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Dai P, Ma C, Chen C, Liang M, Dong S, Chen H, Zhang X. Unlocking Genetic Mysteries during the Epic Sperm Journey toward Fertilization: Further Expanding Cre Mouse Lines. Biomolecules 2024; 14:529. [PMID: 38785936 PMCID: PMC11117649 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The spatiotemporal expression patterns of genes are crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions in animals. Conditional gene knockout using the cyclization recombination enzyme (Cre)/locus of crossover of P1 (Cre/LoxP) strategy has been extensively employed for functional assays at specific tissue or developmental stages. This approach aids in uncovering the associations between phenotypes and gene regulation while minimizing interference among distinct tissues. Various Cre-engineered mouse models have been utilized in the male reproductive system, including Dppa3-MERCre for primordial germ cells, Ddx4-Cre and Stra8-Cre for spermatogonia, Prm1-Cre and Acrv1-iCre for haploid spermatids, Cyp17a1-iCre for the Leydig cell, Sox9-Cre for the Sertoli cell, and Lcn5/8/9-Cre for differentiated segments of the epididymis. Notably, the specificity and functioning stage of Cre recombinases vary, and the efficiency of recombination driven by Cre depends on endogenous promoters with different sequences as well as the constructed Cre vectors, even when controlled by an identical promoter. Cre mouse models generated via traditional recombination or CRISPR/Cas9 also exhibit distinct knockout properties. This review focuses on Cre-engineered mouse models applied to the male reproductive system, including Cre-targeting strategies, mouse model screening, and practical challenges encountered, particularly with novel mouse strains over the past decade. It aims to provide valuable references for studies conducted on the male reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China; (P.D.); (C.M.); (C.C.); (M.L.); (S.D.); (H.C.)
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2
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Zhou M, Liu Y, Ma C. Distinct Nuclear Architecture of Photoreceptors and Light-Induced Behaviors in Different Strains of Mice. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:37. [PMID: 34003922 PMCID: PMC7910638 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.2.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The mouse retina is considered a remarkable model for studying gene functions. However, variations in genetic background influence phenotypes in the mammalian retina. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the effects of the genetic background on the nuclear architecture of photoreceptor cells and the light-induced behavior in C57BL/6, 129 × 1/svj, and ICR mice. Methods The nuclear architecture of photoreceptor cells was investigated using various staining methods on postnatal day 21 (P21). Murine behavior was observed using a light-dark compartment test. Results The outer nuclear layer and retina were significantly thicker in C57BL/6 mice than in 129 × 1/svj mice. The percentage of photoreceptors with one chromocenter was significantly higher in C57BL/6 mice than in 129 × 1/svj and ICR mice on P21. The numbers of photoreceptor cells in C57BL/6 and ICR mice were significantly higher than those in 129 × 1/svj mice. The behavior test revealed that the walking distance and velocity in the light compartment were increased in C57BL/6 and ICR mice compared to 129 × 1/svj mice. Conclusions Different mouse strains had a distinct nuclear architecture of photoreceptors on P21, and C57BL/6 and ICR mice were more active than 129 × 1/svj mice in response to light-induced stress. Translational Relevance This study demonstrates a technique for assessing retinal structures and nuclear architecture in various strains of mice, which are often used to model human retinal disease. Hence, this study may help to elucidate the effect of genetic or disease-induced variance in retinal architecture and the organization of photoreceptor nuclear content on visual function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxue Zhou
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yutong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biomembrane and Membrane Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Ma
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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3
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Henry S, Trousdell MC, Cyrill SL, Zhao Y, Feigman MJ, Bouhuis JM, Aylard DA, Siepel A, Dos Santos CO. Characterization of Gene Expression Signatures for the Identification of Cellular Heterogeneity in the Developing Mammary Gland. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 2021; 26:43-66. [PMID: 33988830 PMCID: PMC8217035 DOI: 10.1007/s10911-021-09486-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The developing mammary gland depends on several transcription-dependent networks to define cellular identities and differentiation trajectories. Recent technological advancements that allow for single-cell profiling of gene expression have provided an initial picture into the epithelial cellular heterogeneity across the diverse stages of gland maturation. Still, a deeper dive into expanded molecular signatures would improve our understanding of the diversity of mammary epithelial and non-epithelial cellular populations across different tissue developmental stages, mouse strains and mammalian species. Here, we combined differential mammary gland fractionation approaches and transcriptional profiles obtained from FACS-isolated mammary cells to improve our definitions of mammary-resident, cellular identities at the single-cell level. Our approach yielded a series of expression signatures that illustrate the heterogeneity of mammary epithelial cells, specifically those of the luminal fate, and uncovered transcriptional changes to their lineage-defined, cellular states that are induced during gland development. Our analysis also provided molecular signatures that identified non-epithelial mammary cells, including adipocytes, fibroblasts and rare immune cells. Lastly, we extended our study to elucidate expression signatures of human, breast-resident cells, a strategy that allowed for the cross-species comparison of mammary epithelial identities. Collectively, our approach improved the existing signatures of normal mammary epithelial cells, as well as elucidated the diversity of non-epithelial cells in murine and human breast tissue. Our study provides a useful resource for future studies that use single-cell molecular profiling strategies to understand normal and malignant breast development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Henry
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, US
- Graduate Program in Genetics, Stony Brook University, NY, 11794, US
| | | | | | - Yixin Zhao
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, US
| | - Mary J Feigman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, US
| | | | - Dominik A Aylard
- College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, US
| | - Adam Siepel
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 11724, US
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4
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Quantitative Single-Cell Transcript Assessment of Biomarkers Supports Cellular Heterogeneity in the Bovine IVD. Vet Sci 2019; 6:vetsci6020042. [PMID: 31083612 PMCID: PMC6631975 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci6020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe and chronic low back pain is often associated with intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. While imposing a considerable socio-economic burden worldwide, IVD degeneration is also severely impacting on the quality of life of affected individuals. Cell-based regenerative medicine approaches have moved into clinical trials, yet IVD cell identities in the mature disc remain to be fully elucidated and tissue heterogeneity exists, requiring a better characterization of IVD cells. The bovine coccygeal IVD is an accepted research model to study IVD mechano-biology and disc homeostasis. Recently, we identified novel IVD biomarkers in the outer annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) of the mature bovine coccygeal IVD through RNA in situ hybridization (AP-RISH) and z-proportion test. Here we follow up on Lam1, Thy1, Gli1, Gli3, Noto, Ptprc, Scx, Sox2 and Zscan10 with fluorescent RNA in situ hybridization (FL-RISH) and confocal microscopy. This permits sub-cellular transcript localization and the addition of quantitative single-cell derived values of mRNA expression levels to our previous analysis. Lastly, we used a Gaussian mixture modeling approach for the exploratory analysis of IVD cells. This work complements our earlier cell population proportion-based study, confirms the previously proposed biomarkers and indicates even further heterogeneity of cells in the outer AF and NP of a mature IVD.
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5
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Li K, Kapper D, Youngs B, Kocsis V, Mondal S, Kraus P, Lufkin T. Potential biomarkers of the mature intervertebral disc identified at the single cell level. J Anat 2018; 234:16-32. [PMID: 30450595 PMCID: PMC6284444 DOI: 10.1111/joa.12904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and trauma is a major socio-economic burden and the focus of cell-based regenerative medicine approaches. Despite numerous ongoing clinical trials attempting to replace ailing IVD cells with mesenchymal stem cells, a solid understanding of the identity and nature of cells in a healthy mature IVD is still in need of refinement. Although anatomically simple, the IVD is comprised of heterogeneous cell populations. Therefore, methods involving cell pooling for RNA profiling could be misleading. Here, by using RNA in situ hybridization and z proportion test, we have identified potential novel biomarkers through single cell assessment. We quantified the proportion of RNA transcribing cells for 50 genetic loci in the outer annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) in coccygeal bovine discs isolated from tails of four skeletally mature animals. Our data reconfirm existing data and suggest 10 novel markers such as Lam1 and Thy1 in the outer AF and Gli1, Gli3, Noto, Scx, Ptprc, Sox2, Zscan10 and LOC101904175 in the NP, including pluripotency markers, that indicate stemness potential of IVD cells. These markers could be added to existing biomarker panels for cell type characterization. Furthermore, our data once more demonstrate heterogeneity in cells of the AF and NP, indicating the need for single cell assessment by methods such as RNA in situ hybridization. Our work refines the molecular identity of outer AF and NP cells, which can benefit future regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangning Li
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Devin Kapper
- Department of Mathematics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Brittany Youngs
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Kocsis
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Sumona Mondal
- Department of Mathematics, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Petra Kraus
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
| | - Thomas Lufkin
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA
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CYP3C gene regulation by the aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors in zebrafish. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 362:77-85. [PMID: 30393146 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 (CYPs) enzymes are critical for the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous compounds. In mammals, the CYP3s are arguably the most important xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and are all contained within the CYP3A subfamily. In fish, CYP3s include CYP3A and multiple subfamilies unique to the teleost lineage. The goal of this study was to provide insight on the regulation of genes in the CYP3C subfamily. Zebrafish, which have 4 CYP3C genes, were exposed to 17β-estradiol (E2; 0.001-10 μM) or β-naphthoflavone (βNF; 0.005-1 μM), prototypical ligands of the estrogen receptor (ER) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), respectively. Gene expression was measured in the liver, intestine and gonads using quantitative PCR. CYP1A and vitellogenin (VTG) gene expression were used as positive controls for AhR and ER regulation, respectively. Exposure to βNF resulted in the dose-dependant induction of CYP1A and CYP3C genes in the female intestine but not in the liver. E2 exposure resulted in the induction of all CYP3Cs in the male intestine and in the female liver. VTG was induced in both female and male livers. CYP3C3 and CYP3C4 were induced in the testis; CYP3C1 and CYP3C4 were slightly induced in the ovary. The time-course of gene induction was investigated in the liver and intestine after exposure to βNF (0.5 μM) and E2 (0.1 μM). Inducible genes were up-regulated within 12 h after exposure. These data support a role for the AhR and ER in the regulation of CYP3Cs. Overall, the induction of CYP3Cs by AhR and ER ligands is different from mammalian CYP3A and may suggest a functional role for CYP3Cs that involves planar aromatic hydrocarbons and steroids.
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7
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Kiessling S, Ucar A, Chowdhury K, Oster H, Eichele G. Genetic background-dependent effects of murine micro RNAs on circadian clock function. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176547. [PMID: 28448626 PMCID: PMC5407787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are important regulators of a wide range of biological processes. Antagomir studies suggest an implication of miR-132 in the functionality of the mammalian circadian clock. miR-212 and miR-132 are tandemly processed from the same transcript and share the same seed region. We found the clock modulator miR-132 and miR-212 to be expressed rhythmically in the central circadian clock. Consequently, mRNAs implicated in circadian functions may likely be targeted by both miRs. To further characterize the circadian role we generated mice with stable deletion of the miR-132/212 locus and compared the circadian behavior of mutant and wild-type control animals on two genetic backgrounds frequently used in chronobiological research, C57BL/6N and 129/Sv. Surprisingly, the wheel-running activity phenotype of miR mutant mice was highly background specific. A prolonged circadian free-running period in constant darkness was found in 129/Sv, but not in C57BL/6N miR-132/212 knockout mice. In contrast, in C57BL/6N, but not in 129/Sv miRNA-132/212 knockout mice a lengthened free-running period was observed in constant light conditions. Furthermore, miR-132/212 knockout mice on 129/Sv background exhibited enhanced photic phase shifts of locomotor activity accompanied by reduced light induction of Period gene transcription in the SCN. This phenotype was absent in miRNA-132/212 knockout mice on a C57BL/6N background. Together, our results reveal a strain and light regimen-specific function of miR-132/212 in the circadian clock machinery suggesting that miR-132 and miR-212 act as background-dependent circadian rhythm modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Kiessling
- Department of Genes and Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- Nutrition and Immunology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Ahmet Ucar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- University of Manchester, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Clinical and Molecular Cancer Sciences, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Kamal Chowdhury
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henrik Oster
- Department of Genes and Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
- Chronophysiology Group, Medical Department I, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gregor Eichele
- Department of Genes and Behavior, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
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8
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Al-Soudy AS, Nakanishi T, Mizuno S, Hasegawa Y, Shawki HH, Katoh MC, Basha WA, Ibrahim AE, El-Shemy HA, Iseki H, Yoshiki A, Hiromori Y, Nagase H, Takahashi S, Oishi H, Sugiyama F. Germline recombination in a novel Cre transgenic line, Prl3b1-Cre mouse. Genesis 2016; 54:389-97. [PMID: 27124574 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Revised: 04/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and highly regulated process by which spermatogonial stem cells differentiate into spermatozoa. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of the process, the Cre/loxP system has been widely utilized for conditional gene knockout in mice. In this study, we generated a transgenic mouse line that expresses Cre recombinase under the control of the 2.5 kbp of the Prolactin family 3, subfamily b, member 1 (Prl3b1) gene promoter (Prl3b1-cre). Prl3b1 was initially reported to code for placental lactogen 2 (PL-2) protein in placenta along with increased expression toward the end of pregnancy. PL-2 was found to be expressed in germ cells in the testis, especially in spermatocytes. To analyze the specificity and efficiency of Cre recombinase activity in Prl3b1-cre mice, the mice were mated with reporter R26GRR mice, which express GFP ubiquitously before and tdsRed exclusively after Cre recombination. The systemic examination of Prl3b1-cre;R26GRR mice revealed that tdsRed-positive cells were detected only in the testis and epididymis. Fluorescence imaging of Prl3b1-cre;R26GRR testes suggested that Cre-mediated recombination took place in the germ cells with approximately 74% efficiency determined by in vitro fertilization. In conclusion, our results suggest that the Prl3b1-cre mice line provides a unique resource to understand testicular germ-cell development. genesis 54:389-397, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al-Sayed Al-Soudy
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Animal Genetic Resource Department, National Gene Bank, Giza, Egypt.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Nakanishi
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Seiya Mizuno
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Hasegawa
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hossam H Shawki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Animal Genetic Resource Department, National Gene Bank, Giza, Egypt.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Megumi C Katoh
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Walaa A Basha
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz E Ibrahim
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Hany A El-Shemy
- Cairo University Research Park, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Hiroyoshi Iseki
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoshiki
- Experimental Animal Division, Riken BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Youhei Hiromori
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan.,Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kinjo Gakuin University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hisamitsu Nagase
- Laboratory of Hygienic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hisashi Oishi
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Sugiyama
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Lee K, Kobayashi Y, Seo H, Kwak JH, Masuda A, Lim CS, Lee HR, Kang SJ, Park P, Sim SE, Kogo N, Kawasaki H, Kaang BK, Itohara S. Involvement of cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factor II in hippocampal long-term depression and behavioral flexibility. Mol Brain 2015; 8:38. [PMID: 26104314 PMCID: PMC4477293 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0130-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) activate small GTPases that are involved in several cellular functions. cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factor II (cAMP-GEF II) acts as a target for cAMP independently of protein kinase A (PKA) and functions as a GEF for Rap1 and Rap2. Although cAMP-GEF II is expressed abundantly in several brain areas including the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, its specific function and possible role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and cognitive processes remain elusive. Here, we investigated how cAMP-GEF II affects synaptic function and animal behavior using cAMP-GEF II knockout mice. Results We found that deletion of cAMP-GEF II induced moderate decrease in long-term potentiation, although this decrease was not statistically significant. On the other hand, it produced a significant and clear impairment in NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses of hippocampus, while microscopic morphology, basal synaptic transmission, and depotentiation were normal. Behavioral testing using the Morris water maze and automated IntelliCage system showed that cAMP-GEF II deficient mice had moderately reduced behavioral flexibility in spatial learning and memory. Conclusions We concluded that cAMP-GEF II plays a key role in hippocampal functions including behavioral flexibility in reversal learning and in mechanisms underlying induction of long-term depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyungmin Lee
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Yuki Kobayashi
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Hyunhyo Seo
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Ji-Hye Kwak
- Behavioral Neural Circuitry and Physiology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy, Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-101, Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu, 700-842, Korea.
| | - Akira Masuda
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Chae-Seok Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea.
| | - Hye-Ryeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea.
| | - SukJae Joshua Kang
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Pojeong Park
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Su-Eon Sim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Naomi Kogo
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Hiroaki Kawasaki
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, 7-45-1, Nanakuma, Jonan-Ku, Fukuoka, 814-0180, Japan.
| | - Bong-Kiun Kaang
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-747, Korea. .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-746, Korea.
| | - Shigeyoshi Itohara
- Laboratory for Behavioral Genetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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10
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Plate in situ hybridization (PISH) as a time and cost effective RNA expression assay to study phenotypic heterogeneity in a population of cultured murine cells at single cell resolution. Biotechnol Lett 2015; 37:1573-7. [PMID: 25846140 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-015-1833-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Regenerative medicine approaches using reprogrammed or transdifferentiated cells require efficient single cell expression profiling to analyze culture homogeneity for quality control and recipients' safety. RESULTS While antigen-antibody based systems have been developed for several proteins, probing at the mRNA level allows for more flexibility, faster adaption to the ever increasing new data from next generation sequencing and increased specificity, especially for genes of conserved gene families. CONCLUSIONS We developed a time and cost effective expression profiling assay for monolayer cell culture in 96-well plates based on RNA in situ hybridization, termed PISH, at single cell resolution.
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11
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Effect of crossing C57BL/6 and FVB mouse strains on basal cytokine expression. Mediators Inflamm 2015; 2015:762419. [PMID: 25834307 PMCID: PMC4365321 DOI: 10.1155/2015/762419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
C57BL/6 is the most often used laboratory mouse strain. However, sometimes it is beneficial to cross the transgenic mice on the C57BL/6 background to the other strain, such as FVB. Although this is a common strategy, the influence of crossing these different strains on homeostatic expression of cytokines is not known. Here we have investigated the differences in the expression of selected cytokines between C57BL/6J and C57BL/6JxFVB mice in serum and skeletal muscle. We have found that only few cytokines were altered by crossing of the strains. Concentrations of IL5, IL7, LIF, MIP-2, and IP-10 were higher in serum of C57BL/6J mice than in C57BL/6JxFVB mice, whereas concentration of G-CSF was lower in C57BL/6J. In the skeletal muscle only the concentration of VEGF was higher in C57BL/6J mice than in C57BL/6JxFVB mice. Concluding, the differences in cytokine expression upon crossing C57BL/6 and FVB strain in basal conditions are not profound.
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Kraus P, V S, Yu HB, Xing X, Lim SL, Adler T, Pimentel JAA, Becker L, Bohla A, Garrett L, Hans W, Hölter SM, Janas E, Moreth K, Prehn C, Puk O, Rathkolb B, Rozman J, Adamski J, Bekeredjian R, Busch DH, Graw J, Klingenspor M, Klopstock T, Neff F, Ollert M, Stoeger T, Yildrim AÖ, Eickelberg O, Wolf E, Wurst W, Fuchs H, Gailus-Durner V, de Angelis MH, Lufkin T, Stanton LW. Pleiotropic functions for transcription factor zscan10. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104568. [PMID: 25111779 PMCID: PMC4128777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Zscan10 had been attributed a role as a pluripotency factor in embryonic stem cells based on its interaction with Oct4 and Sox2 in in vitro assays. Here we suggest a potential role of Zscan10 in controlling progenitor cell populations in vivo. Mice homozygous for a Zscan10 mutation exhibit reduced weight, mild hypoplasia in the spleen, heart and long bones and phenocopy an eye malformation previously described for Sox2 hypomorphs. Phenotypic abnormalities are supported by the nature of Zscan10 expression in midgestation embryos and adults suggesting a role for Zscan10 in either maintaining progenitor cell subpopulation or impacting on fate choice decisions thereof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kraus
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, United States of America
| | - Sivakamasundari V
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hong Bing Yu
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xing Xing
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siew Lan Lim
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thure Adler
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Juan Antonio Aguilar Pimentel
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie am Biederstein, Munich, Germany
| | - Lore Becker
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Alexander Bohla
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lillian Garrett
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hans
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sabine M. Hölter
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eva Janas
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Kristin Moreth
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Cornelia Prehn
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Puk
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Birgit Rathkolb
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jan Rozman
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jerzy Adamski
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Raffi Bekeredjian
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Graw
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Frauke Neff
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Markus Ollert
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie am Biederstein, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Stoeger
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ali Önder Yildrim
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Biology and Disease, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Developmental Biology, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Deutsches Institut für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen Site Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Helmut Fuchs
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Valérie Gailus-Durner
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Chair of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
- Member of German Center for Diabetes Research, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lufkin
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, United States of America
| | - Lawrence W. Stanton
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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Teerapornpuntakit J, Klanchui A, Karoonuthaisiri N, Wongdee K, Charoenphandhu N. Expression of transcripts related to intestinal ion and nutrient absorption in pregnant and lactating rats as determined by custom-designed cDNA microarray. Mol Cell Biochem 2014; 391:103-16. [PMID: 24519337 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-014-1992-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In pregnancy and lactation, maternal adaptation for the enhancement of intestinal ion and nutrient absorption is of paramount importance for fetal development and lactogenesis. This nutrient hyperabsorption has been reported to result from upregulation of transporter gene expression, in part, under control of lactogenic hormone prolactin (PRL). Since a number of gene families are responsible for ion and nutrient transport in the rat small intestine, we herein developed a custom-designed cDNA microarray (CalGeneArray) to determine the transcriptome responses of duodenal epithelial cells during these reproductive periods, which was subsequently validated by quantitative real-time PCR. We thus designed 277 oligonucleotide probes to detect 113 transcripts related to ion/nutrient transport, bone/calcium metabolism, paracrine regulator, and cell metabolism. Pregnancy was found to upregulate the expressions of several duodenal transporters, e.g., Trpm6, Trpm7, Glut5, and Trpv6. Pregnant rats subjected to 7-day injection of bromocriptine, an inhibitor of PRL release, showed the increased levels of some other transcripts, e.g., insulin-2 and Cyp27b1, compared to untreated pregnant rats. Bromocriptine also increased the mRNA levels of insulin-2, glucose transporter-1 (Sglt1), and Cyp27b1, while decreasing those of Fgfr2c, Atp1b2, and Cldn19 in early lactation. During late lactation, the levels of eight studied transcripts (i.e., NaPi-IIb, Cyp27b1, Cldn18, Casr, Atp1b2, Xpnpep, Pept1, and Trpm7) were altered. In conclusion, the CalGeneArray was powerful to help reveal that pregnancy and lactation modulated the expression of genes related to duodenal nutrient transport and cell metabolism. Our findings supported the physiological significance of PRL in regulating nutrient absorption during pregnancy and lactation.
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Kraus P, Sivakamasundari V, Xing X, Lufkin T. Generating mouse lines for lineage tracing and knockout studies. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1194:37-62. [PMID: 25064097 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1215-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In 2007 Capecchi, Evans, and Smithies received the Nobel Prize in recognition for discovering the principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice via embryonic stem cells, a technology, which has revolutionized the field of biomedical science allowing for the generation of genetically engineered animals. Here we describe detailed protocols based on and developed from these ground-breaking discoveries, allowing for the modification of genes not only to create mutations to study gene function but additionally to modify genes with fluorescent markers, thus permitting the isolation of specific rare wild-type and mutant cell types for further detailed analysis at the biochemical, pathological, and genomic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kraus
- Department of Biology, Clarkson University, Potsdam, 13699-5808, USA
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Kraus P, Sivakamasundari V, Lim SL, Xing X, Lipovich L, Lufkin T. Making sense of Dlx1 antisense RNA. Dev Biol 2013; 376:224-35. [PMID: 23415800 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 01/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently recognized as a major class of regulators in mammalian systems. LncRNAs function by diverse and heterogeneous mechanisms in gene regulation, and are key contributors to development, neurological disorders, and cancer. This emerging importance of lncRNAs, along with recent reports of a functional lncRNA encoded by the mouse Dlx5-Dlx6 locus, led us to interrogate the biological significance of another distal-less antisense lncRNA, the previously uncharacterized Dlx1 antisense (Dlx1as) transcript. We have functionally ablated this antisense RNA via a highly customized gene targeting approach in vivo. Mice devoid of Dlx1as RNA are viable and fertile, and display a mild skeletal and neurological phenotype reminiscent of a Dlx1 gain-of function phenotype, suggesting a role for this non-coding antisense RNA in modulating Dlx1 transcript levels and stability. The reciprocal relationship between Dlx1as and Dlx1 places this sense-antisense pair into a growing class of mammalian lncRNA-mRNA pairs characterized by inverse regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Kraus
- Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672, Singapore
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