scholarly journals Dynamic Alterations in Gene Expression after Wnt-mediated Induction of Avian Neural Crest

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 5283-5293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Taneyhill ◽  
Marianne Bronner-Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Tube ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Tube Cell

The Wnt signaling pathway is important in the formation of neural crest cells in many vertebrates, but the downstream targets of neural crest induction by Wnt are largely unknown. Here, we examined quantitative changes in gene expression regulated by Wnt-mediated neural crest induction using quantitative PCR (QPCR). Induction was recapitulated in vitro by adding soluble Wnt to intermediate neural plate tissue cultured in collagen, and induced versus control tissue were assayed using gene-specific primers at times corresponding to premigratory (18 and 24 h) or early (36 h) stages of crest migration. The results show that Wnt signaling up-regulates in a distinct temporal pattern the expression of several genes normally expressed in the dorsal neural tube (slug, Pax3, Msx1, FoxD3, cadherin 6B) at “premigratory” stages. While slug is maintained in early migrating crest cells, Pax3, FoxD3, Msx1 and cadherin 6B all are down-regulated by the start of migration. These results differ from the temporal profile of these genes in response to the addition of recombinant BMP4, where gene expression seems to be maintained. Interestingly, expression of rhoB is unchanged or even decreased in response to Wnt-mediated induction at all times examined, though it is up-regulated by BMP signals. The temporal QPCR profiles in our culture paradigm approximate in vivo expression patterns of these genes before neural crest migration, and are consistent with Wnt being an initial neural crest inducer with additional signals like BMP and other factors maintaining expression of these genes in vivo. Our results are the first to quantitatively describe changes in gene expression in response to a Wnt or BMP signal during transformation of a neural tube cell into a migratory neural crest cell.

scholarly journals The Wnt signaling pathway effector TCF7L2 is upregulated by insulin and represses hepatic gluconeogenesis

2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (9) ◽  
pp. E1166-E1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfred Ip ◽  
Weijuan Shao ◽  
Yu-ting Alex Chiang ◽  
Tianru Jin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Glucose Production ◽  
Hepatic Gluconeogenesis

Certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) are strongly associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. TCF7L2 and β-catenin (β-cat) form the bipartite transcription factor cat/TCF in stimulating Wnt target gene expression. cat/TCF may also mediate the effect of other signaling cascades, including that of cAMP and insulin in cell-type specific manners. As carriers of TCF7L2 type 2 diabetes risk SNPs demonstrated increased hepatic glucose production, we aimed to determine whether TCF7L2 expression is regulated by nutrient availability and whether TCF7L2 and Wnt regulate hepatic gluconeogenesis. We examined hepatic Wnt activity in the TOPGAL transgenic mouse, assessed hepatic TCF7L2 expression in mice upon feeding, determined the effect of insulin on TCF7L2 expression and β-cat Ser675 phosphorylation, and investigated the effect of Wnt activation and TCF7L2 knockdown on gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production in hepatocytes. Wnt activity was observed in pericentral hepatocytes in the TOPGAL mouse, whereas TCF7L2 expression was detected in human and mouse hepatocytes. Insulin and feeding stimulated hepatic TCF7L2 expression in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In addition, insulin activated β-cat Ser675 phosphorylation. Wnt activation by intraperitoneal lithium injection repressed hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression in vivo, whereas lithium or Wnt-3a reduced gluconeogenic gene expression and glucose production in hepatic cells in vitro. Small interfering RNA-mediated TCF7L2 knockdown increased glucose production and gluconeogenic gene expression in cultured hepatocytes. These observations suggest that Wnt signaling and TCF7L2 are negative regulators of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and TCF7L2 is among the downstream effectors of insulin in hepatocytes.

scholarly journals Changes in the fibronectin-specific integrin expression pattern modify the migratory behavior of sarcoma S180 cells in vitro and in the embryonic environment.

1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (4) ◽  
pp. 699-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Beauvais ◽  
C A Erickson ◽  
T Goins ◽  
S E Craig ◽  
M J Humphries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Crest ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Cell Behavior ◽  
Integrin Expression ◽  
Cell Binding ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Migratory Cell

The molecules that mediate cell-matrix recognition, such as fibronectins (FN) and integrins, modulate cell behavior. We have previously demonstrated that FN and the beta 1-integrins are used during neural crest cell (NCC) migration in vitro as well as in vivo, and that the FN cell-binding domains I and II exhibit functional specificity in controlling either NCC attachment, spreading, or motility in vitro. In the present study, we have analyzed the effect of changes in the integrin expression patterns on migratory cell behavior in vivo. We have generated, after stable transfection, S180 cells expressing different levels of alpha 4 beta 1 or alpha 5 beta 1 integrins, two integrins that recognize distinct FN cell-binding domains. Murine S180 cells were chosen because they behave similarly to NCC after they are grafted into the NCC embryonic pathways in the chicken embryo. Thus, they provide a model system with which to investigate the mechanisms controlling in vitro and in vivo migratory cell behavior. We have observed that either the overexpression of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin or the induction of alpha 4 beta 1 expression in transfected S180 cells enhances their motility on FN in vitro. These genetically modified S180 cells also exhibit different migratory properties when grafted into the early trunk NCC migratory pathways. We observe that alpha 5 and low alpha 4 expressors migrate in both the ventral and dorsolateral paths simultaneously, in contrast to the parental S180 cells or the host NCC, which are delayed by 24 h in their invasion of the dorsolateral path. Moreover, the alpha 4 expressors exhibit different migratory properties according to their level of alpha 4 expression at the cell surface. Cells of the low alpha 4 expressor line invade both the ventral and dorsolateral pathways. In contrast, the high expressors remain as an aggregate at the graft site, possibly the result of alpha 4 beta 1-dependent homotypic aggregation. Thus, changes in the repertoire of FN-specific integrins enable the S180 cells to exploit different pathways in the embryo and regulate the speed with which they disperse in vivo and in culture. Our studies correlate well with known changes in integrin expression during neural crest morphogenesis and strongly suggest that neural crest cells that migrate into the dorsolateral path, i.e., melanoblasts, do so only after they have upregulated the expression of FN receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

scholarly journals Lamellipodin and the Scar/WAVE complex cooperate to promote cell migration in vivo

2013 ◽  
Vol 203 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ah-Lai Law ◽  
Anne Vehlow ◽  
Maria Kotini ◽  
Lauren Dodgson ◽  
Daniel Soong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Migration ◽  
Neural Crest ◽  
Neural Crest Cell ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Border Cell ◽  
Promote Cell Migration ◽  
Wave Complex

Cell migration is essential for development, but its deregulation causes metastasis. The Scar/WAVE complex is absolutely required for lamellipodia and is a key effector in cell migration, but its regulation in vivo is enigmatic. Lamellipodin (Lpd) controls lamellipodium formation through an unknown mechanism. Here, we report that Lpd directly binds active Rac, which regulates a direct interaction between Lpd and the Scar/WAVE complex via Abi. Consequently, Lpd controls lamellipodium size, cell migration speed, and persistence via Scar/WAVE in vitro. Moreover, Lpd knockout mice display defective pigmentation because fewer migrating neural crest-derived melanoblasts reach their target during development. Consistently, Lpd regulates mesenchymal neural crest cell migration cell autonomously in Xenopus laevis via the Scar/WAVE complex. Further, Lpd’s Drosophila melanogaster orthologue Pico binds Scar, and both regulate collective epithelial border cell migration. Pico also controls directed cell protrusions of border cell clusters in a Scar-dependent manner. Taken together, Lpd is an essential, evolutionary conserved regulator of the Scar/WAVE complex during cell migration in vivo.

scholarly journals Synthetic gene regulatory networks in the opportunistic human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin A. Sorg ◽  
Clement Gallay ◽  
Jan-Willem Veening
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Regulatory Networks ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Combinatorial Libraries ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Expression Control ◽  
Gene Expression Control

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae can cause disease in various human tissues and organs, including the ear, the brain, the blood and the lung, and thus in highly diverse and dynamic environments. It is challenging to study how pneumococci control virulence factor expression, because cues of natural environments and the presence of an immune system are difficult to simulate in vitro. Here, we apply synthetic biology methods to reverse-engineer gene expression control in S. pneumoniae. A selection platform is described that allows for straightforward identification of transcriptional regulatory elements out of combinatorial libraries. We present TetR- and LacI-regulated promoters that show expression ranges of four orders of magnitude. Based on these promoters, regulatory networks of higher complexity are assembled, such as logic AND and IMPLY gates. Finally, we demonstrate single-copy genome-integrated toggle switches that give rise to bimodal population distributions. The tools described here can be used to mimic complex expression patterns, such as the ones found for pneumococcal virulence factors, paving the way for in vivo investigations of the importance of gene expression control on the pathogenicity of S. pneumoniae.

scholarly journals Dickkopf Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor 1 regulates the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells in vitro and in vivo

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 720-730 ◽  
Author(s):  
LIPING OU ◽  
LIAOQIONG FANG ◽  
HEJING TANG ◽  
HAI QIAO ◽  
XIAOMEI ZHANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Embryonic Stem Cells ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

scholarly journals Rational design of peptides for identification of linear epitopes and generation of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against DKK2 for cancer therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongqing Zhao ◽  
Qian Xiao ◽  
Maohua Li ◽  
Wenlin Ren ◽  
Chenxi Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Rational Design ◽  
Polyclonal Antibodies ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin ◽  
Linear Epitopes

Abstract Dickkopf-related protein 2 (DKK2)is a member of the Dickkopf family in Wnt signaling pathway. Recently, we found that antibodies against DKK2 could activate natural killer (NK) and CD8+ T cells in tumors and inhibit tumor growth. In this paper, we report the rational design of peptides for identification of linear epitopes and generation of neutralizing monoclonal anti-DKK2 antibodies. To break the immune tolerance, we designed and chemically synthesized six peptides corresponding to different regions of DKK2 as immunogens and found five of them could generate mouse polyclonal antibodies that can bind to the active recombinant human DKK2 protein. Neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibodies (5F8 and 1A10) against human DKK2 were successfully developed by immunizing the mice with two different peptides (34KLNSIKSSL42 and 240KVWKDATYS248) conjugated to Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The monoclonal antibodies not only abolish DKK2’s suppression of Wnt signaling in vitro but also inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Currently, those two mAbs are undergoing humanization as immunotherapy candidates and may offer a new drug for treatment of human cancers.

68 GENE EXPRESSION COMPARISONS BETWEEN BOVINE IN VIVO AND CLONED EMBRYOS PRODUCED BY THREE DIFFERENT METHODS

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
N. Ruddock ◽  
K. Wilson ◽  
M. Cooney ◽  
R. Tecirlioglu ◽  
V. Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Nuclear Transfer ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Gene Expression Patterns ◽  
Imprinted Genes ◽  
Mammalian Embryo

Developmental pathways in the mammalian embryo are profoundly influenced by the epigenetic interaction of the environment and the genome. Loss of epigenetic control has been implicated in aberrant gene expression and altered imprinting patterns with consequence to the physiology and viability of the conceptus. Bovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is contingent on in vitro culture, and both SCNT and culture conditions are known to induce changes in embryonic gene expression patterns. Using these experimental models, this study compared gene expression of Day 7 cloned blastocysts created from three different SCNT protocols using the same cell line, with Day 7 in vivo blastocysts to elucidate mechanisms responsible for variations in phenotypic outcomes. SCNT methods included: (1) traditional SCNT by subzonal injection (SI); (2) handmade cloning (HMC); and (3) modified serial nuclear transfer (SNT), developed within the group. Four imprinted genes (Grb10, Ndn, Nnat, and Ube3a), four chromatin remodeling genes (Cbx1, Cbx3, Smarca4, and Smarcb1) and two genes implicated in polycystic liver disease (Prkcsh and Sec63) were analyzed in single blastocysts from each treatment (n = 5). All blastocysts expressed Actin, Oct-4 and Ifn-tau. All genes were sequence verified. Several genes were expressed ubiquitously across all groups, including Ndn, Ube3a, Cbx1, Cbx3, and Smarcb1. Interestingly, Grb10 was not expressed in two HMCs and one SNT blastocyst. Nnat was weakly expressed in one in vivo blastocyst and in the majority of cloned blastocysts in all groups. Prkcsh and Sec63 were expressed in all but one HMC blastocyst. While gene expression patterns were mostly maintained following SCNT, the imprinted genes Nnat and Grb10 showed instances of differential or abnormal expression in SCNT embryos. The chromatin remodeling genes were maintained in all SCNT treatments. Prkcsh and Sec63 were both absent in one HMC blastocyst, with implications for liver dysfunction, a condition previously reported in abnormal cloned offspring. The variable mRNA expression following SCNT provides an insight into genetic and environmental factors controlling implantation, placentation, organ formation, and fetal growth.

scholarly journals Modulation of Calretinin Expression in Human Mesothelioma Cells Reveals the Implication of the FAK and Wnt Signaling Pathways in Conferring Chemoresistance towards Cisplatin

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 5391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wörthmüller ◽  
Salicio ◽  
Oberson ◽  
Blum ◽  
Schwaller
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive asbestos-linked neoplasm, characterized by dysregulation of signaling pathways. Due to intrinsic or acquired chemoresistance, MM treatment options remain limited. Calretinin is a Ca2+-binding protein expressed during MM tumorigenesis that activates the FAK signaling pathway, promoting invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Constitutive calretinin downregulation decreases MM cells’ growth and survival, and impairs tumor formation in vivo. In order to evaluate early molecular events occurring during calretinin downregulation, we generated a tightly controlled IPTG-inducible expression system to modulate calretinin levels in vitro. Calretinin downregulation significantly reduced viability and proliferation of MM cells, attenuated FAK signaling and reduced the invasive phenotype of surviving cells. Importantly, surviving cells showed a higher resistance to cisplatin due to increased Wnt signaling. This resistance was abrogated by the Wnt signaling pathway inhibitor 3289-8625. In various MM cell lines and regardless of calretinin expression levels, blocking of FAK signaling activated the Wnt signaling pathway and vice versa. Thus, blocking both pathways had the strongest impact on MM cell proliferation and survival. Chemoresistance mechanisms in MM cells have resulted in a failure of single-agent therapies. Targeting of multiple components of key signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling, might be the future method-of-choice to treat MM.

scholarly journals Amygdala-Based Altered miRNome and Epigenetic Contribution of miR-128-3p in Conferring Susceptibility to Depression-Like Behavior via Wnt Signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhaskar Roy ◽  
Michael Dunbar ◽  
Juhee Agrawal ◽  
Lauren Allen ◽  
Yogesh Dwivedi
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Rna Binding ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Target Prediction ◽  
In Vivo Model

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) can participate in depression pathogenesis by altering a host of genes that are critical in corticolimbic functioning. The present study focuses on examining whether alterations in the miRNA network in the amygdala are associated with susceptibility or resiliency to develop depression-like behavior in rats. Methods Amygdala-specific altered miRNA transcriptomics were determined in a rat depression model following next-generation sequencing method. Target prediction analyses (cis- and trans) and qPCR-based assays were performed to decipher the functional role of altered miRNAs. miRNA-specific target interaction was determined using in vitro transfection assay in neuroblastoma cell line. miRNA-specific findings from the rat in vivo model were further replicated in postmortem amygdala of major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects. Results Changes in miRNome identified 17 significantly upregulated and 8 significantly downregulated miRNAs in amygdala of learned helpless (LH) compared with nonlearned helpless rats. Prediction analysis showed that the majority of the upregulated miRNAs had target genes enriched for the Wnt signaling pathway. Among altered miRNAs, upregulated miR-128-3p was identified as a top hit based on statistical significance and magnitude of change in LH rats. Target validation showed significant downregulation of Wnt signaling genes in amygdala of LH rats. A discernable increase in expression of amygdalar miR-128-3p along with significant downregulation of key target genes from Wnt signaling (WNT5B, DVL, and LEF1) was noted in MDD subjects. Overexpression of miR-128-3p in a cellular model lead to a marked decrease in the expression of Dvl1 and Lef1 genes, confirming them as validated targets of miR-128-3p. Additional evidence suggested that the amygdala-specific diminished expression of transcriptional repressor Snai1 could be potentially linked to induced miR-128-2 expression in LH rats. Furthermore, an amygdala-specific posttranscriptional switching mechanism could be active between miR-128-3p and RNA binding protein Arpp21 to gain control over their target genes such as Lef1. Conclusion Our study suggests that in amygdala a specific set of miRNAs may play an important role in depression susceptibility, which could potentially be mediated through Wnt signaling.

scholarly journals Replicating Adenoviruses That Target Tumors with Constitutive Activation of the wnt Signaling Pathway

2001 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 2857-2865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Brunori ◽  
Maddalena Malerba ◽  
Haruhiko Kashiwazaki ◽  
Richard Iggo
Keyword(s):  
Wnt Signaling ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Wnt Pathway ◽  
Wnt Signaling Pathway ◽  
Lung Model ◽  
Colorectal Tumors ◽  
Colon Tumors ◽  
Treat All

ABSTRACT Despite important advances in understanding the molecular basis of cancer, few treatments have been devised which rationally target known causal oncogenic defects. Selectively replicating viruses have a major advantage over nonreplicating viruses to target these defects because the therapeutic effect of the injected virus is augmented by virus produced within the tumor. To permit rational targeting of colon tumors, we have developed replicating adenoviruses that express the viral E1B and E2 genes from promoters controlled by the Tcf4 transcription factor. Tcf4 is constitutively activated by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli and β-catenin genes in virtually all colon tumors and is constitutively repressed by Groucho and CtBP in normal tissue. The Tcf-E2 and Tcf-E1B promoters are active in many, but not all, cell lines with activation of the wnt pathway. Viruses with Tcf regulation of E2 expression replicate normally in SW480 colon cancer cells but show a 50- to 100-fold decrease in replication in H1299 lung cancer cells and WI38 normal fibroblasts. Activation of wnt signaling by transduction of a stable β-catenin mutant into normal fibroblasts renders the cells permissive for virus replication. Insertion of Tcf4 sites in the E1B promoter has only small effects on replication in vitro but significantly reduces the inflammatory response in a rodent lung model in vivo. Replicating adenoviruses with Tcf regulation of both E1B and E2 transcription are potentially useful for the treatment of liver metastases from colorectal tumors, but additional changes will be required to produce a virus that can be used to treat all colon tumors.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document