Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer opportunity for insight into the genetic requirements of the X chromosome for somatic and germline development. Turner syndrome is caused by complete or partial loss of the second sex chromosome; while more than 90% of Turner cases result in spontaneous fetal loss, survivors display an array of somatic and germline clinical characteristics. Here, we derived iPSCs from Turner syndrome and control individuals and examined germ cell development as a function of X chromosome composition. We analyzed gene expression profiles of derived iPSCs and in vitro differentiated cells by single cell qRT-PCR and RNA-seq. We whoed that two X chromosomes are not necessary for reprogramming or pluripotency maintenance. Genes that escape X chromosome inactivation (XCI) between control iPSCs and those with X chromosome aneuploidies revealed minimal expression differences relative to a female hESC line. Moreover, when we induced germ cell differentiation via murine xenotransplantation of iPSC lines into the seminiferous tubules of busulfan-treated mice, we observed that undifferentiated iPSCs, independent of X chromosome composition, when placed within the correct somatic environment, are capable of forming early germ cells in vivo. Results indicate that two intact X chromosomes are not required for germ cell formation; however, clinical data suggest that two sex chromosomes are required for maintenance of human germ cells. Overall design: RNA-seq of H9 cells, iPSCs from Turner syndrome and control individuals and in vitro differentiated cells
Human germ cell formation in xenotransplants of induced pluripotent stem cells carrying X chromosome aneuploidies.
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View SamplesSelf-renewal and pluripotency in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) depends upon the function of a remarkably small number of master transcription factors (TFs) that include OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. Endogenous factors that regulate and maintain the expression of master TFs in hESCs remain largely unknown and/or uncharacterized. We use a genome-wide, proteomics approach to identify proteins associated with the OCT4 enhancer. We identify known OCT4 regulators, plus a subset of potential regulators including a zinc finger protein, ZNF207, that plays diverse roles during development. In hESCs, ZNF207 partners with master pluripotency TFs to govern self-renewal and pluripotency while simultaneously controlling commitment of cells towards ectoderm through direct regulation of neuronal TFs, including OTX2. The distinct roles of ZNF207 during differentiation occur via isoform switching. Thus, a distinct isoform of ZNF207 functions in hESCs at the nexus that balances pluripotency and differentiation to ectoderm. Overall design: examine gene expression changes in ZNF207 knock down hESCs
A distinct isoform of ZNF207 controls self-renewal and pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesGene regulation at the maternal-embryonic transition in the pre-implantation mouse embryo is not well understood. We knock down Ccna2 to establish proof-of-concept that antisense morpholino oligonucleotides can be used to target specific genes. We applied this strategy to study Oct4 and discovered that Oct4 is required prior to blastocyst development. Specifically, gene expression is altered as early as the 2-cell stage in Oct4-knockdown embryos.
A novel and critical role for Oct4 as a regulator of the maternal-embryonic transition.
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View SamplesTransgenic C. elegans strains that express human SUMO-1 under the control of pan-neuronal (aex-3) or pan muscular (myo-4) promoters were assayed for gene expression changes.
Overexpression of SUMO perturbs the growth and development of Caenorhabditis elegans.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe performed RNA-seq on 42 meningioma samples isolated from human patients to characterize the transcriptome of these tumors Overall design: Poly A selected RNA-seq from 42 meningioma samples
Comprehensive Molecular Profiling Identifies FOXM1 as a Key Transcription Factor for Meningioma Proliferation.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Redistribution of H3K27me3 upon DNA hypomethylation results in de-repression of Polycomb target genes.
Specimen part
View SamplesDNA methylation and the Polycomb Repression System are epigenetic mechanisms that play important roles in maintaining transcriptional repression. Recent evidence suggests that DNA methylation can attenuate the binding of Polycomb protein components to chromatin and thus plays a role in determining their genomic targeting. However, whether this role of DNA methylation is important in the context of transcriptional regulation is unclear. By genome-wide mapping of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2)-signature histone mark, H3K27me3, in severely DNA hypomethylated mouse somatic cells, we show that hypomethylation leads to widespread H3K27me3 redistribution, in a manner that reflects the local DNA methylation status in wild-type cells. Unexpectedly, we observe striking loss of H3K27me3 and PRC2 from Polycomb-target gene promoters in DNA hypomethylated cells, including Hox gene clusters. Importantly, we show that many of these genes become ectopically expressed in DNA hypomethylated cells, consistent with loss of Polycomb-mediated repression. An intact DNA methylome is required for appropriate Polycomb-mediated gene repression by constraining PRC2 targeting. These observations identify a previously unappreciated role for DNA methylation in gene regulation and therefore influence our understanding of how this epigenetic mechanism contributes to normal development and disease.
Redistribution of H3K27me3 upon DNA hypomethylation results in de-repression of Polycomb target genes.
Specimen part
View SamplesBackground: Niemann-Pick type C is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder presenting aggravating neurologic symptoms due degeneration of specific types of CNS neurons. At present, it is not well understood how neurons react to NPC1 deficiency and why some neuronal cell types are more vulnerable than others. Purpose: We took aimed to uncover how a specific type of CNS neuron that can be highly purified reacts to NPC1 deficiency based on changes in gene expression. Methods: Retinal ganglion cells were purified from individual one-week old Balb/c mice homozygous for a mutant NPC1 allele (NPC1m1N) and wildtype littermates (n = 4 mice each genotype) using immunopanning. Total RNA was isolated from acutely isolated neurons and subjected to RNAseq using 4 biological replicates for each genotype. Results: Our analysis revealed a strong downregulation of transcripts known to be decreased in mutant mice including Npc1 and Calb1 thus validating our approach. We observed a strong upregulation of genes for cellular cholesterol accretion and the downregulation of those for cholesterol release. Other changes including downregulation genes involved in the immune response and synaptic components. Conclusions: The observed changes suggest that neurons already at one week of age sense a cholesterol deficit because lipids accumulate in the endosomal-lysosomal system and cannot be redistributed intracellularly. Overall design: Gene expression analysis by RNAseq in retinal ganglion cells acutely purified from eight-days-old NPC1-deficient mice and wildtype littermates
Reversal of Pathologic Lipid Accumulation in NPC1-Deficient Neurons by Drug-Promoted Release of LAMP1-Coated Lamellar Inclusions.
Subject
View SamplesIn response to inflammatory stimulation, dendritic cells (DCs) have a remarkable pattern of differentiation (maturation) that exhibits specific mechanisms to control immunity. Here, we show that in response to Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), several microRNAs (miRNAs) are regulated in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Among these miRNAs, miR-155 is highly up-regulated during maturation. Using LNA silencing combined to microarray technology, we have identified the Toll-like receptor / interleukin-1 (TLR/IL-1) inflammatory pathway as a general target of miR-155. We further demonstrate that miR-155 directly controls the level of important signal transduction molecules. Our observations suggest, therefore, that in mature human DCs, miR-155 is part of a negative feedback loop, which down-modulates inflammatory cytokine production in response to microbial stimuli.
MicroRNA-155 modulates the interleukin-1 signaling pathway in activated human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
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View SamplesCritical roles for DNA methylation in embryonic development are well established, but less is known about the roles of DNA methylation during trophoblast development, the extraembryonic lineage that gives rise to the placenta. Here we dissected the role of DNA methylation in trophoblast development by performing mRNA and DNA methylation profiling of Dnmt3a/3b-null trophoblast. We find that most gene deregulation is explained by an erasure of maternal methylation in the oocyte, but partially independent of loss of imprinting of the trophoblast-essential Ascl2 gene. Our results reveal that maternal DNA methylation controls multiple differentiation and physiological processes in trophoblast via both imprinting-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Overall design: mRNA-seq and WGBS-seq of maternal Dnmt3a/3b-null trophoblast; mRNA-seq of maternal Ascl2 KO trophoblast
Maternal DNA Methylation Regulates Early Trophoblast Development.
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