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Co M, O'Brien GK, Wright KM, O'Roak BJ. Detailed phenotyping of Tbr1-2A-CreER knock-in mice demonstrates significant impacts on TBR1 protein levels and axon development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.04.588147. [PMID: 38617321 PMCID: PMC11014564 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal control of Cre-mediated recombination has been an invaluable tool for understanding key developmental processes. For example, knock-in of Cre into cell type marker gene loci drives Cre expression under endogenous promoter and enhancer sequences, greatly facilitating the study of diverse neuronal subtypes in the cerebral cortex. However, insertion of exogenous DNA into the genome can have unintended effects on local gene regulation or protein function that must be carefully considered. Here, we analyze a recently generated Tbr1-2A-CreER knock-in mouse line, where a 2A-CreER cassette was inserted in-frame just before the stop codon of the transcription factor gene Tbr1 . Heterozygous TBR1 mutations in humans and mice are known to cause autism or autism-like behavioral phenotypes accompanied by structural brain malformations, most frequently a reduction of the anterior commissure. Thus, it is critical for modified versions of Tbr1 to exhibit true wild-type-like activity. We evaluated the Tbr1-2A-CreER allele for its potential impact on Tbr1 function and complementation to Tbr1 loss-of-function alleles. In mice with one copy of the Tbr1-2A-CreER allele, we identified reduction of TBR1 protein in early postnatal cortex along with thinning of the anterior commissure, suggesting hypersensitivity of this structure to TBR1 dosage. Comparing Tbr1-2A-CreER and Tbr1 -null heterozygous and homozygous mice to Tbr1 -null complementation crosses showed reductions of TBR1 dosage ranging from 28.4% to 95.9%. Using these combinatorial genotypes, we found that low levels of TBR1 protein (∼16%) are sufficient to establish cortical layer positioning, while greater levels (>50%) are required for normal suppression of layer 5 identity. In total, these results strongly support the conclusion that Tbr1-2A-CreER is a hypomorphic allele. We advise caution when interpreting experiments using this allele, such as transcriptomic studies, considering the sensitivity of various corticogenic processes to TBR1 dosage and the association of heterozygous TBR1 mutations with complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Raja R, Dumontier E, Phen A, Cloutier JF. Insertion of a neomycin selection cassette in the Amigo1 locus alters gene expression in the olfactory epithelium leading to region-specific defects in olfactory receptor neuron development. Genesis 2024; 62:e23594. [PMID: 38590146 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
During development of the nervous system, neurons connect to one another in a precisely organized manner. Sensory systems provide a good example of this organization, whereby the composition of the outside world is represented in the brain by neuronal maps. Establishing correct patterns of neural circuitry is crucial, as inaccurate map formation can lead to severe disruptions in sensory processing. In rodents, olfactory stimuli modulate a wide variety of behaviors essential for survival. The formation of the olfactory glomerular map is dependent on molecular cues that guide olfactory receptor neuron axons to broad regions of the olfactory bulb and on cell adhesion molecules that promote axonal sorting into specific synaptic units in this structure. Here, we demonstrate that the cell adhesion molecule Amigo1 is expressed in a subpopulation of olfactory receptor neurons, and we investigate its role in the precise targeting of olfactory receptor neuron axons to the olfactory bulb using a genetic loss-of-function approach in mice. While ablation of Amigo1 did not lead to alterations in olfactory sensory neuron axonal targeting, our experiments revealed that the presence of a neomycin resistance selection cassette in the Amigo1 locus can lead to off-target effects that are not due to loss of Amigo1 expression, including unexpected altered gene expression in olfactory receptor neurons and reduced glomerular size in the ventral region of the olfactory bulb. Our results demonstrate that insertion of a neomycin selection cassette into the mouse genome can have specific deleterious effects on the development of the olfactory system and highlight the importance of removing antibiotic resistance cassettes from genetic loss-of-function mouse models when studying olfactory system development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reesha Raja
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Emilie Dumontier
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Alina Phen
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-François Cloutier
- The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Wang M, Ding F, Wang H, Li L, Dai Y, Sun Z, Li N. Versatile generation of precise gene edits in bovines using SEGCPN. BMC Biol 2023; 21:226. [PMID: 37864194 PMCID: PMC10589966 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01677-0] [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: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gene knockout and knock-in have been widely performed in large farm animals based on genome editing systems. However, many types of precise gene editing, including targeted deletion, gene tagging, and large gene fragment replacement, remain a challenge in large farm animals. RESULTS Here, we established versatile self-excising gene-targeting technology in combination with programmable nucleases (SEGCPN) to efficiently generate various types of precise gene editing in bovine. First, we used this versatile method to successfully generate bovine embryos with point mutations and 11-bp deletions at the MSTN locus. Second, we successfully generated bulls with EGFP labeling at the SRY locus. Finally, we successfully generated humanized cows in which the endogenous 18-kb α-casein gene was replaced with a 2.6-kb human α-lactalbumin gene. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our new SEGCPN method offers unlimited possibilities for various types of precise gene editing in large animals for application both in agriculture and disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China
- Beijing Capital Agribusiness Future Biotechnology Co., Ltd, No. 75 Bingjiaokou Hutong, Beijing, 100088, China
| | - Fangrong Ding
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Haiping Wang
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ling Li
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunping Dai
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - ZhaoLin Sun
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China.
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Beijing Capital Agribusiness Future Biotechnology Co., Ltd, No. 75 Bingjiaokou Hutong, Beijing, 100088, China.
| | - Ning Li
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xilu, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Beijing Capital Agribusiness Future Biotechnology Co., Ltd, No. 75 Bingjiaokou Hutong, Beijing, 100088, China.
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Navarro-Martínez A, Vicente-García C, Carvajal JJ. NMJ-related diseases beyond the congenital myasthenic syndromes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1216726. [PMID: 37601107 PMCID: PMC10436495 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1216726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are a special type of chemical synapse that transmits electrical stimuli from motor neurons (MNs) to their innervating skeletal muscle to induce a motor response. They are an ideal model for the study of synapses, given their manageable size and easy accessibility. Alterations in their morphology or function lead to neuromuscular disorders, such as the congenital myasthenic syndromes, which are caused by mutations in proteins located in the NMJ. In this review, we highlight novel potential candidate genes that may cause or modify NMJs-related pathologies in humans by exploring the phenotypes of hundreds of mouse models available in the literature. We also underscore the fact that NMJs may differ between species, muscles or even sexes. Hence the importance of choosing a good model organism for the study of NMJ-related diseases: only taking into account the specific features of the mammalian NMJ, experimental results would be efficiently translated to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristina Vicente-García
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC-UPO-JA, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
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5
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Arévalo L, Esther Merges G, Schneider S, Schorle H. Protamines: lessons learned from mouse models. Reproduction 2022; 164:R57-R74. [PMID: 35900356 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Protamines package and shield the paternal DNA in the sperm nucleus and have been studied in many mouse models over decades. This review recapitulates and updates our knowledge about protamines and reveals a surprising complexity in protamine function and their interactions with other sperm nuclear proteins. Abstract The packaging and safeguarding of paternal DNA in the sperm cell nucleus is a critical feature of proper sperm function. Histones cannot mediate the necessary hypercondensation and shielding of chromatin required for motility and transit through the reproductive tracts. Paternal chromatin is therefore reorganized and ultimately packaged by protamines. In most mammalian species, one protamine is present in mature sperm (PRM1). In rodents and primates among others, however, mature sperm contain a second protamine (PRM2). Unlike PRM1, PRM2 is cleaved at its N-terminal end. Although protamines have been studied for decades due to their role in chromatin hypercondensation and involvement in male infertility, key aspects of their function are still unclear. This review updates and integrates our knowledge of protamines and their function based on lessons learned from mouse models and starts to answer open questions. The combined insights from recent work reveal that indeed both protamines are crucial for the production of functional sperm and indicate that the two protamines perform distinct functions beyond simple DNA compaction. Loss of one allele of PRM1 leads to subfertility whereas heterozygous loss of PRM2 does not. Unprocessed PRM2 seems to play a distinct role related to the eviction of intermediate DNA-bound proteins and the incorporation of both protamines into chromatin. For PRM1, on the other hand, heterozygous loss leads to strongly reduced sperm motility as the main phenotype, indicating that PRM1 might be important for processes ensuring correct motility, apart from DNA compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Arévalo
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gina Esther Merges
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Bonn Technology Campus, Core Facility 'Gene-Editing', University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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6
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Ebrahimnezhaddarzi S, Bird CH, Allison CC, Tuipulotu DE, Kostoulias X, Macri C, Stutz MD, Abraham G, Kaiserman D, Pang SS, Man SM, Mintern JD, Naderer T, Peleg AY, Pellegrini M, Whisstock JC, Bird PI. Mpeg1 is not essential for antibacterial or antiviral immunity, but is implicated in antigen presentation. Immunol Cell Biol 2022; 100:529-546. [PMID: 35471730 PMCID: PMC9545170 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To control infections phagocytes can directly kill invading microbes. Macrophage‐expressed gene 1 (Mpeg1), a pore‐forming protein sometimes known as perforin‐2, is reported to be essential for bacterial killing following phagocytosis. Mice homozygous for the mutant allele Mpeg1tm1Pod succumb to bacterial infection and exhibit deficiencies in bacterial killing in vitro. Here we describe a new Mpeg mutant allele Mpeg1tm1.1Pib on the C57BL/6J background. Mice homozygous for the new allele are not abnormally susceptible to bacterial or viral infection, and irrespective of genetic background show no perturbation in bacterial killing in vitro. Potential reasons for these conflicting findings are discussed. In further work, we show that cytokine responses to inflammatory mediators, as well as antibody generation, are also normal in Mpeg1tm1.1Pib/tm1.1Pib mice. We also show that Mpeg1 is localized to a CD68‐positive endolysosomal compartment, and that it exists predominantly as a processed, two‐chain disulfide‐linked molecule. It is abundant in conventional dendritic cells 1, and mice lacking Mpeg1 do not present the model antigen ovalbumin efficiently. We conclude that Mpeg1 is not essential for innate antibacterial protection or antiviral immunity, but may play a focused role early in the adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salimeh Ebrahimnezhaddarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Catherina H Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Cody C Allison
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Daniel E Tuipulotu
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Xenia Kostoulias
- Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Christophe Macri
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Michael D Stutz
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville VIC Australia
- Department of Medical Biology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Gilu Abraham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Dion Kaiserman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Siew Siew Pang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Si Ming Man
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Justine D Mintern
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - Thomas Naderer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Anton Y Peleg
- Department of Microbiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Central Clinical School Monash University Prahran VIC Australia
| | - Marc Pellegrini
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Parkville VIC Australia
- Department of Medical Biology The University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
| | - Phillip I Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton VIC Australia
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7
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Abstract
The cognitive dysfunction experienced by patients with schizophrenia represents a major unmet clinical need. We believe that enhancing synaptic function and plasticity by targeting kalirin may provide a novel means to remediate these symptoms. Karilin (a protein encoded by the KALRN gene) has multiple functional domains, including two Dbl homology (DH) guanine exchange factor (GEF) domains, which act to enhance the activity of the Rho family guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-ases. Here, we provide an overview of kalirin's roles in brain function and its therapeutic potential in schizophrenia. We outline how it mediates diverse effects via a suite of distinct isoforms that couple to members of the Rho GTPase family to regulate synapse formation and stabilisation, and how genomic and post-mortem data implicate it in schizophrenia. We then review the current state of knowledge about the influence of kalirin on brain function at a systems level, based largely on evidence from transgenic mouse models, which support its proposed role in regulating dendritic spine function and plasticity. We demonstrate that, whilst the GTPases are classically considered to be 'undruggable', targeting kalirin and other Rho GEFs provides a means to indirectly modulate their activity. Finally, we integrate across the information presented to assess the therapeutic potential of kalirin for schizophrenia and highlight the key outstanding questions required to advance it in this capacity; namely, the need for more information about the diversity and function of its isoforms, how these change across neurodevelopment, and how they affect brain function in vivo.
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8
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Ajima R, Sakakibara Y, Sakurai-Yamatani N, Muraoka M, Saga Y. Formal proof of the requirement of MESP1 and MESP2 in mesoderm specification and their transcriptional control via specific enhancers in mice. Development 2021; 148:272544. [PMID: 34679163 DOI: 10.1242/dev.194613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
MESP1 and MESP2 are transcriptional factors involved in mesoderm specification, somite boundary formation and somite polarity regulation. However, Mesp quadruple mutant zebrafish displayed only abnormal somite polarity without mesoderm specification defects. In order to re-evaluate Mesp1/Mesp2 mutants in mice, Mesp1 and Mesp2 single knockouts (KOs), and a Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO were established using genome-editing techniques without introducing selection markers commonly used before. The Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO embryos exhibited markedly severe mesoderm formation defects that were similar to the previously reported Mesp1/Mesp2 double KO embryos, indicating species differences in the function of MESP family proteins. However, the Mesp1 KO did not display any phenotype, including heart formation defects, which have been reported previously. We noted upregulation of Mesp2 in the Mesp1 KO embryos, suggesting that MESP2 rescues the loss of MESP1 in mesoderm specification. We also found that Mesp1 and Mesp2 expression in the early mesoderm is regulated by the cooperation of two independent enhancers containing T-box- and TCF/Lef-binding sites. Deletion of both enhancers caused the downregulation of both genes, resulting in heart formation defects. This study suggests dose-dependent roles of MESP1 and MESP2 in early mesoderm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rieko Ajima
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yuko Sakakibara
- Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Noriko Sakurai-Yamatani
- Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Masafumi Muraoka
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saga
- Mammalian Development Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Division for Development of Genetic-engineered Mouse Resource, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.,Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan
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9
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Boddu PC, Gupta AK, Kim JS, Neugebauer KM, Waldman T, Pillai MM. Generation of scalable cancer models by combining AAV-intron-trap, CRISPR/Cas9, and inducible Cre-recombinase. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1184. [PMID: 34645977 PMCID: PMC8514589 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02690-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Scalable isogenic models of cancer-associated mutations are critical to studying dysregulated gene function. Nonsynonymous mutations of splicing factors, which typically affect one allele, are common in many cancers, but paradoxically confer growth disadvantage to cell lines, making their generation and expansion challenging. Here, we combine AAV-intron trap, CRISPR/Cas9, and inducible Cre-recombinase systems to achieve >90% efficiency to introduce the oncogenic K700E mutation in SF3B1, a splicing factor commonly mutated in multiple cancers. The intron-trap design of AAV vector limits editing to one allele. CRISPR/Cas9-induced double stranded DNA breaks direct homologous recombination to the desired genomic locus. Inducible Cre-recombinase allows for the expansion of cells prior to loxp excision and expression of the mutant allele. Importantly, AAV or CRISPR/Cas9 alone results in much lower editing efficiency and the edited cells do not expand due to toxicity of SF3B1-K700E. Our approach can be readily adapted to generate scalable isogenic systems where mutant oncogenes confer a growth disadvantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajwal C. Boddu
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Abhishek K. Gupta
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Jung-Sik Kim
- grid.213910.80000 0001 1955 1644Department of Oncology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Karla M. Neugebauer
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
| | - Todd Waldman
- grid.213910.80000 0001 1955 1644Department of Oncology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC USA
| | - Manoj M. Pillai
- grid.47100.320000000419368710Section of Hematology, Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA ,grid.47100.320000000419368710Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA
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10
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Wang X, Burke SRA, Talmadge RJ, Voss AA, Rich MM. Depressed neuromuscular transmission causes weakness in mice lacking BK potassium channels. J Gen Physiol 2021; 152:151617. [PMID: 32243496 PMCID: PMC7201880 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201912526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking functional large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BK channels) are viable but have motor deficits including ataxia and weakness. The cause of weakness is unknown. In this study, we discovered, in vivo, that skeletal muscle in mice lacking BK channels (BK−/−) was weak in response to nerve stimulation but not to direct muscle stimulation, suggesting a failure of neuromuscular transmission. Voltage-clamp studies of the BK−/− neuromuscular junction (NMJ) revealed a reduction in evoked endplate current amplitude and the frequency of spontaneous vesicle release compared with WT littermates. Responses to 50-Hz stimulation indicated a reduced probability of vesicle release in BK−/− mice, suggestive of lower presynaptic Ca2+ entry. Pharmacological block of BK channels in WT NMJs did not affect NMJ function, surprisingly suggesting that the reduced vesicle release in BK−/− NMJs was not due to loss of BK channel–mediated K+ current. Possible explanations for our data include an effect of BK channels on development of the NMJ, a role for BK channels in regulating presynaptic Ca2+ current or the effectiveness of Ca2+ in triggering release. Consistent with reduced Ca2+ entry or effectiveness of Ca2+ in triggering release, use of 3,4-diaminopyridine to widen action potentials normalized evoked release in BK−/− mice to WT levels. Intraperitoneal application of 3,4-diaminopyridine fully restored in vivo nerve-stimulated muscle force in BK−/− mice. Our work demonstrates that mice lacking BK channels have weakness due to a defect in vesicle release at the NMJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyong Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
| | - Steven R A Burke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
| | - Robert J Talmadge
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona, CA
| | - Andrew A Voss
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
| | - Mark M Rich
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
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11
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Uccellini MB, Bardina SV, Sánchez-Aparicio MT, White KM, Hou YJ, Lim JK, García-Sastre A. Passenger Mutations Confound Phenotypes of SARM1-Deficient Mice. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107498. [PMID: 32268088 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Toll/IL-1R-domain-containing adaptor protein SARM1 is expressed primarily in the brain, where it mediates axonal degeneration. Roles for SARM1 in TLR signaling, viral infection, inflammasome activation, and chemokine and Xaf1 expression have also been described. Much of the evidence for SARM1 function relies on SARM1-deficient mice generated in 129 ESCs and backcrossed to B6. The Sarm1 gene lies in a gene-rich region encompassing Xaf1 and chemokine loci, which remain 129 in sequence. We therefore generated additional knockout strains on the B6 background, confirming the role of SARM1 in axonal degeneration and WNV infection, but not in VSV or LACV infection, or in chemokine or Xaf1 expression. Sequence variation in proapoptotic Xaf1 between B6 and 129 results in coding changes and distinct splice variants, which may account for phenotypes previously attributed to SARM1. Reevaluation of phenotypes in these strains will be critical for understanding the function of SARM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa B Uccellini
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Susana V Bardina
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Maria Teresa Sánchez-Aparicio
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kris M White
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ying-Ju Hou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jean K Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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12
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Bissig-Choisat B, Alves-Bezerra M, Zorman B, Ochsner SA, Barzi M, Legras X, Yang D, Borowiak M, Dean AM, York RB, Galvan NTN, Goss J, Lagor WR, Moore DD, Cohen DE, McKenna NJ, Sumazin P, Bissig KD. A human liver chimeric mouse model for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. JHEP Rep 2021; 3:100281. [PMID: 34036256 PMCID: PMC8138774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims The accumulation of neutral lipids within hepatocytes underlies non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects a quarter of the world's population and is associated with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite insights gained from both human and animal studies, our understanding of NAFLD pathogenesis remains limited. To better study the molecular changes driving the condition we aimed to generate a humanised NAFLD mouse model. Methods We generated TIRF (transgene-free Il2rg -/-/Rag2 -/-/Fah -/-) mice, populated their livers with human hepatocytes, and fed them a Western-type diet for 12 weeks. Results Within the same chimeric liver, human hepatocytes developed pronounced steatosis whereas murine hepatocytes remained normal. Unbiased metabolomics and lipidomics revealed signatures of clinical NAFLD. Transcriptomic analyses showed that molecular responses diverged sharply between murine and human hepatocytes, demonstrating stark species differences in liver function. Regulatory network analysis indicated close agreement between our model and clinical NAFLD with respect to transcriptional control of cholesterol biosynthesis. Conclusions These NAFLD xenograft mice reveal an unexpected degree of evolutionary divergence in food metabolism and offer a physiologically relevant, experimentally tractable model for studying the pathogenic changes invoked by steatosis. Lay summary Fatty liver disease is an emerging health problem, and as there are no good experimental animal models, our understanding of the condition is poor. We here describe a novel humanised mouse system and compare it with clinical data. The results reveal that the human cells in the mouse liver develop fatty liver disease upon a Western-style fatty diet, whereas the mouse cells appear normal. The molecular signature (expression profiles) of the human cells are distinct from the mouse cells and metabolic analysis of the humanised livers mimic the ones observed in humans with fatty liver. This novel humanised mouse system can be used to study human fatty liver disease.
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Key Words
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase
- ALT, alanine aminotransferase
- AST, aspartate aminotransferase
- CBPEGs, cholesterol biosynthesis pathway enzyme genes
- CE, cholesteryl ester
- CER, ceramide
- CHHs, chimeric human hepatocytes
- CMHs, chimeric mouse hepatocytes
- CT, confidence transcript
- DAG, diacylglycerol
- DCER, dihydroceramide
- DEG, differentially expressed gene
- FA, fatty acid
- FAH, fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase
- FFA, free fatty acid
- GGT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase
- HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
- HCER, hexosylceramide
- HCT, high confidence transcriptional target
- Human disease modelling
- Humanised mice
- LCER, lactosylceramide
- LPC, lysophosphatidylcholine
- LPE, lysophosphatidylethanolamine
- Lipid metabolism
- MAG, monoacylglycerol
- MUFA, monounsaturated fatty acid
- NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
- NC, normal chow
- NTBC, nitisinone
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- PC, phosphatidylcholine
- PE, phosphatidylethanolamine
- PI, phosphatidylinositol
- PNPLA3, patatin-like-phospholipase domain-containing protein 3
- PUFA, polyunsaturated free FA
- SM, sphingomyelin
- SREBP, sterol regulatory element-binding protein
- Steatosis
- TAG, triacylglycerol
- TIRF, transgene-free Il2rg-/-/Rag2-/-/Fah-/-
- WD, Western-type diet
- hALB, human albumin
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michele Alves-Bezerra
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Barry Zorman
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Scott A. Ochsner
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mercedes Barzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Xavier Legras
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Diane Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Malgorzata Borowiak
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz Universtiy, Poznan, Poland
| | - Adam M. Dean
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert B. York
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - John Goss
- Department of Surgery, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - William R. Lagor
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David D. Moore
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David E. Cohen
- Joan & Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neil J. McKenna
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pavel Sumazin
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Y.T. and Alice Chen Pediatric Genetics and Genomics Research Center, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Corresponding author. Address: Duke University, Division of Medical Genetics, 905 South LaSalle street, Durham, NC-27708, USA. Tel.: +1 919 660 0761; fax: +1 919 660 0762.
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13
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Leme Silva AG, Nagai MH, Nakahara TS, Malnic B. Genetic Background Effects on the Expression of an Odorant Receptor Gene. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:646413. [PMID: 33716678 PMCID: PMC7947310 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.646413] [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: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There are more than 1000 odorant receptor (OR) genes in the mouse genome. Each olfactory sensory neuron expresses only one of these genes, in a monoallelic fashion. The transcript abundance of homologous OR genes vary between distinct mouse strains. Here we analyzed the expression of the OR gene Olfr17 (also named P2) in different genomic contexts. Olfr17 is expressed at higher levels in the olfactory epithelium from 129 mice than from C57BL/6 (B6) mice. However, we found that in P2-IRES-tauGFP knock-in mice, the transcript levels of the 129 Olfr17 allele are highly reduced when compared to the B6 Olfr17 allele. To address the mechanisms involved in this variation we compared the 5′ region sequence and DNA methylation patterns of the B6 and 129 Olfr17 alleles. Our results show that genetic variations in cis regulatory regions can lead to differential DNA methylation frequencies in these OR gene alleles. They also show that expression of the Olfr17 alleles is largely affected by the genetic background, and suggest that in knock-in mice, expression can be affected by epigenetic modifications in the region of the targeted locus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bettina Malnic
- Department of Biochemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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14
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AdipoR agonist increases insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in AdipoR-humanized mice. Commun Biol 2021; 4:45. [PMID: 33420419 PMCID: PMC7794315 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01579-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 exert anti-diabetic effects. Although muscle-specific disruption of AdipoR1 has been shown to result in decreased insulin sensitivity and decreased exercise endurance, it remains to be determined whether upregulation of AdipoR1 could reverse them in obese diabetic mice. Here, we show that muscle-specific expression of human AdipoR1 increased expression levels of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative stress-detoxification to almost the same extents as treadmill exercise, and concomitantly increased insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in obese diabetic mice. Moreover, we created AdipoR-humanized mice which express human AdipoR1 in muscle of AdipoR1·R2 double-knockout mice. Most importantly, the small-molecule AdipoR agonist AdipoRon could exert its beneficial effects in muscle via human AdipoR, and increased insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance in AdipoR-humanized mice. This study suggests that expression of human AdipoR1 in skeletal muscle could be exercise-mimetics, and that AdipoRon could exert its beneficial effects via human AdipoR1. Masato Iwabu and Miki Okada-Iwabu et al. investigate whether diabetic phenotypes associated with disruption of the adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) can be reversed in diabetic mice by upregulation of the receptor. They show that overexpressing human AdipoR1 in the muscles of diabetic mice increased insulin sensitivity and exercise endurance, suggesting a possible route for future clinical therapies.
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15
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Abstract
The resident stem cell for skeletal muscle is the satellite cell. On the 50th anniversary of its discovery in 1961, we described the history of skeletal muscle research and the seminal findings made during the first 20 years in the life of the satellite cell (Scharner and Zammit 2011, doi: 10.1186/2044-5040-1-28). These studies established the satellite cell as the source of myoblasts for growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle. Now on the 60th anniversary, we highlight breakthroughs in the second phase of satellite cell research from 1980 to 2000. These include technical innovations such as isolation of primary satellite cells and viable muscle fibres complete with satellite cells in their niche, together with generation of many useful reagents including genetically modified organisms and antibodies still in use today. New methodologies were combined with description of endogenous satellite cells markers, notably Pax7. Discovery of the muscle regulatory factors Myf5, MyoD, myogenin, and MRF4 in the late 1980s revolutionized understanding of the control of both developmental and regerenative myogenesis. Emergence of genetic lineage markers facilitated identification of satellite cells in situ, and also empowered transplantation studies to examine satellite cell function. Finally, satellite cell heterogeneity and the supportive role of non-satellite cell types in muscle regeneration were described. These major advances in methodology and in understanding satellite cell biology provided further foundations for the dramatic escalation of work on muscle stem cells in the 21st century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise N. Engquist
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Peter S. Zammit
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK
- Correspondence to: Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King’s College London, Guy’s Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK. E-mail:
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16
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Lazure F, Blackburn DM, Corchado AH, Sahinyan K, Karam N, Sharanek A, Nguyen D, Lepper C, Najafabadi HS, Perkins TJ, Jahani-Asl A, Soleimani VD. Myf6/MRF4 is a myogenic niche regulator required for the maintenance of the muscle stem cell pool. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49499. [PMID: 33047485 PMCID: PMC7726801 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The function and maintenance of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are tightly regulated by signals originating from their niche environment. Skeletal myofibers are a principle component of the MuSC niche and are in direct contact with the muscle stem cells. Here, we show that Myf6 establishes a ligand/receptor interaction between muscle stem cells and their associated muscle fibers. Our data show that Myf6 transcriptionally regulates a broad spectrum of myokines and muscle‐secreted proteins in skeletal myofibers, including EGF. EGFR signaling blocks p38 MAP kinase‐induced differentiation of muscle stem cells. Homozygous deletion of Myf6 causes a significant reduction in the ability of muscle to produce EGF, leading to a deregulation in EGFR signaling. Consequently, although Myf6‐knockout mice are born with a normal muscle stem cell compartment, they undergo a progressive reduction in their stem cell pool during postnatal life due to spontaneous exit from quiescence. Taken together, our data uncover a novel role for Myf6 in promoting the expression of key myokines, such as EGF, in the muscle fiber which prevents muscle stem cell exhaustion by blocking their premature differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Lazure
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Darren M Blackburn
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Aldo H Corchado
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Korin Sahinyan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nabila Karam
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ahmad Sharanek
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Duy Nguyen
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Christoph Lepper
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Theodore J Perkins
- Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Arezu Jahani-Asl
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vahab D Soleimani
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
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17
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Ducy P. Bone Regulation of Insulin Secretion and Glucose Homeostasis. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5895464. [PMID: 32822470 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
For centuries our image of the skeleton has been one of an inert structure playing a supporting role for muscles and a protective role for inner organs like the brain. Cell biology and physiology modified this view in the 20st century by defining the constant interplay between bone-forming and bone resorbing cells that take place during bone growth and remodeling, therefore demonstrating that bone is as alive as any other tissues in the body. During the past 40 years human and, most important, mouse genetics, have allowed not only the refinement of this notion by identifying the many genes and regulatory networks responsible for the crosstalk existing between bone cells, but have redefined the role of bone by showing that its influence goes way beyond its own physiology. Among its newly identified functions is the regulation of energy metabolism by 2 bone-derived hormones, osteocalcin and lipocalin-2. Their biology and respective roles in this process are the topic of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Ducy
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York
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18
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Johnson AL, Schneider JE, Mohun TJ, Williams T, Bhattacharya S, Henderson DJ, Phillips HM, Bamforth SD. Early Embryonic Expression of AP-2α Is Critical for Cardiovascular Development. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7030027. [PMID: 32717817 PMCID: PMC7570199 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital cardiovascular malformation is a common birth defect incorporating abnormalities of the outflow tract and aortic arch arteries, and mice deficient in the transcription factor AP-2α (Tcfap2a) present with complex defects affecting these structures. AP-2α is expressed in the pharyngeal surface ectoderm and neural crest at mid-embryogenesis in the mouse, but the precise tissue compartment in which AP-2α is required for cardiovascular development has not been identified. In this study we describe the fully penetrant AP-2α deficient cardiovascular phenotype on a C57Bl/6J genetic background and show that this is associated with increased apoptosis in the pharyngeal ectoderm. Neural crest cell migration into the pharyngeal arches was not affected. Cre-expressing transgenic mice were used in conjunction with an AP-2α conditional allele to examine the effect of deleting AP-2α from the pharyngeal surface ectoderm and the neural crest, either individually or in combination, as well as the second heart field. This, surprisingly, was unable to fully recapitulate the global AP-2α deficient cardiovascular phenotype. The outflow tract and arch artery phenotype was, however, recapitulated through early embryonic Cre-mediated recombination. These findings indicate that AP-2α has a complex influence on cardiovascular development either being required very early in embryogenesis and/or having a redundant function in many tissue layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy-Leigh Johnson
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK; (A.-L.J.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | | | | | - Trevor Williams
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anshutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Shoumo Bhattacharya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK;
| | - Deborah J. Henderson
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK; (A.-L.J.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Helen M. Phillips
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK; (A.-L.J.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Simon D. Bamforth
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle NE1 3BZ, UK; (A.-L.J.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-191-241-8764
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19
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Stothard CA, Mazzotta S, Vyas A, Schneider JE, Mohun TJ, Henderson DJ, Phillips HM, Bamforth SD. Pax9 and Gbx2 Interact in the Pharyngeal Endoderm to Control Cardiovascular Development. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2020; 7:jcdd7020020. [PMID: 32466118 PMCID: PMC7344924 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd7020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The correct formation of the aortic arch arteries depends on a coordinated and regulated gene expression profile within the tissues of the pharyngeal arches. Perturbation of the gene regulatory networks in these tissues results in congenital heart defects affecting the arch arteries and the outflow tract of the heart. Aberrant development of these structures leads to interruption of the aortic arch and double outlet right ventricle, abnormalities that are a leading cause of morbidity in 22q11 Deletion Syndrome (DS) patients. We have recently shown that Pax9 functionally interacts with the 22q11DS gene Tbx1 in the pharyngeal endoderm for 4th pharyngeal arch artery morphogenesis, with double heterozygous mice dying at birth with interrupted aortic arch. Mice lacking Pax9 die perinatally with complex cardiovascular defects and in this study we sought to validate further potential genetic interacting partners of Pax9, focussing on Gbx2 which is down-regulated in the pharyngeal endoderm of Pax9-null embryos. Here, we describe the Gbx2-null cardiovascular phenotype and demonstrate a genetic interaction between Gbx2 and Pax9 in the pharyngeal endoderm during cardiovascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A. Stothard
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Silvia Mazzotta
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Arjun Vyas
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | | | | | - Deborah J. Henderson
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Helen M. Phillips
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
| | - Simon D. Bamforth
- Newcastle University Biosciences Institute, Centre for Life, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 3BZ, UK; (C.A.S.); (S.M.); (A.V.); (D.J.H.); (H.M.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-191-241-8764
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20
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Imai A, Hagiwara Y, Niimi Y, Tokumoto T, Saga Y, Suzuki A. Mouse dead end1 acts with Nanos2 and Nanos3 to regulate testicular teratoma incidence. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232047. [PMID: 32339196 PMCID: PMC7185693 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous testicular teratomas (STTs) derived from primordial germ cells (PGCs) in the mouse embryonic testes predominantly develop in the 129 family inbred strain. Ter (spontaneous mutation) is a single nucleotide polymorphism that generates a premature stop codon of Dead end1 (Dnd1) and increases the incidence of STTs in the 129 genetic background. We previously found that DND1 interacts with NANOS2 or NANOS3 and that these complexes play a vital role in male embryonic germ cells and adult spermatogonia. However, the following are unclear: (a) whether DND1 works with NANOS2 or NANOS3 to regulate teratoma incidence, and (b) whether Ter simply causes Dnd1 loss or produces a short mutant DND1 protein. In the current study, we newly established a conventional Dnd1-knockout mouse line and found that these mice showed phenotypes similar to those of Ter mutant mice in spermatogenesis, oogenesis, and teratoma incidence, with a slight difference in spermiogenesis. In addition, we found that the amount of DND1 in Dnd1+/Ter embryos decreased to half of that in wild-type embryos, while the expression of the short mutant DND1 was not detected. We also found that double mutants for Dnd1 and Nanos2 or Nanos3 showed synergistic increase in the incidence of STTs. These data support the idea that Ter causes Dnd1 loss, leading to an increase in STT incidence, and that DND1 acts with NANOS2 and NANOS3 to regulate the development of teratoma from PGCs in the 129 genetic background. Thus, our results clarify the role of Dnd1 in the development of STTs and provide a novel insight into its pathogenic mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuki Imai
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hagiwara
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuki Niimi
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshinobu Tokumoto
- Biological Science Course, Graduate School of Science, National University Corporation Shizuoka University, Suruga, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saga
- Division of Mammalian Development, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Division of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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21
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Solomon
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD, USA.
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22
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Nakamoto C, Kawamura M, Nakatsukasa E, Natsume R, Takao K, Watanabe M, Abe M, Takeuchi T, Sakimura K. GluD1 knockout mice with a pure C57BL/6N background show impaired fear memory, social interaction, and enhanced depressive-like behavior. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229288. [PMID: 32078638 PMCID: PMC7032715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The GluD1 gene is associated with susceptibility for schizophrenia, autism, depression, and bipolar disorder. However, the function of GluD1 and how it is involved in these conditions remain elusive. In this study, we generated a Grid1 gene-knockout (GluD1-KO) mouse line with a pure C57BL/6N genetic background and performed several behavioral analyses. Compared to a control group, GluD1-KO mice showed no significant anxiety-related behavioral differences, evaluated using behavior in an open field, elevated plus maze, a light-dark transition test, the resident-intruder test of aggression and sensorimotor gating evaluated by the prepulse inhibition test. However, GluD1-KO mice showed (1) higher locomotor activity in the open field, (2) decreased sociability and social novelty preference in the three-chambered social interaction test, (3) impaired memory in contextual, but not cued fear conditioning tests, and (4) enhanced depressive-like behavior in a forced swim test. Pharmacological studies revealed that enhanced depressive-like behavior in GluD1-KO mice was restored by the serotonin reuptake inhibitors imipramine and fluoxetine, but not the norepinephrine transporter inhibitor desipramine. In addition, biochemical analysis revealed no significant difference in protein expression levels, such as other glutamate receptors in the synaptosome and postsynaptic densities prepared from the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. These results suggest that GluD1 plays critical roles in fear memory, sociability, and depressive-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Nakamoto
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Meiko Kawamura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Ena Nakatsukasa
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Rie Natsume
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Graduate School of Innovative Life Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Manabu Abe
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- * E-mail: (TT); (MA)
| | - Tomonori Takeuchi
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience–DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- * E-mail: (TT); (MA)
| | - Kenji Sakimura
- Department of Animal Model Development, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is a conserved chromatin regulator that is responsible for the methylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27). PRC2 is essential for normal development and its loss of function thus results in a range of developmental phenotypes. Here, we review the latest advances in our understanding of mammalian PRC2 activity and present an updated summary of the phenotypes associated with its loss of function in mice. We then discuss recent studies that have highlighted regulatory interplay between the modifications laid down by PRC2 and other chromatin modifiers, including NSD1 and DNMT3A. Finally, we propose a model in which the dysregulation of these modifications at intergenic regions is a shared molecular feature of genetically distinct but highly phenotypically similar overgrowth syndromes in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Deevy
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Adrian P Bracken
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Multifunctional Alleles: A novel method for the generation of "All-In-One" null and conditional alleles. Methods 2019; 164-165:91-99. [PMID: 31039396 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The engineering of conditional alleles has evolved from simple floxing of regions of genes to more elaborate methods. Previously, we developed Conditional by Inversion (COIN), an allele design that utilizes an exon-splitting intron and an invertible genetrap-like module (COIN module) to create null alleles upon Cre-mediated inversion. Here we build upon COINs by generating a new Multifunctional Allele (MFA), that utilizes a single gene-targeting step and three site-specific recombination systems, to generate four allelic states: 1. The initial MFA (generated upon targeting) functions as a null with reporter (plus drug selection cassette) allele, wherein the gene of interest is inactivated by both inversion of a critical region of its coding sequence and simultaneous insertion of a reporter gene. MFAs can also be used as 'reverse-conditional' alleles as they are functionally wild type when they are converted to COIN alleles. 2. Null with reporter (minus drug selection cassette), wherein the selection cassette, the inverted critical region, and the COIN module are removed. 3. COIN-based conditional-null via removal of the selection cassette and reporter and simultaneous re-inversion of the critical region of the target. 4. Inverted COIN allele, wherein the COIN allele in turn is reconverted to a null allele by taking advantage of the COIN module's gene trap while simultaneously deleting the critical region.
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Reevaluation of the Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 3 in Perinatal Survival and Postnatal Growth Using New Genetically Engineered Mouse Models. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:MCB.00527-18. [PMID: 30642949 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00527-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological functions of the atypical mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) remain poorly characterized. Previous analysis of mice with a targeted insertion of the lacZ reporter in the Mapk6 locus (Mapk6lacZ ) showed that inactivation of ERK3 in Mapk6lacZ mice leads to perinatal lethality associated with intrauterine growth restriction, defective lung maturation, and neuromuscular anomalies. To further explore the role of ERK3 in physiology and disease, we generated novel mouse models expressing a catalytically inactive (Mapk6KD ) or conditional (Mapk6Δ ) allele of ERK3. Surprisingly, we found that mice devoid of ERK3 kinase activity or expression survive the perinatal period without any observable lung or neuromuscular phenotype. ERK3 mutant mice reached adulthood, were fertile, and showed no apparent health problem. However, analysis of growth curves revealed that ERK3 kinase activity is necessary for optimal postnatal growth. To gain insight into the genetic basis underlying the discrepancy in phenotypes of different Mapk6 mutant mouse models, we analyzed the regulation of genes flanking the Mapk6 locus by quantitative PCR. We found that the expression of several Mapk6 neighboring genes is deregulated in Mapk6lacZ mice but not in Mapk6KD or Mapk6Δ mutant mice. Our genetic analysis suggests that off-target effects of the targeting construct on local gene expression are responsible for the perinatal lethality phenotype of Mapk6lacZ mutant mice.
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Zaglool AW, Roushdy EM, El-Tarabany MS. Impact of strain and duration of thermal stress on carcass yield, metabolic hormones, immunological indices and the expression of HSP90 and Myogenin genes in broilers. Res Vet Sci 2019; 122:193-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 11/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Vorlová B, Sedlák F, Kašpárek P, Šrámková K, Malý M, Zámečník J, Šácha P, Konvalinka J. A novel PSMA/GCPII-deficient mouse model shows enlarged seminal vesicles upon aging. Prostate 2019; 79:126-139. [PMID: 30256431 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is an important diagnostic and therapeutic target in prostate cancer. PSMA/GCPII is also expressed in many healthy tissues, but its function has only been established in the brain and small intestine. Several research groups have attempted to produce PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice to study the physiological role of PSMA/GCPII in detail. The outcomes of these studies differ dramatically, ranging from embryonic lethality to production of viable PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice without any obvious phenotype. METHODS We produced PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice (hereafter also referred as Folh1-/- mice) by TALEN-mediated mutagenesis on a C57BL/6NCrl background. Using Western blot and an enzyme activity assay, we confirmed the absence of PSMA/GCPII in our Folh1-/- mice. We performed anatomical and histopathological examination of selected tissues with a focus on urogenital system. We also examined the PSMA/GCPII expression profile within the mouse urogenital system using an enzyme activity assay and confirmed the presence of PSMA/GCPII in selected tissues by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Our Folh1-/- mice are viable, breed normally, and do not show any obvious phenotype. Nevertheless, aged Folh1-/- mice of 69-72 weeks exhibit seminal vesicle dilation, which is caused by accumulation of luminal fluid. This phenotype was also observed in Folh1+/- mice; the overall difference between our three cohorts (Folh1-/- , Folh1+/- , and Folh1+/+ ) was highly significant (P < 0.002). Of all studied tissues of the mouse urogenital system, only the epididymis appeared to have a physiologically relevant level of PSMA/GCPII expression. Additional experiments demonstrated that PSMA/GCPII is also present in the human epididymis. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we provide the first evidence characterizing the reproductive tissue phenotype of PSMA/GCPII-deficient mice. These findings will help lay the groundwork for future studies to reveal PSMA/GCPII function in human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Vorlová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - František Sedlák
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kašpárek
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Šrámková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Marek Malý
- National Institute of Public Health, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Josef Zámečník
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague 5, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Šácha
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Konvalinka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 6, Czech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Sun Z, Wang M, Han S, Ma S, Zou Z, Ding F, Li X, Li L, Tang B, Wang H, Li N, Che H, Dai Y. Production of hypoallergenic milk from DNA-free beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene knockout cow using zinc-finger nucleases mRNA. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15430. [PMID: 30337546 PMCID: PMC6194018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32024-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The whey protein β-lactoglobulin (BLG) is a major milk allergen which is absent in human milk. Here, we for the first time generated DNA-free BLG bi-allelic knockout cow by zinc-finger nuclease (ZFNs) mRNA and produced BLG-free milk. According to the allergenicity evaluation of BLG-free milk, we found it can trigger lower allergic reaction of Balb/c mice including the rectal temperature drop and the allergen-specific immunoglobulin IgE production; BLG free-milk was easily digested by pepsin at 2 min, while BLG in control milk was still not completely digested after 60 min, and the binding of IgE from cow's milk allergy (CMA) patients to BLG free-milk was significantly lower than that to the control milk. Meanwhile, the genome sequencing revealed that our animal is free of off-target events. Importantly, editing animal genomes without introducing foreign DNA into cells may alleviate regulatory concerns related to foods produced by genome edited animals. Finally, the ZFNs-mediated targeting in cow could be transmitted through the germline by breeding. These findings will open up unlimited possibilities of modifying milk composition to make it more suitable for human health and also improve the functional properties of milk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolin Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shiwen Han
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangyu Ma
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zou
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangrong Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinrui Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Tang
- Beijing Genprotein Biotechnology Company, Beijing, China
| | - Haiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Huilian Che
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Food Science & Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yunping Dai
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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29
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Zhang T, Cheng X, Yu D, Lin F, Hou N, Cheng X, Hao S, Wei J, Ma L, Fu Y, Ma Y, Ren L, Han H, Yu S, Yang X, Zhao Y. Genetic Removal of the CH1 Exon Enables the Production of Heavy Chain-Only IgG in Mice. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2202. [PMID: 30319646 PMCID: PMC6167435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Nano-antibodies possess great potential in many applications. However, they are naturally derived from heavy chain-only antibodies (HcAbs), which lack light chains and the CH1 domain, and are only found in camelids and sharks. In this study, we investigated whether the precise genetic removal of the CH1 exon of the γ1 gene enabled the production of a functional heavy chain-only IgG1 in mice. IgG1 heavy chain dimers lacking associated light chains were detected in the sera of the genetically modified mice. However, the genetic modification led to decreased expression of IgG1 but increased expression of other IgG subclasses. The genetically modified mice showed a weaker immune response to specific antigens compared with wild type mice. Using a phage-display approach, antigen-specific, single domain VH antibodies could be screened from the mice but exhibited much weaker antigen binding affinity than the conventional monoclonal antibodies. Although the strategy was only partially successful, this study confirms the feasibility of producing desirable nano-bodies with appropriate genetic modifications in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueqian Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Di Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Fuyu Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Shanshan Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yanbin Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yonghe Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Liming Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Haitang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Yaofeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Magli A, Perlingeiro RRC. Myogenic progenitor specification from pluripotent stem cells. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 72:87-98. [PMID: 29107681 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells represent important tools for both basic and translational science as they enable to study mechanisms of development, model diseases in vitro and provide a potential source of tissue-specific progenitors for cell therapy. Concomitantly with the increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind activation of the skeletal myogenic program during embryonic development, novel findings in the stem cell field provided the opportunity to begin recapitulating in vitro the events occurring during specification of the myogenic lineage. In this review, we will provide a perspective of the molecular mechanisms responsible for skeletal myogenic commitment in the embryo and how this knowledge was instrumental for specifying this lineage from pluripotent stem cells. In addition, we will discuss the current limitations for properly recapitulating skeletal myogenesis in the petri dish, and we will provide insights about future applications of pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Magli
- Lillehei Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Rita R C Perlingeiro
- Lillehei Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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31
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Yu J, Zanotti S, Schilling L, Canalis E. Nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 is required for osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro but not in vivo. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:9334-9345. [PMID: 30010214 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c2 is important for the immune response and it compensates for NFATc1 for its effects on osteoclastogenesis, but its role in this process is not established. To study the function of NFATc2 in the skeleton, Nfatc2loxP/loxP mice, where the Nfact2 exon 2 is flanked by loxP sequences, were created and mated with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the Lyz2 promoter. Bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMM) from Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice cultured in the presence of macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand exhibited a decrease in the number and size of osteoclasts and a smaller sealing zone when compared to BMMs from Nfatc2loxP/loxP littermate controls. Bone resorption was decreased in osteoclasts from Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice. This demonstrates that NFATc2 is necessary for optimal osteoclast maturation and function in vitro. Male and female Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice did not exhibit an obvious skeletal phenotype by microcomputed tomography (μCT) at either 1 or 4 months of age when compared to Nfatc2loxP/loxP sex-matched littermates. Bone histomorphometry confirmed the μCT results, and conditional 4-month-old Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice did not exhibit changes in parameters of bone histomorphometry. In conclusion, NFATc2 is necessary for optimal osteoclastogenesis in vitro, but its downregulation in the myeloid lineage has no consequences in skeletal remodeling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungeun Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Stefano Zanotti
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Lauren Schilling
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Ernesto Canalis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
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Mera P, Ferron M, Mosialou I. Regulation of Energy Metabolism by Bone-Derived Hormones. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018; 8:cshperspect.a031666. [PMID: 28778968 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a031666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Like many other organs, bone can act as an endocrine organ through the secretion of bone-specific hormones or "osteokines." At least two osteokines are implicated in the control of glucose and energy metabolism: osteocalcin (OCN) and lipocalin-2 (LCN2). OCN stimulates the production and secretion of insulin by the pancreatic β-cells, but also favors adaptation to exercise by stimulating glucose and fatty acid (FA) utilization by the muscle. Both of these OCN functions are mediated by the G-protein-coupled receptor GPRC6A. In contrast, LCN2 influences energy metabolism by activating appetite-suppressing signaling in the brain. This action of LCN2 occurs through its binding to the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and ventromedial neurons of the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Mera
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
| | - Mathieu Ferron
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Ioanna Mosialou
- Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York 10032
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Chang CN, Kioussi C. Location, Location, Location: Signals in Muscle Specification. J Dev Biol 2018; 6:E11. [PMID: 29783715 PMCID: PMC6027348 DOI: 10.3390/jdb6020011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscles control body movement and locomotion, posture and body position and soft tissue support. Mesoderm derived cells gives rise to 700 unique muscles in humans as a result of well-orchestrated signaling and transcriptional networks in specific time and space. Although the anatomical structure of skeletal muscles is similar, their functions and locations are specialized. This is the result of specific signaling as the embryo grows and cells migrate to form different structures and organs. As cells progress to their next state, they suppress current sequence specific transcription factors (SSTF) and construct new networks to establish new myogenic features. In this review, we provide an overview of signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks during formation of the craniofacial, cardiac, vascular, trunk, and limb skeletal muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ning Chang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
| | - Chrissa Kioussi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
- Molecular Cell Biology Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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34
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Kang Q, Sun Z, Zou Z, Wang M, Li Q, Hu X, Li N. Cell-penetrating peptide-driven Cre recombination in porcine primary cells and generation of marker-free pigs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190690. [PMID: 29315333 PMCID: PMC5760039 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have been increasingly used to deliver various molecules, both in vitro and in vivo. However, there are no reports of CPPs being used in porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs). The increased use of transgenic pigs for basic research and biomedical applications depends on the availability of technologies for efficient genetic-modification of PFFs. Here, we report that three CPPs (CPP5, TAT, and R9) can efficiently deliver active Cre recombinase protein into PFFs via an energy-dependent endocytosis pathway. The three CPP–Cre proteins can enter PFFs and subsequently perform recombination with different efficiencies. The recombination efficacy of CPP5–Cre was found to be nearly 90%. The rate-limiting step for CPP–Cre-mediated recombination was the step of endosome escape. HA2 and chloroquine were found to improve the recombination efficiency of TAT–Cre. Furthermore, we successfully obtained marker-free transgenic pigs using TAT–Cre and CPP5–Cre. We provide a framework for the development of CPP-based farm animal transgenic technologies that would be beneficial to agriculture and biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Kang
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zou
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Wang
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuyan Li
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Hu
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratories for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Deleting the mouse Hsd17b1 gene results in a hypomorphic Naglu allele and a phenotype mimicking a lysosomal storage disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16406. [PMID: 29180785 PMCID: PMC5703720 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
HSD17B1 is a steroid metabolising enzyme. We have previously generated knockout mice that had the entire coding region of Hsd17b1 replaced with lacZ-neo cassette (Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo mice). This resulted in a 90% reduction of HSD17B1 activity, associated with severe subfertility in the knockout females. The present study indicates that Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo male mice have a metabolic phenotype, including reduced adipose mass, increased lean mass and lipid accumulation in the liver. During the characterisation of this metabolic phenotype, it became evident that the expression of the Naglu gene, located closely upstream of Hsd17b1, was severely reduced in all tissues analysed. Similar results were obtained from Hsd17b1-LacZ mice after removing the neo cassette from the locus or by crossing the Hsd17b1-LacZ/Neo mice with transgenic mice constitutively expressing human HSD17B1. The deficiency of Naglu caused the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in all studied mouse models lacking the Hsd17b1 gene. The metabolic phenotypes of the Hsd17b1 knockout mouse models were recapitulated in Naglu knockout mice. Based on the data we propose that the Hsd17b1 gene includes a regulatory element controlling Naglu expression and the metabolic phenotype in mice lacking the Hsd17b1 genomic region is caused by the reduced expression of Naglu rather than the lack of Hsd17b1.
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36
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Zammit PS. Function of the myogenic regulatory factors Myf5, MyoD, Myogenin and MRF4 in skeletal muscle, satellite cells and regenerative myogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 72:19-32. [PMID: 29127046 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 417] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Discovery of the myogenic regulatory factor family of transcription factors MYF5, MYOD, Myogenin and MRF4 was a seminal step in understanding specification of the skeletal muscle lineage and control of myogenic differentiation during development. These factors are also involved in specification of the muscle satellite cell lineage, which becomes the resident stem cell compartment inadult skeletal muscle. While MYF5, MYOD, Myogenin and MRF4 have subtle roles in mature muscle, they again play a crucial role in directing satellite cell function to regenerate skeletal muscle: linking the genetic control of developmental and regenerative myogenesis. Here, I review the role of the myogenic regulatory factors in developing and mature skeletal muscle, satellite cell specification and muscle regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Zammit
- King's College London, Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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37
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Wang M, Sun Z, Yu T, Ding F, Li L, Wang X, Fu M, Wang H, Huang J, Li N, Dai Y. Large-scale production of recombinant human lactoferrin from high-expression, marker-free transgenic cloned cows. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10733. [PMID: 28878310 PMCID: PMC5587717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11462-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Human lactoferrin (hLF) is a valuable protein for pharmaceutical products and functional foods, and worldwide demand for this protein has steadily increased. However, large-scale recombinant human lactoferrin (rhLF) production using current animal bioreactor techniques is limited by the low expression of foreign proteins, the use of antibiotic resistance genes and the down-regulation of endogenous milk proteins. Here, we generated a herd of marker-free, hLF bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic cloned cows, as confirmed by Polymerase chain reaction, Southern blot and Western blot analyses. These transgenic cloned cows produced rhLF in milk at concentrations of 4.5–13.6 g/L. Moreover, the total protein content of the milk was increased. Over two hundred transgenic cloned cows were propagated by multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET). A total of 400–450 g of rhLF protein, which shows similar enzymatic activity to natural hLF in iron binding and release, can be purified on a large scale from >100 L of milk per day. Our results suggested that transgenic bovine mammary bioreactors have the potential for large-scale protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaolin Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Tian Yu
- Kejienuo Biotechnology Company, Wuxi, China
| | - Fangrong Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Kejienuo Biotechnology Company, Wuxi, China
| | - Mingbo Fu
- Kejienuo Biotechnology Company, Wuxi, China
| | - Haiping Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinming Huang
- Dairy cattle Research Center, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shandong, China
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
| | - Yunping Dai
- State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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38
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Pankowicz FP, Jarrett KE, Lagor WR, Bissig KD. CRISPR/Cas9: at the cutting edge of hepatology. Gut 2017; 66:1329-1340. [PMID: 28487442 PMCID: PMC5878048 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 genome engineering has revolutionised biomedical science and we are standing on the cusp of medical transformation. The therapeutic potential of this technology is tremendous, however, its translation to the clinic will be challenging. In this article, we review recent progress using this genome editing technology and explore its potential uses in studying and treating diseases of the liver. We discuss the development of new research tools and animal models as well as potential clinical applications, strategies and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis P Pankowicz
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Center for Stem Cells and
Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Graduate Program Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kelsey E Jarrett
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - William R Lagor
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Center for Stem Cells and
Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Texas Medical Center Digestive Diseases Center, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Karl-Dimiter Bissig
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Center for Stem Cells and
Regenerative Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Graduate Program Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Texas Medical Center Digestive Diseases Center, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Graduate Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine,
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of
Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, Texas, USA,Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,
Texas, USA
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39
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A mutated dph3 gene causes sensitivity of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells to cytotoxic agents. Curr Genet 2017; 63:1081-1091. [PMID: 28555368 PMCID: PMC5668335 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-017-0711-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dph3 is involved in diphthamide modification of the eukaryotic translation elongation factor eEF2 and in Elongator-mediated modifications of tRNAs, where a 5-methoxycarbonyl-methyl moiety is added to wobble uridines. Lack of such modifications affects protein synthesis due to inaccurate translation of mRNAs at ribosomes. We have discovered that integration of markers at the msh3 locus of Schizosaccharomyces pombe impaired the function of the nearby located dph3 gene. Such integrations rendered cells sensitive to the cytotoxic drugs hydroxyurea and methyl methanesulfonate. We constructed dph3 and msh3 strains with mutated ATG start codons (ATGmut), which allowed investigating drug sensitivity without potential interference by marker insertions. The dph3-ATGmut and a dph3::loxP-ura4-loxM gene disruption strain, but not msh3-ATGmut, turned out to be sensitive to hydroxyurea and methyl methanesulfonate, likewise the strains with cassettes integrated at the msh3 locus. The fungicide sordarin, which inhibits diphthamide modified eEF2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, barely affected survival of wild type and msh3Δ S. pombe cells, while the dph3Δ mutant was sensitive. The msh3-ATG mutation, but not dph3Δ or the dph3-ATG mutation caused a defect in mating-type switching, indicating that the ura4 marker at the dph3 locus did not interfere with Msh3 function. We conclude that Dph3 is required for cellular resistance to the fungicide sordarin and to the cytotoxic drugs hydroxyurea and methyl methanesulfonate. This is likely mediated by efficient translation of proteins in response to DNA damage and replication stress.
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40
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Genotype-Dependent Effects of COMT Inhibition on Cognitive Function in a Highly Specific, Novel Mouse Model of Altered COMT Activity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:3060-3069. [PMID: 27388330 PMCID: PMC5101554 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Revised: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) modulates dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex. The human gene contains a polymorphism (Val158Met) that alters enzyme activity and influences PFC function. It has also been linked with cognition and anxiety, but the findings are mixed. We therefore developed a novel mouse model of altered COMT activity. The human Met allele was introduced into the native mouse COMT gene to produce COMT-Met mice, which were compared with their wild-type littermates. The model proved highly specific: COMT-Met mice had reductions in COMT abundance and activity, compared with wild-type mice, explicitly in the absence of off-target changes in the expression of other genes. Despite robust alterations in dopamine metabolism, we found only subtle changes on certain cognitive tasks under baseline conditions (eg, increased spatial novelty preference in COMT-Met mice vs wild-type mice). However, genotype differences emerged after administration of the COMT inhibitor tolcapone: performance of wild-type mice, but not COMT-Met mice, was improved on the 5-choice serial reaction time task after tolcapone administration. There were no changes in anxiety-related behaviors in the tests that we used. Our findings are convergent with human studies of the Val158Met polymorphism, and suggest that COMT's effects are most prominent when the dopamine system is challenged. Finally, they demonstrate the importance of considering COMT genotype when examining the therapeutic potential of COMT inhibitors.
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41
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Re-visiting the Protamine-2 locus: deletion, but not haploinsufficiency, renders male mice infertile. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36764. [PMID: 27833122 PMCID: PMC5105070 DOI: 10.1038/srep36764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Protamines are arginine-rich DNA-binding proteins that replace histones in elongating spermatids. This leads to hypercondensation of chromatin and ensures physiological sperm morphology, thereby protecting DNA integrity. In mice and humans, two protamines, protamine-1 (Prm1) and protamine-2 (Prm2) are expressed in a species-specific ratio. In humans, alterations of this PRM1/PRM2 ratio is associated with subfertility. By applying CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene-editing in oocytes, we established Prm2-deficient mice. Surprisingly, heterozygous males remained fertile with sperm displaying normal head morphology and motility. In Prm2-deficient sperm, however, DNA-hypercondensation and acrosome formation was severely impaired. Further, the sperm displayed severe membrane defects resulting in immotility. Thus, lack of Prm2 leads not only to impaired histone to protamine exchange and disturbed DNA-hypercondensation, but also to severe membrane defects resulting in immotility. Interestingly, previous attempts using a regular gene-targeting approach failed to establish Prm2-deficient mice. This was due to the fact that already chimeric animals generated with Prm2+/− ES cells were sterile. However, the Prm2-deficient mouse lines established here clearly demonstrate that mice tolerate loss of one Prm2 allele. As such they present an ideal model for further studies on protamine function and chromatin organization in murine sperm.
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42
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Pan Y, Zhang L, Liu Q, Li Y, Guo H, Peng Y, Peng H, Tang B, Hu Z, Zhao J, Xia K, Li JD. Insertion of a knockout-first cassette in Ampd1 gene leads to neonatal death by disruption of neighboring genes expression. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35970. [PMID: 27775065 PMCID: PMC5075929 DOI: 10.1038/srep35970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AMPD1 is an adenosine monophosphate deaminase that catalyzes the deamination of AMP to IMP. To understand the physiological function of AMPD1, we obtained a strain of Ampd1 mutant mice from KOMP repository, which was generated by a knockout-first strategy. An elevated AMP level and almost complete lack of IMP was detected in the skeletal muscle of E18.5 Ampd1tm1a/tm1a mice. However, Ampd1tm1a/tm1a mice died in 2 days postnatally, which was contradicting to previous reports. After removal of the knockout-first cassette and critical exon, mice homozygous for the Ampd1tm1c/tm1c and Ampd1tm1d/tm1d alleles survived to adulthood. RNA-seq analysis indicated that the expression of two neighboring genes, Man1a2 and Nras, were disrupted in the Ampd1tm1a/tm1a mice, but normal in the Ampd1tm1c/tm1c and Ampd1tm1d/tm1d mice. The neonatal lethality phenotype in the Ampd1tm1a/tm1a mice was consistent with the Man1a2-deficient mice. Our results indicated the knockout-first cassette may cause off-target effect by influence the expression of neighboring genes. This study, together with other reports, strongly suggests that removal of targeting cassette by site-specific recombinases is very important for the accurate phenotypic interpretation on mice generated by target mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongcheng Pan
- Key laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lusi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Qiong Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ying Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hui Guo
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hexiang Peng
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Key laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhengmao Hu
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingping Zhao
- Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kun Xia
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Xinjiang, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Da Li
- Key laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics and School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, Shanghai, China
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43
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Lan H, Li S, Guo Z, Men H, Wu Y, Li N, Bryda EC, Capecchi MR, Wu S. Efficient generation of selection-gene-free rat knockout models by homologous recombination in ES cells. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:3416-3424. [PMID: 27597178 PMCID: PMC5129459 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cell (ES cell)‐based rat knockout technology, although successfully developed in 2010, has seen very limited usage to date due to low targeting efficiency and a lack of optimized procedures. In this study, we performed gene targeting in ES cells from the Sprague–Dawley (SD) and the Fischer 344 (F344) rat strains using an optimized procedure and the self‐excising neomycin (neo)‐positive selection cassette ACN to successfully generate Leptin and Trp53 knockout rats that did not carry the selection gene. These results demonstrate that our simplified targeting strategy using ACN provides an efficient approach to knock out many other rat genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zihang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongsheng Men
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Rat Resource and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Wu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Elizabeth C Bryda
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Rat Resource and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Mario R Capecchi
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Sen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
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44
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Distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor neurons in the mouse brain: a study using corticotropin-releasing factor-modified yellow fluorescent protein knock-in mouse. Brain Struct Funct 2016; 222:1705-1732. [PMID: 27638512 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-016-1303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
We examined the morphological features of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neurons in a mouse line in which modified yellow fluorescent protein (Venus) was expressed under the CRF promoter. We previously generated the CRF-Venus knock-in mouse, in which Venus is inserted into the CRF gene locus by homologous recombination. In the present study, the neomycin phosphotransferase gene (Neo), driven by the pgk-1 promoter, was deleted from the CRF-Venus mouse genome, and a CRF-Venus∆Neo mouse was generated. Venus expression is much more prominent in the CRF-Venus∆Neo mouse when compared to the CRF-Venus mouse. In addition, most Venus-expressing neurons co-express CRF mRNA. Venus-expressing neurons constitute a discrete population of neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) that project to the median eminence. Venus-expressing neurons were also found in brain regions outside the neuroendocrine PVH, including the olfactory bulb, the piriform cortex (Pir), the extended amygdala, the hippocampus, the neocortices, Barrington's nucleus, the midbrain/pontine dorsal tegmentum, the periaqueductal gray, and the inferior olivary nucleus (IO). Venus-expressing perikarya co-expressing CRF mRNA could be observed clearly even in regions where CRF-immunoreactive perikarya could hardly be identified. We demonstrated that the CRF neurons contain glutamate in the Pir and IO, while they contain gamma-aminobutyric acid in the neocortex, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, the hippocampus, and the amygdala. A population of CRF neurons was demonstrated to be cholinergic in the midbrain tegmentum. The CRF-Venus∆Neo mouse may be useful for studying the structural and functional properties of CRF neurons in the mouse brain.
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45
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A Novel Mutant Allele of Pw1/Peg3 Does Not Affect Maternal Behavior or Nursing Behavior. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006053. [PMID: 27187722 PMCID: PMC4871489 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Parental imprinting is a mammalian-specific form of epigenetic regulation in which one allele of a gene is silenced depending on its parental origin. Parentally imprinted genes have been shown to play a role in growth, metabolism, cancer, and behavior. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying parental imprinting have been largely elucidated, the selective advantage of silencing one allele remains unclear. The mutant phenotype of the imprinted gene, Pw1/Peg3, provides a key example to illustrate the hypothesis on a coadaptation between mother and offspring, in which Pw1/Peg3 is required for a set of essential maternal behaviors, such as nursing, nest building, and postnatal care. We have generated a novel Pw1/Peg3 mutant allele that targets the last exon for the PW1 protein that contains >90% of the coding sequence resulting in a loss of Pw1/Peg3 expression. In contrast to previous reports that have targeted upstream exons, we observe that maternal behavior and lactation are not disrupted upon loss of Pw1/Peg3. Both paternal and homozygous Pw1/Peg3 mutant females nurse and feed their pups properly and no differences are detected in either oxytocin neuron number or oxytocin plasma levels. In addition, suckling capacities are normal in mutant pups. Consistent with previous reports, we observe a reduction of postnatal growth. These results support a general role for Pw1/Peg3 in the regulation of body growth but not maternal care and lactation. Parental genomic imprinting is a mammalian-specific form of epigenetic control that regulates genes differently depending upon whether they are paternally or maternally inherited. The selective advantage of genomic imprinting is poorly understood and has been the subject of numerous theories. In the last several decades, mouse genetic studies have revealed that imprinted genes regulate embryonic and postnatal growth, metabolism, stem cells, neuronal functions, and most notably, behavior. The paternally expressed gene Pw1/Peg3 was one of the first imprinted genes shown to influence maternal behaviors essential for pup survival and growth. Several key studies have demonstrated that Pw1/Peg3 is required for proper nursing and milk ejection by the mother and suckling by the offspring. These previous observations have provided a strong support for the coadaptation theory of imprinting, which proposes that imprinted genes regulate the use of resources between mother and progeny to optimize their survival and future reproductive success. Here we describe that Pw1/Peg3 mutant females exhibit intact maternal behaviors and do not display milk ejection defects. In addition, mutant pups are able to nurse properly.
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Kriegbaum MC, Jacobsen B, Füchtbauer A, Hansen GH, Christensen IJ, Rundsten CF, Persson M, Engelholm LH, Madsen AN, Di Meo I, Lund IK, Holst B, Kjaer A, Lærum OD, Füchtbauer EM, Ploug M. C4.4A gene ablation is compatible with normal epidermal development and causes modest overt phenotypes. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25833. [PMID: 27169360 PMCID: PMC4864438 DOI: 10.1038/srep25833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
C4.4A is a modular glycolipid-anchored Ly6/uPAR/α-neurotoxin multidomain protein that exhibits a prominent membrane-associated expression in stratified squamous epithelia. C4.4A is also expressed in various solid cancer lesions, where high expression levels often are correlated to poor prognosis. Circumstantial evidence suggests a role for C4.4A in cell adhesion, migration, and invasion, but a well-defined biological function is currently unknown. In the present study, we have generated and characterized the first C4.4A-deficient mouse line to gain insight into the functional significance of C4.4A in normal physiology and cancer progression. The unchallenged C4.4A-deficient mice were viable, fertile, born in a normal Mendelian distribution and, surprisingly, displayed normal development of squamous epithelia. The C4.4A-deficient mice were, nonetheless, significantly lighter than littermate controls predominantly due to differences in fat mass. Congenital C4.4A deficiency delayed migration of keratinocytes enclosing incisional skin wounds in male mice. In chemically induced bladder carcinomas, C4.4A deficiency attenuated the incidence of invasive lesions despite having no effect on total tumour burden. This new C4.4A-deficient mouse line provides a useful platform for future studies on functional aspects of C4.4A in tumour cell invasion in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Camilla Kriegbaum
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Benedikte Jacobsen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annette Füchtbauer
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gert Helge Hansen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ib Jarle Christensen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten Friis Rundsten
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Persson
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine &PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Henning Engelholm
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ivano Di Meo
- Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics, Foundation IRCCS Neurological Institute "Carlo Besta", Milano, Italy
| | - Ida Katrine Lund
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Deparment of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Kjaer
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine &PET and Cluster for Molecular Imaging, Rigshospitalet and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole Didrik Lærum
- Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine, The Gade Laboratory of Pathology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Michael Ploug
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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47
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Abstract
Cre recombinase has been extensively used for genome engineering in transgenic mice yet its use in other species has been more limited. Here we describe the generation of transgenic chickens expressing Cre recombinase. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive chicken primordial germ cells were stably transfected with β-actin-Cre-recombinase using phiC31 integrase and transgenic chickens were generated. Cre recombinase activity was verified by mating Cre birds to birds carrying a floxed transgene. Floxed sequences were only excised in offspring from roosters that inherited the Cre recombinase but were excised in all offspring from hens carrying the Cre recombinase irrespective of the presence of the Cre transgene. The Cre recombinase transgenic birds were healthy and reproductively normal. The Cre and GFP genes in two of the lines were closely linked whereas the genes segregated independently in a third line. These founders allowed development of GFP-expressing and non-GFP-expressing Cre recombinase lines. These lines of birds create a myriad of opportunities to study developmentally-regulated and tissue-specific expression of transgenes in chickens.
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48
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Abstract
Capacitation and the acrosome reaction are key phenomena in mammalian fertilization. These phenomena were found more than 60 years ago. However, fundamental questions regarding the nature of capacitation and the timing of the acrosome reaction remain unsolved. Factors were postulated over time, but as their roles were not verified by gene-disruption experiments, widely accepted notions concerning the mechanism of fertilization are facing modifications. Today, although in vitro fertilization systems remain our central research tool, the importance of in vivo observations must be revisited. Here, primarily focusing on our own research, I summarize how in vivo observations using gene-manipulated animals have elucidated new concepts in the mechanisms of fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Okabe
- Center for Genetic Analysis for Biological Responses, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Yamadaoka 3-1, Suita, Osaka 565 0871, Japan
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49
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Teoh SSY, Vieusseux J, Prakash M, Berkowicz S, Luu J, Bird CH, Law RHP, Rosado C, Price JT, Whisstock JC, Bird PI. Maspin is not required for embryonic development or tumour suppression. Nat Commun 2016; 5:3164. [PMID: 24445777 PMCID: PMC3905777 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Maspin (SERPINB5) is accepted as an important tumour suppressor lost in many cancers. Consistent with a critical role in development or differentiation maspin knockout mice die during early embryogenesis, yet clinical data conflict on the prognostic utility of maspin expression. Here to reconcile these findings we made conditional knockout mice. Surprisingly, maspin knockout embryos develop into overtly normal animals. Contrary to original reports, maspin re-expression does not inhibit tumour growth or metastasis in vivo, or influence cell migration, invasion or survival in vitro. Bioinformatic analyses reveal that maspin is not commonly under-expressed in cancer, and that perturbation of genes near maspin may in fact explain poor survival in certain patient cohorts with low maspin expression. A role for the serpin maspin has been described in both development and cancer. In this study, the authors demonstrate that maspin knockout mice develop normally and that maspin does not function as a tumour suppressor, suggesting that another gene at the maspin locus may be responsible for this activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia S Y Teoh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jessica Vieusseux
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Monica Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Susan Berkowicz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jennii Luu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Catherina H Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Ruby H P Law
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia [2] Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Carlos Rosado
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia [2] Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - John T Price
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - James C Whisstock
- 1] Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia [2] Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Phillip I Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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West DB, Engelhard EK, Adkisson M, Nava AJ, Kirov JV, Cipollone A, Willis B, Rapp J, de Jong PJ, Lloyd KC. Transcriptome Analysis of Targeted Mouse Mutations Reveals the Topography of Local Changes in Gene Expression. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005691. [PMID: 26839965 PMCID: PMC4739719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The unintended consequences of gene targeting in mouse models have not been thoroughly studied and a more systematic analysis is needed to understand the frequency and characteristics of off-target effects. Using RNA-seq, we evaluated targeted and neighboring gene expression in tissues from 44 homozygous mutants compared with C57BL/6N control mice. Two allele types were evaluated: 15 targeted trap mutations (TRAP); and 29 deletion alleles (DEL), usually a deletion between the translational start and the 3' UTR. Both targeting strategies insert a bacterial beta-galactosidase reporter (LacZ) and a neomycin resistance selection cassette. Evaluating transcription of genes in +/- 500 kb of flanking DNA around the targeted gene, we found up-regulated genes more frequently around DEL compared with TRAP alleles, however the frequency of alleles with local down-regulated genes flanking DEL and TRAP targets was similar. Down-regulated genes around both DEL and TRAP targets were found at a higher frequency than expected from a genome-wide survey. However, only around DEL targets were up-regulated genes found with a significantly higher frequency compared with genome-wide sampling. Transcriptome analysis confirms targeting in 97% of DEL alleles, but in only 47% of TRAP alleles probably due to non-functional splice variants, and some splicing around the gene trap. Local effects on gene expression are likely due to a number of factors including compensatory regulation, loss or disruption of intragenic regulatory elements, the exogenous promoter in the neo selection cassette, removal of insulating DNA in the DEL mutants, and local silencing due to disruption of normal chromatin organization or presence of exogenous DNA. An understanding of local position effects is important for understanding and interpreting any phenotype attributed to targeted gene mutations, or to spontaneous indels.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. West
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Eric K. Engelhard
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Michael Adkisson
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - A. J. Nava
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - Julia V. Kirov
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - Andreanna Cipollone
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Brandon Willis
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Jared Rapp
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Pieter J. de Jong
- Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI), Oakland, California, United States of America
| | - Kent C. Lloyd
- Mouse Biology Program, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
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