The requirement of SUMO2/3 for SENP2 mediated extraembryonic and embryonic development

Small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO)‐specific protease 2 (SENP2) is essential for the development of healthy placenta. The loss of SENP2 causes severe placental deficiencies and leads to embryonic death that is associated with heart and brain deformities. However, tissue‐specific disruption of SENP2 demonstrates its dispensable role in embryogenesis and the embryonic defects are secondary to placental insufficiency. SENP2 regulates SUMO1 modification of Mdm2, which controls p53 activities critical for trophoblast cell proliferation and differentiation. Here we use genetic analyses to examine the involvement of SUMO2 and SUMO3 for SENP2‐mediated placentation. The results indicate that hyper‐SUMOylation caused by SENP2 deficiency can be compensated by reducing the level of SUMO modifiers. The placental deficiencies caused by the loss of SENP2 can be alleviated by the inactivation of gene encoding SUMO2 or SUMO3. Our findings demonstrate that SENP2 genetically interacts with SUMO2 and SUMO3 pivotal for the development of three major trophoblast layers. The alleviation of placental defects in the SENP2 knockouts further leads to the proper formation of the heart structures, including atrioventricular cushion and myocardium. SUMO2 and SUMO3 modifications regulate placentation and organogenesis mediated by SENP2.

Genetic analyses reveal that hyper sumoylation caused by SENP2 deficiency can be compensated by reducing the level of SUMO modifiers. The placental deficiencies caused by the loss of SENP2 can be alleviated by the inactivation of gene encoding SUMO2 or SUMO3. SENP2 genetically interacts with SUMO2 and SUMO3 pivotal for the development of three major trophoblast layers. The alleviation of placental defects in the SENP2 knockouts further leads to the proper formation of the heart structures, including atrioventricular cushion and myocardium. Protein modification by SUMO2 and SUMO3 is essential for SENP2‐mediated placentation and organogenesis.

Rap1b Is an Effector of Axin2 Regulating Crosstalk of Signaling Pathways During Skeletal Development

Recent identification and isolation of suture stem cells capable of long-term self-renewal, clonal expanding, and differentiating demonstrate their essential role in calvarial bone development, homeostasis, and injury repair. These bona fide stem cells express a high level of Axin2 and are able to mediate bone regeneration and repair in a cell autonomous fashion. The importance of Axin2 is further demonstrated by its genetic inactivation in mice causing skeletal deformities resembling craniosynostosis in humans. The fate determination and subsequent differentiation of Axin2+ stem cells are highly orchestrated by a variety of evolutionary conserved signaling pathways including Wnt, FGF, and BMP. These signals are often antagonistic of each other and possess differential effects on osteogenic and chondrogenic cell types. However, the mechanisms underlying the interplay of these signaling transductions remain largely elusive. Here we identify Rap1b acting downstream of Axin2 as a signaling interrogator for FGF and BMP. Genetic analysis reveals that Rap1b is essential for development of craniofacial and body skeletons. Axin2 regulates Rap1b through modulation of canonical BMP signaling. The BMP-mediated activation of Rap1b promotes chondrogenic fate and chondrogenesis. Furthermore, by inhibiting MAPK signaling, Rap1b mediates the antagonizing effect of BMP on FGF to repress osteoblast differentiation. Disruption of Rap1b in mice not only enhances osteoblast differentiation but also impairs chondrocyte differentiation during intramembranous and endochondral ossifications, respectively, leading to severe defects in craniofacial and body skeletons. Our findings reveal a dual role of Rap1b in development of the skeletogenic cell types. Rap1b is critical for balancing the signaling effects of BMP and FGF during skeletal development and disease. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Intra-epithelial requirement of canonical Wnt signaling for tooth morphogenesis

Multiple Wnt ligands are expressed in the developing tooth and play important and redundant functions during odontogenesis. However, the source of Wnt ligands and their targeting cells and action mechanism in tooth organogenesis remain largely elusive. Here we show that epithelial inactivation of Gpr177, the mouse Wntless (Wls) whose product regulates Wnt sorting and secretion, leads to arrest of tooth development at the early cap stage and abrogates tooth-forming capability of the dental epithelium. Gpr177 in the epithelium is necessary for the activation of canonical Wnt signaling in the dental epithelium and formation of a functional enamel knot. Epithelial deletion of Gpr177 results in defective gene expression and cellular behavior in the dental epithelium but does not alter odontogenic program in the mesenchyme. Furthermore, deletion of Axin2, a negative intracellular regulator of canonical Wnt signaling, rescues the tooth defects in mice carrying Gpr177 mutation in the dental epithelium. Together with the fact that active Wnt canonical signaling is present predominantly in the dental epithelium during tooth development, our results demonstrate that Gpr177-mediated Wnt ligands in the dental epithelium act primarily in an intra-epithelial context to regulate enamel knot formation and subsequent tooth development.