Zinc finger protein ZFP57 requires its co-factor to recruit DNA methyltransferases and maintains DNA methylation imprint in embryonic stem cells via its transcriptional repression domain

Previously, we discovered that ZFP57 is a maternal-zygotic effect gene, and it maintains DNA methylation genomic imprint at multiple imprinted regions in mouse embryos. Despite these findings, it remains elusive how DNA methyltransferases are targeted to the imprinting control regions to initiate and maintain DNA methylation imprint. To gain insights into these essential processes in genomic imprinting, we examined how ZFP57 maintains genomic DNA methylation imprint in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here we demonstrate that the loss of ZFP57 in mouse ES cells led to a complete loss of genomic DNA methylation imprint at multiple imprinted regions, similar to its role in mouse embryos. However, reintroduction of ZFP57 into Zfp57-null ES cells did not result in reacquisition of DNA methylation imprint, suggesting that the memory for genomic imprinting had been lost or altered in Zfp57-null ES cells in culture. Interestingly, ZFP57 and DNA methyltransferases could form complexes in the presence of KAP1/TRIM28/TIF1β when co-expressed in COS cells. We also found that the wild-type exogenous ZFP57 but not the mutant ZFP57 lacking the KRAB box that interacts with its co-factor KAP1/TRIM28/TIF1β could substitute for the endogenous ZFP57 in maintaining the DNA methylation imprint in ES cells. These results suggest that ZFP57 may recruit DNA methyltransferases to its target regions to maintain DNA methylation imprint, and this interaction is likely facilitated by KAP1/TRIM28/TIF1β.     

Pedomorphosis revisited: thyroid hormone receptors are functional in Necturus maculosus

Heterochrony, a difference in developmental timing, is a central concept in modern evolutionary biology. An example is pedomorphosis, retention of juvenile characteristics in sexually mature adults, a phenomenon largely represented in salamanders. The mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is an obligate pedomorphic amphibian, never undergoing metamorphosis. Thyroid hormone induces tissue transformation in metamorphosing species and this action is mediated by nuclear thyroid hormone (TH) receptors (TRs). The absence of metamorphosis in Necturus has been attributed to a resistance to TH action as treatment with exogenous TH fails to induce transformation. The failure to metamorphose could be due to the lack of TR expression in target tissues, or to a loss of TR function. Toward understanding the molecular basis for the failure of Necturus tissues to respond to TH, and the ultimate cause for the expression of the obligate pedomorphic life history, we characterized the structure, function, and expression of TR genes in Necturus. Strikingly, we found that Necturus TRalpha and TRbeta genes encode fully functional TR proteins. These TRs bind both DNA and TH and can transactivate target genes in response to TH. Both TRalpha and TRbeta are expressed in various tissues. TH treatment in vivo induced expression in the gill of some but not all genes known to be activated by TH in anuran larvae, caused whole organism metabolic effects, but induced no external morphological changes in adults or larvae. Thus, Necturus possesses fully functional TRs and its tissues are not generally resistant to the actions of TH. Rather, the absence of metamorphosis may be due to the loss of TH-dependent control of key genes required for tissue transformation.     

The Decrease of Mineralcorticoid Receptor Drives Angiogenic Pathways in Colorectal Cancer

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in tumor growth and progression. Low expression of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in several malignant tumors correlates with disease recurrence and overall survival. Previous studies have shown that MR expression is decreased in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here we hypothesize that decreased MR expression can contribute to angiogenesis and poor patient survival in colorectal malignancies. In a cohort of CRC patients, we analyzed tumor MR expression, its correlation with tumor microvascular density and its impact on survival. Subsequently, we interrogated the role of MR in angiogenesis in an in vitro model, based on the colon cancer cell line HCT116, ingenierized to re-express a physiologically controlled MR. In CRC, decreased MR expression was associated with increased microvascular density and poor patient survival. In pchMR transfected HCT116, aldosterone or natural serum steroids largely inhibited mRNA expression levels of both VEGFA and its receptor 2/KDR. In CRC, MR activation may significantly decrease angiogenesis by directly inhibiting dysregulated VEGFA and hypoxia-induced VEGFA mRNA expression. In addition, MR activation attenuates the expression of the VEGF receptor 2/KDR, possibly dampening the activation of a VEGFA/KDR dependent signaling pathway important for the survival of tumor cells under hypoxic conditions.     

Saggi Sul Comportamento Della Cellula Vegetale di Fronte al Reattivo di Schiff

Riassunto

Sono state fatte diverse prove per la reazione di Schiff, di Feulgen e di Bauer su tessuti vegetali. Diversi tipi di membrane, fra cui quelle lignificate, sono risultati Schiff positivi. I nuclei sono risultati Feulgen positivi, con l'eccezione dei nuclei del gametofito maturo di Crinum sp., i quali sono tutti Feulgen negativi, meno quelli antipodali. L'amido e tutte le membrane sono risultati Bauer positivi.     

Impaired autophagy contributes to muscle atrophy in glycogen storage disease type II patients

The autophagy-lysosome system is essential for muscle cell homeostasis and its dysfunction has been linked to muscle disorders that are typically distinguished by massive autophagic buildup. Among them, glycogen storage disease type II (GSDII) is characterized by the presence of large glycogen-filled lysosomes in the skeletal muscle, due to a defect in the lysosomal enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA). The accumulation of autophagosomes is believed to be detrimental for myofiber function. However, the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of GSDII is still unclear. To address this issue we monitored autophagy in muscle biopsies and myotubes of early and late-onset GSDII patients at different time points of disease progression. Moreover we also analyzed muscles from patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Our data suggest that autophagy is a protective mechanism that is required for myofiber survival in late-onset forms of GSDII. Importantly, our findings suggest that a normal autophagy flux is important for a correct maturation of GAA and for the uptake of recombinant human GAA. In conclusion, autophagy failure plays an important role in GSDII disease progression, and the development of new drugs to restore the autophagic flux should be considered to improve ERT efficacy.