DJ-1 is an atypical peroxiredoxin-like peroxidase that may act as a redox-dependent chaperone and a regulator of transcription. To explore DJ-1-mediated transcriptional control in Parkinsons disease (PD), we generated human neuroblastoma cells with inducible knock-down of DJ-1 expression. We then used functional genomic techniques to identify novel pathways dysregulated by loss of DJ-1 function. Using microarray gene expression profiling, we found that DJ-1 silencing alters the expression of 26 genes, with 10 down-regulated and 16 up-regulated transcripts. Among the down-regulated genes we found Ret, tyrosine kinase receptor for the neurotrophic factor GDNF. Taking advantage of Ingenuity Pathways Analysis, we identified hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif1a) as a possible mediator of the interplay between DJ-1 and Ret. We show that Hif1a is stabilized in the absence of DJ-1, and that loss of DJ-1 generates hypoxia and accumulation of free radical species (ROS). Overexpression of wt DJ-1, but not of C106A and L166P mutants deficient in ROS scavenger activity, rescues Ret expression in neuroblastoma cells. These findings reveal novel players in PD pathogenesis and provide evidence for additional pathways involved in DJ-1-mediated neurodegeneration.
Parkinson disease-associated DJ-1 is required for the expression of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor RET in human neuroblastoma cells.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesTruncating mutations of CHD8, encoding a chromodomain helicase, and of many other genes with diverse functions, are strong-effect risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting multiple mechanisms of pathogenesis. We explored the transcriptional networks that CHD8 regulates in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) by reducing its expression and then integrating transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) with genome-wide CHD8 binding (ChIP-seq). Suppressing CHD8 to levels comparable with loss of a single allele caused altered expression of 1,756 genes, 64.9% of which were up-regulated. CHD8 showed widespread binding to chromatin, with 7,324 replicated sites that marked 5,658 genes. Integration of these data suggests that a limited array of direct regulatory effects of CHD8 produced a much larger network of secondary expression changes. Genes indirectly down-regulated (i.e., without CHD8 binding sites) reflect pathways involved in brain development, including synapse formation, neuron differentiation, cell adhesion, and axon guidance, whereas CHD8-bound genes are strongly associated with chromatin modification and transcriptional regulation. Genes associated with ASD were strongly enriched among indirectly down-regulated loci (p = 1.01x10-9) and CHD8-bound genes (p = 4.34x10-3), which align with previously identified co-expression modules during fetal development. We also find an intriguing enrichment of cancer related gene-sets among CHD8-bound genes (p < 1.9x10-11). In vivo suppression of chd8 in zebrafish produced macrocephaly comparable to that of humans with inactivating mutations. These data indicate that heterozygous disruption of CHD8 precipitates a network of gene expression changes involved in neurodevelopmental pathways in which many ASD-associated genes may converge on shared mechanisms of pathogenesis. Overall design: RNA-seq in NPCs treated with shRNAs targeting CHD8. For controls, NPCs were treated with shRNAs targeting GFP and LacZ. Infection and sequencing was carried out in two separate batches, with one GFP and one LacZ sample in each batch. All samples were sequenced in two technical replicates.
CHD8 regulates neurodevelopmental pathways associated with autism spectrum disorder in neural progenitors.
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View SamplesRNAseq analysis of YAP and Myc induced in quiescent and confluent 3T9 fibroblasts Overall design: RNAseq analysis of YAP and Myc induced in quiescent and confluent 3T9 fibroblasts
Transcriptional integration of mitogenic and mechanical signals by Myc and YAP.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThe mesencephalic dopaminergic (mDA) cell system is composed by two major groups of projecting cells in the Substantia Nigra (A9 neurons) and the Ventral Tegmental Area (A10 cells). A9 neurons form the nigrostriatal pathway and are involved in regulating voluntary movements and postural reflexes. Their selective degeneration leads to Parkinsons disease (PD). We used cDNA microarrays and nanoCAGE technology coupled with Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM) to characterize the intrinsic physiological properties of A9 DA neurons. Surprisingly, we found that these cells express alpha- and beta- chains of haemoglobin. Here we report that globin-immunoreactivity decorates the majority of A9 DA neurons, a subpopulation of cortical and hippocampal astrocytes as well as mature oligodendrocytes. This pattern of expression was confirmed in different mouse strains, in rat and human. This is the first report showing that haemoglobin is expressed in the Substantia Nigra of human post mortem brain. Our data suggest that the most famed oxygen-carrying globin is not exclusively restricted to the blood, but it may play a role in the normal physiology of the brain as well as in neurodegenerative disorders.
Unexpected expression of alpha- and beta-globin in mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons and glial cells.
Cell line
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Induction of Expandable Tissue-Specific Stem/Progenitor Cells through Transient Expression of YAP/TAZ.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo investigate the role of YAP/TAZ as factors able to convert differentiated cells into stem cells of the same tissue, we compared the expression profiles of pancreatic organoids (yDucts) obtained by doxycycline-inducible expression of YAP in pancreatic acini with original acini and native ducts (Ducts).
Induction of Expandable Tissue-Specific Stem/Progenitor Cells through Transient Expression of YAP/TAZ.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo investigate the role of YAP/TAZ as factors able to convert differentiated cells into stem cells of the same tissue, we compared the expression profiles of mammary organoids (yOrg) obtained by doxycycline-inducible expression of YAP in luminal differentiated mammary cells with original luminal differentiated mammary cells (Lum) and organoids from native mammary stem cells (Org).
Induction of Expandable Tissue-Specific Stem/Progenitor Cells through Transient Expression of YAP/TAZ.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo investigate the role of YAP/TAZ as factors able to convert differentiated cells into stem cells of the same tissue, we compared the expression profiles of neural stem cells (NSCs) obtained by doxycycline-inducible expression of YAP (yNSCs) in neurons with original neurons and neural stem cells (NSCs) treated in the same way.
Induction of Expandable Tissue-Specific Stem/Progenitor Cells through Transient Expression of YAP/TAZ.
Specimen part
View SamplesThere is high need of novel diagnostic and prognostic tools for tumors of the digestive system, such as gastric cancer and cholangiocarcinoma.
MiR-204 down-regulation elicited perturbation of a gene target signature common to human cholangiocarcinoma and gastric cancer.
Specimen part
View SamplesWe investigated the influence of SCFAs on human, monocyte derived DCs that represent a reliable in vitro model to study circulating DCs, one of the key regulators of our immune system. We studied the individual effect exerted by SCFA, the main metabolic end-products of fermentation by anaerobic bacteria in the gut, on the gene expression of immature and mature DC, exploring the potential of circulating bacterial metabolites to directly influence immune system cells. We found that SCFAs have little effect on the transcriptome of immature DC, whereas the transcriptome of mature DC was highly perturbed especially by butyrate and propionate. Our findings show an overall down-regulation of LPS-induced inflammatory responses and provide new insights into host-microbiome interactions.
The effect of short-chain fatty acids on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.
Specimen part, Treatment
View Samples