Sox2 Uses Multiple Domains to Associate with Proteins Present in Sox2-Protein Complexes

Master regulators, such as Sox2, Oct4 and Nanog, control complex gene networks necessary for the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESC). These master regulators associate with co-activators and co-repressors to precisely control their gene targets. Recent studies using proteomic analysis have identified a large, diverse group of co-activators and co-repressors that associate with master regulators, including Sox2. In this report, we examined the size distribution of nuclear protein complexes containing Sox2 and its associated proteins HDAC1, Sall4 and Lin28. Interestingly, we determined that Sox2 and HDAC1 associate with protein complexes that vary greatly in size; whereas, Lin28 primarily associates with smaller complexes, and Sall4 primarily associates with larger complexes. Additionally, we examined the domains of Sox2 necessary to mediate its association with its partner proteins Sall4, HDAC1 and HDAC2. We determined that Sox2 uses multiple and distinct domains to associate with its partner proteins. We also examined the domains of Sox2 necessary to mediate its self-association, and we determined that Sox2 self-association is mediated through multiple domains. Collectively, these studies provide novel insights into how Sox2 is able to associate with a wide array of nuclear proteins that control gene transcription

Elevating the levels of Sox2 in embryonal carcinoma cells and embryonic stem cells inhibits the expression of Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes†

Recent studies have identified large sets of genes in embryonic stem and embryonal carcinoma cells that are associated with the transcription factors Sox2 and Oct-3/4. Other studies have shown that Sox2 and Oct-3/4 work together cooperatively to stimulate the transcription of their own genes as well as a network of genes required for embryogenesis. Moreover, small changes in the levels of Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes alter the fate of stem cells. Although positive feedforward and feedback loops have been proposed to explain the activation of these genes, little is known about the mechanisms that prevent their overexpression. Here, we demonstrate that elevating Sox2 levels inhibits the endogenous expression of five Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes. In addition, we show that Sox2 repression is dependent on the binding sites for Sox2 and Oct-3/4. We also demonstrate that inhibition is dependent on the C-terminus of Sox2, which contains its transactivation domain. Finally, our studies argue that overexpression of neither Oct-3/4 nor Nanog broadly inhibits Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes. Collectively, these studies provide new insights into the diversity of mechanisms that control Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes and argue that Sox2 functions as a molecular rheostat for the control of a key transcriptional regulatory network

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha decrease gamma interferon receptors and induction of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) on cultured keratinocytes

The link between the epidermal keratinocytes of the skin and the activated T lymphocytes of the immune system is mediated by a variety of cytokines, including gamma interferon (IFN-Γ). We studied the influence of keratinocyte mitogens such as transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-Α), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and somatomedin-C (SM-C) on the ligand binding of 32 P-labelled IFN-Γ to cultured keratinocytes derived from normal appearing adult human skin. Keratinocytes placed in a medium devoid of mitogens become growth arrested, and these quiescent cells expressed 2.4 times (28,900 versus 12,200 sites/cell) as many high affinity IFN-Γ receptors (Kd = 0.22 nM) compared to keratinocytes which were actively growing in medium containing TGF-Α (25 ng/ml) or EGF (10 ng/ml). The reduction in IFN-Γ receptor sites by TGF-Α/EGF was mitogen specific, as adding SM-C (500 ng/ml) did not have any effect on ligand binding, although it similarily stimulated keratinocyte growth. The reduction in IFN-Γ receptors was time dependent, occurring primarily after 24–48 hours of change in tissue culture conditions. The reduction in the number of high affinity IFN-Γ receptors by TGF-Α/EGF had immunobiological consequences, because quiescent keratinocytes in basal medium had an increased expression of HLA-DR and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) induced by IFN-Γ, compared to actively growing TGF-Α/EGF treated keratinocytes. These results suggest that rapidly proliferating keratinocytes exposed to TGF-Α/EGF but not SM-C are capable of altering their response to IFN-Γ by decreasing their number of cell surface high affinity receptors for IFN-Γ.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/49881/1/1041500207_ftp.pd

Adult Sox2+ stem cell exhaustion in mice results in cellular senescence and premature aging

Aging is characterized by a gradual functional decline of tissues with age. Adult stem and progenitor cells are responsible for tissue maintenance, repair, and regeneration, but during aging, this population of cells is decreased or its activity is reduced, compromising tissue integrity and causing pathologies that increase vulnerability, and ultimately lead to death. The causes of stem cell exhaustion during aging are not clear, and whether a reduction in stem cell function is a cause or a consequence of aging remains unresolved. Here, we took advantage of a mouse model of induced adult Sox2+ stem cell depletion to address whether accelerated stem cell depletion can promote premature aging. After a short period of partial repetitive depletion of this adult stem cell population in mice, we observed increased kyphosis and hair graying, and reduced fat mass, all of them signs of premature aging. It is interesting that cellular senescence was identified in kidney after this partial repetitive Sox2+ cell depletion. To confirm these observations, we performed a prolonged protocol of partial repetitive depletion of Sox2+ cells, forcing regeneration from the remaining Sox2+ cells, thereby causing their exhaustion. Senescence specific staining and the analysis of the expression of genetic markers clearly corroborated that adult stem cell exhaustion can lead to cellular senescence induction and premature agingWork in the laboratory of M.C. is funded by an ISCIII and EU‐FEDER grant (PI14/00554)S

Transformation induced by Ewing's sarcoma associated EWS/FLI-1 is suppressed by KRAB/FLI-1

Ewing's sarcoma is a childhood bone tumour with poor prognosis, most commonly associated with a t(11;22)(q24;q12) reciprocal translocation that fuses the EWS and FLI-1 genes, resulting in the production of an aberrant chimeric transcription factor EWS/FLI-1. To erucidate the mechanisms by which EWS/FLI-1 mediates transformation in mouse models, we have generated a murine Ews/Fli-1 fusion protein. We demonstrate that this protein transforms fibroblast celrs in vitro similar to human EWS/FLI-1 as demonstrated by serum and anchorage-independent growth, the formation of tumours in nude mice and elevation of the oncogenic marker c-myc. Furthermore, transformation of these cells was inhibited by a specific represser, KRAB/FLI-1. The KRAB/FLI-1 repressor also suppressed the tumorigenic phenotype of a human Ewing's sarcoma cell line. These findings suggest that the transformed phenotype of Ewing's sarcoma cells can be reversed by using the sequence-specific FLI-1-DNA-binding domain to target a gone repressor domain. The inhibition of EWS/FLI-1 is the first demonstration of the KRAB domain suppressing the action of an ETS factor. This approach provides potential avenues for the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of EWS/FLI-1 oncogenesis and the development of novel therapeutic strategies. © 2003 Cancer Research UK.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Oral epithelial cell sheets engraftment for esophageal strictures after endoscopic submucosal dissection of squamous cell carcinoma and airplane transportation

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) permits en bloc removal of superficial oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, post-procedure stricture is common after ESD for widespread tumours, and multiple endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) procedures are required. We aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic transplantation of tissue-engineered autologous oral mucosal epithelial cell sheets that had been transported by air over a distance of 1200?km in controlling postprocedural oesophageal stricture. Ten patients who underwent complete circular or semicircular ESD for ESCC were transplanted with cell sheets. The safety of the entire process including cell sheet preparation, transport, ESD and cell sheet transplantation was assessed. The incidence of oesophageal stricture, number of EBD sessions, and time until epithelialization were investigated. Each ESD was successfully performed, with subsequent cell sheet engrafting carried out safely. Following cell sheet transplantation, the luminal stenosis rate was 40%, while the median number of EBD sessions was 0. The median post-ESD ulcer healing period was rather short at 36 days. There were no significant complications at any stage of the process. Cell sheet transplantation and preparation at distant sites and transportation by air could be a safe and promising regenerative medicine technology

LIF-Dependent Signaling: New Pieces in the Lego

LIF, a member of the IL6 family of cytokine, displays pleiotropic effects on various cell types and organs. Its critical role in stem cell models (e.g.: murine ES, human mesenchymal cells) and its essential non redundant function during the implantation process of embryos, in eutherian mammals, put this cytokine at the core of many studies aiming to understand its mechanisms of action, which could benefit to medical applications. In addition, its conservation upon evolution raised the challenging question concerning the function of LIF in species in which there is no implantation. We present the recent knowledge about the established and potential functions of LIF in different stem cell models, (embryonic, hematopoietic, mesenchymal, muscle, neural stem cells and iPSC). We will also discuss EVO-DEVO aspects of this multifaceted cytokine