HP1alpha guides neuronal fate by timing E2F-targeted genes silencing during terminal differentiation

A critical step of neuronal terminal differentiation is the permanent withdrawal from the cell cycle that requires the silencing of genes that drive mitosis. Here, we describe that the alpha isoform of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) protein family exerts such silencing on several E2F-targeted genes. Among the different isoforms, HP1alpha levels progressively increase throughout differentiation and take over HP1gamma binding on E2F sites in mature neurons. When overexpressed, only HP1alpha is able to ensure a timed repression of E2F genes. Specific inhibition of HP1alpha expression drives neuronal progenitors either towards death or cell cycle progression, yet preventing the expression of the neuronal marker microtubule-associated protein 2. Furthermore, we provide evidence that this mechanism occurs in cerebellar granule neurons in vivo, during the postnatal development of the cerebellum. Finally, our results suggest that E2F-targeted genes are packaged into higher-order chromatin structures in mature neurons relative to neuroblasts, likely reflecting a transition from a 'repressed' versus 'silenced' status of these genes. Together, these data present new epigenetic regulations orchestrated by HP1 isoforms, critical for permanent cell cycle exit during neuronal differentiation.     

Defective gene expression,S phase progression,and maturation during hematopoiesis in E2F1/E2F2 mutant mice

E2F plays critical roles in cell cycle progression by regulating the expression of genes involved in nucleotide synthesis, DNA replication, and cell cycle control. We show that the combined loss of E2F1 and E2F2 in mice leads to profound cell-autonomous defects in the hematopoietic development of multiple cell lineages. E2F2 mutant mice show erythroid maturation defects that are comparable with those observed in patients with megaloblastic anemia. Importantly, hematopoietic defects observed in E2F1/E2F2 double-knockout (DKO) mice appear to result from impeded S phase progression in hematopoietic progenitor cells. During DKO B-cell maturation, differentiation beyond the large pre-BII-cell stage is defective, presumably due to failed cell cycle exit, and the cells undergo apoptosis. However, apoptosis appears to be the consequence of failed maturation, not the cause. Despite the accumulation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in S phase, the combined loss of E2F1 and E2F2 results in significantly decreased expression and activities of several E2F target genes including cyclin A2. Our results indicate specific roles for E2F1 and E2F2 in the induction of E2F target genes, which contribute to efficient expansion and maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Thus, E2F1 and E2F2 play essential and redundant roles in the proper coordination of cell cycle progression with differentiation which is necessary for efficient hematopoiesis.     

BM88 is a dual function molecule inducing cell cycle exit and neuronal differentiation of neuroblastoma cells via cyclin D1 down-regulation and retinoblastoma protein hypophosphorylation

Control of cell cycle progression/exit and differentiation of neuronal precursors is of paramount importance during brain development. BM88 is a neuronal protein associated with terminal neuron-generating divisions in vivo and is implicated in mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation. Here we have used mouse neuroblastoma Neuro 2a cells as an in vitro model of neuronal differentiation to dissect the functional properties of BM88 by implementing gain- and loss-of-function approaches. We demonstrate that stably transfected cells overexpressing BM88 acquire a neuronal phenotype in the absence of external stimuli, as judged by enhanced expression of neuronal markers and neurite outgrowth-inducing signaling molecules. In addition, cell cycle measurements involving cell growth assays, BrdUrd incorporation, and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed that the BM88-transfected cells have a prolonged G(1) phase, most probably corresponding to cell cycle exit at the G(0) restriction point, as compared with controls. BM88 overexpression also results in increased levels of the cell cycle regulatory protein p53, and accumulation of the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein leading to cell cycle arrest, with concomitant decreased levels and, in many cells, cytoplasmic localization of cyclin D1. Conversely, BM88 gene silencing using RNA interference experiments resulted in acceleration of cell proliferation accompanied by impairment of retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation of Neuro 2a cells. Taken together, our results suggest that BM88 plays an essential role in regulating cell cycle exit and differentiation of Neuro 2a cells toward a neuronal phenotype and further support its involvement in the proliferation/differentiation transition of neural stem/progenitor cells during embryonic development.     

A robust cell cycle control mechanism limits E2F-induced proliferation of terminally differentiated cells in vivo

Terminally differentiated cells in Drosophila melanogaster wings and eyes are largely resistant to proliferation upon deregulation of either E2F or cyclin E (CycE), but exogenous expression of both factors together can bypass cell cycle exit. In this study, we show this is the result of cooperation of cell cycle control mechanisms that limit E2F-CycE positive feedback and prevent cycling after terminal differentiation. Aberrant CycE activity after differentiation leads to the degradation of E2F activator complexes, which increases the proportion of CycE-resistant E2F repressor complexes, resulting in stable E2F target gene repression. If E2F-dependent repression is lost after differentiation, high anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activity degrades key E2F targets to limit cell cycle reentry. Providing both CycE and E2F activities bypasses exit by simultaneously inhibiting the APC/C and inducing a group of E2F target genes essential for cell cycle reentry after differentiation. These mechanisms are essential for proper development, as evading them leads to tissue outgrowths composed of dividing but terminally differentiated cells.     

E2F4 modulates differentiation and gene expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells during commitment to the lymphoid lineage

The E2F4 protein is involved in gene repression and cell cycle exit, and also has poorly understood effects in differentiation. We analyzed the impact of E2F4 deficiency on early steps in mouse hematopoietic development, and found defects in early hematopoietic progenitor cells that were propagated through common lymphoid precursors to the B and T lineages. In contrast, the defects in erythromyeloid precursor cells were self-correcting over time. This suggests that E2F4 is important in early stages of commitment to the lymphoid lineage. The E2F4-deficient progenitor cells showed reduced expression of several key lymphoid-lineage genes, and overexpression of two erythromyeloid lineage genes. However, we did not detect effects on cell proliferation. These findings emphasize the significance of E2F4 in controlling gene expression and cell fate.     

Lamina-associated polypeptide 2alpha regulates cell cycle progression and differentiation via the retinoblastoma-E2F pathway

Lamina-associated polypeptide (LAP) 2alpha is a nonmembrane-bound LAP2 isoform that forms complexes with nucleoplasmic A-type lamins. In this study, we show that the overexpression of LAP2alpha in fibroblasts reduced proliferation and delayed entry into the cell cycle from a G0 arrest. In contrast, stable down-regulation of LAP2alpha by RNA interference accelerated proliferation and interfered with cell cycle exit upon serum starvation. The LAP2alpha-linked cell cycle phenotype is mediated by the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein because the LAP2alpha COOH terminus directly bound Rb, and overexpressed LAP2alpha inhibited E2F/Rb-dependent reporter gene activity in G1 phase in an Rb-dependent manner. Furthermore, LAP2alpha associated with promoter sequences in endogenous E2F/Rb-dependent target genes in vivo and negatively affected their expression. In addition, the expression of LAP2alpha in proliferating preadipocytes caused the accumulation of hypophosphorylated Rb, which is reminiscent of noncycling cells, and initiated partial differentiation into adipocytes. The effects of LAP2alpha on cell cycle progression and differentiation may be highly relevant for the cell- and tissue-specific phenotypes observed in laminopathic diseases.     

Coordination of proliferation and neuronal differentiation by the retinoblastoma protein family

Once neurons enter the post‐mitotic G0 phase during central nervous system (CNS) development, they lose their proliferative potential. When neurons re‐enter the cell cycle during pathological situations such as neurodegeneration, they undergo cell death after S phase progression. Thus, the regulatory networks that drive cell proliferation and maintain neuronal differentiation are highly coordinated. In this review, the coordination of cell cycle control and neuronal differentiation during development are discussed, focusing on regulation by the Rb family of tumor suppressors (including p107 and p130), and the Cip/Kip family of cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors. Based on recent findings suggesting roles for these families in regulating neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation, I propose that the Rb family is essential for daughter cells of neuronal progenitors to enter the post‐mitotic G0 phase without affecting the initiation of neuronal differentiation in most cases, while the Cip/Kip family regulates the timing of neuronal progenitor cell cycle exit and the initiation of neuronal differentiation at least in the progenitor cells of the cerebral cortex and the retina. Rb's lack of involvement in regulating the initiation of neuronal differentiation may explain why Rb family‐deficient retinoblastomas characteristically exhibit neuronal features.     

The HECT-domain ubiquitin ligase Huwe1 controls neural differentiation and proliferation by destabilizing the N-Myc oncoprotein

Development of the nervous system requires that timely withdrawal from the cell cycle be coupled with initiation of differentiation. Ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the N-Myc oncoprotein in neural stem/progenitor cells is thought to trigger the arrest of proliferation and begin differentiation. Here we report that the HECT-domain ubiquitin ligase Huwe1 ubiquitinates the N-Myc oncoprotein through Lys 48-mediated linkages and targets it for destruction by the proteasome. This process is physiologically implemented by embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiating along the neuronal lineage and in the mouse brain during development. Genetic and RNA interference-mediated inactivation of the Huwe1 gene impedes N-Myc degradation, prevents exit from the cell cycle by opposing the expression of Cdk inhibitors and blocks differentiation through persistent inhibition of early and late markers of neuronal differentiation. Silencing of N-myc in cells lacking Huwe1 restores neural differentiation of ES cells and rescues cell-cycle exit and differentiation of the mouse cortex, demonstrating that Huwe1 restrains proliferation and enables neuronal differentiation by mediating the degradation of N-Myc. These findings indicate that Huwe1 links destruction of N-Myc to the quiescent state that complements differentiation in the neural tissue.     

Rb and p107 are required for normal cerebellar development and granule cell survival but not for Purkinje cell persistence

The involvement of the retinoblastoma gene product (Rb) and its family members (p107 and p130) in cell cycle exit and terminal differentiation of neural precursor cells has been demonstrated in vitro. To investigate the roles of Rb and p107 in growth, differentiation and apoptosis in the developing and mature cerebellum, we selectively inactivated either Rb alone or in combination with p107 in cerebellar precursor cells or in Purkinje cells. In our mouse models, we show that (1) Rb is required for differentiation, cell cycle exit and survival of granule cell precursors; (2) p107 can not fully compensate for the loss of Rb function in granule cells; (3) Rb and p107 are not required for differentiation and survival of Purkinje cells during embryonic and early postnatal development; (4) Rb function in Purkinje cells is cell autonomous; and (5) loss of Rb deficient CNS precursor cells is mediated by p53-independent apoptosis.     

Unique requirement for Rb/E2F3 in neuronal migration: evidence for cell cycle-independent functions

The cell cycle regulatory retinoblastoma (Rb) protein is a key regulator of neural precursor proliferation; however, its role has been expanded to include a novel cell-autonomous role in mediating neuronal migration. We sought to determine the Rb-interacting factors that mediate both the cell cycle and migration defects. E2F1 and E2F3 are likely Rb-interacting candidates that we have shown to be deregulated in the absence of Rb. Using mice with compound null mutations of Rb and E2F1 or E2F3, we asked to what extent either E2F1 or E2F3 interacts with Rb in neurogenesis. Here, we report that E2F1 and E2F3 are both functionally relevant targets in neural precursor proliferation, cell cycle exit, and laminar patterning. Each also partially mediates the Rb requirement for neuronal survival. Neuronal migration, however, is specifically mediated through E2F3, beyond its role in cell cycle regulation. This study not only outlines overlapping and distinct functions for E2Fs in neurogenesis but also is the first to establish a physiologically relevant role for the Rb/E2F pathway beyond cell cycle regulation in vivo.