scholarly journals Prx1 and Prx2 in skeletogenesis: roles in the craniofacial region, inner ear and limbs

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (19) ◽  
pp. 3831-3842 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. ten Berge ◽  
A. Brouwer ◽  
J. Korving ◽  
J.F. Martin ◽  
F. Meijlink

Prx1 and Prx2 are closely related paired-class homeobox genes that are expressed in very similar patterns predominantly in mesenchyme. Prx1 loss-of-function mutants show skeletal defects in skull, limbs and vertebral column (Martin, J. F., Bradley, A. and Olson, E. N. (1995) Genes Dev. 9, 1237–1249). We report here that mice in which Prx2 is inactivated by a lacZ insertion had no skeletal defects, whereas Prx1/Prx2 double mutants showed many novel abnormalities in addition to an aggravation of the Prx1 single mutant phenotype. We found defects in external, middle and inner ear, reduction or loss of skull bones, a reduced and sometimes cleft mandible, and limb abnormalities including postaxial polydactyly and bent zeugopods. A single, or no incisor was present in the lower jaw, and ectopic expression of Fgf8 and Pax9 was found medially in the mandibular arch. A novel method to detect β-galactosidase activity in hydroxyethylmethacrylate sections allowed detailed analysis of Prx2 expression in affected structures. Our results suggest a role for Prx genes in mediating epitheliomesenchymal interactions in inner ear and lower jaw. In addition, Prx1 and Prx2 are involved in interactions between perichondrium and chondrocytes that regulate their proliferation or differentiation in the bones of the zeugopods.

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (10) ◽  
pp. 2011-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Vendrell ◽  
E. Carnicero ◽  
F. Giraldez ◽  
M.T. Alonso ◽  
T. Schimmang

Loss-of-function experiments in avians and mammals have provided conflicting results on the capacity of fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGF3) to act as a secreted growth factor responsible for induction and morphogenesis of the vertebrate inner ear. Using a novel technique for gene transfer into chicken embryos, we have readdressed the role of FGF3 during inner ear development in avians. We find that ectopic expression of FGF3 results in the formation of ectopic placodes which express otic marker genes. The ectopically induced placodes form vesicles which show the characteristic gene expression pattern of a developing inner ear. Ectopic expression of FGF3 also influences the formation of the normal orthotopic inner ear, whereas another member of the FGF family, FGF2, shows no effects on inner ear induction. These results demonstrate that a single gene can induce inner ear fate and reveal an unexpectedly widespread competence of the surface ectoderm to form sensory placodes in higher vertebrates.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luyao Wu ◽  
Yu Ding ◽  
Houchao Tong ◽  
Xi Zhuang ◽  
Jingsheng Cai ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in various cancers. However, the functional roles of most lncRNA in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are not detailly understood. This study aims to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of lncRNA Fer-1 like family member 4 (FER1L4) in PTC. Methods The expression of FER1L4 in PTC was determined via operating quantitative real-time PCR assays. Meanwhile, the clinical significance of FER1L4 in patients with PTC was described. The biological functions of FER1L4 on PTC cells were evaluated by gain and loss of function experiments. Moreover, animal experiments were performed to reveal the effect on tumor growth. Subcellular distribution of FER1L4 was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization and subcellular localization assays. Luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were applied to define the relationship between FER1L4, miR-612, and Cadherin 4 (CDH4). Results Upregulated expression of FER1L4 in PTC tissues was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020), extrathyroidal extension (P = 0.013) and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.013). In addition, knockdown of FER1L4 suppressed PTC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas ectopic expression of FER1L4 inversely promoted these processes. Mechanistically, FER1L4 could competitively bind with miR-612 to prevent the degradation of its target gene CDH4. This condition was further confirmed in the rescue assays. Conclusions This study first demonstrates FER1L4 plays an oncogenic role in PTC via a FER1L4-miR-612-CDH4 axis and may provide new therapeutic and diagnostic targets for PTC.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6497
Author(s):  
Anna Ghilardi ◽  
Alberto Diana ◽  
Renato Bacchetta ◽  
Nadia Santo ◽  
Miriam Ascagni ◽  
...  

The last decade has witnessed the identification of several families affected by hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) caused by mutations in the SMPX gene and the loss of function has been suggested as the underlying mechanism. In the attempt to confirm this hypothesis we generated an Smpx-deficient zebrafish model, pointing out its crucial role in proper inner ear development. Indeed, a marked decrease in the number of kinocilia together with structural alterations of the stereocilia and the kinocilium itself in the hair cells of the inner ear were observed. We also report the impairment of the mechanotransduction by the hair cells, making SMPX a potential key player in the construction of the machinery necessary for sound detection. This wealth of evidence provides the first possible explanation for hearing loss in SMPX-mutated patients. Additionally, we observed a clear muscular phenotype consisting of the defective organization and functioning of muscle fibers, strongly suggesting a potential role for the protein in the development of muscle fibers. This piece of evidence highlights the need for more in-depth analyses in search for possible correlations between SMPX mutations and muscular disorders in humans, thus potentially turning this non-syndromic hearing loss-associated gene into the genetic cause of dysfunctions characterized by more than one symptom, making SMPX a novel syndromic gene.


Genetics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 158 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-278
Author(s):  
Jessica A Golby ◽  
Leigh Anna Tolar ◽  
Leo Pallanck

Abstract The N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) promotes the fusion of secretory vesicles with target membranes in both regulated and constitutive secretion. While it is thought that a single NSF may perform this function in many eukaryotes, previous work has shown that the Drosophila genome contains two distinct NSF genes, dNSF1 and dNSF2, raising the possibility that each plays a specific secretory role. To explore this possibility, we generated mutations in the dNSF2 gene and used these and novel dNSF1 loss-of-function mutations to analyze the temporal and spatial requirements and the degree of functional redundancy between dNSF1 and dNSF2. Results of this analysis indicate that dNSF1 function is required in the nervous system beginning at the adult stage of development and that dNSF2 function is required in mesoderm beginning at the first instar larval stage of development. Additional evidence suggests that dNSF1 and dNSF2 may play redundant roles during embryonic development and in the larval nervous system. Ectopic expression studies demonstrate that the dNSF1 and dNSF2 gene products can functionally substitute for one another. These results indicate that the Drosophila NSF proteins exhibit similar functional properties, but have evolved distinct tissue-specific roles.


2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pulak R Manna ◽  
Douglas M Stocco

AbstractTranscriptional regulation of the steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein gene by cAMP-dependent mechanisms occurs in the absence of a consensus cAMP-response element (CRE; TGACGTCA) and is mediated by several sequence-specific transcription factors. We previously identified three CRE-like sites (within the −151/−1 bp cAMP-responsive region of the mouse StAR gene), of which the CRE2 site overlaps with an activator protein-1 (AP-1) motif (TGACTGA, designated as CRE2/AP-1) that can bind both CRE and AP-1 DNA-binding proteins. The present studies were aimed at exploring the functional crosstalk between CREB (CRE-binding protein) and cFos/cJun (AP-1 family members) on the CRE2/AP-1 element and its role in regulating transcription of the StAR gene. Using MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells, we demonstrate that the CRE and AP-1 families of proteins interact with the CRE2/AP-1 sequence. CREB, cFos, and cJun proteins were found to bind to the CRE2/AP-1 motif but not the CRE1 and CRE3 sites. Treatment with the cAMP analog (Bu)2cAMP augmented phosphorylation of CREB (Ser133), cFos (Thr325), and cJun (ser73). Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed that the induction of CREB, cFos, and cJun by (Bu)2cAMP was correlated with protein–DNA interactions and recruitment of the coactivator CREB-binding protein (CBP) to the StAR promoter. EMSA studies employing CREB and cFos/cJun proteins demonstrated competition between these factors for binding to the CRE2/AP-1 motif. Transfection of cells containing the −151/−1 StAR reporter with CREB and cFos/cJun resulted in trans-repression of the StAR gene, an event tightly associated with CBP, demonstrating that both CREB and Fos/Jun compete with each other for binding with limited amounts of intracellular CBP. Overexpression of adenovirus E1A, which binds and inactivates CBP, markedly suppressed StAR gene expression. Ectopic expression of CBP eliminated the repression of the StAR gene by E1A and potentiated the activity of CREB and cFos/cJun on StAR promoter responsiveness. These findings identify molecular events involved in crosstalk between CREB and cFos/cJun, which confer both gain and loss of function on a single cis-element in fine-tuning of the regulatory events involved in transcription of the StAR gene.


Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (21) ◽  
pp. 4551-4560 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Zheng ◽  
J. Shou ◽  
F. Guillemot ◽  
R. Kageyama ◽  
W.Q. Gao

Hair cell fate determination in the inner ear has been shown to be controlled by specific genes. Recent loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments have demonstrated that Math1, a mouse homolog of the Drosophila gene atonal, is essential for the production of hair cells. To identify genes that may interact with Math1 and inhibit hair cell differentiation, we have focused on Hes1, a mammalian hairy and enhancer of split homolog, which is a negative regulator of neurogenesis. We report here that targeted deletion of Hes1 leads to formation of supernumerary hair cells in the cochlea and utricle of the inner ear. RT-PCR analysis shows that Hes1 is expressed in inner ear during hair cell differentiation and its expression is maintained in adulthood. In situ hybridization with late embryonic inner ear tissue reveals that Hes1 is expressed in supporting cells, but not hair cells, of the vestibular sensory epithelium. In the cochlea, Hes1 is selectively expressed in the greater epithelial ridge and lesser epithelial ridge regions which are adjacent to inner and outer hair cells. Co-transfection experiments in postnatal rat explant cultures show that overexpression of Hes1 prevents hair cell differentiation induced by Math1. Therefore Hes1 can negatively regulate hair cell differentiation by antagonizing Math1. These results suggest that a balance between Math1 and negative regulators such as Hes1 is crucial for the production of an appropriate number of inner ear hair cells.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Nibbering ◽  
Bent L. Petersen ◽  
Mohammed Saddik Motawia ◽  
Bodil Jørgensen ◽  
Peter Ulvskov ◽  
...  

AbstractPlant arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are a diverse group of cell surface- and wall-associated glycoproteins. Functionally important AGP glycans are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus, but the relationships between their glycosylation, processing, and functionality are poorly understood. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of two Golgi-localized exo-β-1,3-galactosidases from the glycosyl hydrolase 43 (GH43) family in Arabidopsis thaliana. GH43 loss of function mutants exhibit root cell expansion defects in sugar-containing growth media. This root phenotype is associated with an increase in the extent of AGP cell wall association, as demonstrated by Yariv phenylglycoside dye quantification and comprehensive microarray polymer profiling of sequentially extracted cell walls. Recombinant GH43 characterization showed that the exo-β-1,3-galactosidase activity of GH43s is hindered by β-1,6 branches on β-1,3-galactans. In line with this steric hindrance, the recombinant GH43s did not release galactose from cell wall extracted glycoproteins or AGP rich gum arabic. These results show that Arabidopsis GH43s are involved in AGP glycan biosynthesis in the Golgi, and suggest their exo-β-1,3-galactosidase activity influences AGP and cell wall matrix interactions, thereby adjusting cell wall extensibility.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xi Xiao ◽  
Yuanyuan Hou ◽  
Wei Yu ◽  
Sihua Qi

Background. Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic drug with potential neuroprotective effect in diverse diseases of neuronal injuries such as traumatic brain injury and ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. Methods. Real-time qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blotting were used to identify the expression pattern of miR-221/222, inflammatory genes, cytokines, and IRF2. The biological roles and mechanisms of propofol in microglia activation were determined in BV2 cells and primary microglia. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm the regulatory role of miR-221/222 in Irf2 expression. Results. We found that miR-221 and miR-222 were downstream targets of propofol and were consistently upregulated in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) primed BV2 cells. Gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that miR-221 and miR-222 were profoundly implicated in microglia activation. Then, interferon regulatory factor 2 (Irf2) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-221/222. IRF2 protein levels were reduced by miR-221/222 and increased by propofol treatment. Ectopic expression of IRF2 attenuated the proinflammatory roles induced by LPS in BV2 cells. More importantly, the suppressive effects of propofol on LPS-primed activation of BV2 cells or primary mouse microglia involved the inhibition of miR-221/222-IRF2 axis. Conclusions. Our study highlights the critical function of miR-221/222, which inhibited Irf2 translation, in the anti-inflammatory effects of propofol, and provides a new perspective for the molecular mechanism of propofol-mediated neuroprotective effect.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul C. Marcogliese ◽  
Vandana Shashi ◽  
Rebecca C. Spillmann ◽  
Nicholas Stong ◽  
Jill A. Rosenfeld ◽  
...  

AbstractThe Interferon Regulatory Factor 2 Binding Protein Like (IRF2BPL) gene encodes a member of the IRF2BP family of transcriptional regulators. Currently the biological function of this gene is obscure, and the gene has not been associated with a Mendelian disease. Here we describe seven individuals affected with neurological symptoms who carry damaging heterozygous variants in IRF2BPL. Five cases carrying nonsense variants in IRF2BPL resulting in a premature stop codon display severe neurodevelopmental regression, hypotonia, progressive ataxia, seizures, and a lack of coordination. Two additional individuals, both with missense variants, display global developmental delay and seizures and a relatively milder phenotype than those with nonsense alleles. The bioinformatics signature for IRF2BPL based on population genomics is consistent with a gene that is intolerant to variation. We show that the IRF2BPL ortholog in the fruit fly, called pits (protein interacting with Ttk69 and Sin3A), is broadly expressed including the nervous system. Complete loss of pits is lethal early in development, whereas partial knock-down with RNA interference in neurons leads to neurodegeneration, revealing requirement for this gene in proper neuronal function and maintenance. The nonsense variants in IRF2BPL identified in patients behave as severe loss-of-function alleles in this model organism, while ectopic expression of the missense variants leads to a range of phenotypes. Taken together, IRF2BPL and pits are required in the nervous system in humans and flies, and their loss leads to a range of neurological phenotypes in both species.


1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 2418-2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen J. Billy

Parthenogenetic species of lizard occasionally produce male progeny characterized by developmental defects and low viability. Production of anomalous males is an unresolved problem in sexual differentiation as parthenogenetic female lizards are expected to produce female offspring. The "anomalous male" phenomenon was examined by sexing nonviable embryos produced by the parthenogenetic whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus uniparens. Twenty-six deformed embryos were obtained; all were female except for three which did not possess gonads. Male embryos were not detected. Developmental deformities found in Cnemidophorus embryos included anophthalmia, micropthalmia, encephalocoele, hypoplasia of the lower jaw, head foreshortening, gastroschisis, and malformations of the vertebral column. Several embryos possessed a combination of defects. Four hypotheses are presented to account for production of anomalous males by reptilian parthenoforms. Three hypotheses involve production of sex-reversed males (genetic females). A fourth hypothesis asserts that anomalous males are derived from hybridization events between a female from a unisexual species and a male from a bisexual species. Of the four hypotheses, the hybridization hypothesis has the greatest utility in explaining production of anomalous males by parthenogenetic lizards.


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