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Vasileva F, Font-Lladó R, Carreras-Badosa G, Roman-Viñas B, Cadellans-Arróniz A, López-Bermejo A, Prats-Puig A. Salivary cardiac-enriched FHL2-interacting protein is associated with higher diastolic-to-systolic-blood pressure ratio, sedentary time and center of pressure displacement in healthy 7-9 years old school-children. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1292653. [PMID: 38304464 PMCID: PMC10830845 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1292653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cardiac-enriched FHL2-interacting protein (CEFIP) is a recently identified protein, first found in the z-disc of striated muscles, and related to cardiovascular diseases. Our objectives are: 1) to quantify CEFIP in saliva in healthy 7-9 years old school-children; and 2) to assess the associations of salivary CEFIP concentration and blood pressure, physical (in)activity and physical fitness in these children. Methods A total of 72 children (7.6 ± 0.3 years) were included in the study, recruited in primary schools in Girona (Spain). A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used (abx506878; Abbexa, United Kingdom) to quantify CEFIP in saliva. Anthropometric evaluation was performed [body mass, height and body mass index (BMI)]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by means of an electronic oscillometer and the diastolic-to-systolic blood pressure ratio (D/S BP ratio) was calculated. Physical (in)activity [sedentary time and time spent in physical activity (PA)] were assessed by means of a triaxial Actigraph GT3X accelerometer (Actigraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) that children were instructed to wear for 24h during 7 conssecutive days. Finally, physical fitness (speed and agility, explosive power of legs, handgrip strength, flexibility and balance) were assessed through validated and standardized testing batteries. Results CEFIP was easily detected and measured in all saliva samples (mean concentration: 0.6 ± 0.2 pg/ml). Salivary CEFIP was positively associated with D/S BP ratio (r=0.305, p=0.010) and sedentary time (r=0.317, p=0.012), but negatively associated with PA in 7-9 years old school-children (r=-0.350, p=0.002). Furthermore, salivary CEFIP was related to lower level of balance i.e., higher center of pressure (CoP) displacement in these children (r=0.411, p<0.001). The associations of salivary CEFIP with D/S BP ratio (Beta=0.349, p=0.004), sedentary time (Beta=0.354, p=0.009) and CoP displacement (Beta=0.401, p=0.001), were maintained significant after adjustment for potential confounding variables such as age, gender and BMI in linear regression analyses. Conclusion CEFIP can be easily assessed in saliva as a promising biomarker associated with cardiovascular health in 7-9 years old school-children. Interestingly, higher salivary CEFIP concentration was related to higher D/S BP ratio, more sedentary time and higher CoP displacement i.e., lower level of balance in these children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidanka Vasileva
- Pediatric Endocrinology Research Group, Girona Institute for Biomedical Research, Girona, Spain
- University School of Health and Sport, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Raquel Font-Lladó
- University School of Health and Sport, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Research Group of Culture and Education, Institute of Educational Research, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Gemma Carreras-Badosa
- Pediatric Endocrinology Research Group, Girona Institute for Biomedical Research, Girona, Spain
| | - Blanca Roman-Viñas
- University School of Health and Sport, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Blanquerna-Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aïda Cadellans-Arróniz
- Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, International University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Abel López-Bermejo
- Pediatric Endocrinology Research Group, Girona Institute for Biomedical Research, Girona, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Prats-Puig
- University School of Health and Sport, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Research Group of Clinical Anatomy, Embryology and Neuroscience, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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Nakano H, Sakai T. Impact of Drosophila LIM homeodomain protein Apterous on the morphology of the adult mushroom body. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:77-84. [PMID: 37804590 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.09.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
A LIM homeodomain transcription factor Apterous (Ap) regulates embryonic and larval neurodevelopment in Drosophila. Although Ap is still expressed in the adult brain, it remains elusive whether Ap is involved in neurodevelopmental events in the adult brain because flies homozygous for ap mutations are usually lethal before they reach the adult stage. In this study, using adult escapers of ap knockout (KO) homozygotes, we examined whether the complete lack of ap expression affects the morphology of the mushroom body (MB) neurons and Pigment-dispersing factor (Pdf)-positive clock neurons in the adult brain. Although ap KO escapers showed severe structural defects of MB neurons, no clear morphological defects were found in Pdf-positive clock neurons. These results suggest that Ap in the adult brain is essential for the neurodevelopment of specific ap-positive neurons, but it is not necessarily involved in the development of all ap-positive neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikari Nakano
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Takaomi Sakai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan.
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Alsamman K, Alamri AM, Vatte C, Owaidah AY, Alhassan F, Mubarki R, El-Masry OS. Potential Candidate Genes for Therapeutic Targeting in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Pilot Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2023; 24:3077-3085. [PMID: 37774059 PMCID: PMC10762750 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.9.3077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a prevalent hematological malignancy known for the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome and activation of the BCR-Abl kinase activity. Although tyrosine kinase inhibitors are widely used as the standard treatment, resistance remains a concern among certain patients. This study aimed to investigate the gene expression profile of a group of CML patients in comparison to a control group in order to identify novel candidate genes associated with the disease. METHODS Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed, and gene expression levels were validated using quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, single nucleotide and insertion/deletion variants were analyzed in the selected candidate genes among 10 CML patients and 4 healthy control subjects. RESULTS Analysis revealed a set of differentially expressed genes, whose up- or downregulation was further confirmed by qRT-PCR. Among the upregulated genes in the patient group were ribosomal protein like (RPL) members, specifically RPL9, RPL34, RPL36A, and RPL39, while downregulation was observed in CCDC170, LDB1, and SBF1 compared to the healthy subjects. Furthermore, gene variant studies identified novel genetic changes in these candidate genes, suggesting potential clinical significance in CML. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights RPL9, RPL34, RPL36A, RPL39, CCDC170, LDB1, and SBF1 as potential targets in CML. Additionally, it underscores the importance of investigating these genes and their variants in larger cohort studies to assess their clinical significance in CML patients.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Pilot Projects
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics
- Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/metabolism
- LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics
- Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/metabolism
- Chronic Disease
- Protein Kinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaldoon Alsamman
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ali M. Alamri
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Fahd Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Chittibabu Vatte
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Amani Y. Owaidah
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fatimah Alhassan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Roba Mubarki
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Omar S. El-Masry
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahaman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
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Suresh V, Muralidharan B, Pradhan SJ, Bose M, D’Souza L, Parichha A, Reddy PC, Galande S, Tole S. Regulation of chromatin accessibility and gene expression in the developing hippocampal primordium by LIM-HD transcription factor LHX2. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010874. [PMID: 37594984 PMCID: PMC10482279 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mammalian cerebral cortex, the hippocampal primordium (Hcp) occupies a discrete position in the dorsal telencephalic neuroepithelium adjacent to the neocortical primordium (Ncp). We examined transcriptomic and chromatin-level features that distinguish the Hcp from the Ncp in the mouse during the early neurogenic period, embryonic day (E)12.5. ATAC-seq revealed that the Hcp was more accessible than the Ncp at this stage. Motif analysis of the differentially accessible loci in these tissues revealed LHX2 as a candidate transcription factor for modulating gene regulatory networks (GRNs). We analyzed LHX2 occupancy profiles and compared these with transcriptomic data from control and Lhx2 mutant Hcp and Ncp at E12.5. Our results revealed that LHX2 directly regulates distinct genes in the Hcp and Ncp within a set of common pathways that control fundamental aspects of development namely pluripotency, axon pathfinding, Wnt, and Hippo signaling. Loss of Lhx2 caused a decrease in accessibility, specifically in hippocampal chromatin, suggesting that this factor may play a unique role in hippocampal development. We identified 14 genes that were preferentially enriched in the Hcp, for which LHX2 regulates both chromatin accessibility and mRNA expression, which have not thus far been examined in hippocampal development. Together, these results provide mechanistic insight into how LHX2 function in the Hcp may contribute to the process by which the hippocampus acquires features distinct from the neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Suresh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhavana Muralidharan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine, Bangalore, India
| | - Saurabh J. Pradhan
- Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory, Biology department, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, India
| | - Mahima Bose
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Leora D’Souza
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Arpan Parichha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
| | - Puli Chandramouli Reddy
- Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory, Biology department, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics Laboratory, Biology department, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, India
- Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Delhi NCR, India
| | - Shubha Tole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, India
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Carugno M, Maggioni C, Ruggiero V, Crespi E, Monti P, Ferrari L, Pesatori AC. Can Night Shift Work Affect Biological Age? Hints from a Cross-Sectional Study on Hospital Female Nurses. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:10639. [PMID: 34682384 PMCID: PMC8535512 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of age-related processes seems to play a relevant role in health effects related to night shift (NS) work. We aim to verify whether NS work can influence biological age (BA), estimated through Zbieć-Piekarska's epigenetic signature, based on methylation of five CpG sites in ELOVL2, C1orf132/MIR29B2C, TRIM59, KLF14, and FHL2. Forty-six female nurses working in NS were matched by age and length of employment with 51 female colleagues not working in NS. Each subject filled in a questionnaire (including the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) index to assess job stress) and gave a blood sample. Age acceleration (AA) was estimated by regressing BA on chronological age and taking the residuals. Multivariate linear regression models were applied. BA was not associated with NS. However, we did observe an increase in AA per each year in NS in subjects with overweight/obesity (β = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.05; 0.87, p = 0.03), experiencing work-related stress (β = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.10; 1.06, p = 0.018), or both (β = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.03; 1.29, p = 0.041). Although based on a small sample size, our findings suggest an increased BA only among hypersusceptible subjects and is worth further investigation, also in light of recent results suggesting a higher breast cancer risk in women with increased AA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Carugno
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (L.F.); (A.C.P.)
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Cristina Maggioni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (L.F.); (A.C.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Ruggiero
- Faculty of Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Festa del Perdono, 7, IT-20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Crespi
- Occupational Health Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Via Antonio di Rudinì, 8, IT-20142 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paola Monti
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Luca Ferrari
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (L.F.); (A.C.P.)
| | - Angela Cecilia Pesatori
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy; (C.M.); (L.F.); (A.C.P.)
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via San Barnaba, 8, IT-20122 Milan, Italy;
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Lecaudey LA, Singh P, Sturmbauer C, Duenser A, Gessl W, Ahi EP. Transcriptomics unravels molecular players shaping dorsal lip hypertrophy in the vacuum cleaner cichlid, Gnathochromis permaxillaris. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:506. [PMID: 34225643 PMCID: PMC8256507 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07775-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teleosts display a spectacular diversity of craniofacial adaptations that often mediates ecological specializations. A considerable amount of research has revealed molecular players underlying skeletal craniofacial morphologies, but less is known about soft craniofacial phenotypes. Here we focus on an example of lip hypertrophy in the benthivorous Lake Tangnayika cichlid, Gnathochromis permaxillaris, considered to be a morphological adaptation to extract invertebrates out of the uppermost layer of mud bottom. We investigate the molecular and regulatory basis of lip hypertrophy in G. permaxillaris using a comparative transcriptomic approach. RESULTS We identified a gene regulatory network involved in tissue overgrowth and cellular hypertrophy, potentially associated with the formation of a locally restricted hypertrophic lip in a teleost fish species. Of particular interest were the increased expression level of apoda and fhl2, as well as reduced expression of cyp1a, gimap8, lama5 and rasal3, in the hypertrophic lip region which have been implicated in lip formation in other vertebrates. Among the predicted upstream transcription factors, we found reduced expression of foxp1 in the hypertrophic lip region, which is known to act as repressor of cell growth and proliferation, and its function has been associated with hypertrophy of upper lip in human. CONCLUSION Our results provide a genetic foundation for future studies of molecular players shaping soft and exaggerated, but locally restricted, craniofacial morphological changes in fish and perhaps across vertebrates. In the future, we advocate integrating gene regulatory networks of various craniofacial phenotypes to understand how they collectively govern trophic and behavioural adaptations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurène Alicia Lecaudey
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Pooja Singh
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 Canada
| | - Christian Sturmbauer
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Duenser
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Gessl
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ehsan Pashay Ahi
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 9, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Guo X, Piao H, Xue Y, Liu Y, Zhao H. LMX1B-associated gankyrin expression predicts poor prognosis in glioma patients. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520954764. [PMID: 32960116 PMCID: PMC7513415 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520954764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the potential of the transcription factor LMX1B and downstream gankyrin as prognostic biomarkers of glioma. METHODS The expression levels of gankyrin and LMX1B were detected in 52 normal brain specimens and 339 glioma specimens. Correlations of gankyrin and LMX1B expression levels with pathological stages and clinical characteristics were statistically analyzed. Furthermore, the binding of LMX1B to the gankyrin promoter was evaluated using ALGGEN PROMO. RESULTS Levels of LMX1B and gankyrin were significantly increased in tumor tissue, and were significantly associated with advanced glioma grade and poor survival. Compared with gankyrin- and LMX1B-negative glioma, the mean survival of patients with higher gankyrin and LMX1B expression was significantly reduced, from 83.46 to 18.87 months and from 63.79 to 18.29 months, respectively. Furthermore, LMX1B had a moderate positive correlation with gankyrin expression (Pearson's r = 0.650), and it was also found to act as a transcription factor with NF-κB and E47 on the gankyrin promoter. CONCLUSIONS Increased expression of LMX1B and gankyrin has independent prognostic value in glioma patients. The transcription factor LMX1B may have an upstream role in the mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Guo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical
University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haozhe Piao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Hospital of China Medical
University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, China
| | - Yixue Xue
- Department of Neurobiology, College of Basic Medicine, China
Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yunhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical
University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical
University, Shenyang, China
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Gabriel B, Fischer DC, Orlowska-Volk M, zur Hausen A, Schüle R, Müller JM, Hasenburg A. Expression of the Transcriptional Coregulator FHL2 in Human Breast Cancer: A Clinicopathologic Study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 13:69-75. [PMID: 16378916 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2005.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although the Four and a Half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2) has been suggested to play an important role in tumor development, this has not been investigated in breast cancer. METHODS Paraffin-embedded tissues from patients (n = 85) with primary breast cancer were submitted to immunohistochemical investigation of FHL2 expression and subsequent correlation with clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival. RESULTS The expression of FHL2 was confined to the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Forty (47%) of 85 samples showed weak expression of FHL2, whereas high expression was found in 45 tumors (53%). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between FHL2 and androgen receptor expression (P = .029). Patients with tumors expressing low amounts of FHL2 were characterized by a significantly better survival compared to those with high intratumoral FHL2 expression (P = .0215, log-rank test). The additional stratification according to adjuvant tamoxifen treatment revealed a significantly improved survival rate for patients receiving tamoxifen and being diagnosed with a tumor expressing high amounts of FHL2. This might indicate that tamoxifen is at least partially capable of reversing the negative prognostic impact of high FHL2 expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed FHL2 expression as a significant independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION The specific expression in tumor tissue points to an important functional role of FHL2 in human breast cancer. Our survival data indicate that the expression of FHL2 in primary breast cancer is a potentially relevant prognostic factor. Further studies are warranted to elucidate whether analysis of FHL2 expression is suitable to predict response to antihormonal treatment with tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Gabriel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Molecular Gynecology, Center for Clinical Research, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
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Luo H, Cui S, Chen D, Liu J, Liu Z. Immunohistochemical Detection of Islet-1 and Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) of Sheep Fetuses During Gestation. J Histochem Cytochem 2016; 52:797-803. [PMID: 15150288 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.4a6273.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study first investigated the ontogeny of Islet-1 and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression and their co-localization in the DRG of sheep fetuses during gestation by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results showed that Islet-1 and nNOS were located in the nuclei and cytoplasm of DRG neurons, respectively. The relative percentages of Islet-1-immunopositive (Islet-1+) neurons accounting for the total DRG neurons were 90%, 79%, 66%, and 53% at days 60, 90, and 120 of gestation and postnatally, respectively. The percentage of nNOS-immunopositive (nNOS+) neurons was 94% at day 60 and declined to ∼30% at day 90, with no obvious further change until the postnatal period. Dual IHC showed that ∼69% Islet-1+ neurons express nNOS at day 60 of gestation. This proportion declined to ∼24% at day 90, after which there was no significant change until birth. We also observed that most Islet-1+ and nNOS+ neurons belonged to small and medium-sized DRG neurons from day 90 of gestation to the postnatal period. These results suggest that both Islet-1 and nNOS are important for the differentiation and maintenance of some specific phenotypes of DRG neurons during late gestation of sheep fetuses, although the related mechanisms need to be further elucidated. (J Histochem Cytochem 52:797–803, 2004)
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoshu Luo
- Department of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Voorbij AMWY, van Steenbeek FG, Vos-Loohuis M, Martens EECP, Hanson-Nilsson JM, van Oost BA, Kooistra HS, Leegwater PA. A contracted DNA repeat in LHX3 intron 5 is associated with aberrant splicing and pituitary dwarfism in German shepherd dogs. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27940. [PMID: 22132174 PMCID: PMC3223203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dwarfism in German shepherd dogs is due to combined pituitary hormone deficiency of unknown genetic cause. We localized the recessively inherited defect by a genome wide approach to a region on chromosome 9 with a lod score of 9.8. The region contains LHX3, which codes for a transcription factor essential for pituitary development. Dwarfs have a deletion of one of six 7 bp repeats in intron 5 of LHX3, reducing the intron size to 68 bp. One dwarf was compound heterozygous for the deletion and an insertion of an asparagine residue in the DNA-binding homeodomain of LHX3, suggesting involvement of the gene in the disorder. An exon trapping assay indicated that the shortened intron is not spliced efficiently, probably because it is too small. We applied bisulfite conversion of cytosine to uracil in RNA followed by RT-PCR to analyze the splicing products. The aberrantly spliced RNA molecules resulted from either skipping of exon 5 or retention of intron 5. The same splicing defects were observed in cDNA derived from the pituitary of dwarfs. A survey of similarly mutated introns suggests that there is a minimal distance requirement between the splice donor and branch site of 50 nucleotides. In conclusion, a contraction of a DNA repeat in intron 5 of canine LHX3 leads to deficient splicing and is associated with pituitary dwarfism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarie M. W. Y. Voorbij
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank G. van Steenbeek
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Manon Vos-Loohuis
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen E. C. P. Martens
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanette M. Hanson-Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard A. van Oost
- Department of Biochemistry, American University of the Caribbean, Cupecoy, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
| | - Hans S. Kooistra
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. Leegwater
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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11
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Hermann G, Konukiewitz B, Schmitt A, Perren A, Klöppel G. Hormonally defined pancreatic and duodenal neuroendocrine tumors differ in their transcription factor signatures: expression of ISL1, PDX1, NGN3, and CDX2. Virchows Arch 2011; 459:147-54. [PMID: 21739268 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-011-1118-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We recently identified the transcription factor (TF) islet 1 gene product (ISL1) as a marker for well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs). In order to better understand the expression of the four TFs, ISL1, pancreatico-duodenal homeobox 1 gene product (PDX1), neurogenin 3 gene product (NGN3), and CDX-2 homeobox gene product (CDX2), that mainly govern the development and differentiation of the pancreas and duodenum, we studied their expression in hormonally defined P-NETs and duodenal (D-) NETs. Thirty-six P-NETs and 14 D-NETs were immunostained with antibodies against the four pancreatic hormones, gastrin, serotonin, calcitonin, ISL1, PDX1, NGN3, and CDX2. The TF expression pattern of each case was correlated with the tumor's hormonal profile. Insulin-positive NETs expressed only ISL1 (10/10) and PDX1 (9/10). Glucagon-positive tumors expressed ISL1 (7/7) and were almost negative for the other TFs. Gastrin-positive NETs, whether of duodenal or pancreatic origin, frequently expressed PDX1 (17/18), ISL1 (14/18), and NGN3 (14/18). CDX2 was mainly found in the gastrin-positive P-NETs (5/8) and rarely in the D-NETs (1/10). Somatostatin-positive NETs, whether duodenal or pancreatic in origin, expressed ISL1 (9/9), PDX1 (3/9), and NGN3 (3/9). The remaining tumors showed labeling for ISL1 in addition to NGN3. There was no association between a particular TF pattern and NET features such as grade, size, location, presence of metastases, and functional activity. We conclude from our data that there is a correlation between TF expression patterns and certain hormonally defined P-NET and D-NET types, suggesting that most of the tumor types originate from embryologically determined precursor cells. The observed TF signatures do not allow us to distinguish P-NETs from D-NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gratiana Hermann
- Department of Pathology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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12
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Lyu J, Jho EH, Lu W. Smek promotes histone deacetylation to suppress transcription of Wnt target gene brachyury in pluripotent embryonic stem cells. Cell Res 2011; 21:911-21. [PMID: 21423269 PMCID: PMC3203701 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2011.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 09/15/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In embryonic stem cells (ESCs), Wnt-responsive development-related genes are silenced to maintain pluripotency and their expression is activated during differentiation. Acetylation of histones by histone acetyltransferases stimulates transcription, whereas deacetylation of histones by HDACs is correlated with transcriptional repression. Although Wnt-mediated gene transcription has been intimately linked to the acetylation or deacetylation of histones, how Wnt signaling regulates this type of histone modification is poorly understood. Here, we report that Smek, a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) complex, plays an important role in histone deacetylation and silencing of the Wnt-responsive gene, brachyury, in ESCs. Smek mediates recruitment of PP4c and HDAC1 to the Tcf/Lef binding site of the brachyury promoter and inhibits brachyury expression in ESCs. Activation of Wnt signaling during differentiation causes disruption of the Smek/PP4c/HDAC1 complex, resulting in an increase in histones H3 and H4 acetylation at the brachyury gene locus. These results suggest that the Smek-containing PP4 complex represses transcription of Wnt-responsive development-related genes through histone deacetylation, and that this complex is essential for ESC pluripotency maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungmook Lyu
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Eek-hoon Jho
- Department of Life Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 130-743, Korea
| | - Wange Lu
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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Lee AP, Brenner S, Venkatesh B. Mouse transgenesis identifies conserved functional enhancers and cis-regulatory motif in the vertebrate LIM homeobox gene Lhx2 locus. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20088. [PMID: 21629789 PMCID: PMC3100342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2011] [Accepted: 04/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate Lhx2 is a member of the LIM homeobox family of transcription factors. It is essential for the normal development of the forebrain, eye, olfactory system and liver as well for the differentiation of lymphoid cells. However, despite the highly restricted spatio-temporal expression pattern of Lhx2, nothing is known about its transcriptional regulation. In mammals and chicken, Crb2, Dennd1a and Lhx2 constitute a conserved linkage block, while the intervening Dennd1a is lost in the fugu Lhx2 locus. To identify functional enhancers of Lhx2, we predicted conserved noncoding elements (CNEs) in the human, mouse and fugu Crb2-Lhx2 loci and assayed their function in transgenic mouse at E11.5. Four of the eight CNE constructs tested functioned as tissue-specific enhancers in specific regions of the central nervous system and the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), recapitulating partial and overlapping expression patterns of Lhx2 and Crb2 genes. There was considerable overlap in the expression domains of the CNEs, which suggests that the CNEs are either redundant enhancers or regulating different genes in the locus. Using a large set of CNEs (810 CNEs) associated with transcription factor-encoding genes that express predominantly in the central nervous system, we predicted four over-represented 8-mer motifs that are likely to be associated with expression in the central nervous system. Mutation of one of them in a CNE that drove reporter expression in the neural tube and DRG abolished expression in both domains indicating that this motif is essential for expression in these domains. The failure of the four functional enhancers to recapitulate the complete expression pattern of Lhx2 at E11.5 indicates that there must be other Lhx2 enhancers that are either located outside the region investigated or divergent in mammals and fishes. Other approaches such as sequence comparison between multiple mammals are required to identify and characterize such enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison P. Lee
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology,
A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore,
Singapore
| | - Sydney Brenner
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology,
A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore,
Singapore
| | - Byrappa Venkatesh
- Comparative Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology,
A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research), Singapore,
Singapore
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Fujii T, Abe H, Katsuma S, Shimada T. Identification and characterization of the fusion transcript, composed of the apterous homolog and a putative protein phosphatase gene, generated by 1.5-Mb interstitial deletion in the vestigial (Vg) mutant of Bombyx mori. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 41:306-312. [PMID: 21296154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The vestigial (Vg) mutant is a Z-linked mutant that causes vestigial wings in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. We have previously reported a 1.5-Mb interstitial deletion on the Z chromosome bearing the Vg mutation (Z(Vg) chromosome). In this study, we found that exons 3-8 of a gene named Bmptp-Z encoding a putative tyrosine-specific protein phosphatase are deleted by the 1.5-Mb interstitial deletion. We found that a gene encoding the Bombyx homolog of Drosophila Apterous (BmAp-A) protein is located 4.5 kb downstream of the distal breakpoint of the 1.5-Mb interstitial deletion. Moreover, an in-frame fusion transcript composed of the 5' part of Bmptp-Z and the 3' part of Bmap-A is generated specific to the Z(Vg) chromosome. Effects of the in-frame fusion transcript on the vestigial phenotype are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fujii
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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15
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VanDunk C, Hunter LA, Gray PA. Development, maturation, and necessity of transcription factors in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus. J Neurosci 2011; 31:6457-67. [PMID: 21525287 PMCID: PMC3106226 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.5385-10.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2010] [Revised: 02/28/2011] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the master mammalian circadian clock. The SCN is highly specialized because it is responsible for generating a near 24 h rhythm, integrating external cues, and translating the rhythm throughout the body. Currently, our understanding of the developmental origin and genetic program involved in the proper specification and maturation of the SCN is limited. Herein, we provide a detailed analysis of transcription factor (TF) and developmental-gene expression in the SCN from neurogenesis to adulthood in mice (Mus musculus). TF expression within the postmitotic SCN was not static but rather showed specific temporal and spatial changes during prenatal and postnatal development. In addition, we found both global and regional patterns of TF expression extending into the adult. We found that the SCN is derived from a distinct region of the neuroepithelium expressing a combination of developmental genes: Six3, Six6, Fzd5, and transient Rx, allowing us to pinpoint the origin of this region within the broader developing telencephalon/diencephalon. We tested the necessity of two TFs in SCN development, RORα and Six3, which were expressed during SCN development, persisted into adulthood, and showed diurnal rhythmicity. Loss of RORα function had no effect on SCN peptide expression or localization. In marked contrast, the conditional deletion of Six3 from early neural progenitors completely eliminated the formation of the SCN. Our results provide the first description of the involvement of TFs in the specification and maturation of a neural population necessary for circadian behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra VanDunk
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology and
- Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Program, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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Krasnova IN, Ladenheim B, Hodges AB, Volkow ND, Cadet JL. Chronic methamphetamine administration causes differential regulation of transcription factors in the rat midbrain. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19179. [PMID: 21547080 PMCID: PMC3081849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive and neurotoxic psychostimulant widely abused in the USA and throughout the world. When administered in large doses, METH can cause depletion of striatal dopamine terminals, with preservation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Because alterations in the expression of transcription factors that regulate the development of dopaminergic neurons might be involved in protecting these neurons after toxic insults, we tested the possibility that their expression might be affected by toxic doses of METH in the adult brain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats pretreated with saline or increasing doses of METH were challenged with toxic doses of the drug and euthanized two weeks later. Animals that received toxic METH challenges showed decreases in dopamine levels and reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase protein concentration in the striatum. METH pretreatment protected against loss of striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, METH challenges caused decreases in dopamine transporters in both saline- and METH-pretreated animals. Interestingly, METH challenges elicited increases in dopamine transporter mRNA levels in the midbrain in the presence but not in the absence of METH pretreatment. Moreover, toxic METH doses caused decreases in the expression of the dopamine developmental factors, Shh, Lmx1b, and Nurr1, but not in the levels of Otx2 and Pitx3, in saline-pretreated rats. METH pretreatment followed by METH challenges also decreased Nurr1 but increased Otx2 and Pitx3 expression in the midbrain. These findings suggest that, in adult animals, toxic doses of METH can differentially influence the expression of transcription factors involved in the developmental regulation of dopamine neurons. The combined increases in Otx2 and Pitx3 expression after METH preconditioning might represent, in part, some of the mechanisms that served to protect against METH-induced striatal dopamine depletion observed after METH preconditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina N. Krasnova
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bruce Ladenheim
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amber B. Hodges
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Nora D. Volkow
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Cirio MC, Hui Z, Haldin CE, Cosentino CC, Stuckenholz C, Chen X, Hong SK, Dawid IB, Hukriede NA. Lhx1 is required for specification of the renal progenitor cell field. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18858. [PMID: 21526205 PMCID: PMC3078140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate embryo, the kidney is derived from the intermediate mesoderm. The LIM-class homeobox transcription factor lhx1 is expressed early in the intermediate mesoderm and is one of the first genes to be expressed in the nephric mesenchyme. In this study, we investigated the role of Lhx1 in specification of the kidney field by either overexpressing or depleting lhx1 in Xenopus embryos or depleting lhx1 in an explant culture system. By overexpressing a constitutively-active form of Lhx1, we established its capacity to expand the kidney field during the specification stage of kidney organogenesis. In addition, the ability of Lhx1 to expand the kidney field diminishes as kidney organogenesis transitions to the morphogenesis stage. In a complimentary set of experiments, we determined that embryos depleted of lhx1, show an almost complete loss of the kidney field. Using an explant culture system to induce kidney tissue, we confirmed that expression of genes from both proximal and distal kidney structures is affected by the absence of lhx1. Taken together our results demonstrate an essential role for Lhx1 in driving specification of the entire kidney field from the intermediate mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Cecilia Cirio
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Zhao Hui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ma Liu Shui, Hong Kong
| | - Caroline E. Haldin
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Chiara Cianciolo Cosentino
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Carsten Stuckenholz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Xiongfong Chen
- Unit on Biologic Computation, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sung-Kook Hong
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Igor B. Dawid
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Neil A. Hukriede
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Drug Discovery Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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18
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Nikopensius T, Kempa I, Ambrozaitytė L, Jagomägi T, Saag M, Matulevičienė A, Utkus A, Krjutškov K, Tammekivi V, Piekuse L, Akota I, Barkane B, Krumina A, Klovins J, Lace B, Kučinskas V, Metspalu A. Variation in FGF1, FOXE1, and TIMP2 genes is associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol 2011; 91:218-25. [PMID: 21462296 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.20791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2010] [Revised: 01/19/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is a common complex birth defect caused by the interaction between multiple genes and environmental factors. METHODS Five hundred and eighty-seven single nucleotide polymorphisms in 40 candidate genes related to orofacial clefting were tested for association with CL/P in a clefting sample composed of 300 patients and 606 controls from Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian populations. RESULTS In case-control comparisons, the minor alleles of FGF1 rs34010 (p = 4.56 × 10(-4) ), WNT9B rs4968282 (p = 0.0013), and FOXE1 rs7860144 (p = 0.0021) were associated with a decreased risk of CL/P. Multiple haplotypes in FGF1, FOXE1, and TIMP2 and haplotypes in WNT9B, PVRL2, and LHX8 were associated with CL/P. The strongest association was found for protective haplotype rs250092/rs34010 GT in the FGF1 gene (p = 5.01 × 10(-4) ). The strongest epistatic interaction was observed between the COL2A1 and WNT3 genes. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide for the first time evidence implicating FGF1 in the occurrence of CL/P, and support TIMP2 and WNT9B as novel loci predisposing to CL/P. We have also replicated recently reported significant associations between variants in or near FOXE1 and CL/P. It is likely that variation in FOXE1, TIMP2, and the FGF and Wnt signaling pathway genes confers susceptibility to nonsyndromic CL/P in Northeastern European populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiit Nikopensius
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
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Reynaud R, Albarel F, Saveanu A, Kaffel N, Castinetti F, Lecomte P, Brauner R, Simonin G, Gaudart J, Carmona E, Enjalbert A, Barlier A, Brue T. Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome in 83 patients: novel HESX1 mutation and severe hormonal prognosis in malformative forms. Eur J Endocrinol 2011; 164:457-65. [PMID: 21270112 DOI: 10.1530/eje-10-0892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) is a particular entity in the population of patients with hypopituitarism. Only rare cases have a known genetic cause. OBJECTIVES i) To compare subgroups with or without extra-pituitary malformations (EPM) in a cohort of PSIS patients to identify predictive factors of evolution, ii) to determine the incidence of mutations of the known pituitary transcription factor genes in PSIS. Study design We analyzed features of 83 PSIS patients from 80 pedigrees and screened HESX1, LHX4, OTX2, and SOX3 genes. RESULTS PSIS had a male predominance and was rarely familial (5%). Pituitary hypoplasia was observed only in the group with EPM. Multiple hormone deficits were observed significantly more often with versus without EPM (87.5 vs 69.5% respectively). Posterior pituitary location along the stalk was a significant protective factor regarding severity of hormonal phenotype. A novel HESX1 causative mutation was found in a consanguineous family, and two LHX4 mutations were present in familial PSIS. CONCLUSION PSIS patients with EPM had a more severe hormonal disorder and pituitary imaging status, suggesting an antenatal origin. HESX1 or LHX4 mutations accounted for <5% of cases and were found in consanguineous or familial cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Reynaud
- Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics Department of Endocrinology, Hôpital de la Timone, France.
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20
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Chu PH, Chen J. The novel roles of four and a half LIM proteins 1 and 2 in the cardiovascular system. Chang Gung Med J 2011; 34:127-134. [PMID: 21539754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Four and a half LIM domains protein 1 (FHL1) and FHL2, as the name suggests, contain four and a half LIM domain binding proteins. Proteins in this family capable of interacting with many types of proteins, including structural proteins, kinases, and several classes of transcription factors, have been identified. These interactions have been found to have important roles in a variety of fundamental processes including transcriptional regulation, cardiovascular development, hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, and angiogenesis. This article reviews recent advances in the characterization of FHL1 and FHL2, their biological roles, LIM domain binding proteins, and functions in the cardiovascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pao-Hsien Chu
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Abstract
The somatotropic axis is the central postnatal regulator of longitudinal growth. One of its major components--growth hormone--is produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary, which also expresses and secretes five additional hormones (prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone). Proper development of the pituitary assures the regulation of critical processes such as metabolic control, puberty and reproduction, stress response and lactation. Ontogeny of the adenohypophysis is orchestrated by inputs from neighbouring tissues, cellular signalling molecules and transcription factors. Perturbation of expression or function of these factors has been implicated in the aetiology of combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). Mutations within the genes encoding for the transcription factors LHX3, LHX4, PROP1, and POU1F1 (PIT1) that act at different stages of pituitary development result in unique patterns of hormonal deficiencies reflecting their differential expression during organogenesis. In the case of LHX3 and LHX4 the phenotype may include extra-pituitary manifestations due to the function of these genes/proteins outside the pituitary gland. The remarkable variability in the clinical presentation of affected patients indicates the influence of the genetic background, environmental factors and possibly stochastic events. However, in the majority of CPHD cases the aetiology of this heterogeneous disease remains unexplained, which further suggests the involvement of additional genes. Identification of these factors might also help to close the gaps in our understanding of pituitary development, maintenance and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pfäffle
- Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, Leipzig, Germany.
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Song NN, Xiu JB, Huang Y, Chen JY, Zhang L, Gutknecht L, Lesch KP, Li H, Ding YQ. Adult raphe-specific deletion of Lmx1b leads to central serotonin deficiency. PLoS One 2011; 6:e15998. [PMID: 21246047 PMCID: PMC3016403 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Lmx1b is essential for the differentiation and survival of central serotonergic (5-HTergic) neurons during embryonic development. However, the role of Lmx1b in adult 5-HTergic neurons is unknown. We used an inducible Cre-LoxP system to selectively inactivate Lmx1b expression in the raphe nuclei of adult mice. Pet1-CreERT2 mice were generated and crossed with Lmx1bflox/flox mice to obtain Pet1-CreERT2; Lmx1bflox/flox mice (which termed as Lmx1b iCKO). After administration of tamoxifen, the level of 5-HT in the brain of Lmx1b iCKO mice was reduced to 60% of that in control mice, and the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2), serotonin transporter (Sert) and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (Vmat2) was greatly down-regulated. On the other hand, the expression of dopamine and norepinephrine as well as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (Aadc) and Pet1 was unchanged. Our results reveal that Lmx1b is required for the biosynthesis of 5-HT in adult mouse brain, and it may be involved in maintaining normal functions of central 5-HTergic neurons by regulating the expression of Tph2, Sert and Vmat2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Ning Song
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (N-NS); (Y-QD)
| | - Jian-Bo Xiu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Yin Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lise Gutknecht
- Molecular and Clinical Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Klaus Peter Lesch
- Molecular and Clinical Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - He Li
- Key Laboratory of Nervous System Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (N-NS); (Y-QD)
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Fernandez-Rodriguez E, Quinteiro C, Barreiro J, Marazuela M, Pereiro I, Peinó R, Cabezas-Agrícola JM, Dominguez F, Casanueva FF, Bernabeu I. Pituitary stalk dysgenesis-induced hypopituitarism in adult patients: prevalence, evolution of hormone dysfunction and genetic analysis. Neuroendocrinology 2011; 93:181-8. [PMID: 21304225 DOI: 10.1159/000324087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of pituitary stalk dysgenesis (PSD) in adult hypopituitary patients by describing the chronology of hormone deficiencies and their potential correlation with traumatic delivery, mutations in genes required for pituitary development and function and pituitary stalk visibility on MRI. DESIGN Retrospective and prospective study involving 231 hypopituitary patients, including 26 diagnosed with PSD. Clinical, biochemical and radiological studies were reviewed. Molecular analyses of HESX1, LHX4,PROP1 and POU1F1 genes were performed prospectively. RESULTS PSD was present in 11.2% of hypopituitary patients. PSD was diagnosed before 14 years of age in 46.2% of cases, between 14 and 18 years of age in 23%, and in adulthood in 30.8%. Perinatal complications or gene mutations were present in 26.9 and 4.3% of patients, respectively. At first assessment, 92.3% of patients had growth hormone (GH) deficiency. 26.9% presented as combined pituitary deficiencies and 7.6% as panhypopituitarism. Hormone deficiencies were progressive during follow-up in 84.6%. 96% progressed to multiple deficiencies and 46% to panhypopituitarism. No significant association was found between hormonal dysfunction and previous perinatal damage or breech delivery (p = 0.17), PROP1 mutations (p = 0.26) or pituitary stalk visibility on MRI (p = 0.52). No mutations in POU1F1, HESX1 and LHX-4 genes were detected. CONCLUSION In this study, PSD prevalence in adult hypopituitary patients was 11.2%. Typical clinical presentation includes isolated or combined pituitary hormone deficiencies during the pediatric age, which usually progress to combined or complete hypopituitarism in adulthood. Phenotype is highly variable depending on hormone profile and age at onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Fernandez-Rodriguez
- Endocrinology Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, SERGAS, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Highlighted article: "prdm1a regulates sox10 and islet1 in the development of neural crest and Rohon-Beard sensory neurons" by E.C. Olesnicky, L. Hernandez-Lagunas, K.B. Artinger. Genesis 2010; 48:627. [PMID: 21120921 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.20684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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25
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Wang ZY, Zhou L, Ding LH, Lv QJ, Yang X, Ye QN. [Inhibition of the expression of FHL2 by RNA interference]. Xi Bao Yu Fen Zi Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 2010; 26:1149-1151. [PMID: 21055355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
AIM To construct the eukaryotic expression vector of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human FHL2 and transfect it into human embryo kidney 293T cells to investigate the silencing effect of FHL2 siRNA on the expression of FHL2 gene. METHODS Two FHL2 siRNAs were designed and inserted into pSliencer 2.1-U6 neo expression vector. Then human embryo kidney 293T cells were cotransfected with the recombinant plasmids and FLAG-tagged FHL2 expression vector. The silencing effect of FHL2 siRNAs on the expression of FHL2 gene was identified by Western blot. RESULTS The expression vectors of FHL2 siRNAs were constructed and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Western blot showed that FHL2 siRNAs effectively inhibited expression of FHL2. CONCLUSION The eukaryotic expression vectors of FHL2 siRNAs are constructed successfully. The siRNAs effectively inhibit the expression of FHL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-yun Wang
- Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Military Medical Science, Beijing 100850, China
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26
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Traenka C, Remke M, Korshunov A, Bender S, Hielscher T, Northcott PA, Witt H, Ryzhova M, Felsberg J, Benner A, Riester S, Scheurlen W, Grunewald TGP, von Deimling A, Kulozik AE, Reifenberger G, Taylor MD, Lichter P, Butt E, Pfister SM. Role of LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) in the metastatic dissemination of medulloblastoma. Cancer Res 2010; 70:8003-14. [PMID: 20924110 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-0592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in children. Treatment failure mainly occurs in children harboring metastatic tumors, which typically carry an isochromosome 17 or gain of 17q, a common hallmark of intermediate and high-risk medulloblastoma. Through mRNA expression profiling, we identified LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) as one of the most upregulated genes on chromosome 17q in tumors with 17q gain. In an independent validation cohort of 101 medulloblastoma samples, the abundance of LASP1 mRNA was significantly associated with 17q gain, metastatic dissemination, and unfavorable outcome. LASP1 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a large cohort of patients (n = 207), and high protein expression levels were found to be strongly correlated with 17q gain, metastatic dissemination, and inferior overall and progression-free survival. In vitro experiments in medulloblastoma cell lines showed a strong reduction of cell migration, increased adhesion, and decreased proliferation upon LASP1 knockdown by small interfering RNA-mediated silencing, further indicating a functional role for LASP1 in the progression and metastatic dissemination of medulloblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Traenka
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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27
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Wu Y, Luo H, Liu J, Kang D, McNeilly AS, Cui S. LIM homeodomain transcription factor Isl-1 enhances follicle stimulating hormone-beta and luteinizing hormone-beta gene expression and mediates the activation of leptin on gonadotropin synthesis. Endocrinology 2010; 151:4787-800. [PMID: 20702576 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The Lin-11, Isl-1, and Mec-3 (LIM) homeodomain transcription factor Isl-1 has been reported to be involved in pituitary development in the early stages of mouse embryogenesis. Our recent studies have shown that Isl-1 is mainly located in the pituitary gonadotropes throughout pituitary development and persists to adulthood. We still do not know the physiological functions of Isl-1 expression and its related mechanisms in the pituitary gland. The aim of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that Isl-1 is involved in regulating pituitary gonadotropin hormone (FSH/LH) production by activating FSHβ and LHβ gene expressions. We have shown that Isl-1 activates FSHβ and LHβ subunit promoters and endogenous gene transcription in LβT2 cells. In addition, Isl-1 overexpression significantly increased FSH synthesis and secretion but not LH. The actions of Isl-1 were not observed when the homeodomain or LIM1 domains are mutated. This demonstrates that Isl-1 induction of FSHβ and LHβ is by both direct and indirect binding of Isl-1 to DNA sequences. Furthermore, Isl-1 expressional level was up-regulated in LβT2 cells after exposure to GnRH, activin, and leptin. However, RNA interference-induced knockdown of Isl-1 significantly reduced the effect of leptin but did not obviously influence the stimulating effects of GnRH and activin on LH and FSH production. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that the LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Isl-1 functions to increase FSHβ/LHβ gene transcription, and mediates the effects of leptin on gonadotropin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
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28
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Rybina OY, Pasyukova EG. A naturally occurring polymorphism at Drosophila melanogaster Lim3 Locus, a homolog of human LHX3/4, affects Lim3 transcription and fly lifespan. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12621. [PMID: 20838645 PMCID: PMC2935391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 08/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lim3 encodes an RNA polymerase II transcription factor with a key role in neuron specification. It was also identified as a candidate gene that affects lifespan. These pleiotropic effects indicate the fundamental significance of the potential interplay between neural development and lifespan control. The goal of this study was to analyze the causal relationships between Lim3 structural variations, and gene expression and lifespan changes, and to provide insights into regulatory pathways controlling lifespan. Fifty substitution lines containing second chromosomes from a Drosophila natural population were used to analyze the association between lifespan and sequence variation in the 5'-regulatory region, and first exon and intron of Lim3A, in which we discovered multiple transcription start sites (TSS). The core and proximal promoter organization for Lim3A and a previously unknown mRNA named Lim3C were described. A haplotype of two markers in the Lim3A regulatory region was significantly associated with variation in lifespan. We propose that polymorphisms in the regulatory region affect gene transcription, and consequently lifespan. Indeed, five polymorphic markers located within 380 to 680 bp of the Lim3A major TSS, including two markers associated with lifespan variation, were significantly associated with the level of Lim3A transcript, as evaluated by real time RT-PCR in embryos, adult heads, and testes. A naturally occurring polymorphism caused a six-fold change in gene transcription and a 25% change in lifespan. Markers associated with long lifespan and intermediate Lim3A transcription were present in the population at high frequencies. We hypothesize that polymorphic markers associated with Lim3A expression are located within the binding sites for proteins that regulate gene function, and provide general rather than tissue-specific regulation of transcription, and that intermediate levels of Lim3A expression confer a selective advantage and longer lifespan.
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29
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Bronstein R, Levkovitz L, Yosef N, Yanku M, Ruppin E, Sharan R, Westphal H, Oliver B, Segal D. Transcriptional regulation by CHIP/LDB complexes. PLoS Genet 2010; 6:e1001063. [PMID: 20730086 PMCID: PMC2921152 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2009] [Accepted: 07/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly clear that transcription factors play versatile roles in turning genes “on” or “off” depending on cellular context via the various transcription complexes they form. This poses a major challenge in unraveling combinatorial transcription complex codes. Here we use the powerful genetics of Drosophila combined with microarray and bioinformatics analyses to tackle this challenge. The nuclear adaptor CHIP/LDB is a major developmental regulator capable of forming tissue-specific transcription complexes with various types of transcription factors and cofactors, making it a valuable model to study the intricacies of gene regulation. To date only few CHIP/LDB complexes target genes have been identified, and possible tissue-dependent crosstalk between these complexes has not been rigorously explored. SSDP proteins protect CHIP/LDB complexes from proteasome dependent degradation and are rate-limiting cofactors for these complexes. By using mutations in SSDP, we identified 189 down-stream targets of CHIP/LDB and show that these genes are enriched for the binding sites of APTEROUS (AP) and PANNIER (PNR), two well studied transcription factors associated with CHIP/LDB complexes. We performed extensive genetic screens and identified target genes that genetically interact with components of CHIP/LDB complexes in directing the development of the wings (28 genes) and thoracic bristles (23 genes). Moreover, by in vivo RNAi silencing we uncovered novel roles for two of the target genes, xbp1 and Gs-alpha, in early development of these structures. Taken together, our results suggest that loss of SSDP disrupts the normal balance between the CHIP-AP and the CHIP-PNR transcription complexes, resulting in down-regulation of CHIP-AP target genes and the concomitant up-regulation of CHIP-PNR target genes. Understanding the combinatorial nature of transcription complexes as presented here is crucial to the study of transcription regulation of gene batteries required for development. Different cell types in multi-cellular organisms are determined by the repertoire of genes active in each cell. This repertoire, or transcriptome, is established by the coordinated activity of transcription factors and cofactors that form modular transcription complexes. The modular nature of transcription complexes complicates our understanding of how transcription factors shape the transcriptome. CHIP/LDB transcription complexes direct formation of various cell types including blood and nerve cells. CHIP/LDB malfunction leads to developmental defects and cancer. The function of these complexes depends critically on the docking of specific transcription factors and co-factors at a specific time and in a specific cell type, making them outstanding models for intricate transcriptional regulation. Here we demonstrate that loss of SSDP, a key regulatory component of CHIP/LDB transcription complexes, alters transcription of a large group of genes. We used bioinformatics tools and genetic tests to examine the function of additional components of CHIP/LDB transcription complexes and their target genes during the development of specific organs. We demonstrate how differences in the availability of transcription factors in different cells can affect the function and composition of CHIP/LDB transcription complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revital Bronstein
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Liron Levkovitz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Balvatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Yosef
- Balvatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michaela Yanku
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eytan Ruppin
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Balvatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roded Sharan
- Balvatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Heiner Westphal
- Section on Mammalian Molecular Genetics, Program in Genomics of Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Brian Oliver
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel Segal
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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30
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Dateki S, Fukami M, Uematsu A, Kaji M, Iso M, Ono M, Mizota M, Yokoya S, Motomura K, Kinoshita E, Moriuchi H, Ogata T. Mutation and gene copy number analyses of six pituitary transcription factor genes in 71 patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency: identification of a single patient with LHX4 deletion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2010; 95:4043-7. [PMID: 20534763 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Mutations of multiple transcription factor genes involved in pituitary development have been identified in a minor portion of patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD). However, copy number aberrations involving such genes have been poorly investigated in patients with CPHD. OBJECTIVE We aimed to report the results of mutation and gene copy number analyses in patients with CPHD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Seventy-one Japanese patients with CPHD were examined for mutations and gene copy number aberrations affecting POU1F1, PROP1, HESX1, LHX3, LHX4, and SOX3 by PCR-direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. When a deletion was indicated, it was further studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization, oligoarray comparative genomic hybridization, and serial sequencing for long PCR products encompassing the deletion junction. RESULTS We identified a de novo heterozygous 522,009-bp deletion involving LHX4 in a patient with CPHD (GH, TSH, PRL, LH, and FSH deficiencies), anterior pituitary hypoplasia, ectopic posterior pituitary, and underdeveloped sella turcica. We also identified five novel heterozygous missense substitutions (p.V201I and p.H387P in LHX4, p.T63M and p.A322T in LHX3, and p.V53L in SOX3) that were assessed as rare variants by sequencing analyses for control subjects and available parents and by functional studies and in silico analyses. CONCLUSIONS The results imply the rarity of abnormalities affecting the six genes in patients with CPHD and the significance of the gene copy number analysis in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumito Dateki
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Ohkura, Setagaya, Tokyo 157-8535, Japan
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31
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Smits AM, Ramkisoensing AA, Atsma DE, Goumans MJ. Young at heart. An update on cardiac regeneration. Minerva Med 2010; 101:255-270. [PMID: 21030937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the most important causes of mortality. Over the past decades important advances have been made in prevention and treatment of acute complications after myocardial infarction (MI). As a result, the number of patients that acutely die from MI has been reduced. Current treatments can not prevent the loss of cardiac contractility caused by cardiomyocyte death, and therefore patients that do survive MI are prone to develop progressive impaired cardiac function, which may lead to heart failure. Cell-based therapy has been proposed as a potential new therapy to prevent progression to end-stage heart failure by (re)generating contractile tissue in the damaged heart. During the last years many different cell sources have been studied extensively for their cardiomyogenic differentiation capacity in vitro and in vitro. These cells include several populations of cardiac-derived progenitor cells as well as mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources. It has become clear that not only the origin, but also the "age" of a cell is an important determinant of its plasticity. Therefore, special attention is paid to the difference in developmental state of the cell sources and the consequences for their differentiation capacity and therapeutic applicability. Furthermore, we provide future perspectives for several aspects of cell-based therapy that could be optimized in order to enhance the regeneration of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Smits
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Center for Biomedical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
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Kobayashi T, Iwasaki T, Amagai M, Ohyama M. Canine follicle stem cell candidates reside in the bulge and share characteristic features with human bulge cells. J Invest Dermatol 2010; 130:1988-95. [PMID: 20357816 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2010.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The hair follicle bulge has attracted great interest as a stem cell repository. Previous studies have focused on rodent or human bulge stem cells, and our understanding of those in other species is limited. In this study, we attempted to localize and characterize stem cell candidates in canine hair follicles. The canine skin xenografting study located label-retaining cells in the outer root sheath around the insertion point of the arrector pili muscle, where the immunoreactivity of human bulge markers, keratin 15 and follistatin, were detected. Canine bulge cell-enriched keratinocytes up-regulated human bulge biomarkers CD200 and DIO2, and conserved key cell regulators of bulge stem cells, such as SOX9 and LHX2. Importantly, canine bulge-derived keratinocytes were highly proliferative in vitro and, when combined with trichogenic dermal cells, reconstituted pilosebaceous structures as well as the epidermis in vivo. Successful detection of canine specific DNA sequences suggested that the regenerated tissue was of canine origin. In addition, canine specific bulge cell and sebocyte lineage markers were expressed in reconstituted pilosebaceous units, implying the multipotency of canine bulge cells. Our findings demonstrate a unique strategy utilizing canine bulge cells to investigate human stem cell biology and intractable hair disorders that involve the bulge region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Kobayashi
- Department of Dermatology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Duffield DS, Cai L, Kim S. Simultaneous determination of multiple mRNA levels utilizing MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and biotinylated dideoxynucleotides. RNA 2010; 16:1285-1291. [PMID: 20410241 PMCID: PMC2874180 DOI: 10.1261/rna.1859810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Accepted: 02/18/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Here we report an efficient method to simultaneously measure multiple mRNA levels utilizing mass spectrometry (MS) and molecular affinity isolation. In this approach, reverse transcription products of a group of mRNAs are subjected to competitive PCR with competitors and internal standards of known concentrations, and the PCR products are differentiated and quantified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS to determine the mRNA levels. The method provides high accuracy in quantitative MS analysis due to the facilitated purification of oligonucleotides by molecular affinity isolation. Additionally, owing to the molecular affinity isolation, only those oligonucleotides required for expression level determination are introduced into the mass spectrometer, while other irrelevant reaction components that could overlap with peaks of gene transcripts or competitors are removed prior to MS analysis. Thus the approach enhances the parallel analysis of multiple gene transcripts by MS. Utilizing the method we have simultaneously measured mRNA levels of four genes (Rho, Nrl, Hprt, and Lhx2) in mouse retinal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Scott Duffield
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
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Chao R, Nevin L, Agarwal P, Riemer J, Bai X, Delaney A, Akana M, JimenezLopez N, Bardakjian T, Schneider A, Chassaing N, Schorderet DF, FitzPatrick D, Kwok PY, Ellgaard L, Gould DB, Zhang Y, Malicki J, Baier H, Slavotinek A. A male with unilateral microphthalmia reveals a role for TMX3 in eye development. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10565. [PMID: 20485507 PMCID: PMC2868029 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Anophthalmia and microphthalmia are important birth defects, but their pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. We studied a patient with severe unilateral microphthalmia who had a 2.7 Mb deletion at chromosome 18q22.1 that was inherited from his mother. In-situ hybridization showed that one of the deleted genes, TMX3, was expressed in the retinal neuroepithelium and lens epithelium in the developing murine eye. We re-sequenced TMX3 in 162 patients with anophthalmia or microphthalmia, and found two missense substitutions in unrelated patients: c.116G>A, predicting p.Arg39Gln, in a male with unilateral microphthalmia and retinal coloboma, and c.322G>A, predicting p.Asp108Asn, in a female with unilateral microphthalmia and severe micrognathia. We used two antisense morpholinos targeted against the zebrafish TMX3 orthologue, zgc:110025, to examine the effects of reduced gene expression in eye development. We noted that the morphant larvae resulting from both morpholinos had significantly smaller eye sizes and reduced labeling with islet-1 antibody directed against retinal ganglion cells at 2 days post fertilization. Co-injection of human wild type TMX3 mRNA rescued the small eye phenotype obtained with both morpholinos, whereas co-injection of human TMX3(p.Arg39Gln) mutant mRNA, analogous to the mutation in the patient with microphthalmia and coloboma, did not rescue the small eye phenotype. Our results show that haploinsufficiency for TMX3 results in a small eye phenotype and represents a novel genetic cause of microphthalmia and coloboma. Future experiments to determine if other thioredoxins are important in eye morphogenesis and to clarify the mechanism of function of TMX3 in eye development are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Chao
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Linda Nevin
- Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Pooja Agarwal
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jan Riemer
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiaoyang Bai
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Anatomy and the Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Allen Delaney
- Genome Sciences Center, BC Cancer Research Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Matthew Akana
- Department of Dermatology, Cardiovascular Research Institute and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nelson JimenezLopez
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Tanya Bardakjian
- Clinical Genetics Division, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adele Schneider
- Clinical Genetics Division, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nicolas Chassaing
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Daniel F. Schorderet
- Institut de Recherche en Ophtalmologie, University of Lausanne and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David FitzPatrick
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Pui-yan Kwok
- Department of Dermatology, Cardiovascular Research Institute and Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Lars Ellgaard
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Douglas B. Gould
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Anatomy and the Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jarema Malicki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Herwig Baier
- Department of Physiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Anne Slavotinek
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Labalette C, Nouët Y, Levillayer F, Colnot S, Chen J, Claude V, Huerre M, Perret C, Buendia MA, Wei Y. Deficiency of the LIM-only protein FHL2 reduces intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc mutant mice. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10371. [PMID: 20442768 PMCID: PMC2860980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The four and a half LIM-only protein 2 (FHL2) is capable of shuttling between focal adhesion and nucleus where it signals through direct interaction with a number of proteins including β-catenin. Although FHL2 activation has been found in various human cancers, evidence of its functional contribution to carcinogenesis has been lacking. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we have investigated the role of FHL2 in intestinal tumorigenesis in which activation of the Wnt pathway by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (Apc) or in β-catenin constitutes the primary transforming event. In this murine model, introduction of a biallelic deletion of FHL2 into mutant ApcΔ14/+ mice substantially reduces the number of intestinal adenomas but not tumor growth, suggesting a role of FHL2 in the initial steps of tumorigenesis. In the lesions, Wnt signalling is not affected by FHL2 deficiency, remaining constitutively active. Nevertheless, loss of FHL2 activity is associated with increased epithelial cell migration in intestinal epithelium, which might allow to eliminate more efficiently deleterious cells and reduce the risk of tumorigenesis. This finding may provide a mechanistic basis for tumor suppression by FHL2 deficiency. In human colorectal carcinoma but not in low-grade dysplasia, we detected up-regulation and enhanced nuclear localization of FHL2, indicating the activation of FHL2 during the development of malignancy. Conclusions/Significance Our data demonstrate that FHL2 represents a critical factor in intestinal tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Labalette
- Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U579, Paris, France
| | - Yann Nouët
- Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U579, Paris, France
| | - Florence Levillayer
- Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U579, Paris, France
| | - Sabine Colnot
- Département d'Endocrinologie Métabolisme et Cancer, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Inserm U567, Paris, France
| | - Ju Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Valere Claude
- Département d'Anapathologie, Hôpital Bégin, Saint Mandé, France
| | - Michel Huerre
- Département d'Infection et Epidémiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Christine Perret
- Département d'Endocrinologie Métabolisme et Cancer, Institut Cochin, Paris, France
- Inserm U567, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Annick Buendia
- Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U579, Paris, France
| | - Yu Wei
- Département de Virologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Inserm U579, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Ashkenazi-Hoffnung L, Lebenthal Y, Wyatt AW, Ragge NK, Dateki S, Fukami M, Ogata T, Phillip M, Gat-Yablonski G. A novel loss-of-function mutation in OTX2 in a patient with anophthalmia and isolated growth hormone deficiency. Hum Genet 2010; 127:721-9. [PMID: 20396904 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-010-0820-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Accepted: 03/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations of the gene encoding transcription factor OTX2 were recently shown to be responsible for ocular as well as pituitary abnormalities. Here, we describe a patient with unilateral anophthalmia and short stature. Endocrine evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis revealed isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) with small anterior pituitary gland, invisible stalk, ectopic posterior lobe, and right anophthalmia on brain magnetic resonance imaging. DNA was analyzed for mutations in the HESX1, SOX2, and OTX2 genes. Molecular analysis yielded a novel heterozygous OTX2 mutation (c.270A>T, p.R90S) within the homeodomain. Functional analysis revealed that the mutation inhibited both the DNA binding and transactivation activities of the protein. This novel loss-of-function mutation is associated with anophthalmia and IGHD in a patient of Sephardic Jewish descent. We recommend that patients with GH deficiency and ocular malformation in whom genetic analysis for classic transcription factor genes (PROP1, POU1F1, HESX1, and LHX4) failed to identify alterations should be checked for the presence of mutations in the OTX2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Ashkenazi-Hoffnung
- The Jesse Z and Sara Lea Shafer Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetes, National Center for Childhood Diabetes, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, 14 Kaplan Street, 49202 Petach Tikva, Israel
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37
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Abstract
Hair is important for thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity, seasonal camouflage, and social interactions. Hair is generated in hair follicles (HFs) and, following morphogenesis, HFs undergo cyclic phases of active growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and inactivity (telogen) throughout life. The transcriptional regulation of this process is not well understood. We show that the transcription factor Lhx2 is expressed in cells of the outer root sheath and a subpopulation of matrix cells during both morphogenesis and anagen. As the HFs enter telogen, expression becomes undetectable and reappears prior to initiation of anagen in the secondary hair germ. In contrast to previously published results, we find that Lhx2 is primarily expressed by precursor cells outside of the bulge region where the HF stem cells are located. This developmental, stage- and cell-specific expression suggests that Lhx2 regulates the generation and regeneration of hair. In support of this hypothesis, we show that Lhx2 is required for anagen progression and HF morphogenesis. Moreover, transgenic expression of Lhx2 in postnatal HFs is sufficient to induce anagen. Thus, our results reveal an alternative interpretation of Lhx2 function in HFs compared to previously published results, since Lhx2 is periodically expressed, primarily in precursor cells distinct from those in the bulge region, and is an essential positive regulator of hair formation. Hair is generated in hair follicles, complex mini-organs in the skin that are devoted to this task. All hair follicles are generated during embryonic development. The hair follicles generate a new hair shaft by cycling through stages of regression, rest, and growth continuously throughout life. The length of the growth phase determines the length of the hair. The reason(s) for this complicated regulation of hair growth is not clear, but it has been suggested that it may accommodate seasonal variations in hair growth. In this study we have identified the transcription factor Lhx2 as an important regulator of hair formation. The Lhx2 gene is active during the growth phase of the hair follicle and is turned off during the resting phase. We confirm that Lhx2 is functionally involved in hair formation, since hair follicles where Lhx2 has been inactivated are unable to make hair. Moreover, activation of the Lhx2 gene in hair follicles induced the growth phase and hence hair formation. Thus, Lhx2 is an important regulator of hair growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Sandberg
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Leif Carlsson
- Umeå Center for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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38
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Abstract
The process of sexual differentiation is central for reproduction of almost all metazoan, and therefore, for maintenance of practically all multicellular organisms. In sex development, we can distinguish two different processes, sex determination, that is the developmental decision that directs the undifferentiated embryo into a sexually dimorphic individual. In mammals, sex determination equals gonadal development. The second process known as sex differentiation takes place once the sex determination decision has been made through factors produced by the gonads that determine the development of the phenotypic sex. Most of the knowledge on the factors involved in sexual development came from animal models and from studies of cases in whom the genetic or the gonadal sex does not match the phenotypical sex, that is, patients affected by disorders of sex development (DSDs). Generally speaking, factors influencing sex determination are transcriptional regulators, whereas factors important for sex differentiation are secreted hormones and their receptors. This review focuses on these factors and whenever possible, references regarding the 'prismatic' clinical cases are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Biason-Lauber
- Division of Endocrinology/Diabetology, University Children's Hospital, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
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39
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Abstract
Recently, we have reported the LIM-homeodoman (HD) transcriptional regulator, Islet-1 (Isl-1) as a key regulator for pancreatic islets after the secondary transition and into early postnatal stages in mice. Previously, the role of Isl-1 had only been examined during early pancreas development in vivo and cell lines. These early studies concluded that Isl-1 is required for the differentiation of early endocrine cells, and hormone gene expression is regulated by Isl-1 in cell culture. However, it was not clear from these studies whether the regulation of hormone gene transcription by Isl-1 was a direct transcriptional event. In addition, the function of Isl-1 during the formation of principle hormone producing endocrine cells had not been investigated since Isl-1 null animals die prior to the formation of these cells. Using pancreas-specific inactivation of Isl-1 in mice, we have elucidated the role of Isl-1 during maturation, proliferation and survival of the endocrine pancreas after the secondary transition. We have also identified MafA, a potent Insulin gene regulator, as the first direct target of Isl-1 in β-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Lee May
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Institute of Diabetes for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, USA.
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40
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Abstract
Mutant mouse lines have been used to study the development of specific neuronal populations and brain structures as well as behaviors. In this report, single- and double-mutant mice were used to examine the lineage of GnRH-1 cells. GnRH is essential for vertebrate reproduction, with either GnRH-1 or GnRH-3 controlling release of gonadotropins from the anterior pituitary, depending on the species. It is clear that the neuroendocrine GnRH cells migrate from extracentral nervous system locations into the forebrain. However, the embryonic origin of GnRH-1 and GnRH-3 cells is controversial and has been suggested to be nasal placode, adenohypophyseal (anterior pituitary) placode, or neural crest, again dependent on the species examined. We found that mutant mice with either missing or disrupted anterior pituitaries (Gli2(-/-), Gli1(-/-)Gli2(-/-), and Lhx3(-/-)) exhibit a normal GnRH-1 neuronal population and that these cells are still found associated with the developing vomeronasal organ. These results indicate that in mice, GnRH-1 cells develop independent of the adenohypophyseal placode and are associated early with the formation of the nasal placode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillery Metz
- Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Differentiation/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Differentiation/genetics
- Cell Differentiation/physiology
- Cells, Cultured
- Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology
- Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology
- Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5
- Homeodomain Proteins/biosynthesis
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
- Mice
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myosin Heavy Chains/biosynthesis
- Myosin Heavy Chains/genetics
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology
- Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
- Prions/biosynthesis
- Prions/genetics
- Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/biosynthesis
- Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/genetics
- Somites/cytology
- Somites/embryology
- T-Box Domain Proteins/biosynthesis
- T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Troponin I/biosynthesis
- Troponin I/genetics
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Kollara A, Brown TJ. Four and a half LIM domain 2 alters the impact of aryl hydrocarbon receptor on androgen receptor transcriptional activity. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 118:51-8. [PMID: 19815066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2009.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands modulate androgen receptor (AR) signaling in prostate cancer cells through partially defined mechanisms. Furthermore, these facilitatory and inhibitory effects of AhR on AR signaling appear to be cell or context specific. In the present study we demonstrate that both AhR and AhR-nuclear translocator (ARNT) interact with AR. AhR but not ARNT enhanced the AR-transcriptional activity which was independent of exogenous AhR ligand treatment (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD). We then tested if coactivators common to both receptors alter the facilitatory effect of AhR on AR activity. NcoA4 overexpression did not alter the AhR facilitatory effect on AR, whereas SRC1 overexpression further enhanced the effect. In contrast, FHL2 overexpression blocked the facilitatory effect of AhR. In the presence of exogenous FHL2 expression, AhR repressed AR activity, whereas at low endogenous levels of FHL2 expression, AhR overexpression enhanced AR activity. At high FHL2 expression levels, TCDD treatment decreased AR activity and this effect was reversed by AhR overexpression. These findings demonstrate that AhR modulation of AR activity is differentially altered by the level of FHL2 and AhR present in the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Kollara
- Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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43
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Ellison GM, Galuppo V, Vicinanza C, Aquila I, Waring CD, Leone A, Indolfi C, Torella D. Cardiac stem and progenitor cell identification: different markers for the same cell? Front Biosci (Schol Ed) 2010; 2:641-652. [PMID: 20036974 DOI: 10.2741/s91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
For a long time the heart has been considered a terminally differentiated organ without any regenerative potential. The latter has been classically based on the terminally differentiated nature of cardiomyocytes and the absence of a pool of tissue-specific stem cells. This view has been radically changed due to the discovery of resident cardiac stem and progenitor cells in the adult mammalian heart. However, at minimum, 5 apparently different cardiac stem and/or progenitor cell types have been described so far. Thus, we have changed from a view of the heart as a static tissue to an organ with the highest number of tissue-specific stem cell populations. Most likely, the different putative adult cardiac stem and progenitor cells represent different developmental and/or physiological stages of a unique resident adult cardiac stem cell. Notably, it is not yet known the origin of all these cells. A better understanding of the origin, biology and physiology of the myocardial stem and progenitor cells will impact the development of regenerative medicine as an effective therapy for heart disease and failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina M Ellison
- Stem Cell and Molecular Physiology Laboratory, The Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool JM University, Liverpool, UK
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44
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Chen D, Wang G, Luo H, Liu J, Cui S. Isl-1 down-regulates DRG cell proliferation during chicken embryo development. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2010; 31:67-72. [PMID: 20150874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2009] [Accepted: 01/31/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Protein Isl-1 RNA interference and over expression in early chicken embryo dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were used to investigate the function of Isl-1 in DRG cell proliferation. METHODS Isl-1 targeted shRNA expression vector and Isl-1 over-expression vector were transfected into chicken embryo DRG by in ovo electroporation. Then, the DRG proliferation rate was detected by BrdU immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The rate of DRG cell proliferation increased after Isl-1 knock-down and decreased after Isl-1 over-expression. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that Isl-1 negatively modulates DRG cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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45
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Iijima K, Tsukaguchi H. [Molecular basis of hereditary nephrotic syndromes]. Nihon Jinzo Gakkai Shi 2010; 52:914-923. [PMID: 21077341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
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46
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Nelander J, Hebsgaard JB, Parmar M. Organization of the human embryonic ventral mesencephalon. Gene Expr Patterns 2009; 9:555-61. [PMID: 19825428 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2009.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2009] [Revised: 10/02/2009] [Accepted: 10/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The neurons in the ventral mesencephalon (VM) are organized into several nuclei consisting of distinct neuronal populations. These include the dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the substania nigra and ventral tegmental area, the oculomotor (OM) neurons that innervate the muscles controlling eye movement, and the reticular neurons of the red nucleus (RN) involved in motor control and coordination reviewed in Puelles (2007). The factors and genes that control the differentiation of the various neuronal populations in the VM have been extensively studied in the mouse and other model organisms but little is known about the progenitors and their protein expression in the developing human brain. In this study we analyze if key regulators identified in rodents are also expressed in the human VM during embryonic development. We report that BLBP and LMX1A mark the floor plate and that FOXA2 is expressed in both the floor plate and basal plate of the human VM. The proneural transcription factors NGN2 and MASH1 are expressed in the ventricular zone of the human VM within and lateral to the floor plate. The post-mitotic DA neurons express TH as well as NURR1 and PITX3. ISL1 and BRN3A can be used to detect the cells of OM and RN, respectively. We show that many key developmental control factors are expressed in a temporal and spatial manner in the human VM essentially corresponding to what has been observed in the mouse. This data therefore suggest similar roles for these factors also in human VM development and dopamine neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Nelander
- Department of Experimental Medical Science and Lund Strategic Center for Stem Cell, Biology and Cell Therapy, Lund University, Sweden
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47
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Abstract
Chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles to knock down FHL2 gene expression were reported in this work. The physicochemical properties such as particle size, surface charge, morphology and complex stability of chitosan nanoparticle-incorporated siRNA were evaluated. Nanoparticles which were formulated with chitosan/siRNA exhibited irregular, lamellar and dendritic structures with a hydrodynamic radius size of about 148 nm and net positive charges with zeta-potential value of 58.5 mV. The knockdown effect of the chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles on gene expression in FHL2 over-expressed human colorectal cancer Lovo cells was investigated. The result showed that FHL2 siRNA formulated within chitosan nanoparticles could knock down about 69.6% FHL2 gene expression, which is very similar to the 68.8% reduced gene expression when siRNA was transfected with liposome Lipofectamine. Western analysis further showed significant FHL-2 protein expression reduced by the chitosan/siRNA nanoparticles. The results also showed that blocking FHL2 expression by siRNA could also inhibit the growth and proliferation of human colorectal cancer Lovo cells. The current results demonstrated that chitosan-based siRNA nanoparticles were a very efficient delivery system for siRNA in vivo as previously reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, People's Republic of China
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48
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The generation of mature cell types during pancreatic development depends on the expression of many regulatory and signaling proteins. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the transcriptional regulator Islet-1 (Isl-1), whose expression is first detected in the mesenchyme and epithelium of the developing pancreas and is later restricted to mature islet cells, is involved in the terminal differentiation of islet cells and maintenance of islet mass. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS To investigate the role of Isl-1 in the pancreatic epithelium during the secondary transition, Isl-1 was conditionally and specifically deleted from embryonic day 13.5 onward using Cre/LoxP technology. RESULTS Isl-1-deficient endocrine precursors failed to mature into functional islet cells. The postnatal expansion of endocrine cell mass was impaired, and consequently Isl-1 deficient mice were diabetic. In addition, MafA, a potent regulator of the Insulin gene and beta-cell function, was identified as a direct transcriptional target of Isl-1. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the requirement for Isl-1 in the maturation, proliferation, and survival of the second wave of hormone-producing islet cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Du
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chad S. Hunter
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Johanna Murray
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel Noble
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chen-Leng Cai
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Center for Molecular Cardiology & Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sylvia M. Evans
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Roland Stein
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Catherine Lee May
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Corresponding author: Catherine Lee May,
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49
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Han M, Serrano MC, Lastra-Vicente R, Brinez P, Acharya G, Huhta JC, Chen R, Linask KK. Folate rescues lithium-, homocysteine- and Wnt3A-induced vertebrate cardiac anomalies. Dis Model Mech 2009; 2:467-78. [PMID: 19638421 PMCID: PMC2737056 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.001438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 04/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated plasma homocysteine (HCy), which results from folate (folic acid, FA) deficiency, and the mood-stabilizing drug lithium (Li) are both linked to the induction of human congenital heart and neural tube defects. We demonstrated previously that acute administration of Li to pregnant mice on embryonic day (E)6.75 induced cardiac valve defects by potentiating Wnt-beta-catenin signaling. We hypothesized that HCy may similarly induce cardiac defects during gastrulation by targeting the Wnt-beta-catenin pathway. Because dietary FA supplementation protects from neural tube defects, we sought to determine whether FA also protects the embryonic heart from Li- or HCy-induced birth defects and whether the protection occurs by impacting Wnt signaling. Maternal elevation of HCy or Li on E6.75 induced defective heart and placental function on E15.5, as identified non-invasively using echocardiography. This functional analysis of HCy-exposed mouse hearts revealed defects in tricuspid and semilunar valves, together with altered myocardial thickness. A smaller embryo and placental size was observed in the treated groups. FA supplementation ameliorates the observed developmental errors in the Li- or HCy-exposed mouse embryos and normalized heart function. Molecular analysis of gene expression within the avian cardiogenic crescent determined that Li, HCy or Wnt3A suppress Wnt-modulated Hex (also known as Hhex) and Islet-1 (also known as Isl1) expression, and that FA protects from the gene misexpression that is induced by all three factors. Furthermore, myoinositol with FA synergistically enhances the protective effect. Although the specific molecular epigenetic control mechanisms remain to be defined, it appears that Li or HCy induction and FA protection of cardiac defects involve intimate control of the canonical Wnt pathway at a crucial time preceding, and during, early heart organogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Avian Proteins/genetics
- Avian Proteins/metabolism
- Chickens
- Dietary Supplements
- Disease Models, Animal
- Embryo, Mammalian/abnormalities
- Embryo, Mammalian/diagnostic imaging
- Embryo, Mammalian/drug effects
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/abnormalities
- Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects
- Folic Acid/pharmacology
- Gastrulation/drug effects
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects
- Heart Defects, Congenital/chemically induced
- Heart Defects, Congenital/diagnostic imaging
- Heart Defects, Congenital/physiopathology
- Heart Defects, Congenital/prevention & control
- Heart Function Tests/drug effects
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Homocysteine
- Inositol/pharmacology
- LIM-Homeodomain Proteins
- Lithium
- Mice
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocardium/pathology
- Transcription Factors
- Ultrasonography
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
- Wnt3 Protein
- Wnt3A Protein
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingda Han
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Maria C. Serrano
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Rosana Lastra-Vicente
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Pilar Brinez
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Ganesh Acharya
- University Hospital of Northern Norway and University of Tromso, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, N9308 Tromso, Norway
| | - James C. Huhta
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - Ren Chen
- USF College of Medicine, Biostatistics Core, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kersti K. Linask
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, USF/ACH Children’s Research Institute, St Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
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50
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Ham JH, Shin SJ, Joo KR, Park SM, Sung HY, Kim JS, Choi JS, Choi YJ, Song HC, Choi EJ. A synonymous genetic alteration of LMX1B in a family with nail-patella syndrome. Korean J Intern Med 2009; 24:274-8. [PMID: 19721866 PMCID: PMC2732789 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2009.24.3.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2007] [Accepted: 09/13/2007] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The gene responsible for nail-patella syndrome, LMX1B, has recently been identified on chromosome 9q. Here we present a patient with nail-patella syndrome and an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. A 17-year-old girl visited our clinic for the evaluation and treatment of proteinuria. She had dystrophic nails, palpable iliac horns, and hypoplastic patellae. Electron microscopy of a renal biopsy showed irregular thickening of the glomerular basement membrane. A family history over three generations revealed five affected family members. Genetic analysis found a change of TCG to TCC, resulting in a synonymous alteration at codon 219 in exon 4 of the LMX1B gene in two affected family members. The same alteration was not detected in an unaffected family member. This is the first report of familial nail-patella syndrome associated with an LMX1B in Korea mutation, However, we can not completely rule out the possibility that the G-to-C change may be a single nucleotide polymorphism as this genetic mutation cause no alteration in amino acid sequence of LMX1B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo Ho Ham
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seok Joon Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Re Joo
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Min Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye Young Sung
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joong Seok Kim
- Department of Neurology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Neuroscience Genome Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin Soo Choi
- Neuroscience Genome Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeong Jin Choi
- Department of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Cheol Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eui Jin Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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