Essential role of the N-terminal region of TFII-I in viability and behavior

Background: GTF2I codes for a general intrinsic transcription factor and calcium channel regulator TFII-I, with high and ubiquitous expression, and a strong candidate for involvement in the morphological and neuro-developmental anomalies of the Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). WBS is a genetic disorder due to a recurring deletion of about 1,55-1,83 Mb containing 25-28 genes in chromosome band 7q11.23 including GTF2I. Completed homozygous loss of either the Gtf2i or Gtf2ird1 function in mice provided additional evidence for the involvement of both genes in the craniofacial and cognitive phenotype. Unfortunately nothing is now about the behavioral characterization of heterozygous mice. Methods: By gene targeting we have generated a mutant mice with a deletion of the first 140 amino-acids of TFII-I. mRNA and protein expression analysis were used to document the effect of the study deletion. We performed behavioral characterization of heterozygous mutant mice to document in vivo implications of TFII-I in the cognitive profile of WBS patients. Results: Homozygous and heterozygous mutant mice exhibit craniofacial alterations, most clearly represented in homozygous condition. Behavioral test demonstrate that heterozygous mutant mice exhibit some neurobehavioral alterations and hyperacusis or odynacusis that could be associated with specific features of WBS phenotype. Homozygous mutant mice present highly compromised embryonic viability and fertility. Regarding cellular model, we documented a retarded growth in heterozygous MEFs respect to homozygous or wild-type MEFs. Conclusion: Our data confirm that, although additive effects of haploinsufficiency at several genes may contribute to the full craniofacial or neurocognitive features of WBS, correct expression of GTF2I is one of the main players. In addition, these findings show that the deletion of the fist 140 amino-acids of TFII-I altered it correct function leading to a clear phenotype, at both levels, at the cellular model and at the in vivo model

Essential role of the N-terminal region of TFII-I in viability and behavior

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>GTF2I </it>codes for a general intrinsic transcription factor and calcium channel regulator TFII-I, with high and ubiquitous expression, and a strong candidate for involvement in the morphological and neuro-developmental anomalies of the Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). WBS is a genetic disorder due to a recurring deletion of about 1,55-1,83 Mb containing 25-28 genes in chromosome band 7q11.23 including <it>GTF2I</it>. Completed homozygous loss of either the <it>Gtf2i </it>or <it>Gtf2ird1 </it>function in mice provided additional evidence for the involvement of both genes in the craniofacial and cognitive phenotype. Unfortunately nothing is now about the behavioral characterization of heterozygous mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>By gene targeting we have generated a mutant mice with a deletion of the first 140 amino-acids of TFII-I. mRNA and protein expression analysis were used to document the effect of the study deletion. We performed behavioral characterization of heterozygous mutant mice to document <it>in vivo </it>implications of TFII-I in the cognitive profile of WBS patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Homozygous and heterozygous mutant mice exhibit craniofacial alterations, most clearly represented in homozygous condition. Behavioral test demonstrate that heterozygous mutant mice exhibit some neurobehavioral alterations and hyperacusis or odynacusis that could be associated with specific features of WBS phenotype. Homozygous mutant mice present highly compromised embryonic viability and fertility. Regarding cellular model, we documented a retarded growth in heterozygous MEFs respect to homozygous or wild-type MEFs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data confirm that, although additive effects of haploinsufficiency at several genes may contribute to the full craniofacial or neurocognitive features of WBS, correct expression of <it>GTF2I </it>is one of the main players. In addition, these findings show that the deletion of the fist 140 amino-acids of TFII-I altered it correct function leading to a clear phenotype, at both levels, at the cellular model and at the <it>in vivo </it>model.</p

Mammalian SGO2 appears at the inner centromere domain and redistributes depending on tension across centromeres during meiosis II and mitosis

Shugoshin (SGO) is a family of proteins that protect centromeric cohesin complexes from release during mitotic prophase and from degradation during meiosis I. Two mammalian SGO paralogues—SGO1 and SGO2—have been identified, but their distribution and function during mammalian meiosis have not been reported. Here, we analysed the expression of SGO2 during male mouse meiosis and mitosis. During meiosis I, SGO2 accumulates at centromeres during diplotene, and colocalizes differentially with the cohesin subunits RAD21 and REC8 at metaphase I centromeres. However, SGO2 and RAD21 change their relative distributions during telophase I when sister-kinetochore association is lost. During meiosis II, SGO2 shows a striking tension-dependent redistribution within centromeres throughout chromosome congression during prometaphase II, as it does during mitosis. We propose a model by which the redistribution of SGO2 would unmask cohesive centromere proteins, which would be then released or cleaved by separase, to trigger chromatid segregation to opposite poles

STAG2 and Rad21 mammalian mitotic cohesins are implicated in meiosis

STAG/SA proteins are specific cohesin complex subunits that maintain sister chromatid cohesion in mitosis and meiosis. Two members of this family, STAG1/SA1 and STAG2/SA2,(‡) are classified as mitotic cohesins, as they are found in human somatic cells and in Xenopus laevis as components of the cohesin(SA1) and cohesin(SA2) complexes, in which the shared subunits are Rad21/SCC1, SMC1 and SMC3 proteins. A recently reported third family member, STAG3, is germinal cell-specific and is a subunit of the meiotic cohesin complex. To date, the meiosis-specific cohesin complex has been considered to be responsible for sister chromatid cohesion during meiosis. We studied replacement of the mitotic by the meiotic cohesin complex during mouse germinal cell maturation, and we show that mammalian STAG2 and Rad21 are also involved in several meiosis stages. Immunofluorescence results suggest that a cohesin complex containing Rad21 and STAG2 cooperates with a STAG3-specific complex to maintain sister chromatid cohesion during the diplotene stage of meiosis

Polμ deficiency increases resistance to oxidative damage and delays liver aging

Polμ is an error-prone PolX polymerase that contributes to classical NHEJ DNA repair. Mice lacking Polμ (Polμ−/−) show altered hematopoiesis homeostasis and DSB repair and a more pronounced nucleolytic resection of some V(D)J junctions. We previously showed that Polμ−/− mice have increased learning capacity at old ages, suggesting delayed brain aging. Here we investigated the effect of Polμ−/− deficiency on liver aging. We found that old Polμ−/− mice (>20 month) have greater liver regenerative capacity compared with wt animals. Old Polμ−/− liver showed reduced genomic instability and increased apoptosis resistance. However, Polμ−/− mice did not show an extended life span and other organs (e.g., heart) aged normally. Our results suggest that Polμ deficiency activates transcriptional networks that reduce constitutive apoptosis, leading to enhanced liver repair at old age

Polμ deficiency increases resistance to oxidative damage and delays liver aging

Polμ is an error-prone PolX polymerase that contributes to classical NHEJ DNA repair. Mice lacking Polμ (Polμ(-/-)) show altered hematopoiesis homeostasis and DSB repair and a more pronounced nucleolytic resection of some V(D)J junctions. We previously showed that Polμ(-/-) mice have increased learning capacity at old ages, suggesting delayed brain aging. Here we investigated the effect of Polμ(-/-) deficiency on liver aging. We found that old Polμ(-/-) mice (>20 month) have greater liver regenerative capacity compared with wt animals. Old Polμ(-/-) liver showed reduced genomic instability and increased apoptosis resistance. However, Polμ(-/-) mice did not show an extended life span and other organs (e.g., heart) aged normally. Our results suggest that Polμ deficiency activates transcriptional networks that reduce constitutive apoptosis, leading to enhanced liver repair at old age.This work was supported by grants to AB from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF 2008-02099; PLE2009-0147 and PSE-010000-2009-3), Comunidad Auto´noma de Madrid (S2010/BMD-2420), and the European Commission (FP7-HEALTH-2009/CARE-MI. CC is supported by The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness and the Pro-CNIC Foundation.S

Essential role of the N-terminal region of TFII-I in viability and behavior

Background: GTF2I codes for a general intrinsic transcription factor and calcium channel regulator TFII-I, with high and ubiquitous expression, and a strong candidate for involvement in the morphological and neuro-developmental anomalies of the Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS). WBS is a genetic disorder due to a recurring deletion of about 1,55-1,83 Mb containing 25-28 genes in chromosome band 7q11.23 including GTF2I. Completed homozygous loss of either the Gtf2i or Gtf2ird1 function in mice provided additional evidence for the involvement of both genes in the craniofacial and cognitive phenotype. Unfortunately nothing is now about the behavioral characterization of heterozygous mice. Methods: By gene targeting we have generated a mutant mice with a deletion of the first 140 amino-acids of TFII-I. mRNA and protein expression analysis were used to document the effect of the study deletion. We performed behavioral characterization of heterozygous mutant mice to document in vivo implications of TFII-I in the cognitive profile of WBS patients. Results: Homozygous and heterozygous mutant mice exhibit craniofacial alterations, most clearly represented in homozygous condition. Behavioral test demonstrate that heterozygous mutant mice exhibit some neurobehavioral alterations and hyperacusis or odynacusis that could be associated with specific features of WBS phenotype. Homozygous mutant mice present highly compromised embryonic viability and fertility. Regarding cellular model, we documented a retarded growth in heterozygous MEFs respect to homozygous or wild-type MEFs. Conclusion: Our data confirm that, although additive effects of haploinsufficiency at several genes may contribute to the full craniofacial or neurocognitive features of WBS, correct expression of GTF2I is one of the main players. In addition, these findings show that the deletion of the fist 140 amino-acids of TFII-I altered it correct function leading to a clear phenotype, at both levels, at the cellular model and at the in vivo model.This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS 04/0433, to VC), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (SAF2004-6382, to LPJ and BFU2006-04406/BMC, to JLB) and the VI Framework Programme of the European Union (LSHG-CT-2006-037627, to LPJ). JL was supported by a FPI Fellowship (SAF2001-3941) and VC is a FIS Investigator

Polμ deficiency increases resistance to oxidative damage and delays liver aging

Polμ is an error-prone PolX polymerase that contributes to classical NHEJ DNA repair. Mice lacking Polμ (Polμ−/−) show altered hematopoiesis homeostasis and DSB repair and a more pronounced nucleolytic resection of some V(D)J junctions. We previously showed that Polμ−/− mice have increased learning capacity at old ages, suggesting delayed brain aging. Here we investigated the effect of Polμ−/− deficiency on liver aging. We found that old Polμ−/− mice (>20 month) have greater liver regenerative capacity compared with wt animals. Old Polμ−/− liver showed reduced genomic instability and increased apoptosis resistance. However, Polμ−/− mice did not show an extended life span and other organs (e.g., heart) aged normally. Our results suggest that Polμ deficiency activates transcriptional networks that reduce constitutive apoptosis, leading to enhanced liver repair at old age

Summary of different physiological parameters analyzed in old Polμ^−/− mice.

<p>Numbers indicates the ratio KO/WT for each parameter. Footnotes.</p>(a)<p>Corresponding specifically to G2/M cells;</p>(b)<p>Evaluation of senescence <i>ex vivo</i>, at atmospheric concentration of O₂;</p>(c)<p>Ploidy (≥4n) evaluation after PI staining;</p>(d)<p>Aneuploidy and translocation frequency evaluation;</p>(e)<p>Evaluated on CFU-GM progenitors;</p>(f)<p>Evaluated in cell lines;</p>(g)<p>ALT/GPT; AST/GOT; Billirubin and Albumin;</p>(h)<p>P-Hepatect. Recovery: partial hepatectomy recovery;</p>(i)<p>Protein carbonyls;</p>(j)<p>peroxided lipids;</p>(k)<p>Values obtained at atmospheric oxygen;</p>(l)<p>Paraquat Resistance, (70 mg/kg; ip);</p>(m)<p>Analysis of CHO-DN cell line, at atmospheric oxygen;</p>(n)<p>HR express. qRT-PCR analysis of selected functions involved in HR;</p>(o)<p>Tumor susceptibility. Evaluation of spontaneous tumor incidence and susceptibility to thymic lymphomas by low dose of radiation;</p>(p)<p>Evaluations in 129/BALBc and B6 backgrounds, respectively; Abbreviations: Thy, thymus; Sp, spleen; Br, brain, Sk, skin; Ov, ovary; Panc, Pancreas; PB, peripheral blood. Symbols; (<b>++</b>), (<b>+</b>), (<b>+/−</b>) and (−) indicates that values for KO animals were clearly higher, superior, similar and reduced, respectivelly, in comparison with control (wt) animals.</p

Evaluation of SCE in different cellular models of Polμ deficiency.

<p>(<b>A</b>) Illustrative example of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) between green chromatids (labeled by BrdU incorporation) and blue chromatids (DAPI stained). The enlarged image to the left shows a chromosome with 3 crossovers (indicated by arrows) in which green and blue are combined in the same chromatid. (<b>B–D</b>) Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in three models of Polμ deficiency: (<b>B</b>) MEFs, (<b>C</b>) B lymphocytes and (<b>D</b>) CHO-KS4 cells expressing DN-Polμ (ΔN); EV = empty vector.</p