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Dvoretskova E, Ho MC, Kittke V, Neuhaus F, Vitali I, Lam DD, Delgado I, Feng C, Torres M, Winkelmann J, Mayer C. Spatial enhancer activation influences inhibitory neuron identity during mouse embryonic development. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:862-872. [PMID: 38528203 PMCID: PMC11088997 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01611-9] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian telencephalon contains distinct GABAergic projection neuron and interneuron types, originating in the germinal zone of the embryonic basal ganglia. How genetic information in the germinal zone determines cell types is unclear. Here we use a combination of in vivo CRISPR perturbation, lineage tracing and ChIP-sequencing analyses and show that the transcription factor MEIS2 favors the development of projection neurons by binding enhancer regions in projection-neuron-specific genes during mouse embryonic development. MEIS2 requires the presence of the homeodomain transcription factor DLX5 to direct its functional activity toward the appropriate binding sites. In interneuron precursors, the transcription factor LHX6 represses the MEIS2-DLX5-dependent activation of projection-neuron-specific enhancers. Mutations of Meis2 result in decreased activation of regulatory enhancers, affecting GABAergic differentiation. We propose a differential binding model where the binding of transcription factors at cis-regulatory elements determines differential gene expression programs regulating cell fate specification in the mouse ganglionic eminence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dvoretskova
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - May C Ho
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Volker Kittke
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Neuhaus
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ilaria Vitali
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Daniel D Lam
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chao Feng
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Mayer
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany.
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Kim HJ, Batara DC, Jeon YJ, Lee S, Beck S, Kim SH. The impact of MEIS1 TALE homeodomain transcription factor knockdown on glioma stem cell growth. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2024; 28:93-109. [PMID: 38487309 PMCID: PMC10939110 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2024.2327340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloid ecotropic virus insertion site 1 (MEIS1) is a HOX co-factor necessary for organ development and normal hematopoiesis. Recently, MEIS1 has been linked to the development and progression of various cancers. However, its role in gliomagenesis particularly on glioma stem cells (GSCs) remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that MEIS1 is highly upregulated in GSCs compared to normal, and glioma cells and to its differentiated counterparts. Inhibition of MEIS1 expression by shRNA significantly reduced GSC growth in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. On the other hand, integrated transcriptomics analyses of glioma datasets revealed that MEIS1 expression is correlated to cell cycle-related genes. Clinical data analysis revealed that MEIS1 expression is elevated in high-grade gliomas, and patients with high MEIS1 levels have poorer overall survival outcomes. The findings suggest that MEIS1 is a prognostic biomarker for glioma patients and a possible target for developing novel therapeutic strategies against GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Jin Kim
- Animal Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Don Carlo Batara
- Animal Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jun Jeon
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongsoo Lee
- Gwangju Center, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Systems Biotechnology, Chung-Ang University, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Samuel Beck
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Aging Research, Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Sung-Hak Kim
- Animal Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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3
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Müller T, Reichlmeir M, Hau AC, Wittig I, Schulte D. The neuronal transcription factor MEIS2 is a calpain-2 protease target. J Cell Sci 2024; 137:jcs261482. [PMID: 38305737 PMCID: PMC10941658 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.261482] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Tight control over transcription factor activity is necessary for a sensible balance between cellular proliferation and differentiation in the embryo and during tissue homeostasis by adult stem cells, but mechanistic details have remained incomplete. The homeodomain transcription factor MEIS2 is an important regulator of neurogenesis in the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) adult stem cell niche in mice. We here identify MEIS2 as direct target of the intracellular protease calpain-2 (composed of the catalytic subunit CAPN2 and the regulatory subunit CAPNS1). Phosphorylation at conserved serine and/or threonine residues, or dimerization with PBX1, reduced the sensitivity of MEIS2 towards cleavage by calpain-2. In the adult V-SVZ, calpain-2 activity is high in stem and progenitor cells, but rapidly declines during neuronal differentiation, which is accompanied by increased stability of MEIS2 full-length protein. In accordance with this, blocking calpain-2 activity in stem and progenitor cells, or overexpression of a cleavage-insensitive form of MEIS2, increased the production of neurons, whereas overexpression of a catalytically active CAPN2 reduced it. Collectively, our results support a key role for calpain-2 in controlling the output of adult V-SVZ neural stem and progenitor cells through cleavage of the neuronal fate determinant MEIS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Müller
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology and Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), MSNZ Junior Group Translational Neurooncology, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Cancer Research (DoCR), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg Centre of Neuropathology (LCNP), 1445 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Marina Reichlmeir
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Hau
- Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Dr. Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology and Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), University Cancer Center Frankfurt (UCT), MSNZ Junior Group Translational Neurooncology, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ilka Wittig
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Functional Proteomics, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dorothea Schulte
- Goethe University, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
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Bobola N, Sagerström CG. TALE transcription factors: Cofactors no more. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 152-153:76-84. [PMID: 36509674 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exd/PBX, Hth/MEIS and PREP proteins belong to the TALE (three-amino-acid loop extension) superclass of transcription factors (TFs) with an atypical homedomain (HD). Originally discovered as "cofactors" to HOX proteins, revisiting their traditional role in light of genome-wide experiments reveals a strong and reproducible pattern of HOX and TALE co-occupancy across diverse embryonic tissues. While confirming that TALE increases HOX specificity and selectivity in vivo, this wider outlook also reveals novel aspects of HOX:TALE collaboration, namely that HOX TFs generally require pre-bound TALE factors to access their functional binding sites in vivo. In contrast to the restricted expression domains of HOX TFs, TALE factors are largely ubiquitous, and PBX and PREP are expressed at the earliest developmental stages. PBX and MEIS control development of many organs and tissues and their dysregulation is associated with congenital disease and cancer. Accordingly, many instances of TALE cooperation with non HOX TFs have been documented in various systems. The model that emerges from these studies is that TALE TFs create a permissive chromatin platform that is selected by tissue-restricted TFs for binding. In turn, HOX and other tissue-restricted TFs selectively convert a ubiquitous pool of low affinity TALE binding events into high confidence, tissue-restricted binding events associated with transcriptional activation. As a result, TALE:TF complexes are associated with active chromatin and domain/lineage-specific gene activity. TALE ubiquitous expression and broad genomic occupancy, as well as the increasing examples of TALE tissue-specific partners, reveal a universal and obligatory role for TALE in the control of tissue and lineage-specific transcriptional programs, beyond their initial discovery as HOX co-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Bobola
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Charles G Sagerström
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Bandler RC, Mayer C. Deciphering inhibitory neuron development: The paths to diversity. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 79:102691. [PMID: 36805715 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of fate decisions in progenitor cells lays the foundation for the generation of neuronal diversity and the formation of specialized circuits with remarkable processing capacity. Since the discovery more than 20 years ago that inhibitory (GABAergic) neurons originate from progenitors in the ventral part of the embryonic brain, numerous details about their development and function have been unveiled. GABAergic neurons are an extremely heterogeneous group, comprising many specialized subtypes of local interneurons and long-range projection neurons. Clearly distinguishable types emerge during postmitotic maturation, at a time when precursors migrate, morphologically mature, and establish synaptic connections. Yet, differentiation begins at an earlier stage within their progenitor domains, where a combination of birthdate and place of origin are key drivers. This review explains how new insights from single-cell sequencing inform our current understanding of how GABAergic neuron diversity emerges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Bandler
- Yale University, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, 82152, Germany. https://twitter.com/Rachel_Bandler
| | - Christian Mayer
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, 82152, Germany.
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A Systematic Pan-Cancer Analysis of MEIS1 in Human Tumors as Prognostic Biomarker and Immunotherapy Target. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12041646. [PMID: 36836180 PMCID: PMC9964192 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12041646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We intended to explore the potential immunological functions and prognostic value of Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 (MEIS1) across 33 cancer types. METHODS The data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and Gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets. Bioinformatics was used to excavate the potential mechanisms of MEIS1 across different cancers. RESULTS MEIS1 was downregulated in most tumors, and it was linked to the immune infiltration level of cancer patients. MEIS1 expression was different in various immune subtypes including C2 (IFN-gamma dominant), C5 (immunologically quiet), C3 (inflammatory), C4 (lymphocyte depleted), C6 (TGF-b dominant) and C1 (wound healing) in various cancers. MEIS1 expression was correlated with Macrophages_M2, CD8+T cells, Macrophages_M1, Macrophages_M0 and neutrophils in many cancers. MEIS1 expression was negatively related to tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and neoantigen (NEO) in several cancers. Low MEIS1 expression predicts poor overall survival (OS) in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), and kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) patients, while high MEIS1 expression predicts poor OS in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and low grade glioma (LGG) patients. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed that MEIS1 is likely to be a potential new target for immuno-oncology.
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Diaz C, de la Torre MM, Rubenstein JLR, Puelles L. Dorsoventral Arrangement of Lateral Hypothalamus Populations in the Mouse Hypothalamus: a Prosomeric Genoarchitectonic Analysis. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:687-731. [PMID: 36357614 PMCID: PMC9849321 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03043-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The lateral hypothalamus (LH) has a heterogeneous cytoarchitectonic organization that has not been elucidated in detail. In this work, we analyzed within the framework of the prosomeric model the differential expression pattern of 59 molecular markers along the ventrodorsal dimension of the medial forebrain bundle in the mouse, considering basal and alar plate subregions of the LH. We found five basal (LH1-LH5) and four alar (LH6-LH9) molecularly distinct sectors of the LH with neuronal cell groups that correlate in topography with previously postulated alar and basal hypothalamic progenitor domains. Most peptidergic populations were restricted to one of these LH sectors though some may have dispersed into a neighboring sector. For instance, histaminergic Hdc-positive neurons were mostly contained within the basal LH3, Nts (neurotensin)- and Tac2 (tachykinin 2)-expressing cells lie strictly within LH4, Hcrt (hypocretin/orexin)-positive and Pmch (pro-melanin-concentrating hormone)-positive neurons appeared within separate LH5 subdivisions, Pnoc (prepronociceptin)-expressing cells were mainly restricted to LH6, and Sst (somatostatin)-positive cells were identified within the LH7 sector. The alar LH9 sector, a component of the Foxg1-positive telencephalo-opto-hypothalamic border region, selectively contained Satb2-expressing cells. Published studies of rodent LH subdivisions have not described the observed pattern. Our genoarchitectonic map should aid in systematic approaches to elucidate LH connectivity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Diaz
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine and Institute for Research in Neurological Disabilities, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02006 Albacete, Spain
| | - Margaret Martinez de la Torre
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - John L. R. Rubenstein
- Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Medical School, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Luis Puelles
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology and IMIB-Arrixaca Institute, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Fritsche K, Boccellato F, Schlaermann P, Koeppel M, Denecke C, Link A, Malfertheiner P, Gut I, Meyer TF, Berger H. DNA methylation in human gastric epithelial cells defines regional identity without restricting lineage plasticity. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:193. [PMID: 36585699 PMCID: PMC9801550 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic modifications in mammalian DNA are commonly manifested by DNA methylation. In the stomach, altered DNA methylation patterns have been observed following chronic Helicobacter pylori infections and in gastric cancer. In the context of epigenetic regulation, the regional nature of the stomach has been rarely considered in detail. RESULTS Here, we establish gastric mucosa derived primary cell cultures as a reliable source of native human epithelium. We describe the DNA methylation landscape across the phenotypically different regions of the healthy human stomach, i.e., antrum, corpus, fundus together with the corresponding transcriptomes. We show that stable regional DNA methylation differences translate to a limited extent into regulation of the transcriptomic phenotype, indicating a largely permissive epigenetic regulation. We identify a small number of transcription factors with novel region-specific activity and likely epigenetic impact in the stomach, including GATA4, IRX5, IRX2, PDX1 and CDX2. Detailed analysis of the Wnt pathway reveals differential regulation along the craniocaudal axis, which involves non-canonical Wnt signaling in determining cell fate in the proximal stomach. By extending our analysis to pre-neoplastic lesions and gastric cancers, we conclude that epigenetic dysregulation characterizes intestinal metaplasia as a founding basis for functional changes in gastric cancer. We present insights into the dynamics of DNA methylation across anatomical regions of the healthy stomach and patterns of its change in disease. Finally, our study provides a well-defined resource of regional stomach transcription and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Fritsche
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesco Boccellato
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Philipp Schlaermann
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Koeppel
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Denecke
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Center for Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Center of Innovative Surgery (ZIC), Department of Surgery, Campus Virchow Klinikum and Campus Mitte, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Link
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von-Guericke University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Malfertheiner
- grid.5807.a0000 0001 1018 4307Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Otto-Von-Guericke University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ivo Gut
- grid.452341.50000 0004 8340 2354Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas F. Meyer
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany ,grid.412468.d0000 0004 0646 2097Laboratory of Infection Oncology, Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrecht University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein – Campus Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Hilmar Berger
- grid.418159.00000 0004 0491 2699Department of Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany ,grid.412468.d0000 0004 0646 2097Laboratory of Infection Oncology, Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian Albrecht University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein – Campus Kiel, Rosalind-Franklin-Straße 12, 24105 Kiel, Germany
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Bae T, Wang Y, Vaccarino FM, Abyzov A. Somatic genomic mosaicism in the brain during aging: Scratching the surface. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1138. [PMID: 36495113 PMCID: PMC9736788 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Taejeong Bae
- Department of Quantitative Health SciencesCenter for Individualized Medicine, Mayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Quantitative Health SciencesCenter for Individualized Medicine, Mayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
| | - Flora M Vaccarino
- Child Study CenterYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
- Department of NeuroscienceYale UniversityNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Alexej Abyzov
- Department of Quantitative Health SciencesCenter for Individualized Medicine, Mayo ClinicRochesterMinnesotaUSA
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Wu MM, Chen CW, Chen CY, Lee CH, Chou M, Hsu LI, Lee TC, Chen CJ. TIMP3 Gene Polymorphisms of -1296 T > C and -915 A > G Increase the Susceptibility to Arsenic-Induced Skin Cancer: A Cohort Study and In Silico Analysis of Mutation Impacts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314980. [PMID: 36499314 PMCID: PMC9735753 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term exposure to arsenic may induce several human cancers, including non-melanoma skin cancer. The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-3, encoded by the TIMP3 gene, may inhibit tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis of several cancer types. In this study, we aimed to investigate effects of the TIMP3 -1296 T > C (rs9619311) and -915 A > G (rs2234921) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on skin cancer risk in an arsenic-exposed population, and to evaluate the influence of allele-specific changes by an in silico analysis. In total, 1078 study participants were followed up for a median of 15 years for newly diagnosed skin cancer. New cases were identified through linkage to the National Cancer Registry of Taiwan. A Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of TIMP3 variants. Transcription factor (TF) profiling of binding sites of allele-specific changes in SNPs was conducted using the JASPAR scan tool. We observed borderline associations between TIMP3 genotypes and skin cancer risk. However, when combined with high arsenic exposure levels, the rs9619311 C allele, rs2234921 G allele, or C-G haplotype groups exhibited a greater risk of developing skin cancer compared to the respective common homozygous genotype group. The in silico analysis revealed several TF motifs located at or flanking the two SNP sites. We validated that the C allele of rs9619311 attenuated the binding affinity of BACH2, MEIS2, NFE2L2, and PBX2 to the TIMP3 promoter, and that the G allele of rs2234921 reduced the affinity of E2F8 and RUNX1 to bind to the promoter. Our findings suggest significant modifications of the effect of the association between arsenic exposure and skin cancer risk by the TIMP3 rs9619311 and rs2234921 variants. The predicted TFs and their differential binding affinities to the TIMP3 promoter provide insights into how TIMP3 interacts with arsenic through TFs in skin cancer formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meei-Maan Wu
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Master Program in Applied Molecular Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| | - Chi-Wei Chen
- Department of Life Science, College of Sciences and Engineering, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien 97430, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Yi Chen
- Master Program in Applied Molecular Epidemiology, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hung Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83325, Taiwan
| | - Mark Chou
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ling-I Hsu
- Department of Research, Taiwan Blood Services Foundation, Taipei 10066, Taiwan
| | - Te-Chang Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Jen Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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The autism-associated Meis2 gene is necessary for cardiac baroreflex regulation in mice. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20150. [PMID: 36418415 PMCID: PMC9684552 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24616-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) showed that peripheral primary mechanosensitive neurons involved in touch sensation and central neurons affected in ASD share transcriptional regulators. Mutant mice for ASD-associated transcription factors exhibit impaired primary tactile perception and restoring those genes specifically in primary sensory neurons rescues some of the anxiety-like behavior and social interaction defects. Interestingly, peripheral mechanosensitive sensory neurons also project to internal organs including the cardiovascular system, and an imbalance of the cardio-vascular sympathovagal regulation is evidenced in ASD and intellectual disability. ASD patients have decreased vagal tone, suggesting dysfunction of sensory neurons involved in cardio-vascular sensing. In light of our previous finding that the ASD-associated Meis2 gene is necessary for normal touch neuron development and function, we investigated here if its inactivation in mouse peripheral sensory neurons also affects cardio-vascular sympathovagal regulation and baroreflex. Combining echocardiography, pharmacological challenge, blood pressure monitoring, and heart rate variability analysis, we found that Meis2 mutant mice exhibited a blunted vagal response independently of any apparent cardiac malformation. These results suggest that defects in primary sensory neurons with mechanosensitive identity could participate in the imbalanced cardio-vascular sympathovagal tone found in ASD patients, reinforcing current hypotheses on the role of primary sensory neurons in the etiology of ASD.
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12
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Bae T, Fasching L, Wang Y, Shin JH, Suvakov M, Jang Y, Norton S, Dias C, Mariani J, Jourdon A, Wu F, Panda A, Pattni R, Chahine Y, Yeh R, Roberts RC, Huttner A, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Straub RE, Walsh CA, Urban AE, Leckman JF, Weinberger DR, Vaccarino FM, Abyzov A. Analysis of somatic mutations in 131 human brains reveals aging-associated hypermutability. Science 2022; 377:511-517. [PMID: 35901164 PMCID: PMC9420557 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm6222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed 131 human brains (44 neurotypical, 19 with Tourette syndrome, 9 with schizophrenia, and 59 with autism) for somatic mutations after whole genome sequencing to a depth of more than 200×. Typically, brains had 20 to 60 detectable single-nucleotide mutations, but ~6% of brains harbored hundreds of somatic mutations. Hypermutability was associated with age and damaging mutations in genes implicated in cancers and, in some brains, reflected in vivo clonal expansions. Somatic duplications, likely arising during development, were found in ~5% of normal and diseased brains, reflecting background mutagenesis. Brains with autism were associated with mutations creating putative transcription factor binding motifs in enhancer-like regions in the developing brain. The top-ranked affected motifs corresponded to MEIS (myeloid ectopic viral integration site) transcription factors, suggesting a potential link between their involvement in gene regulation and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejeong Bae
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Liana Fasching
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Milovan Suvakov
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Yeongjun Jang
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Scott Norton
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Caroline Dias
- Division of Genetics and Genomics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Feinan Wu
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Arijit Panda
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Reenal Pattni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Yasmine Chahine
- Division of Genetics and Genomics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Yeh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rosalinda C. Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Al, 35294
| | - Anita Huttner
- Department of Pathology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Joel E. Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Thomas M. Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Richard E. Straub
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Christopher A. Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Alexander E. Urban
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Daniel R. Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Flora M. Vaccarino
- Child Study Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Alexej Abyzov
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
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13
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Zhong ME, Huang ZP, Wang X, Cai D, Li CH, Gao F, Wu XJ, Wang W. A Transcription Factor Signature Can Identify the CMS4 Subtype and Stratify the Prognostic Risk of Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:902974. [PMID: 35847938 PMCID: PMC9280271 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.902974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease, and current classification systems are insufficient for stratifying patients with different risks. This study aims to develop a generalized, individualized prognostic consensus molecular subtype (CMS)-transcription factors (TFs)-based signature that can predict the prognosis of CRC.MethodsWe obtained differentially expressed TF signature and target genes between the CMS4 and other CMS subtypes of CRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A multi-dimensional network inference integrative analysis was conducted to identify the master genes and establish a CMS4-TFs-based signature. For validation, an in-house clinical cohort (n = 351) and another independent public CRC cohort (n = 565) were applied. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and prediction of immune cell infiltration were performed to interpret the biological significance of the model.ResultsA CMS4-TFs-based signature termed TF-9 that includes nine TF master genes was developed. Patients in the TF-9 high-risk group have significantly worse survival, regardless of clinical characteristics. The TF-9 achieved the highest mean C-index (0.65) compared to all other signatures reported (0.51 to 0.57). Immune infiltration revealed that the microenvironment in the high-risk group was highly immune suppressed, as evidenced by the overexpression of TIM3, CD39, and CD40, suggesting that high-risk patients may not directly benefit from the immune checkpoint inhibitors.ConclusionsThe TF-9 signature allows a more precise categorization of patients with relevant clinical and biological implications, which may be a valuable tool for improving the tailoring of therapeutic interventions in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Er Zhong
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Ping Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Du Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng-Hang Li
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Wang, ; Xiao-Jian Wu, ; Feng Gao,
| | - Xiao-Jian Wu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Wang, ; Xiao-Jian Wu, ; Feng Gao,
| | - Wei Wang
- Biomedical Big Data Centre, Department of Gynaecology, Huzhou Maternity & Child Health Care Hospital, Huzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei Wang, ; Xiao-Jian Wu, ; Feng Gao,
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14
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Le Nabec A, Blotas C, Briset A, Collobert M, Férec C, Moisan S. 3D Chromatin Organization Involving MEIS1 Factor in the cis-Regulatory Landscape of GJB2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23136964. [PMID: 35805969 PMCID: PMC9266880 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23136964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The human genome is covered by 8% of candidate cis-regulatory elements. The identification of distal acting regulatory elements and an understanding of their action are crucial to determining their key role in gene expression. Disruptions of such regulatory elements and/or chromatin conformation are likely to play a critical role in human genetic diseases. Non-syndromic hearing loss (i.e., DFNB1) is mostly due to GJB2 (Gap Junction Beta 2) variations and DFNB1 large deletions. Although several GJB2 cis-regulatory elements (CREs) have been described, GJB2 gene regulation remains not well understood. We investigated the endogenous effect of these CREs with CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) disruptions and observed GJB2 expression. To decipher the GJB2 regulatory landscape, we used the 4C-seq technique and defined new chromatin contacts inside the DFNB1 locus, which permit DNA loops and long-range regulation. Moreover, through ChIP-PCR, we determined the involvement of the MEIS1 transcription factor in GJB2 expression. Taken together, the results of our study enable us to describe the 3D DFNB1 regulatory landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Le Nabec
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
- Correspondence: or twitter@anaisnabec (A.L.N.); (S.M.); Tel.: +33-2-98-01-65-84 (A.L.N.); +33-2-98-01-65-67 (S.M.)
| | - Clara Blotas
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Alinéor Briset
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Mégane Collobert
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Claude Férec
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Stéphanie Moisan
- University Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, F-29200 Brest, France; (C.B.); (A.B.); (M.C.); (C.F.)
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire et d’Histocompatibilité, CHRU Brest, UMR 1078, F-29200 Brest, France
- Correspondence: or twitter@anaisnabec (A.L.N.); (S.M.); Tel.: +33-2-98-01-65-84 (A.L.N.); +33-2-98-01-65-67 (S.M.)
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15
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Isogai E, Okumura K, Saito M, Tokunaga Y, Wakabayashi Y. Meis1 plays roles in cortical development through regulation of cellular proliferative capacity in the embryonic cerebrum. Biomed Res 2022; 43:91-97. [PMID: 35718449 DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.43.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Meis1 (myeloid ecotropic insertion site 1) is known to be related to embryonic development and cancer. In this study, to analyze the function of Meis1 in neural stem cells, we crossed Meis1fl/fl (Meis1 floxed) mice with Nestin-Cre mice. The results showed that Meis1-conditional knockout mice showed cerebral cortex malformation. The mice had a significantly thinner cortex than wildtype mice. At E14.5, BrdU incorporation and Pax6-positive radial glial cells were significantly decreased in the cerebral cortex of Meis1 knockout embryos as compared with wild-type embryos, whereas Tbr2-positive intermediate progenitors and NeuN-positive differentiated neurons were not. Cell death detected by immunostaining with cleaved caspase3 antibody showed no difference in the cortex between knockout and wild-type embryos. Furthermore, knockout of Meis1 in embryo by in utero electroporation showed that cellular migration was disturbed during cortical development. Therefore, Meis1 could play important roles during cortical development through the regulation of cell proliferation and migration in the embryonic cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriko Isogai
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Kazuhiro Okumura
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Megumi Saito
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Yurika Tokunaga
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute
| | - Yuichi Wakabayashi
- Division of Experimental Animal Research, Cancer Genome Center, Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute
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16
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Gutierrez J, Davis BA, Nevonen KA, Ward S, Carbone L, Maslen CL. DNA Methylation Analysis of Turner Syndrome BAV. Front Genet 2022; 13:872750. [PMID: 35711915 PMCID: PMC9194862 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.872750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Turner Syndrome (TS) is a rare cytogenetic disorder caused by the complete loss or structural variation of the second sex chromosome. The most common cause of early mortality in TS results from a high incidence of left-sided congenital heart defects, including bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), which occurs in about 30% of individuals with TS. BAV is also the most common congenital heart defect in the general population with a prevalence of 0.5–2%, with males being three-times more likely to have a BAV than females. TS is associated with genome-wide hypomethylation when compared to karyotypically normal males and females. Alterations in DNA methylation in primary aortic tissue are associated with BAV in euploid individuals. Here we show significant differences in DNA methylation patterns associated with BAV in TS found in peripheral blood by comparing TS BAV (n = 12), TS TAV (n = 13), and non-syndromic BAV (n = 6). When comparing TS with BAV to TS with no heart defects we identified a differentially methylated region encompassing the BAV-associated gene MYRF, and enrichment for binding sites of two known transcription factor contributors to BAV. When comparing TS with BAV to euploid women with BAV, we found significant overlapping enrichment for ChIP-seq transcription factor targets including genes in the NOTCH1 pathway, known for involvement in the etiology of non-syndromic BAV, and other genes that are essential regulators of heart valve development. Overall, these findings suggest that altered DNA methylation affecting key aortic valve development genes contributes to the greatly increased risk for BAV in TS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Gutierrez
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Brett A Davis
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Kimberly A Nevonen
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Samantha Ward
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States.,Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Cheryl L Maslen
- Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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17
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Hand2 delineates mesothelium progenitors and is reactivated in mesothelioma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1677. [PMID: 35354817 PMCID: PMC8967825 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The mesothelium lines body cavities and surrounds internal organs, widely contributing to homeostasis and regeneration. Mesothelium disruptions cause visceral anomalies and mesothelioma tumors. Nonetheless, the embryonic emergence of mesothelia remains incompletely understood. Here, we track mesothelial origins in the lateral plate mesoderm (LPM) using zebrafish. Single-cell transcriptomics uncovers a post-gastrulation gene expression signature centered on hand2 in distinct LPM progenitor cells. We map mesothelial progenitors to lateral-most, hand2-expressing LPM and confirm conservation in mouse. Time-lapse imaging of zebrafish hand2 reporter embryos captures mesothelium formation including pericardium, visceral, and parietal peritoneum. We find primordial germ cells migrate with the forming mesothelium as ventral migration boundary. Functionally, hand2 loss disrupts mesothelium formation with reduced progenitor cells and perturbed migration. In mouse and human mesothelioma, we document expression of LPM-associated transcription factors including Hand2, suggesting re-initiation of a developmental program. Our data connects mesothelium development to Hand2, expanding our understanding of mesothelial pathologies.
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18
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Meriç N, Kocabaş F. The Historical Relationship Between Meis1 and Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1387:127-144. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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19
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Zhang B, Liu M, Fong CT, Iqbal MA. MEIS2 (15q14) gene deletions in siblings with mild developmental phenotypes and bifid uvula: documentation of mosaicism in an unaffected parent. Mol Cytogenet 2021; 14:58. [PMID: 34930369 PMCID: PMC8690878 DOI: 10.1186/s13039-021-00570-1] [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] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
MEIS2 (Meis homeobox 2) encodes a homeobox protein in the three amino acid loop extension (TALE) family of highly conserved homeodomain-containing transcription regulators important for development. MEIS2 deletions/mutations have been associated with cleft lip/palate, dysmorphic facial features, cardiac defects, as well as intellectual disability at a variable severity. Here we report on one familial case that two affected siblings carry the same non-mosaic ~ 423 kb genomic deletion at 15q14 encompassing the entirety of CDIN1 and the last three exons (ex. 10, 11, 12) of the MEIS2 gene, while their unaffected father is mosaic for the same deletion in about 10% lymphocytes. Both siblings presented with mild developmental delay and bifid uvula, while no congenital cardiac abnormalities were identified. The elder sister also showed syncopal episodes and mild speech delay and the father had atrial septal defects. This is the first report showing multiple family members inherit a genomic deletion resulting in a MEIS2 partial truncation from a mosaic parent. Taken all together, this study has important implications for genetic counseling regarding recurrence risk and also points to the importance of offering MEIS2 gene tests covering both point mutations and microdeletions to individuals with milder bifid uvula and developmental delay.
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20
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Lam DD, Nikolic AA, Zhao C, Mirza-Schreiber N, Krężel W, Oexle K, Winkelmann J. Intronic elements associated with insomnia and restless legs syndrome exhibit cell type-specific epigenetic features contributing to MEIS1 regulation. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1733-1746. [PMID: 34888668 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A highly evolutionarily conserved MEIS1 intronic region is strongly associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and insomnia. To understand its regulatory function, we dissected the region by analyzing chromatin accessibility, enhancer-promoter contacts, DNA methylation, and eQTLs in different human neural cell types and tissues. We observed specific activity with respect to cell type and developmental maturation, indicating a prominent role for distinct highly conserved intronic elements in forebrain inhibitory neuron differentiation. Two elements were hypomethylated in neural cells with higher MEIS1 expression, suggesting a role of enhancer demethylation in gene regulation. MEIS1 eQTLs showed a striking modular chromosomal distribution, with forebrain eQTLs clustering in intron 8/9. CRISPR interference targeting of individual elements in this region attenuated MEIS1 expression, revealing a complex regulatory interplay of distinct elements. In summary, we found that MEIS1 regulation is organized in a modular pattern. Disease-associated intronic regulatory elements control MEIS1 expression with cell type and maturation stage specificity, particularly in the inhibitory neuron lineage. The precise spatiotemporal activity of these elements likely contributes to the pathogenesis of insomnia and RLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Lam
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Antic Nikolic
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Chen Zhao
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Nazanin Mirza-Schreiber
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Wojciech Krężel
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France.,Institut de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, Illkirch, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France.,Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Konrad Oexle
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Center Munich, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany.,Chair of Neurogenetics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
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21
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Fabik J, Psutkova V, Machon O. The Mandibular and Hyoid Arches-From Molecular Patterning to Shaping Bone and Cartilage. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7529. [PMID: 34299147 PMCID: PMC8303155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The mandibular and hyoid arches collectively make up the facial skeleton, also known as the viscerocranium. Although all three germ layers come together to assemble the pharyngeal arches, the majority of tissue within viscerocranial skeletal components differentiates from the neural crest. Since nearly one third of all birth defects in humans affect the craniofacial region, it is important to understand how signalling pathways and transcription factors govern the embryogenesis and skeletogenesis of the viscerocranium. This review focuses on mouse and zebrafish models of craniofacial development. We highlight gene regulatory networks directing the patterning and osteochondrogenesis of the mandibular and hyoid arches that are actually conserved among all gnathostomes. The first part of this review describes the anatomy and development of mandibular and hyoid arches in both species. The second part analyses cell signalling and transcription factors that ensure the specificity of individual structures along the anatomical axes. The third part discusses the genes and molecules that control the formation of bone and cartilage within mandibular and hyoid arches and how dysregulation of molecular signalling influences the development of skeletal components of the viscerocranium. In conclusion, we notice that mandibular malformations in humans and mice often co-occur with hyoid malformations and pinpoint the similar molecular machinery controlling the development of mandibular and hyoid arches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Fabik
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.F.); (V.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Viktorie Psutkova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.F.); (V.P.)
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, 12800 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14220 Prague, Czech Republic; (J.F.); (V.P.)
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22
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Durán Alonso MB, Vendrell V, López-Hernández I, Alonso MT, Martin DM, Giráldez F, Carramolino L, Giovinazzo G, Vázquez E, Torres M, Schimmang T. Meis2 Is Required for Inner Ear Formation and Proper Morphogenesis of the Cochlea. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:679325. [PMID: 34124068 PMCID: PMC8194062 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.679325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Meis genes have been shown to control essential processes during development of the central and peripheral nervous system. Here we have explored the roles of the Meis2 gene during vertebrate inner ear induction and the formation of the cochlea. Meis2 is expressed in several tissues required for inner ear induction and in non-sensory tissue of the cochlear duct. Global inactivation of Meis2 in the mouse leads to a severely reduced size of the otic vesicle. Tissue-specific knock outs of Meis2 reveal that its expression in the hindbrain is essential for otic vesicle formation. Inactivation of Meis2 in the inner ear itself leads to an aberrant coiling of the cochlear duct. By analyzing transcriptomes obtained from Meis2 mutants and ChIPseq analysis of an otic cell line, we define candidate target genes for Meis2 which may be directly or indirectly involved in cochlear morphogenesis. Taken together, these data show that Meis2 is essential for inner ear formation and provide an entry point to unveil the network underlying proper coiling of the cochlear duct.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Beatriz Durán Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Victor Vendrell
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Iris López-Hernández
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Alonso
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Donna M Martin
- Departments of Pediatrics and Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Fernando Giráldez
- CEXS, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Parc de Recerca Biomédica de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Carramolino
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Vázquez
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, CNIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biología y Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Valladolid, Spain
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23
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Abstract
The vertebrate eye is derived from the neuroepithelium, surface ectoderm, and extracellular mesenchyme. The neuroepithelium forms an optic cup in which the spatial separation of three domains is established, namely, the region of multipotent retinal progenitor cells (RPCs), the ciliary margin zone (CMZ)-which possesses both a neurogenic and nonneurogenic potential-and the optic disk (OD), the interface between the optic stalk and the neuroretina. Here, we show by genetic ablation in the developing optic cup that Meis1 and Meis2 homeobox genes function redundantly to maintain the retinal progenitor pool while they simultaneously suppress the expression of genes characteristic of CMZ and OD fates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Meis transcription factors bind regulatory regions of RPC-, CMZ-, and OD-specific genes, thus providing a mechanistic insight into the Meis-dependent gene regulatory network. Our work uncovers the essential role of Meis1 and Meis2 as regulators of cell fate competence, which organize spatial territories in the vertebrate eye.
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Reichlmeir M, Elias L, Schulte D. Posttranslational Modifications in Conserved Transcription Factors: A Survey of the TALE-Homeodomain Superclass in Human and Mouse. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:648765. [PMID: 33768097 PMCID: PMC7985065 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.648765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) guide effector proteins like chromatin-modifying or -remodeling enzymes to distinct sites in the genome and thereby fulfill important early steps in translating the genome’s sequence information into the production of proteins or functional RNAs. TFs of the same family are often highly conserved in evolution, raising the question of how proteins with seemingly similar structure and DNA-binding properties can exert physiologically distinct functions or respond to context-specific extracellular cues. A good example is the TALE superclass of homeodomain-containing proteins. All TALE-homeodomain proteins share a characteristic, 63-amino acid long homeodomain and bind to similar sequence motifs. Yet, they frequently fulfill non-redundant functions even in domains of co-expression and are subject to regulation by different signaling pathways. Here we provide an overview of posttranslational modifications that are associated with murine and human TALE-homeodomain proteins and discuss their possible importance for the biology of these TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Reichlmeir
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lena Elias
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dorothea Schulte
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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25
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Meng L, Tian Z, Wang J, Liu X, Zhang W, Hu M, Wang M, Zhang Y. Effect of myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) family genes on tumor microenvironment remodeling and its potential therapeutic effect. Transl Androl Urol 2021; 10:594-608. [PMID: 33718062 PMCID: PMC7947450 DOI: 10.21037/tau-20-1163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The myeloid ecotropic viral integration site (MEIS) family of genes is related to the occurrence, development, and outcome of many cancers. However, its role in the immune and tumor microenvironment (TME) is unclear. This study explored the relationship between the expression of MEIS genes and patient survival, immune subtypes, TME, tumor stem cell correlation, and drug sensitivity in cancer. Methods We used The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer data to analyze the expression of the MEIS family genes. Kaplan-Meier analysis and univariate Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to detect the relationship between gene expression and overall survival. Analysis of variance was used to explore the relationship between the MEIS family and the immune components in the tumor, and the ESTIMATE algorithm was used to calculate the proportion and level of tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Spearman and Pearson’s correlation tests were carried out to detect the relationship between MEIS and the characteristics of tumor stem cells and drug sensitivity. Results The MEIS family of genes shows different expression profiles in different cancers, with substantial inter- and intra-cancer heterogeneity. Among them, MEIS3 was upregulated in most cancers, whereas MEIS2 was downregulated. The change in MEIS gene expression was usually related to overall survival, but whether a member of the MEIS family was a risk factor or a protective factor was cancer-dependent. Immune component analysis suggested that the role of MEIS genes in promoting or inhibiting cancer may be related to different degrees of immune silencing. Further, there were varying degrees of correlation between MEIS gene expression and cancer cell stemness characteristics. It was also found that MEIS genes, especially MEIS1 and MEIS2, may be related to chemotherapy resistance. Conclusions We explored the expression, prognostic relationship, molecular characteristics, and effects on immunity and TME of the MEIS gene family in cancer. Our results suggest that MEIS members should be studied as independent entities in different types of cancer. The MEIS gene family may be a potential target for cancer therapy, but further experiments are needed to confirm this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Meng
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zijian Tian
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiawen Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Maolin Hu
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaoguang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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26
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Fabik J, Kovacova K, Kozmik Z, Machon O. Neural crest cells require Meis2 for patterning the mandibular arch via the Sonic hedgehog pathway. Biol Open 2020; 9:9/6/bio052043. [PMID: 32616504 PMCID: PMC7331463 DOI: 10.1242/bio.052043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Cranial neural crest cells (cNCCs) originate in the anterior neural tube and populate pharyngeal arches in which they contribute to formation of bone and cartilage. This cell population also provides molecular signals for the development of tissues of non-neural crest origin, such as the tongue muscles, teeth enamel or gland epithelium. Here we show that the transcription factor Meis2 is expressed in the oral region of the first pharyngeal arch (PA1) and later in the tongue primordium. Conditional inactivation of Meis2 in cNCCs resulted in loss of Sonic hedgehog signalling in the oropharyngeal epithelium and impaired patterning of PA1 along the lateral-medial and oral-aboral axis. Failure of molecular specification of PA1, illustrated by altered expression of Hand1/2, Dlx5, Barx1, Gsc and other markers, led to hypoplastic tongue and ectopic ossification of the mandible. Meis2-mutant mice thus display craniofacial defects that are reminiscent of several human syndromes and patients with mutations in the Meis2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Fabik
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic.,Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Katarina Kovacova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Zbynek Kozmik
- Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic .,Laboratory of Transcriptional Regulation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Praha, Czech Republic
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27
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Yan W, Laboulaye MA, Tran NM, Whitney IE, Benhar I, Sanes JR. Mouse Retinal Cell Atlas: Molecular Identification of over Sixty Amacrine Cell Types. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5177-5195. [PMID: 32457074 PMCID: PMC7329304 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0471-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amacrine cells (ACs) are a diverse class of interneurons that modulate input from photoreceptors to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), rendering each RGC type selectively sensitive to particular visual features, which are then relayed to the brain. While many AC types have been identified morphologically and physiologically, they have not been comprehensively classified or molecularly characterized. We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing to profile >32,000 ACs from mice of both sexes and applied computational methods to identify 63 AC types. We identified molecular markers for each type and used them to characterize the morphology of multiple types. We show that they include nearly all previously known AC types as well as many that had not been described. Consistent with previous studies, most of the AC types expressed markers for the canonical inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA or glycine, but several expressed neither or both. In addition, many expressed one or more neuropeptides, and two expressed glutamatergic markers. We also explored transcriptomic relationships among AC types and identified transcription factors expressed by individual or multiple closely related types. Noteworthy among these were Meis2 and Tcf4, expressed by most GABAergic and most glycinergic types, respectively. Together, these results provide a foundation for developmental and functional studies of ACs, as well as means for genetically accessing them. Along with previous molecular, physiological, and morphologic analyses, they establish the existence of at least 130 neuronal types and nearly 140 cell types in the mouse retina.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The mouse retina is a leading model for analyzing the development, structure, function, and pathology of neural circuits. A complete molecular atlas of retinal cell types provides an important foundation for these studies. We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the most heterogeneous class of retinal interneurons, amacrine cells, identifying 63 distinct types. The atlas includes types identified previously as well as many novel types. We provide evidence for the use of multiple neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, and identify transcription factors expressed by groups of closely related types. Combining these results with those obtained previously, we proposed that the mouse retina contains ∼130 neuronal types and is therefore comparable in complexity to other regions of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Yan
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Mallory A Laboulaye
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Nicholas M Tran
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Irene E Whitney
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
| | - Inbal Benhar
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
| | - Joshua R Sanes
- Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138
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28
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Berenguer M, Meyer KF, Yin J, Duester G. Discovery of genes required for body axis and limb formation by global identification of retinoic acid-regulated epigenetic marks. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000719. [PMID: 32421711 PMCID: PMC7259794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of target genes that mediate required functions downstream of transcription factors is hampered by the large number of genes whose expression changes when the factor is removed from a specific tissue and the numerous binding sites for the factor in the genome. Retinoic acid (RA) regulates transcription via RA receptors bound to RA response elements (RAREs) of which there are thousands in vertebrate genomes. Here, we combined chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) for epigenetic marks and RNA-seq on trunk tissue from wild-type and Aldh1a2-/- embryos lacking RA synthesis that exhibit body axis and forelimb defects. We identified a relatively small number of genes with altered expression when RA is missing that also have nearby RA-regulated deposition of histone H3 K27 acetylation (H3K27ac) (gene activation mark) or histone H3 K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) (gene repression mark) associated with conserved RAREs, suggesting these genes function downstream of RA. RA-regulated epigenetic marks were identified near RA target genes already known to be required for body axis and limb formation, thus validating our approach; plus, many other candidate RA target genes were found. Nuclear receptor 2f1 (Nr2f1) and nuclear receptor 2f2 (Nr2f2) in addition to Meis homeobox 1 (Meis1) and Meis homeobox 2 (Meis2) gene family members were identified by our approach, and double knockouts of each family demonstrated previously unknown requirements for body axis and/or limb formation. A similar epigenetic approach can be used to determine the target genes for any transcriptional regulator for which a knockout is available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Berenguer
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Karolin F. Meyer
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jun Yin
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Gregg Duester
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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29
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Wang L, Tang Q, Xu J, Li H, Yang T, Li L, Machon O, Hu T, Chen Y. The transcriptional regulator MEIS2 sets up the ground state for palatal osteogenesis in mice. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:5449-5460. [PMID: 32169905 PMCID: PMC7170518 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.012684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Haploinsufficiency of Meis homeobox 2 (MEIS2), encoding a transcriptional regulator, is associated with human cleft palate, and Meis2 inactivation leads to abnormal palate development in mice, implicating MEIS2 functions in palate development. However, its functional mechanisms remain unknown. Here we observed widespread MEIS2 expression in the developing palate in mice. Wnt1Cre -mediated Meis2 inactivation in cranial neural crest cells led to a secondary palate cleft. Importantly, about half of the Wnt1Cre ;Meis2f/f mice exhibited a submucous cleft, providing a model for studying palatal bone formation and patterning. Consistent with complete absence of palatal bones, the results from integrative analyses of MEIS2 by ChIP sequencing, RNA-Seq, and an assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing identified key osteogenic genes regulated directly by MEIS2, indicating that it plays a fundamental role in palatal osteogenesis. De novo motif analysis uncovered that the MEIS2-bound regions are highly enriched in binding motifs for several key osteogenic transcription factors, particularly short stature homeobox 2 (SHOX2). Comparative ChIP sequencing analyses revealed genome-wide co-occupancy of MEIS2 and SHOX2 in addition to their colocalization in the developing palate and physical interaction, suggesting that SHOX2 and MEIS2 functionally interact. However, although SHOX2 was required for proper palatal bone formation and was a direct downstream target of MEIS2, Shox2 overexpression failed to rescue the palatal bone defects in a Meis2-mutant background. These results, together with the fact that Meis2 expression is associated with high osteogenic potential and required for chromatin accessibility of osteogenic genes, support a vital function of MEIS2 in setting up a ground state for palatal osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China; Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
| | - Qinghuang Tang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
| | - Jue Xu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118; West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
| | - Tianfang Yang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
| | - Liwen Li
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences, 14200 Praha, Czech Republic
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Preventive Dentistry, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - YiPing Chen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.
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30
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Markitantova Y, Simirskii V. Inherited Eye Diseases with Retinal Manifestations through the Eyes of Homeobox Genes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E1602. [PMID: 32111086 PMCID: PMC7084737 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21051602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal development is under the coordinated control of overlapping networks of signaling pathways and transcription factors. The paper was conceived as a review of the data and ideas that have been formed to date on homeobox genes mutations that lead to the disruption of eye organogenesis and result in inherited eye/retinal diseases. Many of these diseases are part of the same clinical spectrum and have high genetic heterogeneity with already identified associated genes. We summarize the known key regulators of eye development, with a focus on the homeobox genes associated with monogenic eye diseases showing retinal manifestations. Recent advances in the field of genetics and high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies, including single-cell transcriptome analysis have allowed for deepening of knowledge of the genetic basis of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), as well as improve their diagnostics. We highlight some promising avenues of research involving molecular-genetic and cell-technology approaches that can be effective for IRDs therapy. The most promising neuroprotective strategies are aimed at mobilizing the endogenous cellular reserve of the retina.
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