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Kobayashi K, Maeda K, Tokuoka M, Mochizuki A, Satou Y. Using linkage logic theory to control dynamics of a gene regulatory network of a chordate embryo. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4001. [PMID: 33597570 PMCID: PMC7889898 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83045-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Linkage logic theory provides a mathematical criterion to control network dynamics by manipulating activities of a subset of network nodes, which are collectively called a feedback vertex set (FVS). Because many biological functions emerge from dynamics of biological networks, this theory provides a promising tool for controlling biological functions. By manipulating the activity of FVS molecules identified in a gene regulatory network (GRN) for fate specification of seven tissues in ascidian embryos, we previously succeeded in reproducing six of the seven cell types. Simultaneously, we discovered that the experimentally reconstituted GRN lacked information sufficient to reproduce muscle cells. Here, we utilized linkage logic theory as a tool to find missing edges in the GRN. Then, we identified a FVS from an updated version of the GRN and confirmed that manipulating the activity of this FVS was sufficient to induce all seven cell types, even in a multi-cellular environment. Thus, linkage logic theory provides tools to find missing edges in experimentally reconstituted networks, to determine whether reconstituted networks contain sufficient information to fulfil expected functions, and to reprogram cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kobayashi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kazuki Maeda
- Faculty of Informatics, The University of Fukuchiyama, 3370 Hori, Fukuchiyama, Kyoto, 620-0886, Japan
| | - Miki Tokuoka
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Atsushi Mochizuki
- Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Satou
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
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Reeves WM, Shimai K, Winkley KM, Veeman MT. Brachyury controls Ciona notochord fate as part of a feed-forward network. Development 2021; 148:dev195230. [PMID: 33419874 PMCID: PMC7875503 DOI: 10.1242/dev.195230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The notochord is a defining feature of the chordates. The transcription factor Brachyury (Bra) is a key regulator of notochord fate but here we show that it is not a unitary master regulator in the model chordate Ciona Ectopic Bra expression only partially reprograms other cell types to a notochord-like transcriptional profile and a subset of notochord-enriched genes is unaffected by CRISPR Bra disruption. We identify Foxa.a and Mnx as potential co-regulators, and find that combinatorial cocktails are more effective at reprogramming other cell types than Bra alone. We reassess the network relationships between Bra, Foxa.a and other components of the notochord gene regulatory network, and find that Foxa.a expression in the notochord is regulated by vegetal FGF signaling. It is a direct activator of Bra expression and has a binding motif that is significantly enriched in the regulatory regions of notochord-enriched genes. These and other results indicate that Bra and Foxa.a act together in a regulatory network dominated by positive feed-forward interactions, with neither being a classically defined master regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy M Reeves
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Kotaro Shimai
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Konner M Winkley
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Michael T Veeman
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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Kobayashi K, Maeda K, Tokuoka M, Mochizuki A, Satou Y. Controlling Cell Fate Specification System by Key Genes Determined from Network Structure. iScience 2018; 4:281-293. [PMID: 30240747 PMCID: PMC6147236 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Network structures describing regulation between biomolecules have been determined in many biological systems. Dynamics of molecular activities based on such networks are considered to be the origin of many biological functions. Recently, it has been proved mathematically that key nodes for controlling dynamics in networks are identified from network structure alone. Here, we applied this theory to a gene regulatory network for the cell fate specification of seven tissues in the ascidian embryo and found that this network, which consisted of 92 factors, had five key molecules. By controlling the activities of these key molecules, the specific gene expression of six of seven tissues observed in the embryo was successfully reproduced. Since this method is applicable to all nonlinear dynamic systems, we propose this method as a tool for controlling gene regulatory networks and reprogramming cell fates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Kobayashi
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Kazuki Maeda
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan; Department of Mathematical Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, 2-1 Gakuen, Sanda, Hyogo 669-1337, Japan
| | - Miki Tokuoka
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Atsushi Mochizuki
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan; Theoretical Biology Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Satou
- Department of Zoology, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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