Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of genetic disorders often overlapping with other neurological conditions. We previously described abnormalities in the branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic pathway as a cause of ASD. Here we show that the solute carrier transporter 7a5 (SLC7A5), a large neutral amino acid transporter localized at the blood brain barrier (BBB), has an essential role in maintaining normal levels of brain BCAAs. In mice, deletion of Slc7a5 from the endothelial cells of the BBB leads to decreased levels of brain BCAAs, abnormal mRNA translation and severe neurological abnormalities. Furthermore, we identified several patients with autistic traits and motor delay carrying deleterious homozygous mutations in the SLC7A5 gene. Finally, we demonstrate that BCAA intracerebroventricular administration ameliorates abnormal behaviors in adult mutant mice. Our data elucidate a neurological syndrome defined by SLC7A5 mutations and support an essential role for the BCAA in human brain function. Overall design: RNA-sequencing of cerebellum from 3 wildtype mice and 3 Slc7a5 KO mice
Impaired Amino Acid Transport at the Blood Brain Barrier Is a Cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesTranscription factor complexes bind to regulatory sequences of genes, providing a system of individual expression regulation. Targets of distinct transcription factors usually map throughout the genome, without clustering. Nevertheless, highly and weakly expressed genes do cluster in separate chromosomal domains with an average size of 80 to 90 genes. We therefore asked whether, besides transcription factors, an additional level of gene expression regulation exists that acts on chromosomal domains. Here we show that identical green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter constructs integrated at 90 different chromosomal positions determined by sequencing, obtain expression levels that correspond to the activity of the domains of integration. These domains are about 80 genes long and can exert an effect of up to 8-fold on the expression of integrated genes. 3D-FISH shows that active domains of integration have a more open chromatin structure than integration domains with weak activity. These results reveal a novel domain-wide regulatory mechanism that, together with transcription factors, exerts a dual control over gene transcription.
Domain-wide regulation of gene expression in the human genome.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesWe report the application of single-molecule-based sequencing technology for high-throughput profiling of histone modifications in mammalian cells. By obtaining over four billion bases of sequence from chromatin immunoprecipitated DNA, we generated genome-wide chromatin-state maps of mouse embryonic stem cells, neural progenitor cells and embryonic fibroblasts. We find that lysine 4 and lysine 27 trimethylation effectively discriminates genes that are expressed, poised for expression, or stably repressed, and therefore reflect cell state and lineage potential. Lysine 36 trimethylation marks primary coding and non-coding transcripts, facilitating gene annotation. Trimethylation of lysine 9 and lysine 20 is detected at satellite, telomeric and active long-terminal repeats, and can spread into proximal unique sequences. Lysine 4 and lysine 9 trimethylation marks imprinting control regions. Finally, we show that chromatin state can be read in an allele-specific manner by using single nucleotide polymorphisms. This study provides a framework for the application of comprehensive chromatin profiling towards characterization of diverse mammalian cell populations. Overall design: GMP and MEP were isolated from Runx1+/+-Tg(vav-Cre) and Runx1fl/fl-Tg(vav-Cre) mice as well as Runx1fl/fl-Tg(vav-Cre) XMP, total RNA extracted and sequenced
Runx1 downregulates stem cell and megakaryocytic transcription programs that support niche interactions.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesPediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive and poor prognosis malignancy for which there are few effective targeted approaches, despite the numerous genetic alterations, including MLL gene rearrangements (MLL-r). The histone methyltransferase DOT1L is involved in supporting proliferation of MLL-r cells, for which a target inhibitor, Pinometostat, has been evaluated in a clinical trial recruiting pediatric MLL-r leukemic patients. However, modest clinical effects have been reported. Recent studies reported that additional leukemia subtypes lacking MLL-r are sensitive to DOT1L inhibition. Here we report that targeting DOT1L with Pinometostat sensitizes pediatric AML cells to further treatment with the multi-kinase inhibitor Sorafenib, irrespectively of MLL-r. DOT1L pharmacologic inhibition induces AML cell differentiation and modulated expression of genes with relevant roles in cancer development. Such modifications in transcriptional program impact on further treatments, inducing a strong sensitization to Sorafenib, with increased apoptosis and growth suppression of both AML cell lines and primary pediatric AML cells with diverse genotypes. We used microarrays to define differential regulation of gene expression in AML cell lines with or without MLL gene rearrangements following pharmacologic inhibition of DOT1L.
Inhibition of Methyltransferase DOT1L Sensitizes to Sorafenib Treatment AML Cells Irrespective of <i>MLL</i>-Rearrangements: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Pediatric AML.
Treatment
View SamplesThe three-dimensional (3D) folding of the chromosomal fibre in the human interphase nucleus is an important, but poorly understood aspect of gene regulation. Especially basic principles of 3D chromatin and chromosome organisation are still elusive. In this paper, we quantitatively analyse the 3D structure of large parts of chromosomes 1 and 11 in the G1 nucleus of human cells and relate it to the human transcriptome map (HTM). Despite a considerable cell-to-cell variation, our results show that subchromosomal domains, which are highly expressed, are more decondensed, have a more irregular shape and are located in the nuclear interior compared to clusters of low expressed genes. These aspects of chromosome structure are shared by six different cell lines and therefore are independent of cell type specific differences in gene expression within the investigated domains. Systematic measurements show that there is little to no intermingling of chromatin from different parts of the same chromosome, indicating that the chromosomal fibre itself is a compact structure. Together, our results reveal several basic aspects of 3D chromosome architecture, which are related to genome function.
The three-dimensional structure of human interphase chromosomes is related to the transcriptome map.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThe sequential activation of distinct developmental gene networks governs the ultimate identity of a cell, but the mechanisms by which downstream programs are activated are incompletely understood. The preB-cell receptor (preBCR) is an important checkpoint of B-cell development and essential for a preB-cell to traverse into an immature B-cell. Here, we show that activation of Mef2 transcription factors by preBCR is necessary for initiating the subsequent genetic network. We demonstrate that B-cell development is blocked at the preB-cell stage in mice deficient for Mef2c and Mef2d transcription factors and that preBCR signaling enhances the transcriptional activity of Mef2c/d through phosphorylation by the ERK5 mitogen activating kinase. This activation is instrumental in inducing Krüppel-like factor 2 and several immediate early genes of the AP1 and Egr family. Finally, we show that Mef2 proteins cooperate with the products of their target genes (Irf4 and Egr2) to induce secondary waves of transcriptional regulation. Our findings uncover a novel role for Mef2c/d in coordinating the transcriptional network that promotes early B-cell development. Overall design: RNA-seq experiments were performed from Mef2c/d knockout proB-cells versus control cells to identify genes regulated by Klf2
Essential control of early B-cell development by Mef2 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesThe sequential activation of distinct developmental gene networks governs the ultimate identity of a cell, but the mechanisms by which downstream programs are activated are incompletely understood. The preB-cell receptor (preBCR) is an important checkpoint of B-cell development and essential for a preB-cell to traverse into an immature B-cell. Here, we show that activation of Mef2 transcription factors by preBCR is necessary for initiating the subsequent genetic network. We demonstrate that B-cell development is blocked at the preB-cell stage in mice deficient for Mef2c and Mef2d transcription factors and that preBCR signaling enhances the transcriptional activity of Mef2c/d through phosphorylation by the ERK5 mitogen activating kinase. This activation is instrumental in inducing Krüppel-like factor 2 and several immediate early genes of the AP1 and Egr family. Finally, we show that Mef2 proteins cooperate with the products of their target genes (Irf4 and Egr2) to induce secondary waves of transcriptional regulation. Our findings uncover a novel role for Mef2c/d in coordinating the transcriptional network that promotes early B-cell development. Overall design: RNA-seq experiments were performed from Blnk-/- preB-cells with an integration of BLNK-ERt2 to identify genes regulated after preBCR signaling
Essential control of early B-cell development by Mef2 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Subject, Time
View SamplesThe sequential activation of distinct developmental gene networks governs the ultimate identity of a cell, but the mechanisms by which downstream programs are activated are incompletely understood. The preB-cell receptor (preBCR) is an important checkpoint of B-cell development and essential for a preB-cell to traverse into an immature B-cell. Here, we show that activation of Mef2 transcription factors by preBCR is necessary for initiating the subsequent genetic network. We demonstrate that B-cell development is blocked at the preB-cell stage in mice deficient for Mef2c and Mef2d transcription factors and that preBCR signaling enhances the transcriptional activity of Mef2c/d through phosphorylation by the ERK5 mitogen activating kinase. This activation is instrumental in inducing Krüppel-like factor 2 and several immediate early genes of the AP1 and Egr family. Finally, we show that Mef2 proteins cooperate with the products of their target genes (Irf4 and Egr2) to induce secondary waves of transcriptional regulation. Our findings uncover a novel role for Mef2c/d in coordinating the transcriptional network that promotes early B-cell development. Overall design: RNA-seq experiments were performed from Klf2 overexpressing BMiFLT3 (15-3) cells to identify genes regulated by Klf2
Essential control of early B-cell development by Mef2 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThe sequential activation of distinct developmental gene networks governs the ultimate identity of a cell, but the mechanisms by which downstream programs are activated are incompletely understood. The preB-cell receptor (preBCR) is an important checkpoint of B-cell development and essential for a preB-cell to traverse into an immature B-cell. Here, we show that activation of Mef2 transcription factors by preBCR is necessary for initiating the subsequent genetic network. We demonstrate that B-cell development is blocked at the preB-cell stage in mice deficient for Mef2c and Mef2d transcription factors and that preBCR signaling enhances the transcriptional activity of Mef2c/d through phosphorylation by the ERK5 mitogen activating kinase. This activation is instrumental in inducing Krüppel-like factor 2 and several immediate early genes of the AP1 and Egr family. Finally, we show that Mef2 proteins cooperate with the products of their target genes (Irf4 and Egr2) to induce secondary waves of transcriptional regulation. Our findings uncover a novel role for Mef2c/d in coordinating the transcriptional network that promotes early B-cell development. Overall design: RNA-seq experiments were performed from Klf2 knockout proB-cells versus control cells to identify genes regulated by Klf2
Essential control of early B-cell development by Mef2 transcription factors.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesThe estrogen receptor-a (ERa) is a transcription factor which plays a critical role in controlling cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by recruiting various cofactors to estrogen response elements (EREs) to induce or repress gene transcription. A deeper understanding of these transcriptional mechanisms may uncover novel therapeutic targets for ERa-dependent cancers. Here we show for the first time that BRD4 regulates ERa-induced gene expression by affecting elongation-associated phosphorylation of RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII P-Ser2) and histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1). Consistently, BRD4 activity is required for estrogen-induced proliferation of ER+ breast and endometrial cancer cells and uterine growth in mice. Genome-wide occupancy studies revealed an enrichment of BRD4 on transcriptional start sites as well as EREs enriched for H3K27ac and demonstrate a requirement for BRD4 for H2B monoubiquitination in the transcribed region of estrogen-responsive genes. Importantly, we further demonstrate that BRD4 occupancy correlates with active mRNA transcription and is required for the production of ERa-dependent enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). These results uncover BRD4 as a central regulator of ERa function and potential therapeutic target. Overall design: mRNA expression profiles of MCF7 cells treated with +/- estrogen treatment under negative control siRNA, BRD4 siRNA or JQ1 treatment, in duplicates.
Bromodomain protein BRD4 is required for estrogen receptor-dependent enhancer activation and gene transcription.
No sample metadata fields
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