The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor BETA2/NeuroD is expressed in mammalian enteroendocrine cells and activates secretin gene expression

Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are an essential interface between the gut and brain that communicate signals about nutrients, pain, and even information from our microbiome. EECs are hormone-producing cells expressed throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium and have been leveraged by pharmaceuticals like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), terzepatide (Mounjaro), and retatrutide (Phase 2) for diabetes and weight control, and linaclotide (Linzess) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and visceral pain. This review focuses on role of intestinal EECs to communicate signals from the gut lumen to the brain. Canonically, EECs communicate information about the intestinal environment through a variety of hormones, dividing EECs into separate classes based on the hormone each cell type secretes. Recent studies have revealed more diverse hormone profiles and communication modalities for EECs including direct synaptic communication with peripheral neurons. EECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons. Further, this review discusses the complex information processing machinery within EECs, including receptors that transduce intraluminal signals and the ion channel complement that govern initiation and propagation of these signals. Deeper understanding of EEC physiology is necessary to safely treat devastating and pervasive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and obesity.

Unbiased transcription factor CRISPR screen identifies ZNF800 as master repressor of enteroendocrine differentiation

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are hormone-producing cells residing in the epithelium of stomach, small intestine (SI), and colon. EECs regulate aspects of metabolic activity, including insulin levels, satiety, gastrointestinal secretion, and motility. The generation of different EEC lineages is not completely understood. In this work, we report a CRISPR knockout screen of the entire repertoire of transcription factors (TFs) in adult human SI organoids to identify dominant TFs controlling EEC differentiation. We discovered ZNF800 as a master repressor for endocrine lineage commitment, which particularly restricts enterochromaffin cell differentiation by directly controlling an endocrine TF network centered on PAX4. Thus, organoid models allow unbiased functional CRISPR screens for genes that program cell fate.

Specialized Mechanosensory Epithelial Cells in Mouse Gut Intrinsic Tactile Sensitivity

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract extracts nutrients from ingested meals while protecting the organism from infectious agents frequently present in meals. Consequently, most animals conduct the entire digestive process within the GI tract while keeping the luminal contents entirely outside the body, separated by the tightly sealed GI epithelium. Therefore, like the skin and oral cavity, the GI tract must sense the chemical and physical properties of the its external interface to optimize its function. Specialized sensory enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in GI epithelium interact intimately with luminal contents. A subpopulation of EECs express the mechanically gated ion channel Piezo2 and are developmentally and functionally like the skin's touch sensor- the Merkel cell. We hypothesized that Piezo2+ EECs endow the gut with intrinsic tactile sensitivity.

METHODS

We generated transgenic mouse models with optogenetic activators in EECs and Piezo2 conditional knockouts. We used a range of reference standard and novel techniques from single cells to living animals, including single-cell RNA sequencing and opto-electrophysiology, opto-organ baths with luminal shear forces, and in vivo studies that assayed GI transit while manipulating the physical properties of luminal contents.

RESULTS

Piezo2+ EECs have transcriptomic features of synaptically connected, mechanosensory epithelial cells. EEC activation by optogenetics and forces led to Piezo2-dependent alterations in colonic propagating contractions driven by intrinsic circuitry, with Piezo2+ EECs detecting the small luminal forces and physical properties of the luminal contents to regulate transit times in the small and large bowel.

CONCLUSIONS

The GI tract has intrinsic tactile sensitivity that depends on Piezo2+ EECs and allows it to detect luminal forces and physical properties of luminal contents to modulate physiology.

MYCN directly targets NeuroD1 to promote cellular proliferation in neuroblastoma

NeuroD1 is a neuronal differentiation factor that contains a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) motif. Recently, NeuroD1 was found to be associated with tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma (NB), and is known to promote cell proliferation and migration in these cells. Here, we found that MYCN regulates the expression of NeuroD1 in NB cells, and that the downregulation of MYCN using short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) results in the inhibition of cellular proliferation in NB cells. Moreover, the phenotype induced by MYCN shRNA was rescued by the exogenous expression of NeuroD1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that MYCN directly binds to the E-box element in the NeuroD1 promoter region. In addition, our evaluation of two clinical databases showed that there was a positive correlation between the expression of MYCN and NeuroD1 in NB patients, which supports our in vitro data. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that MYCN-regulated NeuroD1 expression is one of the important mechanisms underlying enhanced cellular proliferation induced by the increase of MYCN expression in NB, and our results provide an important therapeutic target for NB in the future.

Homodimeric and Heterodimeric Interactions among Vertebrate Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors

The basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor (bHLH TF) family is involved in tissue development, cell differentiation, and disease. These factors have transcriptionally positive, negative, and inactive functions by combining dimeric interactions among family members. The best known bHLH TFs are the E-protein homodimers and heterodimers with the tissue-specific TFs or ID proteins. These cooperative and dynamic interactions result in a complex transcriptional network that helps define the cell’s fate. Here, the reported dimeric interactions of 67 vertebrate bHLH TFs with other family members are summarized in tables, including specifications of the experimental techniques that defined the dimers. The compilation of these extensive data underscores homodimers of tissue-specific bHLH TFs as a central part of the bHLH regulatory network, with relevant positive and negative transcriptional regulatory roles. Furthermore, some sequence-specific TFs can also form transcriptionally inactive heterodimers with each other. The function, classification, and developmental role for all vertebrate bHLH TFs in four major classes are detailed.

Protein O-GlcNAc Modification Links Dietary and Gut Microbial Cues to the Differentiation of Enteroendocrine L Cells

Intestinal L cells regulate a wide range of metabolic processes, and L-cell dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and diabetes. However, it is incompletely understood how luminal signals are integrated to control the development of L cells. Here we show that food availability and gut microbiota-produced short-chain fatty acids control the posttranslational modification on intracellular proteins by O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) in intestinal epithelial cells. Via FOXO1 O-GlcNAcylation, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) suppresses expression of the lineage-specifying transcription factor Neurogenin 3 and, thus, L cell differentiation from enteroendocrine progenitors. Intestinal epithelial ablation of OGT in mice not only causes L cell hyperplasia and increased secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) but also disrupts gut microbial compositions, which notably contributes to decreased weight gain and improved glycemic control. Our results identify intestinal epithelial O-GlcNAc signaling as a brake on L cell development and function in response to nutritional and microbial cues.

Zhao et al. identify OGT in intestinal epithelial cells as a “molecular brake” on L cell development and function in response to nutritional and microbial cues. OGT inhibits Ngn3 gene transcription and enteroendocrine differentiation via FOXO1 O-GlcNAcylation. Microbiota-derived SCFAs drive epithelial O-GlcNAcylation, which further influences gut microbiota to control systemic metabolism.

Reduced Neurog3 Gene Dosage Shifts Enteroendocrine Progenitor Towards Goblet Cell Lineage in the Mouse Intestine

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Transient expression of Neurog3 commits intestinal secretory progenitors to become enteroendocrine-biased progenitors and hence drive enteroendocrine differentiation. Loss of Neurog3 in mouse resulted in the depletion of intestinal enteroendocrine cells (EECs) and an increase in goblet cells. Earlier studies in developing mouse pancreas identified a role of Neurog3 gene dosage in endocrine and exocrine cell fate allocation. We aimed to determine whether Neurog3 gene dosage controls fate choice of enteroendocrine progenitors.

METHODS

We acquired mutant Neurog3 reporter mice carrying 2, 1, or null Neurog3 alleles to study Neurog3 gene dosage effect by lineage tracing. Cell types arising from Neurog3+ progenitors were determined by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against intestinal lineage-specific markers. RNA sequencing of sorted Neurog3^+/+, Neurog3^+/-, or bulk intestinal cells were performed and differentially expressed genes were analyzed.

RESULTS

We identified 2731 genes enriched in sorted Neurog3^+/+-derived cells in the Neurog3^+/+EYFP mouse intestine when compared with bulk duodenum epithelial cells. In the intestine of Neurog3^+/-EGFP heterozygous mouse, we observed a 63% decrease in EEC numbers. Many Neurog3-derived cells stained for goblet marker Mucin 2. RNA sequencing of sorted Neurog3^+/- cells uncovered enriched expression of genes characteristic for both goblet and enteroendocrine cells, indicating the mixed lineages arose from Neurog3+ progenitors. Consistent with this hypothesis, deletion of both Neurog3 alleles resulted in the total absence of EECs. All Neurog3⁺-derived cells stained for Mucin 2.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified that the fate of Neurog3⁺ enteroendocrine progenitors is dependent on Neurog3 gene dosage. High Neurog3 gene dosage enforces the commitment of secretory progenitors to an EE lineage, while constraining their goblet cell lineage potential. Transcriptome profiling data was deposited to Gene Ontology omnibus, accession number: GSE149203.

Epigenetic regulation of intestinal stem cell differentiation

To fulfill the lifelong need to supply diverse epithelial cells, intestinal stem cells (ISCs) rely on executing accurate transcriptional programs. This review addresses the mechanisms that control those programs. Genes that define cell behaviors and identities are regulated principally through thousands of dispersed enhancers, each individually <1 kb long and positioned from a few to hundreds of kilobases away from transcription start sites, upstream or downstream from coding genes or within introns. Wnt, Notch, and other epithelial control signals feed into these cis-regulatory DNA elements, which are also common loci of polymorphisms and mutations that confer disease risk. Cell-specific gene activity requires promoters to interact with the correct combination of signal-responsive enhancers. We review the current state of knowledge in ISCs regarding active enhancers, the nucleosome modifications that may enable appropriate and hinder inappropriate enhancer-promoter contacts, and the roles of lineage-restricted transcription factors.

ERK Regulates NeuroD1-mediated Neurite Outgrowth via Proteasomal Degradation

Neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1) is a class B basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor and regulates differentiation and survival of neuronal and endocrine cells by means of several protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). However, the effect of phosphorylation on the functions of NeuroD1 by ERK has sparked controversy based on context-dependent differences across diverse species and cell types. Here, we evidenced that ERK-dependent phosphorylation controlled the stability of NeuroD1 and consequently, regulated proneural activity in neuronal cells. A null mutation at the ERK-dependent phosphorylation site, S274A, increased the half-life of NeuroD1 by blocking its ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. The S274A mutation did not interfere with either the nuclear translocation of NeuroD1 or its heterodimerization with E47, its ubiquitous partner and class A bHLH transcription factor. However, the S274A mutant increased transactivation of the E-box-mediated gene and neurite outgrowth in F11 neuroblastoma cells, compared to the wild-type NeuroD1. Transcriptome and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses indicated that genes involved in axonogenesis and dendrite development were downregulated in NeuroD1 knockout (KO) mice. Overexpression of the S274A mutant salvaged neurite outgrowth in NeuroD1-deficient mice, whereas neurite outgrowth was minimal with S274D, a phosphomimicking mutant. Our data indicated that a longer protein half-life enhanced the overall activity of NeuroD1 in stimulating downstream genes and neuronal differentiation. We propose that blocking ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation may serve as a strategy to promote neuronal activity by stimulating the expression of neuron-specific genes in differentiating neurons.

ISX-9 manipulates endocrine progenitor fate revealing conserved intestinal lineages in mouse and human organoids

Objective

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) survey the gut luminal environment and coordinate hormonal, immune and neuronal responses to it. They exhibit well-characterised physiological roles ranging from the control of local gut function to whole body metabolism, but little is known regarding the regulatory networks controlling their differentiation, especially in the human gut. The small molecule isoxazole-9 (ISX-9) has been shown to stimulate neuronal and pancreatic beta-cell differentiation, both closely related to EEC differentiation. Our aim was to use ISX-9 as a tool to explore EEC differentiation.

Methods

We investigated the effects of ISX-9 on EEC differentiation in mouse and human intestinal organoids, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), fluorescent-activated cell sorting, immunostaining and single-cell RNA sequencing.

Results

ISX-9 increased the number of neurogenin3-RFP (Ngn3)-positive endocrine progenitor cells and upregulated NeuroD1 and Pax4, transcription factors that play roles in mouse EEC specification. Single-cell analysis showed induction of Pax4 expression in a developmentally late Ngn3+ population of cells and potentiation of genes associated with progenitors biased toward serotonin-producing enterochromaffin (EC) cells. Further, we observed enrichment of organoids with functional EC cells that was partly dependent on stimulation of calcium signalling in a population of cells residing outside the crypt base. Inducible Pax4 overexpression, in ileal organoids, uncovered its importance as a component of early human endocrine specification and highlighted the potential existence of two major endocrine lineages, the early appearing enterochromaffin lineage and the later developing peptidergic lineage which contains classical gut hormone cell types.

Conclusion

Our data provide proof-of-concept for the controlled manipulation of specific endocrine lineages with small molecules, whilst also shedding new light on human EEC differentiation and its similarity to the mouse. Given their diverse roles, understanding endocrine lineage plasticity and its control could have multiple therapeutic implications.

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ISX-9 promotes flux through the Ngn3 lineage and enriches it with enterochromaffin cells.

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ISX-9 engages an enterochromaffin biased transcriptional programme in endocrine fated cells.

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Enterochromaffin bias is partly dependent on calcium signalling in progenitor cells.

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ISX-9 reveals conserved gut endocrine specification between mouse and human.

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Pax4 overexpression in human ileum organoids mimics the effects of ISX-9 on EC bias.

Intestinal Neurod1 expression impairs paneth cell differentiation and promotes enteroendocrine lineage specification

Transcription factor Neurod1 is required for enteroendocrine progenitor differentiation and maturation. Several earlier studies indicated that ectopic expression of Neurod1 converted non- neuronal cells into neurons. However, the functional consequence of ectopic Neurod1 expression has not been examined in the GI tract, and it is not known whether Neurod1 can similarly switch cell fates in the intestine. We generated a mouse line that would enable us to conditionally express Neurod1 in intestinal epithelial cells at different stages of differentiation. Forced expression of Neurod1 throughout intestinal epithelium increased the number of EECs as well as the expression of EE specific transcription factors and hormones. Furthermore, we observed a substantial reduction of Paneth cell marker expression, although the expressions of enterocyte-, tuft- and goblet-cell specific markers are largely not affected. Our earlier study indicated that Neurog3+ progenitor cells give rise to not only EECs but also Goblet and Paneth cells. Here we show that the conditional expression of Neurod1 restricts Neurog3+ progenitors to adopt Paneth cell fate, and promotes more pronounced EE cell differentiation, while such effects are not seen in more differentiated Neurod1+ cells. Together, our data suggest that forced expression of Neurod1 programs intestinal epithelial cells more towards an EE cell fate at the expense of the Paneth cell lineage and the effect ceases as cells mature to EE cells.

Signaling within the pineal gland: A parallelism with the central nervous system

The pineal gland (PG) derives from the neural tube, like the rest of the central nervous system (CNS). The PG is specialized in synthesizing and secreting melatonin in a circadian fashion. The nocturnal elevation of melatonin is a highly conserved feature among species which proves its importance in nature. Here, we review a limited set of intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory elements that have been shown or proposed to influence the PG's melatonin production, as well as pineal ontogeny and homeostasis. Intrinsic regulators include the transcription factors CREB, Pax6 and NeuroD1. In addition, microglia within the PG participate as extrinsic regulators of these functions. We further discuss how these same elements work in other parts of the CNS, and note similarities and differences to their roles in the PG. Since the PG is a relatively well-defined and highly specialized organ within the CNS, we suggest that applying this comparative approach to additional PG regulators may be a useful tool for understanding complex areas of the brain, as well as the influence of the PG in both health and disease, including circadian functions and disorders.

Mature enteroendocrine cells contribute to basal and pathological stem cell dynamics in the small intestine

Lgr5-expressing intestinal stem cells (ISCs) maintain continuous and rapid generation of the intestinal epithelium. Here, we present evidence that dedifferentiation of committed enteroendocrine cells (EECs) contributes to maintenance of the epithelium under both basal conditions and in response to injury. Lineage-tracing studies identified a subset of EECs that reside at +4 position for more than 2 wk, most of which were BrdU-label-retaining cells. Under basal conditions, cells derived from these EECs grow from the bottom of the crypt to generate intestinal epithelium according to neutral drift kinetics that is consistent with dedifferentiation of mature EECs to ISCs. The lineage tracing of EECs demonstrated reserve stem cell properties in response to radiation-induced injury with the generation of reparative EEC-derived epithelial patches. Finally, the enterochromaffin (EC) cell was the predominant EEC type participating in these stem cell dynamics. These results provide novel insights into the +4 reserve ISC hypothesis, stem cell dynamics of the intestinal epithelium, and in the development of EC-derived small intestinal tumors. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The current manuscript demonstrating that a subset of mature enteroendocrine cells (EECs), predominantly enterochromaffin cells, dedifferentiates to fully functional intestinal stem cells (ISCs) is novel, timely, and important. These cells dedifferentiate to ISCs not only in response to injury but also under basal homeostatic conditions. These novel findings provide a mechanism in which a specified cell can dedifferentiate and contribute to normal tissue plasticity as well as the development of EEC-derived intestinal tumors under pathologic conditions.

Enteroendocrine cells-sensory sentinels of the intestinal environment and orchestrators of mucosal immunity

The intestinal epithelium must balance efficient absorption of nutrients with partitioning commensals and pathogens from the bodies' largest immune system. If this crucial barrier fails, inappropriate immune responses can result in inflammatory bowel disease or chronic infection. Enteroendocrine cells represent 1% of this epithelium and have classically been studied for their detection of nutrients and release of peptide hormones to mediate digestion. Intriguingly, enteroendocrine cells are the key sensors of microbial metabolites, can release cytokines in response to pathogen associated molecules and peptide hormone receptors are expressed on numerous intestinal immune cells; thus enteroendocrine cells are uniquely equipped to be crucial and novel orchestrators of intestinal inflammation. In this review, we introduce enteroendocrine chemosensory roles, summarize studies correlating enteroendocrine perturbations with intestinal inflammation and describe the mechanistic interactions by which enteroendocrine and mucosal immune cells interact during disease; highlighting this immunoendocrine axis as a key aspect of innate immunity.

ICRP Publication 131: Stem Cell Biology with Respect to Carcinogenesis Aspects of Radiological Protection

This report provides a review of stem cells/progenitor cells and their responses to ionising radiation in relation to issues relevant to stochastic effects of radiation that form a major part of the International Commission on Radiological Protection's system of radiological protection. Current information on stem cell characteristics, maintenance and renewal, evolution with age, location in stem cell 'niches', and radiosensitivity to acute and protracted exposures is presented in a series of substantial reviews as annexes concerning haematopoietic tissue, mammary gland, thyroid, digestive tract, lung, skin, and bone. This foundation of knowledge of stem cells is used in the main text of the report to provide a biological insight into issues such as the linear-no-threshold (LNT) model, cancer risk among tissues, dose-rate effects, and changes in the risk of radiation carcinogenesis by age at exposure and attained age. Knowledge of the biology and associated radiation biology of stem cells and progenitor cells is more developed in tissues that renew fairly rapidly, such as haematopoietic tissue, intestinal mucosa, and epidermis, although all the tissues considered here possess stem cell populations. Important features of stem cell maintenance, renewal, and response are the microenvironmental signals operating in the niche residence, for which a well-defined spatial location has been identified in some tissues. The identity of the target cell for carcinogenesis continues to point to the more primitive stem cell population that is mostly quiescent, and hence able to accumulate the protracted sequence of mutations necessary to result in malignancy. In addition, there is some potential for daughter progenitor cells to be target cells in particular cases, such as in haematopoietic tissue and in skin. Several biological processes could contribute to protecting stem cells from mutation accumulation: (a) accurate DNA repair; (b) rapidly induced death of injured stem cells; (c) retention of the DNA parental template strand during divisions in some tissue systems, so that mutations are passed to the daughter differentiating cells and not retained in the parental cell; and (d) stem cell competition, whereby undamaged stem cells outcompete damaged stem cells for residence in the niche. DNA repair mainly occurs within a few days of irradiation, while stem cell competition requires weeks or many months depending on the tissue type. The aforementioned processes may contribute to the differences in carcinogenic radiation risk values between tissues, and may help to explain why a rapidly replicating tissue such as small intestine is less prone to such risk. The processes also provide a mechanistic insight relevant to the LNT model, and the relative and absolute risk models. The radiobiological knowledge also provides a scientific insight into discussions of the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor currently used in radiological protection guidelines. In addition, the biological information contributes potential reasons for the age-dependent sensitivity to radiation carcinogenesis, including the effects of in-utero exposure.

Neurogenic differentiation factor NeuroD confers protection against radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice

The gastrointestinal tract, especially the small intestine, is particularly sensitive to radiation, and is prone to radiation-induced injury as a result. Neurogenic differentiation factor (NeuroD) is an evolutionarily-conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor. NeuroD contains a protein transduction domain (PTD), which allows it to be exogenously delivered across the membrane of mammalian cells, whereupon its transcription activity can be unleashed. Whether NeuroD has therapeutic effects for radiation-induced injury remains unclear. In the present study, we prepared a NeuroD-EGFP recombinant protein, and explored its protective effects on the survival and intestinal damage induced by ionizing radiation. Our results showed that NeuroD-EGFP could be transduced into small intestine epithelial cells and tissues. NeuroD-EGFP administration significantly increased overall survival of mice exposed to lethal total body irradiation (TBI). This recombinant NeuroD also reduced radiation-induced intestinal mucosal injury and apoptosis, and improved crypt survival. Expression profiling of NeuroD-EGFP-treated mice revealed upregulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), a known inhibitor of apoptosis in mammalian cells. In conclusion, NeuroD confers protection against radiation-induced intestinal injury, and provides a novel therapeutic clinical option for the prevention of intestinal side effects of radiotherapy and the treatment of victims of incidental exposure.

The novel enterochromaffin marker Lmx1a regulates serotonin biosynthesis in enteroendocrine cell lineages downstream of Nkx2.2

Intestinal hormone-producing cells represent the largest endocrine system in the body, but remarkably little is known about enteroendocrine cell type specification in the embryo and adult. We analyzed stage- and cell type-specific deletions of Nkx2.2 and its functional domains in order to characterize its role in the development and maintenance of enteroendocrine cell lineages in the mouse duodenum and colon. Although Nkx2.2 regulates enteroendocrine cell specification in the duodenum at all stages examined, it controls the differentiation of progressively fewer enteroendocrine cell populations when deleted from Ngn3(+) progenitor cells or in the adult duodenum. During embryonic development Nkx2.2 regulates all enteroendocrine cell types, except gastrin and preproglucagon. In developing Ngn3(+) enteroendocrine progenitor cells, Nkx2.2 is not required for the specification of neuropeptide Y and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, indicating that a subset of these cell populations derive from an Nkx2.2-independent lineage. In adult duodenum, Nkx2.2 becomes dispensable for cholecystokinin and secretin production. In all stages and Nkx2.2 mutant conditions, serotonin-producing enterochromaffin cells were the most severely reduced enteroendocrine lineage in the duodenum and colon. We determined that the transcription factor Lmx1a is expressed in enterochromaffin cells and functions downstream of Nkx2.2. Lmx1a-deficient mice have reduced expression of Tph1, the rate-limiting enzyme for serotonin biosynthesis. These data clarify the function of Nkx2.2 in the specification and homeostatic maintenance of enteroendocrine populations, and identify Lmx1a as a novel enterochromaffin cell marker that is also essential for the production of the serotonin biosynthetic enzyme Tph1.

Wnt3a upregulates brain-derived insulin by increasing NeuroD1 via Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the hypothalamus

Background

Insulin plays diverse roles in the brain. Although insulin produced by pancreatic β-cells that crosses the blood–brain barrier is a major source of brain insulin, recent studies suggest that insulin is also produced locally within the brain. However, the mechanisms underlying the production of brain-derived insulin (BDI) are not yet known.

Results

Here, we examined the effect of Wnt3a on BDI production in a hypothalamic cell line and hypothalamic tissue. In N39 hypothalamic cells, Wnt3a treatment significantly increased the expression of the Ins2 gene, which encodes the insulin isoform predominant in the mouse brain, by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. The concentration of insulin was higher in culture medium of Wnt3a-treated cells than in that of untreated cells. Interestingly, neurogenic differentiation 1 (NeuroD1), a target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and one of transcription factors for insulin, was also induced by Wnt3a treatment in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment of BIO, a GSK3 inhibitor, also increased the expression of Ins2 and NeuroD1. Knockdown of NeuroD1 by lentiviral shRNAs reduced the basal expression of Ins2 and suppressed Wnt3a-induced Ins2 expression. To confirm the Wnt3a-induced increase in Ins2 expression in vivo, Wnt3a was injected into the hypothalamus of mice. Wnt3a increased the expression of NeuroD1 and Ins2 in the hypothalamus in a manner similar to that observed in vitro.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results suggest that BDI production is regulated by the Wnt/β-catenin/NeuroD1 pathway in the hypothalamus. Our findings will help to unravel the regulation of BDI production in the hypothalamus.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0207-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transcription factor regulation of pancreatic organogenesis, differentiation and maturation

Lineage tracing studies have revealed that transcription factors play a cardinal role in pancreatic development, differentiation and function. Three transitions define pancreatic organogenesis, differentiation and maturation. In the primary transition, when pancreatic organogenesis is initiated, there is active proliferation of pancreatic progenitor cells. During the secondary transition, defined by differentiation, there is growth, branching, differentiation and pancreatic cell lineage allocation. The tertiary transition is characterized by differentiated pancreatic cells that undergo further remodeling, including apoptosis, replication and neogenesis thereby establishing a mature organ. Transcription factors function at multiple levels and may regulate one another and auto-regulate. The interaction between extrinsic signals from non-pancreatic tissues and intrinsic transcription factors form a complex gene regulatory network ultimately culminating in the different cell lineages and tissue types in the developing pancreas. Mutations in these transcription factors clinically manifest as subtypes of diabetes mellitus. Current treatment for diabetes is not curative and thus, developmental biologists and stem cell researchers are utilizing knowledge of normal pancreatic development to explore novel therapeutic alternatives. This review summarizes current knowledge of transcription factors involved in pancreatic development and β-cell differentiation in rodents.

The MicroRNA Repertoire in Enteroendocrine Cells: Identification of miR-375 as a Potential Regulator of the Enteroendocrine Lineage

Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are crucial for many biological processes, but their role in the enteroendocrine development and differentiation has been neglected due to the elusive nature of the enteroendocrine cells. However, transgenic mice expressing fluorescent reporter proteins under the control of promoters for Cck, Gpr41, and Lgr5, ie, two different enteroendocrine markers and a marker for the stem cells, now enables identification and FACS purification of enteroendocrine cells at different stages of their differentiation along the crypt-villus axis. Surprisingly few of the 746 analyzed miRNAs differed in their expression pattern between enteroendocrine and nonenteroendocrine cells of the gut mucosa and between enteroendocrine cells of the crypt versus the villus. Thus, only let-7g-3p, miR-7b-5p (miR-7b), and miR-375-3p (miR-375) were up-regulated in the enteroendocrine cells of both the crypt and villus compared with nonenteroendocrine cells, and in situ hybridization confirmed colocalization of miR-375 with the enteroendocrine cells. Finally, functional assays using miR-375 inhibitor and mimetic in organoid cultures revealed miR-375 as a potential regulator of the enteroendocrine lineage. Overexpression of miR-375 inhibited enteroendocrine lineage development, whereas inhibition of miR-375 stimulated the development of enteroendocrine cells in vitro. Thus, through an unbiased expression screening of all miRNA, we find very few miRNAs that are differentially expressed in the gastrointestinal mucosa. Of these, miR-375 is found to be both highly expressed and enriched in the enteroendocrine cells. Additionally, miR-375 appears to negatively regulate the development of enteroendocrine cells. Consequently, miR-375 emerges as a potential target to modulate the function of the enteroendocrine system.

Expression and cellular localization of the transcription factor NeuroD1 in the developing and adult rat pineal gland

Circadian rhythms govern many aspects of mammalian physiology. The daily pattern of melatonin synthesis and secretion is one of the classic examples of circadian oscillations. It is mediated by a class of neuroendocrine cells known as pinealocytes which are not yet fully defined. An established method to evaluate functional and cytological characters is through the expression of lineage-specific transcriptional regulators. NeuroD1 is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in the specification and maintenance of both endocrine and neuronal phenotypes. We have previously described developmental and adult regulation of NeuroD1 mRNA in the rodent pineal gland. However, the transcript levels were not influenced by the elimination of sympathetic input, suggesting that any rhythmicity of NeuroD1 might be found downstream of transcription. Here, we describe NeuroD1 protein expression and cellular localization in the rat pineal gland during development and the daily cycle. In embryonic and perinatal stages, protein expression follows the mRNA pattern and is predominantly nuclear. Thereafter, NeuroD1 is mostly found in pinealocyte nuclei in the early part of the night and in cytoplasm during the day, a rhythm maintained into adulthood. Additionally, nocturnal nuclear NeuroD1 levels are reduced after sympathetic disruption, an effect mimicked by the in vivo administration of α- and β-adrenoceptor blockers. NeuroD1 phosphorylation at two sites, Ser(274) and Ser(336) , associates with nuclear localization in pinealocytes. These data suggest that NeuroD1 influences pineal phenotype both during development and adulthood, in an autonomic and phosphorylation-dependent manner.

Impaired enteroendocrine development in intestinal-specific Islet1 mouse mutants causes impaired glucose homeostasis

Enteroendocrine cells secrete over a dozen different hormones responsible for coordinating digestion, absorption, metabolism, and gut motility. Loss of enteroendocrine cells is a known cause of severe congenital diarrhea. Furthermore, enteroendocrine cells regulate glucose metabolism, with the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) playing critical roles in stimulating insulin release by pancreatic β-cells. Islet1 (Isl1) is a LIM-homeodomain transcription factor expressed specifically in an array of intestinal endocrine cells, including incretin-expressing cells. To examine the impact of intestinal Isl1 on glycemic control, we set out to explore the role of intestinal Isl1 in hormone cell specification and organismal physiology. Mice with intestinal epithelial-specific ablation of Isl1 were obtained by crossing Villin-Cre transgenic animals with mice harboring a Isl1(loxP) allele (Isl1(int) model). Gene ablation of Isl1 in the intestine results in loss of GLP-1, GIP, cholecystokinin (CCK), and somatostatin-expressing cells and an increase in 5-HT (serotonin)-producing cells, while the chromogranin A population was unchanged. This dramatic change in hormonal milieu results in animals with lipid malabsorption and females smaller than their littermate controls. Interestingly, when challenged with oral, not intraperitoneal glucose, the Isl-1 intestinal-deficient animals (Isl1(int)) display impaired glucose tolerance, indicating loss of the incretin effect. Thus the Isl1(int) model confirms that intestinal biology is essential for organism physiology in glycemic control and susceptibility to diabetes.

Secretin stimulates biliary cell proliferation by regulating expression of microRNA 125b and microRNA let7a in mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Proliferating cholangiocytes secrete and respond to neuroendocrine hormones, including secretin. We investigated whether secretin secreted by S cells and cholangiocytes stimulates biliary proliferation in mice.

METHODS

Cholestasis was induced in secretin knockout (Sct(-/-)) and wild-type (control) mice by bile duct ligation (BDL). At days 3 and 7 after BDL, control and Sct(-/-) mice received tail-vein injections of morpholinos against microRNA 125b or let7a. One week later, liver tissues and cholangiocytes were collected. Immunohistochemical, immunoblot, luciferase reporter, and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were performed. Intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM) and proliferation were measured. Secretin secretion was measured in conditioned media from cholangiocytes and S cells and in serum and bile.

RESULTS

Secretin secretion was increased in supernatants from cholangiocytes and S cells and in serum and bile after BDL in control mice. BDL Sct(-/-) mice had lower IBDM, reduced proliferation, and reduced production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and nerve growth factor (NGF) compared with BDL control. BDL and control mice given morpholinos against microRNA 125b or let7a had increased IBDM. Livers of mice given morpholinos against microRNA 125b had increased expression of VEGFA, and those treated with morpholinos against microRNA let7a had increased expression of NGF. Secretin regulated VEGF and NGF expression that negatively correlated with microRNA 125b and let7a levels in liver tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

After liver injury, secretin produced by cholangiocytes and S cells reduces microRNA 125b and let7a levels, resulting in up-regulation of VEGF and NGF. Modulation of cholangiocyte expression of secretin could be a therapeutic approach for biliary diseases.

CtBP and associated LSD1 are required for transcriptional activation by NeuroD1 in gastrointestinal endocrine cells

Gene expression programs required for differentiation depend on both DNA-bound transcription factors and surrounding histone modifications. Expression of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein NeuroD1 is restricted to endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it is important for endocrine differentiation. RREB1 (RAS-responsive element binding protein 1), identified as a component of the CtBP corepressor complex, binds to nearby DNA elements to associate with NeuroD and potentiate transcription of a NeuroD1 target gene. Transcriptional activation by RREB1 depends on recruitment of CtBP with its associated proteins, including LSD1, through its PXDLS motifs. The mechanism of transcriptional activation by CtBP has not been previously characterized. Here we found that activation was dependent on the histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase activity of LSD1, which removes repressive methyl marks from dimethylated H3K9 (H3K9Me2), to facilitate subsequent H3K9 acetylation by the NeuroD1-associated histone acetyltransferase, P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF). The secretin, β-glucokinase, insulin I, and insulin II genes, four known direct targets of NeuroD1 in intestinal and pancreatic endocrine cells, all show similar promoter occupancy by CtBP-associated proteins and PCAF, with acetylation of H3K9. This work may indicate a mechanism for selective regulation of transcription by CtBP and LSD1 involving their association with specific transcription factors and cofactors to drive tissue-specific transcription.

Generation of functional insulin-producing cells from mouse embryonic stem cells through 804G cell-derived extracellular matrix and protein transduction of transcription factors

Embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have potential applications to regenerative medicine for diabetes; however, a useful and safe way to generate pancreatic β cells has not been developed. In this study, we tried to establish an effective method of differentiation through the protein transduction of three transcription factors (Pdx1, NeuroD, and MafA) important to pancreatic β cell development. The method poses no risk of unexpected genetic modifications in target cells. Transduction of the three proteins induced the differentiation of mouse ES and mouse iPS cells into insulin-producing cells. Furthermore, a laminin-5-rich extracellular matrix efficiently induced differentiation under feeder-free conditions. Cell differentiation was confirmed with the expression of the insulin 1 gene in addition to marker genes in pancreatic β cells, the differentiated cells secreted glucose-responsive C-peptide, and their transplantation restored normoglycemia in diabetic mice. Moreover, Pdx1 protein transduction had facilitative effects on differentiation into pancreatic endocrine progenitors from human iPS cells. These results suggest the direct delivery of recombinant proteins and treatment with laminin-5-rich extracellular matrix to be useful for the generation of insulin-producing cells.

Melatonin-receptor-1-deficiency affects neurogenic differentiation factor immunoreaction in pancreatic islets and enteroendocrine cells of mice

Neurogenic differentiation factor (NeuroD) is a transcription factor involved in the differentiation of neurons and in the control of energy balance and metabolism. It plays a key role in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Melatonin is an important rhythmic endocrine signal within the circadian system of mammals and modulates insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. In the mouse pars tuberalis, NeuroD mRNA levels show day/night variation, which is independent of the molecular clock gene mPER1 but depends on the functional melatonin receptor 1 (MT1). So far, little is known about the effect of melatonin on NeuroD synthesis in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, NeuroD protein levels and cellular localization were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in pancreatic islets and duodenal enteroendocrine cells of MT1- and mPER1-deficienct mice. In addition, the localization of NeuroD-positive cells was analyzed by double-immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. In duodenal enteroendocrine cells and pancreatic islets of WT and PER1-deficient mice, NeuroD immunoreaction showed a peak during the early subjective night. In contrast, this peak was absent in MT1-deficent mice. These data suggest that melatonin, by acting on MT1 receptors, affects NeuroD expression in the gastrointestinal tract and thus might contribute to circadian regulation in metabolic functions.

The bHLH transcription factor Ascl1a is essential for the specification of the intestinal secretory cells and mediates Notch signaling in the zebrafish intestine

Notch signaling has a fundamental role in stem cell maintenance and in cell fate choice in the intestine of different species. Canonically, Notch signaling represses the expression of transcription factors of the achaete-scute like (ASCL) or atonal related protein (ARP) families. Identifying the ARP/ASCL genes expressed in the gastrointestinal tract is essential to build the regulatory cascade controlling the differentiation of gastrointestinal progenitors into the different intestinal cell types. The expression of the ARP/ASCL factors was analyzed in zebrafish to identify, among all the ARP/ASCL factors found in the zebrafish genome, those expressed in the gastrointestinal tract. ascl1a was found to be the earliest factor detected in the intestine. Loss-of-function analyses using the pia/ascl1a mutant, revealed that ascl1a is crucial for the differentiation of all secretory cells. Furthermore, we identify a battery of transcription factors expressed during secretory cell differentiation and downstream of ascl1a. Finally, we show that the repression of secretory cell fate by Notch signaling is mediated by the inhibition of ascl1a expression. In conclusion, this work identifies Ascl1a as a key regulator of the secretory cell lineage in the zebrafish intestine, playing the same role as Atoh1 in the mouse intestine. This highlights the diversity in the ARP/ASCL family members acting as cell fate determinants downstream from Notch signaling.

Deregulation of CREB signaling pathway induced by chronic hyperglycemia downregulates NeuroD transcription

CREB mediates the transcriptional effects of glucose and incretin hormones in insulin-target cells and insulin-producing β-cells. Although the inhibition of CREB activity is known to decrease the β-cell mass, it is still unknown what factors inversely alter the CREB signaling pathway in β-cells. Here, we show that β-cell dysfunctions occurring in chronic hyperglycemia are not caused by simple inhibition of CREB activity but rather by the persistent activation of CREB due to decreases in protein phophatase PP2A. When freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets were chronically exposed to 25 mM (high) glucose, the PP2A activity was reduced with a concomitant increase in active pCREB. Brief challenges with 15 mM glucose or 30 µM forskolin after 2 hour fasting further increased the level of pCREB and consequently induced the persistent expression of ICER. The excessively produced ICER was sufficient to repress the transcription of NeuroD, insulin, and SUR1 genes. In contrast, when islets were grown in 5 mM (low) glucose, CREB was transiently activated in response to glucose or forskolin stimuli. Thus, ICER expression was transient and insufficient to repress those target genes. Importantly, overexpression of PP2A reversed the adverse effects of chronic hyperglycemia and successfully restored the transient activation of CREB and ICER. Conversely, depletion of PP2A with siRNA was sufficient to disrupt the negative feedback regulation of CREB and induce hyperglycemic phenotypes even under low glucose conditions. Our findings suggest that the failure of the negative feedback regulation of CREB is the primary cause for β-cell dysfunctions under conditions of pathogenic hyperglycemia, and PP2A can be a novel target for future therapies aiming to protect β-cells mass in the late transitional phase of non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).

Using the Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino zebrafish line to characterize in vivo expression of neurod

In this study, we used a newly-created transgenic zebrafish, Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino, to further characterize the expression of neurod in the developing and adult retina and to determine neurod expression during adult photoreceptor regeneration. We also provide observations regarding the expression of neurod in a variety of other tissues. In this line, EGFP is found in cells of the developing and adult retina, pineal gland, cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, midbrain, hindbrain, neural tube, lateral line, inner ear, pancreas, gut, and fin. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we compare the expression of the nrd:egfp transgene to that of endogenous neurod and to known retinal cell types. Consistent with previous data based on in situ hybridizations, we show that during retinal development, the nrd:egfp transgene is not expressed in proliferating retinal neuroepithelium, and is expressed in a subset of retinal neurons. In contrast to previous studies, nrd:egfp is gradually re-expressed in all rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration in adult zebrafish, in situ hybridization reveals that neurod is not expressed in Müller glial-derived neuronal progenitors, but is expressed in photoreceptor progenitors as they migrate to the outer nuclear layer and differentiate into new rod photoreceptors. During photoreceptor regeneration, expression of the nrd:egfp matches that of neurod. We conclude that Tg(nrd:egfp)/albino is a good representation of endogenous neurod expression, is a useful tool to visualize neurod expression in a variety of tissues and will aid investigating the fundamental processes that govern photoreceptor regeneration in adults.

Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors and enteroendocrine cell differentiation

For over 30 years it has been known that enteroendocrine cells derive from common precursor cells in the intestinal crypts. Until recently little was understood about the events that result in commitment to endocrine differentiation or the eventual segregation of over 10 different hormone-expressing cell types in the gastrointestinal tract. Enteroendocrine cells arise from pluripotent intestinal stem cells. Differentiation of enteroendocrine cells is controlled by the sequential expression of three basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, Math1, Neurogenin 3 (Neurog3) and NeuroD. Math1 expression is required for specification and segregation of the intestinal secretory lineage (Paneth, goblet,and enteroendocrine cells) from the absorptive enterocyte lineage. Neurog3 expression represents the earliest stage of enteroendocrine differentiation and in its absence enteroendocrine cells fail to develop. Subsequent expression of NeuroD appears to represent a later stage of differentiation for maturing enteroendocrine cells. Enteroendocrine cell fate is inhibited by the Notch signalling pathway, which appears to inhibit both Math1 and Neurog3. Understanding enteroendocrine cell differentiation will become increasingly important for identifying potential future targets for common diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Cross-talk between distinct nuclear import pathways enables efficient nuclear import of E47 in conjunction with its partner transcription factors

Study of the nuclear import behavior of E47 in conjunction with its partner transcription factors shows that although the nuclear import of E47 is importin α dependent, it is capable of accumulating in the nucleus under importin α–blocked conditions by virtue of its interaction with its binding partners NeuroD1 and MyoD.

Nuclear import of karyophilic proteins is carried out by a variety of mechanisms. We previously showed that two basic helix-loop-helix proteins, NeuroD1 and E47, synergistically affect each other's nuclear import. In this study, we dissected the molecular pathways underlying nuclear import of the NeuroD1/E47 heterodimer. In vitro nuclear import assays indicated that importin α family members are the major nuclear import receptors for E47. However, inhibition of importin α resulted in cytoplasmic retention of E47 that could be rescued by its binding partner, NeuroD1, through heterodimerization. In addition, nuclear import of NeuroD1 was importin α independent but importin β1 dependent. In primary neurons, localization of endogenous E47 was not affected by importin α inhibition, suggesting that neuronal E47 could be imported into the nucleus as a heterodimer with NeuroD1 by using importin β1 alone. We also found that E47 had similar nuclear import characteristics in C2C12 cells, where E47 heterodimerized with MyoD, another helix-loop-helix protein, suggesting functional conservation within the same family of transcription factors. Collectively, our data reveal that E47 is imported into the nucleus via multiple pathways, depending on the molecular binding mode, establishing a previously uncharacterized cross-talk between two distinct nuclear import pathways.

Identification of RANBP16 and RANBP17 as novel interaction partners for the bHLH transcription factor E12

The ubiquitously expressed basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors E12 and E47, products of alternative splicing of the E2A/TCF3 gene, regulate diverse biological processes including cell growth, differentiation and development. To search for novel protein interactions for E12, we utilized the bHLH domain of E12 as a bait in yeast two-hybrid screening. Yeast two-hybrid, mammalian two-hybrid, and co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrate specific interaction of E12 with RANBP17, a novel member of the importin-beta superfamily; this interaction maps to the CRM1 homology region of RANBP17. Ectopic expression of RANBP17 leads to a approximately 3-fold increase in E2A/MyoD mediated transactivation of an E-box regulated luciferase reporter gene. Interaction and transactivation studies also revealed similar functions for RANBP16/XPO7. Furthermore, ectopic expression of either RANBP16 or RANBP17 resulted in increased level of endogenous transcript for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21(Waf1/Cip1), a well-characterized E2A target gene. Together, these biochemical and functional data reveal RANBP16 and RANBP17 as novel regulators of E2A protein action.

Secretin deficiency causes impairment in survival of neural progenitor cells in mice

Hippocampal neurogenesis is the lifelong production of new neurons in the central nervous system (CNS), and affects many physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including neurobehavioral disorders. The early postnatal stage is the most prominent neurogenesis period; however, the functional role of neurogenesis in this developing stage has not been well characterized. To understand the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in the postnatal developing period, we analyzed secretin, a neuropeptide, which is expressed significantly higher in the development stage. Secretin is a pleiotropic neuropeptide hormone that belongs to the secretin/VIP/glucagon peptide family. Although secretin was originally isolated in the gastrointestinal system, it has been found that secretin itself acts as a neuropeptide in the CNS. Here, we report a new function of secretin as a survival factor for neural progenitor cells in the hippocampus. We found that secretin-deficient mice exhibit decreased numbers of BrdU-labeled new neurons and dramatically increased apoptosis of doublecortin-positive neural progenitor cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus (DG) during the early postnatal period. Furthermore, we found that reduced survival of neural progenitor cells leads to decreased volume of DG, reduced long-term potentiation and impaired spatial learning ability in adults. Our studies demonstrate that secretin has important implications for neurogenesis in postnatal development, and affects neurobehavioral function in the adult mouse.

Role of phospholipase D1 in glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic Beta cells

As glucose is known to induce insulin secretion in pancreatic Beta cells, this study investigated the role of a phospholipase D (PLD)-related signaling pathway in insulin secretion caused by high glucose in the pancreatic Beta-cell line MIN6N8. It was found that the PLD activity and PLD1 expression were both increased by high glucose (33.3 mM) treatment. The dominant negative PLD1 inhibited glucose-induced Beta2 expression, and glucose-induced insulin secretion was blocked by treatment with 1-butanol or PLD1-siRNA. These results suggest that high glucose increased insulin secretion through a PLD1-related pathway. High glucose induced the binding of Arf6 to PLD1. Pretreatment with brefeldin A (BFA), an Arf inhibitor, decreased the PLD activity as well as the insulin secretion. Furthermore, BFA blocked the glucose-induced mTOR and p70S6K activation, while mTOR inhibition with rapamycin attenuated the glucose induced Beta2 expression and insulin secretion. Thus, when taken together, PLD1 would appear to be an important regulator of glucose-induced insulin secretion through an Arf6/PLD1/mTOR/p70S6K/ Beta2 pathway in MIN6N8 cells.

Id proteins facilitate self-renewal and proliferation of neural stem cells

Members of helix-loop-helix (HLH) protein family of Id (inhibitor of differentiation) dimerize with bHLH transcription factors and function as negative regulators of differentiation during development. Most of inhibitory roles of Id proteins have been demonstrated in non-neural tissues, and their roles in the developing nervous system are not clearly demonstrated. In this study, we show that Id1, Id2, and Id3 increase self-renewing and proliferation potential of cortical neural stem cells (NSCs) while inhibiting neuronal differentiation. In electrophoretic mobility gel shift and luciferase assays, Id proteins interfered with binding of NeuroD/E47 complexes to the E-box sequences and inhibited E-box-mediated gene expression. Overexpression of Id proteins in NSCs increased both the number and the size of neurospheres in colony-forming assays. Expression of Hes1 and Hes5 was not increased by overexpression of Id proteins under the condition in which Nestin expression was increased. In utero electroporation of Id yielded higher numbers of Ki67-positive and Sox2-positive cells in the mouse embryonic brain. The study suggests Id proteins play independent roles in the maintenance of neural stem properties.

Melatonin receptor 1-dependent gene expression in the mouse pars tuberalis as revealed by cDNA microarray analysis and in situ hybridization

Melatonin is an important rhythmic endocrine signal within the circadian system of mammals. The hypophyseal pars tuberalis (PT) is a major target for melatonin and shows a high density of melatonin type 1 receptors (MT1). Melatonin affects expression of clock genes in PT cells which encode for transcriptional regulators of rhythmic gene expression. In this study, microarray analysis was performed to screen for genes coding for transcriptional regulators under the control of MT1 receptors in the mouse PT. Gene expression levels were compared between melatonin-proficient mice deficient for MT1 (MT1-/-) and the corresponding wild-type (WT) during mid-subjective day (CT06, low endogenous melatonin levels) and mid-subjective night (CT18, high endogenous melatonin levels). In situ hybridization was used to validate the data obtained by microarray analysis to analyze the acute effect of daytime melatonin application on gene expression in the wild-type PT. In the wild-type PT, expression of Tim was higher during day as compared to night. These day/night differences in gene expression were not observed in the PT of MT1-/- mice, demonstrating the impact of MT1-mediated signal transduction pathway. Day-time application of melatonin acutely affected Tim and Cry1 expression but not Neurod1 and Npas4 expression. We conclude that melatonin regulates expression of genes coding for transcriptional regulators in the PT through MT1 receptors by either acute or long-term mechanisms.

Pdx-1 regulation of the INGAP promoter involves sequestration of NeuroD into a non-DNA-binding complex

OBJECTIVE

Islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP) can enhance beta-cell mass to offset progression of diabetes. Identifying how transcription factors regulate INGAP gene expression could reveal key checkpoints governing islet neogenesis.

METHODS

Protein complex interactions at the INGAP promoter were detected using a beta-galactosidase reporter, these protein-DNA complexes being validated in competitive electrophoresis mobility shift assays. The relevance of the revealed promoter interactions was confirmed in small interfering RNA (siRNA) gene knockdown studies.

RESULTS

Pdx-1 negatively regulates stimulation of the INGAP promoter by Pan-1/NeuroD. Independently, Pdx-1, Pan-1, and NeuroD bind to the INGAP promoter as revealed by electrophoresis mobility shift assay studies. In combination, Pdx-1 selectively displaces NeuroD from a DNA-binding complex with Pan-1 to form a non-DNA-binding unit. The importance of this interaction is shown in HIT cells that have a forced reduction of Pdx-1 expression. In siRNA/Pdx-1-depleted HIT cells, the interaction of Pan-1/NeuroD with the INGAP promoter is increased 6-fold. Furthermore, endogenous INGAP expression is detected in Pdx-1-depleted cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These data reveal a dynamic interaction between Pdx-1, NeuroD, and Pan-1 for the regulation of INGAP promoter activity. Modulating molecular regulators of DNA expression may be a consideration in diabetic therapies that translate exogenous stimuli into new endogenous beta-cell mass.

Neuroendocrine cancer-specific up-regulating mechanism of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 in small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) exhibits insulin-like growth factor-dependent growth. SCLC is the most aggressive among known in vivo lung cancers, whereas in vitro growth of SCLC is paradoxically slow as compared with that of non-SCLC (NSCLC). In this study, we demonstrate that SCLC cells overexpress insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2 via NeuroD, a neuroendocrine cell-specific transcription factor. Chromatin immunoprecipitation, electrophoretic mobility shift, and IGFBP-2 promoter assays all revealed that NeuroD binds to the E-box in the 5'-untranslated region of IGFBP-2. A NeuroD transgene in both airway epithelial and NSCLC cells up-regulated the transcription of IGFBP-2 and retarded cell growth. Recombinant IGFBP-2 repressed the growth of both airway epithelial and NSCLC cells in a dose-dependent manner. A NeuroD-specific small interfering RNA repressed IGFBP-2 expression in SCLC, and neutralization of IGFBP-2 and an IGFBP-2-specific small interfering RNA increased SCLC cell growth. Pathological samples of SCLC also expressed IGFBP-2 abundantly, as compared with NSCLC, and showed only rare (8%) IGFBP-2 promoter methylation, whereas the IGFBP-2 promoter was methylated in 71% of adenocarcinomas and 29% of squamous cell carcinomas. These findings suggest that 1) SCLC has an IGFBP-2 overexpression mechanism distinct from NSCLC, 2) secreted IGFBP-2 contributes to the slow growth of SCLC in vitro, and 3) the epigenetic alterations in the IGFBP-2 promoter contribute to the striking differences in IGFBP-2 expression between SCLC and NSCLC in vivo.

[Neuroendocrine system of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract: origin and development]

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs) originate from the neuroendocrine cells through the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine pancreas. The embryologic development of the pancreas is a complex process that begins with the "stem cell" that come from the endodermus. These cells go through two phases: in the first transition the "stem cell" differentiates in exocrine and endocrine cells. This process is regulated by transcription factors such as Pdx1 ("insulin promoter factor 1"), Hlxb6 and SOX9. In the second transition the neuroendocrine cell differentiates in the 5 cell types (alpha, beta, delta, PP y epsilon.). This process is regulated through the balance between factors favoring differentiation (mainly neurogenin 3) and inhibitor factors which depend on Notch signals. The existence of a third transition in postnatal pancreas is hypothesized. The "stem cell" from pancreatic ducts would become adult beta cells, through autoduplication and neogenesis. In the small gut of the adult the stem cell are placed in the intestinal crypts and develop to villi in secretor lines (enterocytes, globet and Paneths cells) or neuroendocrine cells from which at least 10 cell types depend. This process is regulated by transcription factors: Math1, neurogenina 3 and NeuroD.

Bile acids inhibit duodenal secretin expression via orphan nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner (SHP)

Small heterodimer partner (SHP) is an orphan nuclear receptor in which gene expression can be upregulated by bile acids. It regulates its target genes by repressing the transcriptional activities of other nuclear receptors including NeuroD, which has been shown to regulate secretin gene expression. Here, we evaluated the regulation on duodenal secretin gene expression by SHP and selected bile acids, cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA). In vitro treatment of CDCA or fexaramine elevated the SHP transcript level and occupancy on secretin promoter. The increase in the SHP level, induced by bile acid treatment or overexpression, reduced secretin gene expression, whereas this gene inhibitory effect was reversed by silencing of endogenous SHP. In in vivo studies, double-immunofluorescence staining demonstrated the coexpression of secretin and SHP in mouse duodenum. Feeding mice with 1% CA-enriched rodent chow resulted in upregulation of SHP and a concomitant decrease in secretin transcript and protein levels in duodenum compared with the control group fed with normal chow. A diet enriched with 5% cholestyramine led to a decrease in SHP level and a corresponding increase in secretin expression. Overall, this study showed that bile acids via SHP inhibit duodenal secretin gene expression. Because secretin is a key hormone that stimulates bile flow in cholangiocytes, this pathway thus provides a novel means to modulate secretin-stimulated choleresis in response to intraduodenal bile acids.

Synergistic nuclear import of NeuroD1 and its partner transcription factor, E47, via heterodimerization

The transition from undifferentiated pluripotent cells to terminally differentiated neurons is coordinated by a repertoire of transcription factors. NeuroD1 is a type II basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor that plays critical roles in neuronal differentiation and maintenance in the central nervous system. Its dimerization with E47, a type I bHLH transcription factor, leads to the transcriptional regulation of target genes. Mounting evidence suggests that regulating the localization of transcription factors contributes to the regulation of their activity during development as defects in their localization underlie a variety of developmental disorders. In this study, we attempted to understand the nuclear import mannerisms of NeuroD1 and E47. We found that the nuclear import of NeuroD1 and E47 is energy-dependent and involves the Ran-mediated pathway. Herein, we demonstrate that NeuroD1 and E47 can dimerize inside the cytoplasm before their nuclear import. Moreover, this dimerization promotes nuclear import as the nuclear accumulation of NeuroD1 was enhanced in the presence of E47 in an in vitro nuclear import assay, and NLS-deficient NeuroD1 was successfully imported into the nucleus upon E47 overexpression. NeuroD1 also had a similar effect on the nuclear accumulation of NLS-deficient E47. These findings suggest a novel role for dimerization that may promote, at least partially, the nuclear import of transcription factors allowing them to function efficiently in the nucleus.

Epithelial phosphatase and tensin homolog regulates intestinal architecture and secretory cell commitment and acts as a modifier gene in neoplasia

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a negative regulator of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway, is one of the most frequently mutated/deleted tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the role played by PTEN in intestinal homeostasis and epithelial cell function. Using the Cre/loxP system, we have generated a mouse with a conditional intestinal epithelial Pten deficiency. Pten mutant mice and controls were sacrificed for histology, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Our results show that loss of epithelial Pten leads to an intestinalomegaly associated with an increase in epithelial cell proliferation. Histological analysis demonstrated significant perturbation of the crypt-villus architecture, a marked increase in goblet cells and a decrease in enteroendocrine cells, suggesting a role for Pten in the commitment of the multipotential-secretory precursor cell. Loss of epithelial Pten does not result in induction of nuclear beta-catenin protein levels, nor is it sufficient to promote tumorigenesis initiation. However, it severely enhances intestinal tumor load in Apc(Min/+) mice, in which c-Myc is already deregulated. These results reveal an unknown function for Pten signaling in the commitment of multipotential-secretory progenitor cells and suggest that epithelial Pten functions as a modifier gene in intestinal neoplasia.

NeuroD regulates proliferation of photoreceptor progenitors in the retina of the zebrafish

neuroD is a member of the family of proneural genes, which function to regulate the cell cycle, cell fate determination and cellular differentiation. In the retinas of larval and adult teleosts, neuroD is expressed in two populations of post-mitotic cells, a subset of amacrine cells and nascent cone photoreceptors, and proliferating cells in the lineages that give rise exclusively to rod and cone photoreceptors. Based on previous studies of NeuroD function in vitro and the cellular pattern of neuroD expression in the zebrafish retina, we hypothesized that within the mitotic photoreceptor lineages NeuroD selectively regulates aspects of the cell cycle. To test this hypothesis, gain and loss-of-function approaches were employed, relying on the inducible expression of a NeuroD(EGFP) fusion protein and morpholino oligonucleotides to inhibit protein translation, respectively. Conditional expression of neuroD causes cells to withdraw from the cell cycle, upregulate the expression of the cell cycle inhibitors, p27 and p57, and downregulate the cell cycle progression factors, Cyclin B1, Cyclin D1, and Cyclin E2. In the absence of NeuroD, cells specific for the rod and cone photoreceptor lineage fail to exit the cell cycle, and the number of cells expressing Cyclin D1 is increased. When expression is ectopically induced in multipotent progenitors, neuroD promotes the genesis of rod photoreceptors and inhibits the genesis of Müller glia. These data show that in the teleost retina NeuroD plays a fundamental role in photoreceptor genesis by regulating mechanisms that promote rod and cone progenitors to withdraw from the cell cycle. This is the first in vivo demonstration in the retina of cell cycle regulation by NeuroD.

Identification of melatonin-regulated genes in the ovine pituitary pars tuberalis, a target site for seasonal hormone control

The pars tuberalis (PT) of the pituitary gland expresses a high density of melatonin (MEL) receptors and is believed to regulate seasonal physiology by decoding changes in nocturnal melatonin secretion. Circadian clock genes are known to be expressed in the PT in response to the decline (Per1) and onset (Cry1) of MEL secretion, but to date little is known of other molecular changes in this key MEL target site. To identify transcriptional pathways that may be involved in the diurnal and photoperiod-transduction mechanism, we performed a whole genome transcriptome analysis using PT RNA isolated from sheep culled at three time points over the 24-h cycle under either long or short photoperiods. Our results reveal 153 transcripts where expression differs between photoperiods at the light-dark transition and 54 transcripts where expression level was more globally altered by photoperiod (all time points combined). Cry1 induction at night was associated with up-regulation of genes coding for NeuroD1 (neurogenic differentiation factor 1), Pbef / Nampt (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase), Hif1alpha (hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha), and Kcnq5 (K+ channel) and down-regulation of Rorbeta, a key clock gene regulator. Using in situ hybridization, we confirmed day-night differences in expression for Pbef / Nampt, NeuroD1, and Rorbeta in the PT. Treatment of sheep with MEL increased PT expression for Cry1, Pbef / Nampt, NeuroD1, and Hif1alpha, but not Kcnq5. Our data thus reveal a cluster of Cry1-associated genes that are acutely responsive to MEL and novel transcriptional pathways involved in MEL action in the PT.

Glucose regulation of insulin gene expression in pancreatic β-cells

Production and secretion of insulin from the β-cells of the pancreas is very crucial in maintaining normoglycaemia. This is achieved by tight regulation of insulin synthesis and exocytosis from the β-cells in response to changes in blood glucose levels. The synthesis of insulin is regulated by blood glucose levels at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Although many transcription factors have been implicated in the regulation of insulin gene transcription, three β-cell-specific transcriptional regulators, Pdx-1 (pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1), NeuroD1 (neurogenic differentiation 1) and MafA (V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A), have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in glucose induction of insulin gene transcription and pancreatic β-cell function. These three transcription factors activate insulin gene expression in a co-ordinated and synergistic manner in response to increasing glucose levels. It has been shown that changes in glucose concentrations modulate the function of these β-cell transcription factors at multiple levels. These include changes in expression levels, subcellular localization, DNA-binding activity, transactivation capability and interaction with other proteins. Furthermore, all three transcription factors are able to induce insulin gene expression when expressed in non-β-cells, including liver and intestinal cells. The present review summarizes the recent findings on how glucose modulates the function of the β-cell transcription factors Pdx-1, NeuroD1 and MafA, and thereby tightly regulates insulin synthesis in accordance with blood glucose levels.