Moreover, we identified several vision-associated genes with funtional mutations, such as PDE6B (c.G2994C/p.A982P and c.C2284A/p.L762M mutations), PANK2, and FOXC1/GMSD in all five Chinese native breeds. Breed-specific selected regions were determined including genes such as CYP17 for hypoxia adaptability in Tibetan sheep and DNAJB5 for heat tolerance in Duolang sheep. Our findings provide insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying important phenotypic changes that have occurred during sheep domestication and subsequent selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxue Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Yangzi Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Yongfu La
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Chong Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Youzhang Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Fadi Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.,Engineering Laboratory of Sheep Breeding and Reproduction Biotechnology in Gansu Province, Minqin, China
| | - Bang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Jiang
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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20
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Brocal J, De Decker S, José-López R, Manzanilla EG, Penderis J, Stalin C, Bertram S, Schoenebeck JJ, Rusbridge C, Fitzpatrick N, Gutierrez-Quintana R. C7 vertebra homeotic transformation in domestic dogs - are Pug dogs breaking mammalian evolutionary constraints? J Anat 2018; 233:255-265. [PMID: 29761492 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of cervical vertebrae in mammals is almost constant at seven, regardless of their neck length, implying that there is selection against variation in this number. Homebox (Hox) genes are involved in this evolutionary mammalian conservation, and homeotic transformation of cervical into thoracic vertebrae (cervical ribs) is a common phenotypic abnormality when Hox gene expression is altered. This relatively benign phenotypic change can be associated with fatal traits in humans. Mutations in genes upstream of Hox, inbreeding and stressors during organogenesis can also cause cervical ribs. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of cervical ribs in a large group of domestic dogs of different breeds, and explore a possible relation with other congenital vertebral malformations (CVMs) in the breed with the highest prevalence of cervical ribs. By phenotyping we hoped to give clues as to the underlying genetic causes. Twenty computed tomography studies from at least two breeds belonging to each of the nine groups recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale, including all the brachycephalic 'screw-tailed' breeds that are known to be overrepresented for CVMs, were reviewed. The Pug dog was more affected by cervical ribs than any other breed (46%; P < 0.001), and was selected for further analysis. No association was found between the presence of cervical ribs and vertebral body formation defect, bifid spinous process, caudal articular process hypoplasia/aplasia and an abnormal sacrum, which may infer they have a different aetiopathogenesis. However, Pug dogs with cervical ribs were more likely to have a transitional thoraco-lumbar vertebra (P = 0.041) and a pre-sacral vertebral count of 26 (P < 0.001). Higher C7/T1 dorsal spinous processes ratios were associated with the presence of cervical ribs (P < 0.001), supporting this is a true homeotic transformation. Relaxation of the stabilizing selection has likely occurred, and the Pug dog appears to be a good naturally occurring model to further investigate the aetiology of cervical ribs, other congenital vertebral anomalies and numerical alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Brocal
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - S De Decker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - R José-López
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - E G Manzanilla
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - J Penderis
- Vet-Extra Neurology, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Stirling, UK
| | - C Stalin
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - S Bertram
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - J J Schoenebeck
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, UK
| | - C Rusbridge
- Fitzpatrick Referrals, Eashing, Surrey, UK.,School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK
| | | | - R Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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21
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Zhi D, Da L, Liu M, Cheng C, Zhang Y, Wang X, Li X, Tian Z, Yang Y, He T, Long X, Wei W, Cao G. Whole Genome Sequencing of Hulunbuir Short-Tailed Sheep for Identifying Candidate Genes Related to the Short-Tail Phenotype. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2018; 8:377-383. [PMID: 29208649 PMCID: PMC5919745 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.300307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Hulunbuir short-tailed sheep (Ovis aries) is a breed native to China, in which the short-tail phenotype is the result of artificial and natural selection favoring a specific set of genetic mutations. Here, we analyzed the genetic differences between short-tail and normal-tail phenotypes at the genomic level. Selection signals were identified in genome-wide sequences. From 16 sheep, we identified 72,101,346 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Selection signals were detected based on the fixation index and heterozygosity. Seven genomic regions under putative selection were identified, and these regions contained nine genes. Among these genes, T was the strongest candidate as T is related to vertebral development. In T, a nonsynonymous mutation at c.G334T resulted in p.G112W substitution. We inferred that the c.G334T mutation in T leads to functional changes in Brachyury-encoded by this gene-resulting in the short-tail phenotype. Our findings provide a valuable insight into the development of the short-tail phenotype in sheep and other short-tailed animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafu Zhi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Lai Da
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Moning Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Yukun Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiunan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhipeng Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Tingyi He
- Inner Mongolia Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Long
- College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
| | - Guifang Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot 010018, People's Republic of China
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22
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Sanna-Cherchi S, Khan K, Westland R, Krithivasan P, Fievet L, Rasouly HM, Ionita-Laza I, Capone VP, Fasel DA, Kiryluk K, Kamalakaran S, Bodria M, Otto EA, Sampson MG, Gillies CE, Vega-Warner V, Vukojevic K, Pediaditakis I, Makar GS, Mitrotti A, Verbitsky M, Martino J, Liu Q, Na YJ, Goj V, Ardissino G, Gigante M, Gesualdo L, Janezcko M, Zaniew M, Mendelsohn CL, Shril S, Hildebrandt F, van Wijk JAE, Arapovic A, Saraga M, Allegri L, Izzi C, Scolari F, Tasic V, Ghiggeri GM, Latos-Bielenska A, Materna-Kiryluk A, Mane S, Goldstein DB, Lifton RP, Katsanis N, Davis EE, Gharavi AG. Exome-wide Association Study Identifies GREB1L Mutations in Congenital Kidney Malformations. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 101:789-802. [PMID: 29100090 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal agenesis and hypodysplasia (RHD) are major causes of pediatric chronic kidney disease and are highly genetically heterogeneous. We conducted whole-exome sequencing in 202 case subjects with RHD and identified diagnostic mutations in genes known to be associated with RHD in 7/202 case subjects. In an additional affected individual with RHD and a congenital heart defect, we found a homozygous loss-of-function (LOF) variant in SLIT3, recapitulating phenotypes reported with Slit3 inactivation in the mouse. To identify genes associated with RHD, we performed an exome-wide association study with 195 unresolved case subjects and 6,905 control subjects. The top signal resided in GREB1L, a gene implicated previously in Hoxb1 and Shha signaling in zebrafish. The significance of the association, which was p = 2.0 × 10-5 for novel LOF, increased to p = 4.1 × 10-6 for LOF and deleterious missense variants combined, and augmented further after accounting for segregation and de novo inheritance of rare variants (joint p = 2.3 × 10-7). Finally, CRISPR/Cas9 disruption or knockdown of greb1l in zebrafish caused specific pronephric defects, which were rescued by wild-type human GREB1L mRNA, but not mRNA containing alleles identified in case subjects. Together, our study provides insight into the genetic landscape of kidney malformations in humans, presents multiple candidates, and identifies SLIT3 and GREB1L as genes implicated in the pathogenesis of RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kamal Khan
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Rik Westland
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pediatric Nephrology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1007 MB, the Netherlands
| | - Priya Krithivasan
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Lorraine Fievet
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Hila Milo Rasouly
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | | | | | - David A Fasel
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Krzysztof Kiryluk
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Sitharthan Kamalakaran
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Monica Bodria
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa 16147, Italy
| | - Edgar A Otto
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Matthew G Sampson
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics-Nephrology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Christopher E Gillies
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics-Nephrology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Virginia Vega-Warner
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics-Nephrology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Katarina Vukojevic
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Igor Pediaditakis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Gabriel S Makar
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Adele Mitrotti
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Miguel Verbitsky
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jeremiah Martino
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Qingxue Liu
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Young-Ji Na
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Vinicio Goj
- Pediatric Unit, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milan 20121, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Ardissino
- Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, Fondazione Ca' Granda IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Maddalena Gigante
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia 71121, Italy
| | - Loreto Gesualdo
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari 70121, Italy
| | - Magdalena Janezcko
- Department of Medical Genetics, Chair of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University, Collegium Medicum, Krakow 31-008, Poland
| | | | - Cathy Lee Mendelsohn
- Department of Urology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Shirlee Shril
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Friedhelm Hildebrandt
- Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joanna A E van Wijk
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam 1007 MB, the Netherlands
| | - Adela Arapovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Marijan Saraga
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split, Split 21000, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split 21000, Croatia
| | - Landino Allegri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma 43100, Italy
| | - Claudia Izzi
- Cattedra di Nefrologia, Università di Brescia, Seconda Divisione di Nefrologia Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia Presidio di Montichiari, Brescia 25018, Italy; Dipartimento Ostetrico Ginecologico, Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia 25018, Italy
| | - Francesco Scolari
- Cattedra di Nefrologia, Università di Brescia, Seconda Divisione di Nefrologia Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia Presidio di Montichiari, Brescia 25018, Italy
| | - Velibor Tasic
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty of Skopje, Skopje 1000, Macedonia
| | - Gian Marco Ghiggeri
- Division of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, and Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa 16147, Italy
| | - Anna Latos-Bielenska
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, and Center for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Poznan 61-701, Poland
| | - Anna Materna-Kiryluk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, and Center for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Poznan 61-701, Poland
| | - Shrikant Mane
- Department of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - David B Goldstein
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Richard P Lifton
- Department of Human Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - Nicholas Katsanis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA
| | - Erica E Davis
- Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, NC 27701, USA.
| | - Ali G Gharavi
- Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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23
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Abstract
T-box genes are important development regulators in vertebrates with specific patterns of expression and precise roles during embryogenesis. They encode transcription factors that regulate gene transcription, often in the early stages of development. The hallmark of this family of proteins is the presence of a conserved DNA binding motif, the "T-domain." Mutations in T-box genes can cause developmental disorders in humans, mostly due to functional deficiency of the relevant proteins. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of some T-box genes in cancer and in cardiomyopathy, extending their role in human disease. In this review, we focus on ten T-box genes with a special emphasis on their roles in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Ghosh
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - J D Brook
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
| | - A Wilsdon
- School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
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24
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Zhang X, Chen Y, Ye Y, Wang J, Wang H, Yuan G, Lin Z, Wu Y, Zhang Y, Lin X. Wnt signaling promotes hindgut fate commitment through regulating multi-lineage genes during hESC differentiation. Cell Signal 2016; 29:12-22. [PMID: 27693749 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Wnt signaling plays essential roles in both embryonic pattern formation and postembryonic tissue homoestasis. High levels of Wnt activity repress foregut identity and facilitate hindgut fate through forming a gradient of Wnt signaling activity along the anterior-posterior axis. Here, we examined the mechanisms of Wnt signaling in hindgut development by differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into the hindgut progenitors. We observed severe morphological changes when Wnt signaling was blocked by using Wnt antagonist Dkk1. We performed deep-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and identified 240 Wnt-activated genes and 2023 Wnt-repressed genes, respectively. Clusters of Wnt targets showed enrichment in specific biological functions, such as "gastrointestinal or skeletal development" in the Wnt-activated targets and "neural or immune system development" in the Wnt-repressed targets. Moreover, we adopted a high-throughput chromatin immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) approach to identify the genomic regions through which Wnt-activated transcription factor TCF7L2 regulated transcription. We identified 83 Wnt direct target candidates, including the hindgut marker CDX2 and the genes relevant to morphogenesis (MSX1, MSX2, LEF1, T, PDGFRB etc.) through combinatorial analysis of the RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data. Together, our study identified a series of direct and indirect Wnt targets in hindgut differentiation, and uncovered the diverse mechanisms of Wnt signaling in regulating multi-lineage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Core Genomic Facility, CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences & Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guohong Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yihui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Putative oncogene Brachyury (T) is essential to specify cell fate but dispensable for notochord progenitor proliferation and EMT. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:3820-5. [PMID: 27006501 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1601252113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Brachyury (T) gene is expressed throughout primary mesoderm (primitive streak and notochord) during early embryonic development and has been strongly implicated in the genesis of chordoma, a sarcoma of notochord cell origin. Additionally, T expression has been found in and proposed to play a role in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various other types of human tumors. However, the role of T in normal mammalian notochord development and function is still not well-understood. We have generated an inducible knockdown model to efficiently and selectively deplete T from notochord in mouse embryos. In combination with genetic lineage tracing, we show that T function is essential for maintaining notochord cell fate and function. Progenitors adopt predominantly a neural fate in the absence of T, consistent with an origin from a common chordoneural progenitor. However, T function is dispensable for progenitor cell survival, proliferation, and EMT, which has implications for the therapeutic targeting of T in chordoma and other cancers.
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26
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Crocoli A, Zaccara AM, Pisaturo ML, Salata M, Conforti A, Schettini S, Rivosecchi M. Prenatal Features of Bladder Agenesis in a Female Fetus with Genital Transposition. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2016; 35:37-42. [PMID: 26720091 DOI: 10.3109/15513815.2015.1122122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Bladder agenesis is a rare condition, mostly affecting females, where diagnosis is usually made in infancy when investigating urinary incontinence. Neonatal cases are uncommon, and none have been reported antenatally. The few male patients with this condition rarely survive: among associated anomalies, different degrees of penoscrotal transposition are the most evident feature. The association of genital transposition in a female infant with prenatal description of bladder agenesis has not been previously reported. Early diagnosis is important, enabling planning of surgical reconstruction early in life and appropriate parental counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Crocoli
- a Surgery Unit, Surgical Regional Network , Bambino Gesù Children Hospital-IRCCS , Rome Italy
| | - Antonio Maria Zaccara
- a Surgery Unit, Surgical Regional Network , Bambino Gesù Children Hospital-IRCCS , Rome Italy
| | - Maria Laura Pisaturo
- b Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Azienda Ospedaliera Regionale San Carlo , Potenza , Italy
| | - Michele Salata
- c Pediatrics Unit, Pediatrics Regional Network , Bambino Gesù Children Hospital-IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Andrea Conforti
- d Neonatal Surgery Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology , Bambino Gesù Children Hospital-IRCCS , Rome , Italy
| | - Sergio Schettini
- b Operative Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Azienda Ospedaliera Regionale San Carlo , Potenza , Italy
| | - Massimo Rivosecchi
- a Surgery Unit, Surgical Regional Network , Bambino Gesù Children Hospital-IRCCS , Rome Italy
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27
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Bertolessi M, Linta L, Seufferlein T, Kleger A, Liebau S. A Fresh Look on T-Box Factor Action in Early Embryogenesis (T-Box Factors in Early Development). Stem Cells Dev 2015; 24:1833-51. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2015.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Bertolessi
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Leonhard Linta
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Seufferlein
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Kleger
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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28
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Jezkova J, Williams JS, Jones-Hutchins F, Sammut SJ, Gollins S, Cree I, Coupland S, McFarlane RJ, Wakeman JA. Brachyury regulates proliferation of cancer cells via a p27Kip1-dependent pathway. Oncotarget 2015; 5:3813-22. [PMID: 25003467 PMCID: PMC4116522 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The T-box transcription factor Brachyury is expressed in a number of tumour types and has been demonstrated to have cancer inducing properties. To date, it has been linked to cancer associated induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition, tumour metastasis and expression of markers for cancer stem-like cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that Brachyury plays an important role in the progression of cancer, although the mechanism through which it functions is poorly understood. Here we show that Brachyury regulates the potential of Brachyury-positive colorectal cancer cells to proliferate and reduced levels of Brachyury result in inhibition of proliferation, with features consistent with the cells entering a quiescent-like state. This inhibition of proliferation is dependent upon p27Kip1 demonstrating that Brachyury acts to modulate cellular proliferative fate in colorectal cancer cells in a p27Kip1-dependent manner. Analysis of patient derived colorectal tumours reveals a heterogeneous localisation of Brachyury (in the nucleolus, nucleus and cytoplasm) indicating the potential complexity of the regulatory role of Brachyury in solid colorectal tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Jezkova
- North West Cancer Research Institute, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ramsay J McFarlane
- North West Cancer Research Institute, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK; NISCHR Cancer Genetics Biomedical Research Unit, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jane A Wakeman
- North West Cancer Research Institute, College of Natural Sciences, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
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29
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Draaken M, Knapp M, Pennimpede T, Schmidt JM, Ebert AK, Rösch W, Stein R, Utsch B, Hirsch K, Boemers TM, Mangold E, Heilmann S, Ludwig KU, Jenetzky E, Zwink N, Moebus S, Herrmann BG, Mattheisen M, Nöthen MM, Ludwig M, Reutter H. Genome-wide association study and meta-analysis identify ISL1 as genome-wide significant susceptibility gene for bladder exstrophy. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005024. [PMID: 25763902 PMCID: PMC4357422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 01/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) represents the severe end of the uro-rectal malformation spectrum, and is thought to result from aberrant embryonic morphogenesis of the cloacal membrane and the urorectal septum. The most common form of BEEC is isolated classic bladder exstrophy (CBE). To identify susceptibility loci for CBE, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 110 CBE patients and 1,177 controls of European origin. Here, an association was found with a region of approximately 220kb on chromosome 5q11.1. This region harbors the ISL1 (ISL LIM homeobox 1) gene. Multiple markers in this region showed evidence for association with CBE, including 84 markers with genome-wide significance. We then performed a meta-analysis using data from a previous GWAS by our group of 98 CBE patients and 526 controls of European origin. This meta-analysis also implicated the 5q11.1 locus in CBE risk. A total of 138 markers at this locus reached genome-wide significance in the meta-analysis, and the most significant marker (rs9291768) achieved a P value of 2.13 × 10-12. No other locus in the meta-analysis achieved genome-wide significance. We then performed murine expression analyses to follow up this finding. Here, Isl1 expression was detected in the genital region within the critical time frame for human CBE development. Genital regions with Isl1 expression included the peri-cloacal mesenchyme and the urorectal septum. The present study identified the first genome-wide significant locus for CBE at chromosomal region 5q11.1, and provides strong evidence for the hypothesis that ISL1 is the responsible candidate gene in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Draaken
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael Knapp
- Institute of Medical Biometry, Informatics, and Epidemiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Tracie Pennimpede
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Anne-Karolin Ebert
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital of Ulm, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Rösch
- Department of Pediatric Urology, St. Hedwig Hospital Barmherzige Brüder, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Raimund Stein
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Boris Utsch
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karin Hirsch
- Department of Urology, Division of Paediatric Urology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Thomas M. Boemers
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology, Children’s Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Stefanie Heilmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kerstin U. Ludwig
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ekkehart Jenetzky
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Johannes-Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadine Zwink
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susanne Moebus
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernhard G. Herrmann
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuel Mattheisen
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Genomic Mathematics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus M. Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Ludwig
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Heiko Reutter
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- * E-mail:
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30
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Achilleos A, Huffman NT, Marcinkiewicyz E, Seidah NG, Chen Q, Dallas SL, Trainor PA, Gorski JP. MBTPS1/SKI-1/S1P proprotein convertase is required for ECM signaling and axial elongation during somitogenesis and vertebral development†. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:2884-98. [PMID: 25652402 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Caudal regression syndrome (sacral agenesis), which impairs development of the caudal region of the body, occurs with a frequency of about 2 live births per 100 000 newborns although this incidence rises to 1 in 350 infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes. The lower back and limbs can be affected as well as the genitourinary and gastrointestinal tracts. The axial skeleton is formed during embryogenesis through the process of somitogenesis in which the paraxial mesoderm periodically segments into bilateral tissue blocks, called somites. Somites are the precursors of vertebrae and associated muscle, tendons and dorsal dermis. Vertebral anomalies in caudal regression syndrome may arise through perturbation of somitogenesis or, alternatively, could result from defective bone formation and patterning. We discovered that MBTPS1/SKI-1/S1P, which proteolytically activates a class of transmembrane transcription factors, plays a critical role in somitogenesis and the pathogenesis of lumbar/sacral vertebral anomalies. Conditional deletion of Mbtps1 yields a viable mouse with misshapen, fused and reduced number of lumbar and sacral vertebrae, under-developed hind limb bones and a kinky, shortened tail. We show that Mbtps1 is required to (i) maintain the Fgf8 'wavefront' in the presomitic mesoderm that underpins axial elongation, (ii) sustain the Lfng oscillatory 'clock' activity that governs the periodicity of somite formation and (iii) preserve the composition and character of the somitic extracellular matrix containing fibronectin, fibrillin2 and laminin. Based on this spinal phenotype and known functions of MBTPS1, we reason that loss-of-function mutations in Mbtps1 may cause the etiology of caudal regression syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nichole T Huffman
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and the UMKC Center of Excellence in the Study of Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissues, Sch. Dentistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | | | - Nabil G Seidah
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada and
| | - Qian Chen
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and the UMKC Center of Excellence in the Study of Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissues, Sch. Dentistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Sarah L Dallas
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and the UMKC Center of Excellence in the Study of Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissues, Sch. Dentistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Paul A Trainor
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Jeff P Gorski
- Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and the UMKC Center of Excellence in the Study of Dental and Musculoskeletal Tissues, Sch. Dentistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA,
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31
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Abstract
A key common feature all but three known mammalian genera is the strict seven cervical vertebrae blueprint, suggesting the involvement of strong conserving selection forces during mammalian radiation. This is further supported by reports indicating that children with cervical ribs die before they reach reproductive age. Hypotheses were put up, associating cervical ribs (homeotic transformations) to embryonal cancer (e.g., neuroblastoma) or ascribing the constraint in cervical vertebral count to the development of the mammalian diaphragm. Here, we describe a spontaneous mutation c.196A > G in the Bos taurus T gene (also known as brachyury) associated with a cervical vertebral homeotic transformation that violates the fundamental mammalian cervical blueprint, but does not preclude reproduction of the affected individual. Genome-wide mapping, haplotype tracking within a large pedigree, resequencing of target genome regions, and bioinformatic analyses unambiguously confirmed the mutant c.196G allele as causal for this previously unknown defect termed vertebral and spinal dysplasia (VSD) by providing evidence for the mutation event. The nonsynonymous VSD mutation is located within the highly conserved T box of the T gene, which plays a fundamental role in eumetazoan body organization and vertebral development. To our knowledge, VSD is the first unequivocally approved spontaneous mutation decreasing cervical vertebrae number in a large mammal. The spontaneous VSD mutation in the bovine T gene is the first in vivo evidence for the hypothesis that the T protein is directly involved in the maintenance of the mammalian seven-cervical vertebra blueprint. It therefore furthers our knowledge of the T-protein function and early mammalian notochord development.
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32
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Prune belly syndrome with overlapping presentation of partial urorectal septum malformation sequence in a female newborn with absent perineal openings. Case Rep Surg 2014; 2014:746323. [PMID: 25548711 PMCID: PMC4274712 DOI: 10.1155/2014/746323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Prune belly syndrome (PBS) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized in males by a triad of anomalous genitourinary tract, deficient development of abdominal wall muscles, and bilateral cryptorchidism. Although similar anomalies have been reported in females, by definition they do not full fill the classical triad. Urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSM) is a lethal condition characterized by presence of ambiguous genitalia, absent perineal openings (urogenital and anal), and lumbosacral abnormalities. In this original case report, the authors discuss the presentation and management of what would be analogous to a Woodhouse category 1 PBS in a female newborn associated with an overlapping presentation of URSM.
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33
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Draaken M, Baudisch F, Timmermann B, Kuhl H, Kerick M, Proske J, Wittler L, Pennimpede T, Ebert AK, Rösch W, Stein R, Bartels E, von Lowtzow C, Boemers TM, Herms S, Gearhart JP, Lakshmanan Y, Kockum CC, Holmdahl G, Läckgren G, Nordenskjöld A, Boyadjiev SA, Herrmann BG, Nöthen MM, Ludwig M, Reutter H. Classic bladder exstrophy: Frequent 22q11.21 duplications and definition of a 414 kb phenocritical region. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 100:512-7. [DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Draaken
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Friederike Baudisch
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Bernd Timmermann
- Next Generation Sequencing Group; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Heiner Kuhl
- Next Generation Sequencing Group; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Martin Kerick
- Next Generation Sequencing Group; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Judith Proske
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Lars Wittler
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Tracie Pennimpede
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Rösch
- Department of Pediatric Urology; St. Hedwig Hospital Barmherzige Brμder; Regensburg Germany
| | - Raimund Stein
- Department of Urology; University of Mainz; Mainz Germany
| | - Enrika Bartels
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Catharina von Lowtzow
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Thomas M. Boemers
- Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Urology; Children's Hospital Cologne; Cologne Germany
| | - Stefan Herms
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Division of Medical Genetics and Department of Biomedicine; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - John P. Gearhart
- Division of Urology; The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore
| | - Yegappan Lakshmanan
- Children's Hospital of Michigan; Department of Pediatric Urology; Detroit Michigan
| | | | - Gundela Holmdahl
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Queen Silvia Children's Hospital; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Göran Läckgren
- Section of Urology; Uppsala Academic Children Hospital; Uppsala Sweden
| | - Agnetha Nordenskjöld
- Department of Women's and Children's Health; Center for Molecular Medicine; Karolinska Institute; Stockholm Sweden
- Department of Pediatric Surgery; Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital; Karolinska University Hospital; Stockholm Sweden
| | - Simeon A. Boyadjiev
- Section of Genetics; Department of Pediatrics; University of California Davis; Sacramento California
| | - Bernhard G. Herrmann
- Department of Developmental Genetics; Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics; Berlin Germany
| | - Markus M. Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Genomics; Life & Brain Center; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Michael Ludwig
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
| | - Heiko Reutter
- Institute of Human Genetics; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
- Department of Neonatology; Children's Hospital; University of Bonn; Bonn Germany
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34
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Katikala L, Aihara H, Passamaneck YJ, Gazdoiu S, José-Edwards DS, Kugler JE, Oda-Ishii I, Imai JH, Nibu Y, Di Gregorio A. Functional Brachyury binding sites establish a temporal read-out of gene expression in the Ciona notochord. PLoS Biol 2013; 11:e1001697. [PMID: 24204212 PMCID: PMC3812116 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During notochord formation in chordate embryos, the transcription factor Brachyury employs different regulatory strategies to ensure the sequential activation of downstream genes and thereby the deployment of a specific developmental program at the right time and place. The appearance of the notochord represented a milestone in Deuterostome evolution. The notochord is necessary for the development of the chordate body plan and for the formation of the vertebral column and numerous organs. It is known that the transcription factor Brachyury is required for notochord formation in all chordates, and that it controls transcription of a large number of target genes. However, studies of the structure of the cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) through which this control is exerted are complicated in vertebrates by the genomic complexity and the pan-mesodermal expression territory of Brachyury. We used the ascidian Ciona, in which the single-copy Brachyury is notochord-specific and CRMs are easily identifiable, to carry out a systematic characterization of Brachyury-downstream notochord CRMs. We found that Ciona Brachyury (Ci-Bra) controls most of its targets directly, through non-palindromic binding sites that function either synergistically or individually to activate early- and middle-onset genes, respectively, while late-onset target CRMs are controlled indirectly, via transcriptional intermediaries. These results illustrate how a transcriptional regulator can efficiently shape a shallow gene regulatory network into a multi-tiered transcriptional output, and provide insights into the mechanisms that establish temporal read-outs of gene expression in a fast-developing chordate embryo. Transcription factors control where and when gene expression is switched on by binding to specific stretches of DNA known as cis-regulatory modules (CRMs). In this study, we investigated the architecture and composition of CRMs that direct gene expression in the notochord—a transient rod-like structure found in all embryos that belong to the phylum chordata, which includes humans. Here we used the sea squirt Ciona, a simple chordate, and analyzed how the transcription factor Brachyury ensures the appropriate deployment of its target genes at specific times during the sequential steps of notochord formation. We compared CRMs found in different notochord genes downstream of Brachyury, expecting to find genes associated with greater numbers of Brachyury binding sites to be expressed at higher levels. To our surprise, we found instead that a higher number of functional Brachyury binding sites is typical of CRMs associated with genes that are expressed early in notochord development, while single-site CRMs are characteristic of genes that are turned on during the intermediate stages of this process. Finally, CRMs associated with genes expressed late in notochord development do not contain functional Brachyury binding sites but are controlled by Brachyury indirectly, through the action of intermediary transcription factors. These differences explain how a transcription factor that is present at all stages in a certain cell type can generate a sequential transcriptional output of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya Katikala
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Hitoshi Aihara
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yale J. Passamaneck
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Stefan Gazdoiu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Diana S. José-Edwards
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jamie E. Kugler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Izumi Oda-Ishii
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Janice H. Imai
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yutaka Nibu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YN); (ADG)
| | - Anna Di Gregorio
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (YN); (ADG)
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Das S, Chen QB, Saucier JD, Drescher B, Zong Y, Morgan S, Forstall J, Meriwether A, Toranzo R, Leal SM. The Drosophila T-box transcription factor Midline functions within the Notch-Delta signaling pathway to specify sensory organ precursor cell fates and regulates cell survival within the eye imaginal disc. Mech Dev 2013; 130:577-601. [PMID: 23962751 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
We report that the T-box transcription factor Midline (Mid), an evolutionary conserved homolog of the vertebrate Tbx20 protein, functions within the Notch-Delta signaling pathway essential for specifying the fates of sensory organ precursor (SOP) cells. These findings complement an established history of research showing that Mid regulates the cell-fate specification of diverse cell types within the developing heart, epidermis and central nervous system. Tbx20 has been detected in unique neuronal and epithelial cells of embryonic eye tissues in both mice and humans. However, the mechanisms by which either Mid or Tbx20 function to regulate cell-fate specification or other critical aspects of eye development including cell survival have not yet been elucidated. We have also gathered preliminary evidence suggesting that Mid may play an indirect, but vital role in selecting SOP cells within the third-instar larval eye disc by regulating the expression of the proneural gene atonal. During subsequent pupal stages, Mid specifies SOP cell fates as a member of the Notch-Delta signaling hierarchy and is essential for maintaining cell viability by inhibiting apoptotic pathways. We present several new hypotheses that seek to understand the role of Mid in regulating developmental processes downstream of the Notch receptor that are critical for specifying unique cell fates, patterning the adult eye and maintaining cellular homeostasis during eye disc morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Das
- The Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, United States
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36
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Hilger A, Schramm C, Pennimpede T, Wittler L, Dworschak GC, Bartels E, Engels H, Zink AM, Degenhardt F, Müller AM, Schmiedeke E, Grasshoff-Derr S, Märzheuser S, Hosie S, Holland-Cunz S, Wijers CHW, Marcelis CLM, van Rooij IALM, Hildebrandt F, Herrmann BG, Nöthen MM, Ludwig M, Reutter H, Draaken M. De novo microduplications at 1q41, 2q37.3, and 8q24.3 in patients with VATER/VACTERL association. Eur J Hum Genet 2013; 21:1377-82. [PMID: 23549274 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The acronym VATER/VACTERL association describes the combination of at least three of the following congenital anomalies: vertebral defects (V), anorectal malformations (A), cardiac defects (C), tracheoesophageal fistula with or without esophageal atresia (TE), renal malformations (R), and limb defects (L). We aimed to identify highly penetrant de novo copy number variations (CNVs) that contribute to VATER/VACTERL association. Array-based molecular karyotyping was performed in a cohort of 41 patients with VATER/VACTERL association and 6 patients with VATER/VACTERL-like phenotype including all of the patients' parents. Three de novo CNVs were identified involving chromosomal regions 1q41, 2q37.3, and 8q24.3 comprising one (SPATA17), two (CAPN10, GPR35), and three (EPPK1, PLEC, PARP10) genes, respectively. Pre-existing data from the literature prompted us to choose GPR35 and EPPK1 for mouse expression studies. Based on these studies, we prioritized GPR35 for sequencing analysis in an extended cohort of 192 patients with VATER/VACTERL association and VATER/VACTERL-like phenotype. Although no disease-causing mutation was identified, our mouse expression studies suggest GPR35 to be involved in the development of the VATER/VACTERL phenotype. Follow-up of GPR35 and the other genes comprising the identified duplications is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Hilger
- 1] Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany [2] Department of Genomics, Life & Brain Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany [3] Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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