Studies investigating the causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) point to genetic as well as epigenetic mechanisms of the disease. Identification of epigenetic processes that contribute to ASD development and progression is of major importance and may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Here we identify the bromodomain and extra-terminal domain containing transcriptional regulators (BETs) as epigenetic drivers of an ASD-like disorder in mice. We found that the pharmacological suppression of the BET proteins by a novel, highly selective and brain-permeable inhibitor, I-BET858, leads to selective suppression of neuronal gene expression followed by the development of an autism-like syndrome in mice. Many of the I-BET858 affected genes have been linked to ASD in humans thus suggesting the key role of the BET-controlled gene network in ASD. Our studies also suggest that environmental factors controlling BET proteins or their target genes may contribute to the epigenetic mechanism of ASD.
Autism-like syndrome is induced by pharmacological suppression of BET proteins in young mice.
Specimen part
View SamplesIn chicks, the avian homologue of the early growth response protein-1 (ZENK) has been shown to be increased in a special cell type of the retina, the glucagonergic amacrine cells, under conditions that lead to a reduction in eye growth (myopic defocus, recovery of myopia) and decreased under conditions that enhance ocular growth (hyperopic defocus, form-deprivation). The investigation of Egr-1 knock-out mice showed that homozygous knock-out mice with no functional Egr-1 protein developed relative axial myopia at the age of 42 and 56 days, compared to heterozygous- and wildtype Egr-1 knock-out mice.
Microarray analysis of retinal gene expression in Egr-1 knockout mice.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe retina plays an important regulatory role in ocular growth. To screen for new retinal candidate genes that could be involved in the inhibition of ocular growth, we used chick microarrays to analyze the changes in retinal mRNA expression after myopic defocus was imposed by positive lens-wear.
Microarray analysis of retinal gene expression in chicks during imposed myopic defocus.
Sex, Age
View SamplesTransplanting renal allografts represents the major curative treatment of chronic renal failure. Despite recent advances in immunosuppressive therapy, long-term survival of allografts remains a major clinical problem. Kidney function depends in part on transport proteins such as MRP2 (ABCC2) which facilitates renal secretion of amphiphilic exogenous and endogenous compounds. Inherited variants of genes not related to the immune system have been shown to modify the outcome after renal transplantation. We investigated whether ABCC2 gene variants in the donor kidney affect renal graft function.
Multidrug resistance-related protein 2 genotype of the donor affects kidney graft function.
Sex
View SamplesAnalysis of the effects of three members of the FGF family (FGF1, FGF2 and FGF9) and bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) on myelinating cultures generated from dissociated embryonic spinal cord. The results of both immediate (24 hours, T1 (24 hrs)) and long term treatments (10days, T2) give insights into the cumulative effects of sustained FGF and BMP mediated signal transduction in the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases.
Fibroblast growth factor signalling in multiple sclerosis: inhibition of myelination and induction of pro-inflammatory environment by FGF9.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesFailure of remyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with inhibition of oligodendrocyte precursor (OPC) differentiation, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. We now report inflammatory demyelination in MS is associated with localized expression of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) by oligodendrocytes and to a lesser extent astrocytes, and demonstrate FGF9 inhibits myelination and remyelination in vitro. This inhibitory activity is reversible and due to an off target FGF9-dependent effect on astrocytes that disrupts in the growth factor milieu required to support myelination.
Fibroblast growth factor signalling in multiple sclerosis: inhibition of myelination and induction of pro-inflammatory environment by FGF9.
Specimen part, Treatment, Time
View SamplesNaturally occurring variations of Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) comprise a core assembly of Polycomb group proteins and additional factors that include, surprisingly, Autism Susceptibility Candidate 2 (AUTS2). While AUTS2 is often disrupted in patients with neuronal disorders, the underlying mechanism is unclear. We investigated the role of AUTS2 as part of a previously identified PRC1 complex (PRC1-AUTS2), and in the context of neurodevelopment. In contrast to the canonical role of PRC1 in gene repression, PRC1-AUTS2 activates transcription. Biochemical studies demonstrate that the CK2 component of PRC1-AUTS2 thwarts PRC1 repressive activity and AUTS2-mediated recruitment of P300 leads to gene activation. ChIP-seq of AUTS2 shows that it regulates neuronal gene expression through promoter association. Conditional CNS targeting of Auts2 in a mouse model leads to various developmental defects. These findings reveal a natural means of subverting PRC1 activity, linking key epigenetic modulators with neuronal functions and diseases. Overall design: mRNA profiles of P1 brain from wild type mice were generated by deep sequencing
An AUTS2-Polycomb complex activates gene expression in the CNS.
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View SamplesCebpa is a gene known for its role in hematopoetic development. Though it is proven to be indispensible in myelopoesis, the details of the role played by Cebpa in dendritic cell development is fairly unknown. Steady state DC development can be modelled in vitro by treating Lin- HSPC with FLT3L.
TNFα Rescues Dendritic Cell Development in Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells Lacking C/EBPα.
Specimen part
View SamplesMicroRNA-520f regulates EMT, as it activates CDH1 (mRNA) and E-cadherin (protein) expression, and it suppresses tumor cell invasion. We have characterized miR-520f target genes through whole genome transcriptional profiling of miRNA transfected pancreas cancer cells (PANC-1).
miRNA-520f Reverses Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition by Targeting <i>ADAM9</i> and <i>TGFBR2</i>.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesTo identify genes that are regulated from the lncRNA ANRIL (EXON 13), we designed inducible short hairpin RNA constructs and stable integrated them into HEK cells
The large non-coding RNA ANRIL, which is associated with atherosclerosis, periodontitis and several forms of cancer, regulates ADIPOR1, VAMP3 and C11ORF10.
Disease
View Samples