scholarly journals Cell type- and stage-specific expression of Otx2 is regulated by multiple transcription factors and cis-regulatory modules in the retina

Development ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 147 (14) ◽  
pp. dev187922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candace S. Y. Chan ◽  
Nicolas Lonfat ◽  
Rong Zhao ◽  
Alexander E. Davis ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTTranscription factors (TFs) are often used repeatedly during development and homeostasis to control distinct processes in the same and/or different cellular contexts. Considering the limited number of TFs in the genome and the tremendous number of events that need to be regulated, re-use of TFs is necessary. We analyzed how the expression of the homeobox TF, orthodenticle homeobox 2 (Otx2), is regulated in a cell type- and stage-specific manner during development in the mouse retina. We identified seven Otx2 cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), among which the O5, O7 and O9 CRMs mark three distinct cellular contexts of Otx2 expression. We discovered that Otx2, Crx and Sox2, which are well-known TFs regulating retinal development, bind to and activate the O5, O7 or O9 CRMs, respectively. The chromatin status of these three CRMs was found to be distinct in vivo in different retinal cell types and at different stages. We conclude that retinal cells use a cohort of TFs with different expression patterns and multiple CRMs with different chromatin configurations to regulate the expression of Otx2 precisely.

Author(s):  
Candace Chan ◽  
Nicolas Lonfat ◽  
Rong Zhao ◽  
Alexander Davis ◽  
Liang Li ◽  
...  

AbstractTranscription factors (TFs) are often used repeatedly during development and homeostasis to control distinct processes in the same and/or different cellular contexts. Considering the limited number of TFs in the genome and the tremendous number of events that need to be regulated, re-use of TFs is an advantageous strategy. However, the mechanisms that control the activation of TFs in different cell types and at different stages of development remain unclear. The neural retina serves as a model of the development of a complex tissue. We used this system to analyze how expression of the homeobox TF, Orthodenticle homeobox 2 (Otx2), is regulated in a cell type- and stage-specific manner during retinogenesis. We identified seven Otx2 cis-regulatory modules (CRMs), among which the O5, O7 and O9 CRMs mark three distinct cellular contexts of Otx2 expression. These include mature bipolar interneurons, photoreceptors, and retinal progenitor/precursor cells. We discovered that Otx2, Crx and Sox2, which are well-known TFs regulating retinal development, bind to and activate the O5, O7 or O9 CRMs respectively. The chromatin status of these three CRMs was found to be distinct in vivo in different retinal cell types and at different stages, as revealed by ATAC-seq and DNase-seq analyses. We conclude that retinal cells utilize a cohort of TFs with different expression patterns, and multiple CRMs with different chromatin configurations, to precisely regulate the expression of Otx2 in a cell type- and stage-specific manner in the retina.


2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahfuza Sharmin ◽  
Hector Corrada Bravo ◽  
Sridhar S. Hannenhalli

Complex gene expression patterns are mediated by binding of transcription factors (TF) to specific genomic loci. The in vivo occupancy of a TF is, in large part, determined by the TFs DNA binding interaction partners, motivating genomic context based models of TF occupancy. However, the approaches thus far have assumed a uniform binding model to explain genome wide bound sites for a TF in a cell-type and as such heterogeneity of TF occupancy models, and the extent to which binding rules underlying a TFs occupancy are shared across cell types, has not been investigated. Here, we develop an ensemble based approach (TRISECT) to identify heterogeneous binding rules of cell-type specific TF occupancy and analyze the inter-cell-type sharing of such rules. Comprehensive analysis of 23 TFs, each with ChIP-Seq data in 4-12 cell-types, shows that by explicitly capturing the heterogeneity of binding rules, TRISECT accurately identifies in vivo TF occupancy (93%) substantially improving upon previous methods. Importantly, many of the binding rules derived from individual cell-types are shared across cell-types and reveal distinct yet functionally coherent putative target genes in different cell-types. Closer inspection of the predicted cell-type-specific interaction partners provides insights into context-specific functional landscape of a TF. Together, our novel ensemble-based approach reveals, for the first time, a widespread heterogeneity of binding rules, comprising interaction partners within a cell-type, many of which nevertheless transcend cell-types. Notably, the putative targets of shared binding rules in different cell-types, while distinct, exhibit significant functional coherence.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devanshi Patel ◽  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
John J. Farrell ◽  
Jaeyoon Chung ◽  
Thor D. Stein ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBecause regulation of gene expression is heritable and context-dependent, we investigated AD-related gene expression patterns in cell-types in blood and brain. Cis-expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping was performed genome-wide in blood from 5,257 Framingham Heart Study (FHS) participants and in brain donated by 475 Religious Orders Study/Memory & Aging Project (ROSMAP) participants. The association of gene expression with genotypes for all cis SNPs within 1Mb of genes was evaluated using linear regression models for unrelated subjects and linear mixed models for related subjects. Cell type-specific eQTL (ct-eQTL) models included an interaction term for expression of “proxy” genes that discriminate particular cell type. Ct-eQTL analysis identified 11,649 and 2,533 additional significant gene-SNP eQTL pairs in brain and blood, respectively, that were not detected in generic eQTL analysis. Of note, 386 unique target eGenes of significant eQTLs shared between blood and brain were enriched in apoptosis and Wnt signaling pathways. Five of these shared genes are established AD loci. The potential importance and relevance to AD of significant results in myeloid cell-types is supported by the observation that a large portion of GWS ct-eQTLs map within 1Mb of established AD loci and 58% (23/40) of the most significant eGenes in these eQTLs have previously been implicated in AD. This study identified cell-type specific expression patterns for established and potentially novel AD genes, found additional evidence for the role of myeloid cells in AD risk, and discovered potential novel blood and brain AD biomarkers that highlight the importance of cell-type specific analysis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 2144-2153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabeel Bardeesy ◽  
Boris C. Bastian ◽  
Aram Hezel ◽  
Dan Pinkel ◽  
Ronald A. DePinho ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The frequent loss of both INK4a and ARF in melanoma raises the question of which INK4a-ARF gene product functions to suppress melanoma genesis in vivo. Moreover, the high incidence of INK4a-ARF inactivation in transformed melanocytes, along with the lack of p53 mutation, implies a cell type-specific role for INK4a-ARF that may not be complemented by other lesions of the RB and p53 pathways. A mouse model of cutaneous melanoma has been generated previously through the combined effects of INK4a Δ2/3 deficiency (null for INK4a and ARF) and melanocyte-specific expression of activated RAS (tyrosinase-driven H-RASV12G, Tyr-RAS). In this study, we made use of this Tyr-RAS allele to determine whether activated RAS can cooperate withp53 loss in melanoma genesis, whether such melanomas are biologically comparable to those arising inINK4a Δ2/3−/− mice, and whether tumor-associated mutations emerge in the p16INK4a-RB pathway in such melanomas. Here, we report that p53inactivation can cooperate with activated RAS to promote the development of cutaneous melanomas that are clinically indistinguishable from those arisen on theINK4a Δ2/3 null background. Genomewide analysis of RAS-induced p53 mutant melanomas by comparative genomic hybridization and candidate gene surveys revealed alterations of key components governing RB-regulated G1/S transition, including c-Myc, cyclin D1, cdc25a, and p21CIP1. Consistent with the profile of c-Myc dysregulation, the reintroduction of p16INK4a profoundly reduced the growth of Tyr-RASINK4a Δ2/3−/− tumor cells but had no effect on tumor cells derived from Tyr-RAS p53 −/−melanomas. Together, these data validate a role for p53inactivation in melanomagenesis and suggest that both the RB and p53 pathways function to suppress melanocyte transformation in vivo in the mouse.


Author(s):  
Wenjun Yan ◽  
Mallory A. Laboulaye ◽  
Nicholas M. Tran ◽  
Irene E. Whitney ◽  
Inbal Benhar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAmacrine cells (ACs) are a diverse class of interneurons that modulate input from photoreceptors to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), rendering each RGC type selectively sensitive to particular visual features, which are then relayed to the brain. While many AC types have been identified morphologically and physiologically, they have not been comprehensively classified or molecularly characterized. We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to profile >32,000 ACs from mouse retina, and applied computational methods to identify 63 AC types. We identified molecular markers for each type, and used them to characterize the morphology of multiple types. We show that they include nearly all previously known AC types as well as many that had not been described. Consistent with previous studies, most of the AC types express markers for the canonical inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA or glycine, but several express neither or both. In addition, many express one or more neuropeptides, and two express glutamatergic markers. We also explored transcriptomic relationships among AC types and identified transcription factors expressed by individual or multiple closely related types. Noteworthy among these were Meis2 and Tcf4, expressed by most GABAergic and most glycinergic types, respectively. Together, these results provide a foundation for developmental and functional studies of ACs, as well as means for genetically accessing them. Along with previous molecular, physiological and morphological analyses, they establish the existence of at least 130 neuronal types and nearly 140 cell types in mouse retina.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe mouse retina is a leading model for analyzing the development, structure, function and pathology of neural circuits. A complete molecular atlas of retinal cell types provides an important foundation for these studies. We used high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize the most heterogeneous class of retinal interneurons, amacrine cells, identifying 63 distinct types. The atlas includes types identified previously as well as many novel types. We provide evidence for use of multiple neurotransmitters and neuropeptides and identify transcription factors expressed by groups of closely related types. Combining these results with those obtained previously, we proposed that the mouse retina contains 130 neuronal types, and is therefore comparable in complexity to other regions of the brain.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sruti Rayaprolu ◽  
Sara Bitarafan ◽  
Ranjita Betarbet ◽  
Sydney N Sunna ◽  
Lihong Cheng ◽  
...  

Isolation and proteomic profiling of brain cell types, particularly neurons, pose several technical challenges which limit our ability to resolve distinct cellular phenotypes in neurological diseases. Therefore, we generated a novel mouse line that enables cell type-specific expression of a biotin ligase, TurboID, via Cre-lox strategy for in vivo proximity-dependent biotinylation of proteins. Using adenoviral-based and transgenic approaches, we show striking protein biotinylation in neuronal cell bodies and axons throughout the mouse brain. We quantified more than 2,000 neuron-derived proteins following enrichment that mapped to numerous subcellular compartments. Synaptic, transmembrane transporters, ion channel subunits, and disease-relevant druggable targets were among the most significantly enriched proteins. Remarkably, we resolved brain region-specific proteomic profiles of Camk2a neurons with distinct functional molecular signatures and disease associations that may underlie regional neuronal vulnerability. Leveraging the neuronal specificity of this in vivo biotinylation strategy, we used an antibody-based approach to uncover regionally unique patterns of neuron-derived signaling phospho-proteins and cytokines, particularly in the cortex and cerebellum. Our work provides a proteomic framework to investigate cell type-specific mechanisms driving physiological and pathological states of the brain as well as complex tissues beyond the brain.


2008 ◽  
Vol 200 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyriaki S Alatzoglou ◽  
Daniel Kelberman ◽  
Mehul T Dattani

Pituitary development is a complex process that depends on the co-ordinated spatial and temporal expression of transcription factors and signalling molecules that culminates in the formation of a complex organ that secretes six hormones from five different cell types. Given the fact that all distinct hormone producing cells arise from a common ectodermal primordium, the patterning, architecture and plasticity of the gland is impressive. Among the transcription factors involved in the early steps of pituitary organogenesis are SOX2 and SOX3, members of the SOX family that are emerging as key players in many developmental processes. Studies in vitro and in vivo in transgenic animal models have helped to elucidate their expression patterns and roles in the developing hypothalamo–pituitary region. It has been demonstrated that they may be involved in pituitary development either directly, through shaping of Rathke's pouch, or indirectly affecting signalling from the diencephalon. Their role has been further underlined by the pleiotropic effects of their mutations in humans that range from isolated hormone deficiencies to panhypopituitarism and developmental abnormalities affecting many organ systems. However, the exact mechanism of action of SOX proteins, their downstream targets and their interplay within the extensive network that regulates pituitary development is still the subject of a growing number of studies. The elucidation of their role is crucial for the understanding of a number of processes that range from developmental mechanisms to disease phenotypes and tumorigenesis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingchao Li ◽  
Qing Min ◽  
Matthew C. Banton ◽  
Xinpeng Dun

Advances in single-cell RNA sequencing technologies and bioinformatics methods allow for both the identification of cell types in a complex tissue and the large-scale gene expression profiling of various cell types in a mixture. In this report, we analyzed a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset for the intact adult mouse sciatic nerve and examined cell-type specific transcription factor expression and activity during peripheral nerve homeostasis. In total, we identified 238 transcription factors expressed in nine different cell types of intact mouse sciatic nerve. Vascular smooth muscle cells have the lowest number of transcription factors expressed with 17 transcription factors identified. Myelinating Schwann cells (mSCs) have the highest number of transcription factors expressed, with 61 transcription factors identified. We created a cell-type specific expression map for the identified 238 transcription factors. Our results not only provide valuable information about the expression pattern of transcription factors in different cell types of adult peripheral nerves but also facilitate future studies to understand the function of key transcription factors in the peripheral nerve homeostasis and disease.


1988 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Wood

The mesenchymal tissue component of the teleost pectoral fin bud has been explanted onto microfabricated quartz discs containing patterns of regular grooves of dimensions similar to those encountered by contact-guided cells in the intact fin system. Computer-aided analysis of cell migration on five separate patterns, from 1.8 to 7.4 microns repeat spacing, revealed that migration was predominantly aligned parallel to the long axis of the grooves, with individual cells becoming highly polarized, and the highest index of alignment (3.7) produced on the widest repeat spacings. When these cells are cultured on planar quartz, which is both chemically and physically isotropic, they flatten and adopt a morphology similar to that shown by cultured fibroblastic cell types on flat surfaces, suggesting that fin mesenchymal cells are not intrinsically predisposed to adopt an arborized morphology, like that observed in the intact fin bud. These results clearly demonstrate a directional migration in response to substratum topography, from a cell type known to be contact guided in vivo, and in the complete absence of adhesive heterogeneities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (22) ◽  
pp. 12182-12191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamryn N. Gerner-Mauro ◽  
Haruhiko Akiyama ◽  
Jichao Chen

In multicellular organisms, paralogs from gene duplication survive purifying selection by evolving tissue-specific expression and function. Whether this genetic redundancy is also selected for within a single cell type is unclear for multimember paralogs, as exemplified by the four obligatory Lef/Tcf transcription factors of canonical Wnt signaling, mainly due to the complex genetics involved. Using the developing mouse lung as a model system, we generate two quadruple conditional knockouts, four triple mutants, and various combinations of double mutants, showing that the four Lef/Tcf genes function redundantly in the presence of at least two Lef/Tcf paralogs, but additively upon losing additional paralogs to specify and maintain lung epithelial progenitors. Prelung-specification, pan-epithelial double knockouts have no lung phenotype; triple knockouts have varying phenotypes, including defective branching and tracheoesophageal fistulas; and the quadruple knockout barely forms a lung, resembling theCtnnb1mutant. Postlung-specification deletion of all four Lef/Tcf genes leads to branching defects, down-regulation of progenitor genes, premature alveolar differentiation, and derepression of gastrointestinal genes, again phenocopying the correspondingCtnnb1mutant. Our study supports a monotonic, positive signaling relationship between CTNNB1 and Lef/Tcf in lung epithelial progenitors as opposed to reported repressor functions of Lef/Tcf, and represents a thorough in vivo analysis of cell-type-specific genetic redundancy among the four Lef/Tcf paralogs.


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