The MYC transcription factor is an unstable protein and its turnover is controlled by the ubiquitin system. Ubiquitination enhances MYC-dependent transactivation, but the underlying mechanism remains unresolved. Here we show that proteasomal turnover of MYC is dispensable for recruitment of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), but is required to promote transcriptional elongation at MYC target genes. Degradation of MYC stimulates histone acetylation and recruitment of BRD4 and P-TEFb to target promoters, leading to phosphorylation of RNAPII CTD and the release of elongating RNAPII. In the absence of degradation, the RNA polymerase II-associated factor (PAF) complex associates with MYC via interaction of its CDC73 subunit with a conserved domain in the amino-terminus of MYC ("MYC box I"), suggesting that a MYC/PAF complex is an intermediate in transcriptional activation. Since histone acetylation depends on a second highly conserved domain in MYCs amino-terminus ("MYC box II"), we propose that both domains co-operate to transfer elongation factors onto paused RNAPII. Overall design: RNA-Seq Experiments were performed in a primary breast epithelial cell line (IMEC).The cell line expressed doxycycline-inducible versions of MYC (WT;Kless,Swap=WTN-KC). Where indicated cells were transfected with siRNAs (siCtrl;siSKP2). Where indicated cells were treaed with the proteasome inhibitor MG132 or EtOH as solvent control. DGE was performed by comparing Dox-treated populations expressing either Dox-inducible MYC or a vector control or comparing Dox-induced cells with EtOH (solvent control) treated cells.
Ubiquitin-Dependent Turnover of MYC Antagonizes MYC/PAF1C Complex Accumulation to Drive Transcriptional Elongation.
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View SamplesIn several developmental lineages, an increase in expression of the MYC proto-oncogene drives the transition from quiescent stem cells to transit amplifying cells. The mechanism by which MYC restricts self-renewal of adult stem cells is unknown. Here, we show that MYC activates a stereotypic transcriptional program of genes involved in protein translation and mitochondrial biogenesis in mammary epithelial cells and indirectly inhibits the YAP/TAZ co-activators that are essential for mammary stem cell self-renewal. We identify a phospholipase of the mitochondrial outer membrane, PLD6, as the mediator of MYC activity. PLD6 mediates a change in the mitochondrial fusion/fission balance that promotes nuclear export of YAP/TAZ in a LATS- and RHO-independent manner. Mouse models and human pathological data confirm that MYC suppresses YAP/TAZ activity in mammary tumors. PLD6 is also required for glutaminolysis, arguing that MYC-dependent changes in mitochondrial dynamics balance cellular energy metabolism with the self-renewal potential of adult stem cells. Overall design: RNA-Seq Experiments in 2 different primary breast epithelial cell lines (HMLE, which were sorted according to CD44/CD24 surface markers & unsorted IMEC). Both cell lines expressed a doxycycline-inducible version of MYC. For the HMLE cell line DGE analysis was performed for the uninduced (EtOH) situation, comparing CD44high vs CD44 low and for the induced situation Dox vs. EtOH for the CD44high population. For the IMEC cell line DGE was performed by comparing Dox-treated populations expressing either Dox-inducible MYC or a vector control which allows to filter out potential effects due to doxycycline treatment.
A MYC-Driven Change in Mitochondrial Dynamics Limits YAP/TAZ Function in Mammary Epithelial Cells and Breast Cancer.
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View SamplesAnalysis of strain-specific differences in gene expression in brains from a hydrocephalic mouse model of primary ciliary dyskinesia. The results identify genes that are differentially expressed between C57BL6/J and 129S6/SvEvTac brains. These genes encode proteins that function in a variety of cellular processes and include some that are relevant to hydrocephalus and cilia function, providing insight into the mechanisms underlying susceptibility to hydrocephalus.
Strain-specific differences in brain gene expression in a hydrocephalic mouse model with motile cilia dysfunction.
Age, Specimen part
View SamplesWe identified the Hippo pathway and its effector YAP as a key pathway that controls stellate cell activation. YAP is a transcriptional co-activator and we found that it drives the earliest changes in gene expression during stellate cell activation.
The Hippo pathway effector YAP controls mouse hepatic stellate cell activation.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesEwing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) are aggressive bone and soft tissue tumors of unknown cellular origin. Most ESFT express EWS-FLI1, a chimeric protein which functions as a growth-promoting oncogene in ESFT but is toxic to most normal cells. A major difficulty in understanding EWS-FLI1 function has been the lack of an adequate model in which to study EWS-FLI1-induced transformation. Although the cell of origin of ESFT remains elusive, both mesenchymal (MSC) and neural crest (NCSC) have been implicated. We recently developed the tools to generate NCSC from human embryonic stem cells (hNCSC). In the current study we used this model to test the hypothesis that neural crest-derived stem cells are the cells of origin of ESFT and to evaluate the consequences of EWS-FLI1 expression on human neural crest biology.
Modeling initiation of Ewing sarcoma in human neural crest cells.
Specimen part
View SamplesThe full complement of molecular pathways contributing to Parkinsons disease (PD) pathogenesis remains unknown. Here, to address this issue, we began by using a high-resolution variant of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to pinpoint brainstem regions differentially affected by, and resistant to, the disease. Then, relying on the imaging information as a guide, we profiled gene expression levels of postmortem brain samples and used a factorial statistical model to identify a disease related decrease in the expression of the polyamine enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1). Next, a series of studies were performed to confirm the pathogenic relevance of this finding. First, to test for a causal link between polyamines and -synuclein toxicity, we investigated a yeast model expressing -synuclein. Polyamines were found to enhance the toxicity of -synuclein, and an unbiased genome-wide screen for modifiers of -synuclein toxicity identified Tpo4, a member of a family of proteins responsible for polyamine transport. Second, to test for a causal link between SAT1 activity and PD histopathology we investigated a mouse model expressing -synuclein. DENSPM (N1, N11-diethylnorspermine), a polyamine analog that increases SAT1 activity, was found to reduce PD histopathology, while Berenil (diminazene aceturate), a pharmacological agent that reduces SAT1 activity, worsened the histopathology. Third, we genotyped PD patients and controls and isolated a rare but novel variant in the SAT1 gene, although the functional significance of this genetic variant was not identified. Taken together, the results suggest that the polyamine pathway contributes to PD pathogenesis.
Polyamine pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.
Sex, Age, Subject
View SamplesTranscriptome analysis may provide means to investigate the underlying genetic causes of shared and divergent phenotypes in different populations and help to identify potential targets of adaptive evolution. Applying RNA sequencing to whole male Drosophila melanogaster from the ancestral tropical African environment and a very recently colonized cold-temperate European environment at both standard laboratory conditions and following a cold shock, we seek to uncover the transcriptional basis of cold adaptation. In both the ancestral and the derived populations, the predominant characteristic of the cold shock response is the swift and massive upregulation of heat shock proteins and other chaperones. Although we find ~30% of the genome to be differentially expressed following a cold shock, only relatively few genes (n=26) are up- or down-regulated in a population-specific way. Intriguingly, 24 of these 26 genes show a greater degree of differential expression in the African population. Likewise, there is an excess of genes with particularly strong cold-induced changes in expression in Africa on a genome-wide scale. The analysis of the transcriptional cold shock response most prominently reveals an upregulation of components of a general stress response, which is conserved over many taxa and triggered by a plethora of stressors. Despite the overall response being fairly similar in both populations, there is a definite excess of genes with a strong cold-induced fold-change in Africa. This is consistent with a detrimental deregulation or an overshooting stress response. Thus, the canalization of European gene expression might be responsible for the increased cold tolerance of European flies. Overall design: mRNA profiles of whole Drosophila melanogaster adult males from a Africa (4 lines) and Europe (4 lines) during a 7h cold shock experiment. Samples include room temperature controls, 3.5h into the cold shock, 15 minutes after recovery and 90 minutes after recovery. 2 biological replicates each.
Canalization of gene expression is a major signature of regulatory cold adaptation in temperate Drosophila melanogaster.
Sex, Subject
View SamplesAdaptively evolved mutants of yeast on galactose were characterized by feremtation physiology and tools from systems biology.
Unravelling evolutionary strategies of yeast for improving galactose utilization through integrated systems level analysis.
Time
View SamplesNatural killer (NKT) T cells exhibit tissue distribution, surface phenotype, and functional responses that are strikingly different from those of conventional T cells. The transcription factor PLZF is responsible for most of these properties, as its ectopic expression in conventional T cells is sufficient to confer to them an NKT-like phenotype. The molecular program downstream of PLZF, however, is largely unexplored.
PLZF Controls the Expression of a Limited Number of Genes Essential for NKT Cell Function.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe have determined the consequences of ICN1 overexpression from retroviral vectors introduced into bone marrow cells.
Oncogenesis of T-ALL and nonmalignant consequences of overexpressing intracellular NOTCH1.
No sample metadata fields
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