E-proteins orchestrate the progression of neural stem cell differentiation in the postnatal forebrain

FKBP51 in glutamatergic forebrain neurons promotes early life stress inoculation in female mice

Early life stress (ELS) can increase vulnerability to psychiatric disorders, but also trigger resilience. FKBP51 has been associated with an increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders, specifically in interaction with ELS exposure. Here, the contribution of FKBP51 in glutamatergic forebrain neurons to the long-term consequences of ELS was investigated in both sexes. In female wild-type Fkbp5lox/lox mice, ELS exposure led to an anxiolytic phenotype and improved memory performance in a stressful context, however this ELS effect was absent in Fkbp5Nex mice. These interactive FKBP51 x ELS effects in female mice were also reflected in reduced brain region volumes, and on structural and electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons of the dorsal hippocampus. In contrast, the behavioral, structural and functional effects in male ELS mice were less pronounced and independent of FKBP51. RNA sequencing of the hippocampus revealed the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) as a potential regulator of the female interactive effects. Cre-dependent viral overexpression of TCF4 in female Nex-Cre mice led to similar beneficial effects on behavior as the ELS exposure. This study demonstrates a sex-specific role for FKBP51 in mediating the adaptive effects of ELS on emotional regulation, cognition, and neuronal function, implicating TCF4 as a downstream effector.

Transcriptional regulation of daily sleep amount by TCF4-HDAC4-CREB complex in mice

Histone deacetylase HDAC4/5 cooperates with cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the transcriptional regulation of daily sleep amount downstream of LKB1-SIK3 kinase cascade in mice. Here, we report a significant enrichment of the E-box motifs for the basic loop-helix-loop (bHLH) proteins near the CREB- and HDAC4-binding sites in the mouse genome. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of class I bHLH transcription factors, such as TCF4, TCF3, or TCF12, across the mouse brain neurons reduces the duration of rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) and non-REMS (NREMS). TCF4 requires its bHLH domain to regulate REMS or NREMS amount, of which the latter is mostly independent of the E-box-binding activity. Consistent with that TCF4 interacts with CREB and HDAC4 via the bHLH domain, TCF4 relies on CREB and partly on HDAC4 to regulate NREMS/REMS amount. Conversely, the ability of CREB to regulate sleep duration also requires its binding to TCF4 and HDAC4. Together, these results indicate that TCF4, HDAC4, and CREB could function cooperatively in the transcriptional regulation of daily sleep amount in mice.

Bisphenol-F and Bisphenol-S (BPF and BPS) Impair the Stemness of Neural Stem Cells and Neuronal Fate Decision in the Hippocampus Leading to Cognitive Dysfunctions

Neurogenesis occurs throughout life in the hippocampus of the brain, and many environmental toxicants inhibit neural stem cell (NSC) function and neuronal generation. Bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disrupter used for surface coating of plastic products causes injury in the developing and adult brain; thus, many countries have banned its usage in plastic consumer products. BPA analogs/alternatives such as bisphenol-F (BPF) and bisphenol-S (BPS) may also cause neurotoxicity; however, their effects on neurogenesis are still not known. We studied the effects of BPF and BPS exposure from gestational day 6 to postnatal day 21 on neurogenesis. We found that exposure to non-cytotoxic concentrations of BPF and BPS significantly decreased the number/size of neurospheres, BrdU+ (proliferating NSC marker) and MAP-2+ (neuronal marker) cells and GFAP+ astrocytes in the hippocampus NSC culture, suggesting reduced NSC stemness and self-renewal and neuronal differentiation and increased gliogenesis. These analogs also reduced the number of BrdU/Sox-2+, BrdU/Dcx+, and BrdU/NeuN+ co-labeled cells in the hippocampus of the rat brain, suggesting decreased NSC proliferation and impaired maturation of newborn neurons. BPF and BPS treatment increases BrdU/cleaved caspase-3+ cells and Bax-2 and cleaved caspase protein levels, leading to increased apoptosis in hippocampal NSCs. Transmission electron microscopy studies suggest that BPF and BPS also caused degeneration of neuronal myelin sheath, altered mitochondrial morphology, and reduced number of synapses in the hippocampus leading to altered cognitive functions. These results suggest that BPF and BPS exposure decreased the NSC pool, inhibited neurogenesis, induced apoptosis of NSCs, caused myelin degeneration/synapse degeneration, and impaired learning and memory in rats.

Transcription factor 4 expression in the developing non-human primate brain: a comparative analysis with the mouse brain

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) has been implicated in a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Mutations or deletions in TCF4 cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder. A detailed understanding of its spatial expression across the developing brain is necessary for comprehending TCF4 biology and, by extension, to develop effective treatments for TCF4-associated disorders. However, most current knowledge is derived from mouse models, which are invaluable for preclinical studies but may not fully capture the complexities of human neuropsychiatric phenotypes. This study compared TCF4 expression in the developing mouse brain to its regional and cellular expression patterns in normal prenatal, neonatal, and young adult rhesus macaque brains, a species more relevant to human neurodevelopment. While the general developmental expression of TCF4 is largely conserved between macaques and mice, we saw several interspecies differences. Most notably, a distinct layered pattern of TCF4 expression was clear in the developing macaque neocortex but largely absent in the mouse brain. High TCF4 expression was seen in the inner dentate gyrus of adult mice but not in macaques. Conversely, TCF4 expression was higher in the adult macaque striatum compared to the mouse striatum. Further research is needed to show the significance of these interspecies differences. Still, they underscore the importance of integrating rodent and primate studies to comprehensively understand TCF4 function and its implications for human disorders. Moreover, the primate-specific expression patterns of TCF4 will inform genetic and other therapeutic strategies to treat TCF4-associated disorders.

Defining the spatial-molecular map of fibrotic tendon healing and the drivers of Scleraxis-lineage cell fate and function

Tendon injuries heal via a scar-mediated response, and there are no biological approaches to promote more regenerative healing. Mouse flexor tendons heal through the formation of spatially distinct tissue areas: a highly aligned tissue bridge between the native tendon stubs that is enriched for adult Scleraxis-lineage cells and a disorganized outer shell associated with peri-tendinous scar formation. However, the specific molecular programs that underpin these spatially distinct tissue profiles are poorly defined. In the present study, we combine lineage tracing of adult Scleraxis-lineage cells with spatial transcriptomic profiling to define the overarching molecular programs that govern tendon healing and cell-fate decisions. Pseudotime analysis identified three fibroblast trajectories (synthetic, fibrotic, and reactive) and key transcription factors regulating these fate-switching decisions, including the progression of adult Scleraxis-lineage cells through the reactive trajectory. Collectively, this resource defines the molecular mechanisms that coordinate the temporo-spatial healing phenotype, which can be leveraged to inform therapeutic candidate selection.

Expression of alternative transcription factor 4 mRNAs and protein isoforms in the developing and adult rodent and human tissues

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) belongs to the class I basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors (also known as E-proteins) and is vital for the development of the nervous system. Aberrations in the TCF4 gene are associated with several neurocognitive disorders such as schizophrenia, intellectual disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare but severe autism spectrum disorder. Expression of the human TCF4 gene can produce at least 18 N-terminally distinct protein isoforms, which activate transcription with different activities and thus may vary in their function during development. We used long-read RNA-sequencing and western blot analysis combined with the analysis of publicly available short-read RNA-sequencing data to describe both the mRNA and protein expression of the many distinct TCF4 isoforms in rodent and human neural and nonneural tissues. We show that TCF4 mRNA and protein expression is much higher in the rodent brain compared to nonneural tissues. TCF4 protein expression is highest in the rodent cerebral cortex and hippocampus, where expression peaks around birth, and in the rodent cerebellum, where expression peaks about a week after birth. In human, highest TCF4 expression levels were seen in the developing brain, although some nonneural tissues displayed comparable expression levels to adult brain. In addition, we show for the first time that out of the many possible TCF4 isoforms, the main TCF4 isoforms expressed in the rodent and human brain and other tissues are TCF4-B, -C, -D, -A, and-I. Taken together, our isoform specific analysis of TCF4 expression in different tissues could be used for the generation of gene therapy applications for patients with TCF4-associated diseases.

Comparative parallel multi-omics analysis during the induction of pluripotent and trophectoderm states

Following fertilization, it is only at the 32-64-cell stage when a clear segregation between cells of the inner cell mass and trophectoderm is observed, suggesting a 'T'-shaped model of specification. Here, we examine whether the acquisition of these two states in vitro, by nuclear reprogramming, share similar dynamics/trajectories. Using a comparative parallel multi-omics analysis (i.e., bulk RNA-seq, scRNA-seq, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, RRBS and CNVs) on cells undergoing reprogramming to pluripotency and TSC state we show that each reprogramming system exhibits specific trajectories from the onset of the process, suggesting 'V'-shaped model. We describe in detail the various trajectories toward the two states and illuminate reprogramming stage-specific markers, blockers, facilitators and TSC subpopulations. Finally, we show that while the acquisition of the TSC state involves the silencing of embryonic programs by DNA methylation, during the acquisition of pluripotency these regions are initially defined but retain inactive by the elimination of H3K27ac.

Transcription Factor 4 loss-of-function is associated with deficits in progenitor proliferation and cortical neuron content

Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) has been associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, how pathological TCF4 mutations affect the human neural tissue is poorly understood. Here, we derive neural progenitor cells, neurons, and brain organoids from skin fibroblasts obtained from children with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome carrying clinically relevant mutations in TCF4. We show that neural progenitors bearing these mutations have reduced proliferation and impaired capacity to differentiate into neurons. We identify a mechanism through which TCF4 loss-of-function leads to decreased Wnt signaling and then to diminished expression of SOX genes, culminating in reduced progenitor proliferation in vitro. Moreover, we show reduced cortical neuron content and impaired electrical activity in the patient-derived organoids, phenotypes that were rescued after correction of TCF4 expression or by pharmacological modulation of Wnt signaling. This work delineates pathological mechanisms in neural cells harboring TCF4 mutations and provides a potential target for therapeutic strategies for genetic disorders associated with this gene.

Tcf12 and NeuroD1 cooperatively drive neuronal migration during cortical development

Corticogenesis consists of a series of synchronised events, including fate transition of cortical progenitors, neuronal migration, specification and connectivity. NeuroD1, a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor (TF), contributes to all of these events, but how it coordinates these independently is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that NeuroD1 expression is accompanied by a gain of active chromatin at a large number of genomic loci. Interestingly, transcriptional activation of these loci relied on a high local density of adjacent bHLH TFs motifs, including, predominantly, Tcf12. We found that activity and expression levels of Tcf12 were high in cells with induced levels of NeuroD1 that spanned the transition of cortical progenitors from proliferative to neurogenic divisions. Moreover, Tcf12 forms a complex with NeuroD1 and co-occupies a subset of NeuroD1 target loci. This Tcf12-NeuroD1 cooperativity is essential for gaining active chromatin and targeted expression of genes involved in cell migration. By functional manipulation in vivo, we further show that Tcf12 is essential during cortical development for the correct migration of newborn neurons and, hence, for proper cortical lamination.

Lipid droplet availability affects neural stem/progenitor cell metabolism and proliferation

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) generate new neurons throughout adulthood. However, the underlying regulatory processes are still not fully understood. Lipid metabolism plays an important role in regulating NSPC activity: build-up of lipids is crucial for NSPC proliferation, whereas break-down of lipids has been shown to regulate NSPC quiescence. Despite their central role for cellular lipid metabolism, the role of lipid droplets (LDs), the lipid storing organelles, in NSPCs remains underexplored. Here we show that LDs are highly abundant in adult mouse NSPCs, and that LD accumulation is significantly altered upon fate changes such as quiescence and differentiation. NSPC proliferation is influenced by the number of LDs, inhibition of LD build-up, breakdown or usage, and the asymmetric inheritance of LDs during mitosis. Furthermore, high LD-containing NSPCs have increased metabolic activity and capacity, but do not suffer from increased oxidative damage. Together, these data indicate an instructive role for LDs in driving NSPC behaviour.

Functional consequences of TCF4 missense substitutions associated with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, mild intellectual disability, and schizophrenia

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor essential for neurocognitive development. The aberrations in TCF4 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder characterized by developmental delay. Several disease-associated missense mutations in TCF4 have been shown to interfere with TCF4 function, but for many mutations, the impact remains undefined. Here, we tested the effects of 12 functionally uncharacterized disease-associated missense mutations and variations in TCF4 using transient expression in mammalian cells, confocal imaging, in vitro DNA-binding assays, and reporter assays. We show that Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-associated missense mutations within the basic helix-loop-helix domain of TCF4 and a Rett-like syndrome-associated mutation in a transcription activation domain result in altered DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of the protein. Some of the missense variations found in schizophrenia patients slightly increase TCF4 transcriptional activity, whereas no effects were detected for missense mutations linked to mild intellectual disability. We in addition find that the outcomes of several disease-related mutations are affected by cell type, TCF4 isoform, and dimerization partner, suggesting that the effects of TCF4 mutations are context-dependent. Together with previous work, this study provides a basis for the interpretation of the functional consequences of TCF4 missense variants.

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.

TCF12 haploinsufficiency causes autosomal dominant Kallmann syndrome and reveals network-level interactions between causal loci

Dysfunction of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) axis causes a range of reproductive phenotypes resulting from defects in the specification, migration and/or function of GnRH neurons. To identify additional molecular components of this system, we initiated a systematic genetic interrogation of families with isolated GnRH deficiency (IGD). Here, we report 13 families (12 autosomal dominant and one autosomal recessive) with an anosmic form of IGD (Kallmann syndrome) with loss-of-function mutations in TCF12, a locus also known to cause syndromic and non-syndromic craniosynostosis. We show that loss of tcf12 in zebrafish larvae perturbs GnRH neuronal patterning with concomitant attenuation of the orthologous expression of tcf3a/b, encoding a binding partner of TCF12, and stub1, a gene that is both mutated in other syndromic forms of IGD and maps to a TCF12 affinity network. Finally, we report that restored STUB1 mRNA rescues loss of tcf12 in vivo. Our data extend the mutational landscape of IGD, highlight the genetic links between craniofacial patterning and GnRH dysfunction and begin to assemble the functional network that regulates the development of the GnRH axis.

Adult neural stem cells have latent inflammatory potential that is kept suppressed by Tcf4 to facilitate adult neurogenesis

Inflammation is known to adversely affect adult neurogenesis, wherein the source of inflammation is largely thought to be extraneous to the neurogenic niche. Here, we demonstrate that the adult hippocampal neural progenitors harbor an inflammatory potential that is proactively suppressed by transcription factor 4 (Tcf4). Deletion of Tcf4 in hippocampal nestin-expressing progenitors causes loss of proliferative capacity and acquisition of myeloid inflammatory properties. This transformation abolishes their differentiation potential and causes production of detrimental factors that adversely affect niche cells, causing inflammation in the dentate gyrus. Thus, on one hand, Tcf4 deletion causes abrogation of proliferative progenitors leading to reduction of adult neurogenesis, while on the other, their accompanying inflammatory transformation inflicts inflammation in the niche. Taken together, we provide the first evidence for a latent inflammatory potential of adult hippocampal neural progenitors and identify Tcf4 as a critical regulator that facilitates adult neurogenesis via proactive suppression of this detrimental potential.

Tcf4 Is Involved in Subset Specification of Mesodiencephalic Dopaminergic Neurons

During development, mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons form into different molecular subsets. Knowledge of which factors contribute to the specification of these subsets is currently insufficient. In this study, we examined the role of Tcf4, a member of the E-box protein family, in mdDA neuronal development and subset specification. We show that Tcf4 is expressed throughout development, but is no longer detected in adult midbrain. Deletion of Tcf4 results in an initial increase in TH-expressing neurons at E11.5, but this normalizes at later embryonic stages. However, the caudal subset marker Nxph3 and rostral subset marker Ahd2 are affected at E14.5, indicating that Tcf4 is involved in correct differentiation of mdDA neuronal subsets. At P0, expression of these markers partially recovers, whereas expression of Th transcript and TH protein appears to be affected in lateral parts of the mdDA neuronal population. The initial increase in TH-expressing cells and delay in subset specification could be due to the increase in expression of the bHLH factor Ascl1, known for its role in mdDA neuronal differentiation, upon loss of Tcf4. Taken together, our data identified a minor role for Tcf4 in mdDA neuronal development and subset specification.

Transcription factor 4 and its association with psychiatric disorders

The human transcription factor 4 gene (TCF4) encodes a helix-loop-helix transcription factor widely expressed throughout the body and during neural development. Mutations in TCF4 cause a devastating autism spectrum disorder known as Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, characterized by a range of aberrant phenotypes including severe intellectual disability, absence of speech, delayed cognitive and motor development, and dysmorphic features. Moreover, polymorphisms in TCF4 have been associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric and neurological conditions. Details about how TCF4 genetic variants are linked to these diseases and the role of TCF4 during neural development are only now beginning to emerge. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the functions of TCF4 and its protein products at both the cellular and organismic levels, as well as a description of pathophysiological mechanisms associated with this gene.

Cypermethrin Impairs Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Cognitive Functions by Altering Neural Fate Decisions in the Rat Brain

Neurogenesis is a developmental process that involves fine-tuned coordination between self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) into neurons. However, early-life assault with environmental toxicants interferes with the regular function of genes, proteins, and other molecules that build brain architecture resulting in attenuated neurogenesis. Cypermethrin is a class II synthetic pyrethroid pesticide extensively used in agriculture, veterinary, and residential applications due to its low mammalian toxicity, high bio-efficacy, and enhanced stability. Despite reports on cypermethrin-mediated behavioral and biochemical alterations, till now, no study implicates whether cypermethrin exposure has any effect on neurogenesis. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to comprehend the effects of cypermethrin treatment on embryonic and adult neurogenesis. We found that cypermethrin exposure led to a considerable decrease in the BrdU/Sox-2+, BrdU/Dcx+, and BrdU/NeuN+ co-labeled cells indicating that cypermethrin treatment decreases NSC proliferation and generation of mature and functional neurons. On the contrary, the generation of BrdU/S100β+ glial cells was increased resulting in neurogliogenesis imbalance in the hippocampus. Further, cypermethrin treatment also led to an increased number of BrdU/cleaved caspase-3+ and Fluoro-Jade B+ cells suggesting an induction of apoptosis in NSCs and increased degeneration of neurons in the hippocampus. Overall, these results explicate that cypermethrin exposure not only reduces the NSC pool but also disturbs the neuron-astrocyte ratio and potentiates neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, leading to cognitive dysfunctions in rats.

E2A regulates neural ectoderm fate specification in human embryonic stem cells

E protein transcription factors are crucial for many cell fate decisions. However, the roles of E proteins in the germ-layer specification of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are poorly understood. We disrupted the TCF3 gene locus to delete the E protein E2A in hESCs. E2A knockout (KO) hESCs retained key features of pluripotency, but displayed decreased neural ectoderm coupled with enhanced mesoendoderm outcomes. Genome-wide analyses showed that E2A directly regulates neural ectoderm and Nodal pathway genes. Accordingly, inhibition of Nodal or E2A overexpression partially rescued the neural ectoderm defect in E2A KO hESCs. Loss of E2A had little impact on the epigenetic landscape of hESCs, whereas E2A KO neural precursors displayed increased accessibility of the gene locus encoding the Nodal agonist CRIPTO. Double-deletion of both E2A and HEB (TCF12) resulted in a more severe neural ectoderm defect. Therefore, this study reveals critical context-dependent functions for E2A in human neural ectoderm fate specification.

Enriched environment ameliorates adult hippocampal neurogenesis deficits in Tcf4 haploinsufficient mice

Background

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) has been linked to human neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS), autism, and schizophrenia. Recent work demonstrated that TCF4 participates in the control of a wide range of neurodevelopmental processes in mammalian nervous system development including neural precursor proliferation, timing of differentiation, migration, dendritogenesis and synapse formation. TCF4 is highly expressed in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus – one of the few brain regions where neural stem / progenitor cells generate new functional neurons throughout life.

Results

We here investigated whether TCF4 haploinsufficiency, which in humans causes non-syndromic forms of intellectual disability and PTHS, affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis, a process that is essential for hippocampal plasticity in rodents and potentially in humans. Young adult Tcf4 heterozygote knockout mice showed a major reduction in the level of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which was at least in part caused by lower stem/progenitor cell numbers and impaired maturation and survival of adult-generated neurons. Interestingly, housing in an enriched environment was sufficient to enhance maturation and survival of new neurons and to substantially augment neurogenesis levels in Tcf4 heterozygote knockout mice.

Conclusion

The present findings indicate that haploinsufficiency for the intellectual disability- and PTHS-linked transcription factor TCF4 not only affects embryonic neurodevelopment but impedes neurogenesis in the hippocampus of adult mice. These findings suggest that TCF4 haploinsufficiency may have a negative impact on hippocampal function throughout adulthood by impeding hippocampal neurogenesis.

Loss of PHF6 leads to aberrant development of human neuron-like cells

Pathogenic variants in PHD finger protein 6 (PHF6) cause Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS), a rare X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder, which manifests variably in both males and females. To investigate the mechanisms behind overlapping but distinct clinical aspects between genders, we assessed the consequences of individual variants with structural modelling and molecular techniques. We found evidence that de novo variants occurring in females are more severe and result in loss of PHF6, while inherited variants identified in males might be hypomorph or have weaker effects on protein stability. This might contribute to the different phenotypes in male versus female individuals with BFLS. Furthermore, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to induce knockout of PHF6 in SK-N-BE (2) cells which were then differentiated to neuron-like cells in order to model nervous system related consequences of PHF6 loss. Transcriptome analysis revealed a broad deregulation of genes involved in chromatin and transcriptional regulation as well as in axon and neuron development. Subsequently, we could demonstrate that PHF6 is indeed required for proper neuron proliferation, neurite outgrowth and migration. Impairment of these processes might therefore contribute to the neurodevelopmental and cognitive dysfunction in BFLS.

Experimental glioma with high bHLH expression harbor increased replicative stress and are sensitive toward ATR inhibition

Background

The overexpression of (basic)helix-loop-helix ((b)HLH) transcription factors (TFs) is frequent in malignant glioma. We investigated molecular effects upon disruption of the (b)HLH network by a dominant-negative variant of the E47 protein (dnE47). Our goal was to identify novel molecular subgroup-specific therapeutic strategies.

Methods

Glioma cell lines LN229, LNZ308, and GS-2/GS-9 were lentivirally transduced. Functional characterization included immunocytochemistry, immunoblots, cytotoxic, and clonogenic survival assays in vitro, and latency until neurological symptoms in vivo. Results of cap analysis gene expression and RNA-sequencing were further validated by immunoblot, flow cytometry, and functional assays in vitro.

Results

The induction of dnE47-RFP led to cytoplasmic sequestration of (b)HLH TFs and antiglioma activity in vitro and in vivo. Downstream molecular events, ie, alterations in transcription start site usage and in the transcriptome revealed enrichment of cancer-relevant pathways, particularly of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway. Pharmacologic validation of this result using ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibition led to a significantly enhanced early and late apoptotic effect compared with temozolomide alone.

Conclusions

Gliomas overexpressing (b)HLH TFs are sensitive toward inhibition of the ATR kinase. The combination of ATR inhibition plus temozolomide or radiation therapy in this molecular subgroup are warranted.

Tcf4 is required for correct brain development during embryogenesis

Tcf4 has been linked to autism, schizophrenia, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) in humans, suggesting a role for Tcf4 in brain development and importantly cortical development. However, the mechanisms behind its role in disease and brain development are still elusive. We provide evidence that Tcf4 has a critical function in the differentiation of cortical regions, corpus callosum and anterior commissure formation, and development of the hippocampus during murine embryonic development. In the present study, we show that Tcf4 is expressed throughout the developing brain at the peak of neurogenesis. Deletion of Tcf4 results in mis-specification of the cortical neurons, malformation of the corpus callosum and anterior commissure, and hypoplasia of the hippocampus. Furthermore, the Tcf4 mutant shows an absence of midline remodeling, underlined by the loss of GFAP-expressing midline glia in the indusium griseum and callosal wedge and midline zipper glia in the telencephalic midline. RNA-sequencing on E14.5 cortex material shows that Tcf4 functions as a transcriptional activator and loss of Tcf4 results in downregulation of genes linked to neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. Furthermore, many genes that are differentially expressed after Tcf4 ablation are linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders. Taken together, we show that correct brain development and neuronal differentiation are severely affected in Tcf4 mutants, phenocopying morphological brain defects detected in PTHS patients. The presented data identifies new leads to understand the mechanisms behind brain and specifically cortical development and can provide novel insights in developmental mechanisms underlying human brain defects.

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF4 impacts brain architecture as well as neuronal morphology and differentiation

Germline mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 4 (TCF4) cause the Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a developmental disorder with severe intellectual disability. Here, we report findings from a new mouse model with a central nervous system-specific truncation of Tcf4 leading to severe phenotypic abnormalities. Furthermore, it allows the study of a complete TCF4 knockout in adult mice, circumventing early postnatal lethality of previously published mouse models. Our data suggest that a TCF4 truncation results in an impaired hippocampal architecture affecting both the dentate gyrus as well as the cornu ammonis. In the cerebral cortex, loss of TCF4 generates a severe differentiation delay of neural precursors. Furthermore, neuronal morphology was critically affected with shortened apical dendrites and significantly increased branching of dendrites. Our data provide novel information about the role of Tcf4 in brain development and may help to understand the mechanisms leading to intellectual deficits observed in patients suffering from PTHS.

Altered expression of dopaminergic cell fate regulating genes prior to manifestation of symptoms in a transgenic rat model of Huntington's disease

Hyperactivity of the dopaminergic pathway is thought to contribute to clinical symptoms in the early stages of Huntington's disease (HD). It is suggested to be result of a reduced dopaminergic inhibition by degeneration of medium spiny neurons in the striatum. Previously, we have shown that the number of dopaminergic cells is increased in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) of HD patients and transgenic HD (tgHD) rats during the manifestation phase of the disease; as well as in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of tgHD rats. To address whether these changes are secondary to neurodegeneration or take place in the pre-manifest phase of the disease, we examined the expression of genes controlling neuronal cell fate and genes that define dopaminergic cell phenotype. In the SNc-VTA of tgHD rats, Msx1 was upregulated, which correlated with an altered expression of transcription factors Zbtb16 and Tcf12. Zbtb16 was upregulated in the DRN and it was the only gene that showed a correlated expression in the tgHD rats between SNc-VTA and DRN. Zbtb16 may be a candidate for regionally tuning its cell populations, resulting in the increase in dopaminergic cells observed in our previous studies. Here, we demonstrated an altered expression of genes related to dopaminergic cell fate regulation in the brainstem of 6 months-old tgHD rats. This suggests that changes in dopaminergic system in HD precede the manifestation of clinical symptoms, contradicting the theory that hyperdopaminergic status in HD is a consequence of neurodegeneration in the striatum.

HeLa E-Box Binding Protein, HEB, Inhibits Promoter Activity of the Lysophosphatidic Acid Receptor Gene Lpar1 in Neocortical Neuroblast Cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an endogenous lysophospholipid with signaling properties outside of the cell and it signals through specific G protein-coupled receptors, known as LPA1-6. For one of its receptors, LPA1 (gene name Lpar1), details on the cis-acting elements for transcriptional control have not been defined. Using 5'RACE analysis, we report the identification of an alternative transcription start site of mouse Lpar1 and characterize approximately 3,500 bp of non-coding flanking sequence 5' of mouse Lpar1 gene for promoter activity. Transient transfection of cells derived from mouse neocortical neuroblasts with constructs from the 5' regions of mouse Lpar1 gene revealed the region between -248 to +225 serving as the basal promoter for Lpar1. This region also lacks a TATA box. For the region between -761 to -248, a negative regulatory element affected the basal expression of Lpar1. This region has three E-box sequences and mutagenesis of these E-boxes, followed by transient expression, demonstrated that two of the E-boxes act as negative modulators of Lpar1. One of these E-box sequences bound the HeLa E-box binding protein (HEB), and modulation of HEB levels in the transfected cells regulated the transcription of the reporter gene. Based on our data, we propose that HEB may be required for a proper regulation of Lpar1 expression in the embryonic neocortical neuroblast cells and to affect its function in both normal brain development and disease settings.

A dual role for the transcription factor Sp8 in postnatal neurogenesis

Neural stem cells (NSCs) of the postnatal subventricular zone (SVZ) continue producing distinct subtypes of olfactory bulb (OB) interneurons throughout life. Understanding the transcriptional coding of this diversity remains a great challenge of modern neurosciences. Interneurons expressing calretinin (CalR) represent the main interneuron subtype produced in the glomerular cell layer (GL) after birth. Previous studies have suggested that their specification relies on expression of the transcription factor Sp8 by SVZ NSCs. In this study, we performed fate mapping of NSCs that generate CalR+ or non-CalR+ interneurons, in order to assess the pattern of Sp8 expression during postnatal neurogenesis. We highlight a complex pattern of Sp8 expression, which appears to be expressed in all interneurons lineages, before getting gradually restricted to maturing CalR+ interneurons. To decipher the early and late functions of Sp8 in postnatal OB neurogenesis, we combined transient, permanent and conditional genetic approaches to manipulate Sp8 at distinct neurogenic stages. While Sp8 plays an early role in controlling proliferation in all lineages, it is not involved in the early specification of CalR+ periglomerular interneurons, but plays a crucial role in their long term survival. Together, our results highlight a crucial and dual role for Sp8 during postnatal neurogenesis.

Characterization of the bHLH family of transcriptional regulators in the acoel S. roscoffensis and their putative role in neurogenesis

Background

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family of transcription factors is one of the largest superfamilies of regulatory transcription factors and is widely used in eukaryotic organisms. They play an essential role in a range of metabolic, physiological, and developmental processes, including the development of the nervous system (NS). These transcription factors have been studied in many metazoans, especially in vertebrates but also in early branching metazoan clades such as the cnidarians and sponges. However, currently very little is known about their expression in the most basally branching bilaterian group, the xenacoelomorphs. Recently, our laboratory has characterized the full complement of bHLH in the genome of two members of the Xenacoelomorpha, the xenoturbellid Xenoturbella bocki and the acoel Symsagittifera roscoffensis. Understanding the patterns of bHLH gene expression in members of this phylum (in space and time) provides critical new insights into the conserved roles of the bHLH and their putative specificities in this group. Our focus is on deciphering the specific roles that these genes have in the process of neurogenesis.

Results

Here, we analyze the developmental expression of the whole complement of bHLH genes identified in the acoel S. roscoffensis. Based on their expression patterns, several members of bHLH class A appear to have specific conserved roles in neurogenesis, while other class A genes (as well as members of other classes) have likely taken on more generalized functions. All gene expression patterns are described in embryos and early juveniles.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the main roles of the bHLH genes of S. roscoffensis are evolutionarily conserved, with a specific subset dedicated to patterning the nervous system: SrAscA, SrAscB, SrHes/Hey, SrNscl, SrSrebp, SrE12/E47 and SrOlig.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13227-018-0097-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Analysis of the expression pattern of the schizophrenia-risk and intellectual disability gene TCF4 in the developing and adult brain suggests a role in development and plasticity of cortical and hippocampal neurons

Background

Haploinsufficiency of the class I bHLH transcription factor TCF4 causes Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, while common variants in the TCF4 gene have been identified as susceptibility factors for schizophrenia. It remains largely unknown, which brain regions are dependent on TCF4 for their development and function.

Methods

We systematically analyzed the expression pattern of TCF4 in the developing and adult mouse brain. We used immunofluorescent staining to identify candidate regions whose development and function depend on TCF4. In addition, we determined TCF4 expression in the developing rhesus monkey brain and in the developing and adult human brain through analysis of transcriptomic datasets and compared the expression pattern between species. Finally, we morphometrically and histologically analyzed selected brain structures in Tcf4-haploinsufficient mice and compared our morphometric findings to neuroanatomical findings in PTHS patients.

Results

TCF4 is broadly expressed in cortical and subcortical structures in the developing and adult mouse brain. The TCF4 expression pattern was highly similar between humans, rhesus monkeys, and mice. Moreover, Tcf4 haploinsufficiency in mice replicated structural brain anomalies observed in PTHS patients.

Conclusion

Our data suggests that TCF4 is involved in the development and function of multiple brain regions and indicates that its regulation is evolutionary conserved. Moreover, our data validate Tcf4-haploinsufficient mice as a model to study the neurodevelopmental basis of PTHS.

Expression analyzes of early factors in midbrain differentiation programs

Mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) neurons are born in the ventricular zone (VZ) of the midbrain between E10 and E12. Although these neurons all express specific DA markers like Th and Pitx3, they are subdivided into distinct subsets, each depending on a unique set of transcription factors and signaling cascades for their differentiation. How a neural progenitor commits to an mdDA neuronal cell-fate and how the specification into the different subsets is determined remains unclear. To gain more insight into the development and specification of these neurons we have previously conducted a genome-wide expression analysis, in which dissected midbrain material (E10.5-E13.5) was compared to the adult mdDA region (Chakrabarty et al., 2012). In the present study, we have compared the genome-wide expression analysis including PITX3-GFP sorted (E12.5-E15.5) neurons to available expression data to search for genes specifically expressed in the midbrain during early stages of mdDA differentiation. We have divided these genes into 3 groups: (I) genes upregulated throughout differentiation (Mest, NeuroD1, and Tcf12), (II) genes upregulated during early stages of differentiation (Hes5, and Tcf3), and (III) genes upregulated during late stages of differentiation (Enc1). Here, we show the expression profile of these genes in the embryonic midbrain during development and adult stage and compared that to the appearance of mdDA neurons via co-staining for TH. With this analysis we have identified 6 novel factors that may play a role during cell-fate commitment of neural progenitors or later during differentiation of the mdDA group of neurons.

The Intellectual Disability and Schizophrenia Associated Transcription Factor TCF4 Is Regulated by Neuronal Activity and Protein Kinase A

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4 also known as ITF2 or E2-2) is a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein associated with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, intellectual disability, and schizophrenia (SCZ). Here, we show that TCF4-dependent transcription in cortical neurons cultured from embryonic rats of both sexes is induced by neuronal activity via soluble adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. PKA phosphorylates TCF4 directly and a PKA phosphorylation site in TCF4 is necessary for its transcriptional activity in cultured neurons and in the developing brain in vivo We also demonstrate that Gadd45g (growth arrest and DNA damage inducible gamma) is a direct target of neuronal-activity-induced, TCF4-dependent transcriptional regulation and that TCF4 missense variations identified in SCZ patients alter the transcriptional activity of TCF4 in neurons. This study identifies a new role for TCF4 as a neuronal-activity-regulated transcription factor, offering a novel perspective on the association of TCF4 with cognitive disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The importance of the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor transcription factor 4 (TCF4) in the nervous system is underlined by its association with common and rare cognitive disorders. In the current study, we show that TCF4-controlled transcription in primary cortical neurons is induced by neuronal activity and protein kinase A. Our results support the hypotheses that dysregulation of neuronal-activity-dependent signaling plays a significant part in the etiology of neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Eicosapentaenoic acid modulates the synergistic action of CREB1 and ID/E2A family members in the rat pup brain and mouse embryonic stem cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by which eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may exert neuroprotective effects through an "EPA-cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB)" signaling pathway. The current study reveals that EPA modulates the exquisite interplay of interaction of CREB1 with the inhibitor of DNA binding (ID) and E2A family members, thereby delivering mechanistic insights into specific neural differentiation program. In this scenario, our work provides evidence for the capability of CREB1 to sequester ID:E2A family members in brain tissues and neural differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) through formation of a [CREB1]2:ID2:E47 tetrameric complex.In essence, the molecular function of CREB1 is to dynamically regulate the location-specific assembly or disassembly of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH):HLH protein complexes to mediate the activation of neural/glial target genes. Together, these findings support the one-to-many binding mechanism of CREB1 and indicate that EPA treatment potentiates the integration of CREB dependent signaling with HLH/bHLH transcriptional network, adding specificity to the CREB1-mediated gene regulation during neural/glial differentiation. Our current research on the EPA-CREB axis could reveal new molecular targets for treating neurogenerative disease.

ID(ealizing) control of adult subventricular zone neural stem/precursor cell differentiation for CNS regeneration

The adult central nervous system (CNS) was considered a comparatively static tissue with little cell turnover. It is now well established that there is more plasticity than previously thought and that astrocytes act as neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ). The discovery that these NSPCs can give rise to a limited number of new neurons, reactive astrocytes and oligodendrocytes contributing to brain repair in CNS disease, has raised hopes toward harnessing these cells for therapeutic interventions. Here, we will discuss the transcriptional control of adult NSPC differentiation into astrocytes in CNS disease focusing on the helix-loop-helix transcription factor protein family. In our recent study, we reported that elevated BMP-2 levels are translated into an increase in Id3 expression in adult NSPC subpopulations after cortical injury. Id3 then heterodimerizes with the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor E47 and releases the E47-mediated repression of astrocyte-specific gene expression. Consequently, adult NSPCs preferentially differentiate into astrocytes. We believe that understanding the in vivo differentiation potential and the molecular underpinnings of NSPCs in the adult mammalian brain will help us to evaluate their contributions to brain repair and may lead to new concepts in treating human CNS diseases.

Tcf4 Controls Neuronal Migration of the Cerebral Cortex through Regulation of Bmp7

Background: Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is found to be associated with schizophrenia. TCF4 mutations also cause Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe mental retardation. However, the function of TCF4 during brain development remains unclear.

Results: Here, we report that Tcf4 is expressed in the developing cerebral cortex. In utero suppression of Tcf4 arrested neuronal migration, leading to accumulation of ectopic neurons in the intermediate zone. Knockdown of Tcf4 impaired leading process formation. Furthermore, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (Bmp7) is upregulated in Tcf4-deficient neurons. In vivo gain of function and rescue experiments demonstrated that Bmp7 is the major downstream effector of Tcf4 required for neuronal migration.

Conclusion: Thus, we have uncovered a new Tcf4/Bmp7-dependent mechanism underlying neuronal migration, and provide insights into the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

E Proteins and ID Proteins: Helix-Loop-Helix Partners in Development and Disease

The basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) proteins represent a well-known class of transcriptional regulators. Many bHLH proteins act as heterodimers with members of a class of ubiquitous partners, the E proteins. A widely expressed class of inhibitory heterodimer partners-the Inhibitor of DNA-binding (ID) proteins-also exists. Genetic and molecular analyses in humans and in knockout mice implicate E proteins and ID proteins in a wide variety of diseases, belying the notion that they are non-specific partner proteins. Here, we explore relationships of E proteins and ID proteins to a variety of disease processes and highlight gaps in knowledge of disease mechanisms.