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Olig2 and Hes regulatory dynamics during motor neuron differentiation revealed by single cell transcriptomics.

ABSTRACT: During tissue development, multipotent progenitors differentiate into specific cell types in characteristic spatial and temporal patterns. We addressed the mechanism linking progenitor identity and differentiation rate in the neural tube, where motor neuron (MN) progenitors differentiate more rapidly than other progenitors. Using single cell transcriptomics, we defined the transcriptional changes associated with the transition of neural progenitors into MNs. Reconstruction of gene expression dynamics from these data indicate a pivotal role for the MN determinant Olig2 just prior to MN differentiation. Olig2 represses expression of the Notch signaling pathway effectors Hes1 and Hes5. Olig2 repression of Hes5 appears to be direct, via a conserved regulatory element within the Hes5 locus that restricts expression from MN progenitors. These findings reveal a tight coupling between the regulatory networks that control patterning and neuronal differentiation and demonstrate how Olig2 acts as the developmental pacemaker coordinating the spatial and temporal pattern of MN generation.

SUBMITTER: Sagner A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5811045 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Olig2 and Hes regulatory dynamics during motor neuron differentiation revealed by single cell transcriptomics.

Sagner Andreas A Gaber Zachary B ZB Delile Julien J Kong Jennifer H JH Rousso David L DL Pearson Caroline A CA Weicksel Steven E SE Melchionda Manuela M Mousavy Gharavy S Neda SN Briscoe James J Novitch Bennett G BG

PLoS biology 20180201 2

During tissue development, multipotent progenitors differentiate into specific cell types in characteristic spatial and temporal patterns. We addressed the mechanism linking progenitor identity and differentiation rate in the neural tube, where motor neuron (MN) progenitors differentiate more rapidly than other progenitors. Using single cell transcriptomics, we defined the transcriptional changes associated with the transition of neural progenitors into MNs. Reconstruction of gene expression dyn ...[more]

PMID: 29389974

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Project description:The motor neuron (MN)–hexamer complex consisting of LIM homeobox 3, Islet-1, and nuclear LIM interactor is a key determinant of motor neuron specification and differentiation. To gain insights into the transcriptional network in motor neuron development, we performed a genome-wide ChIP-sequencing analysis and found that the MN–hexamer directly regulates a wide array of motor neuron genes by binding to the HxRE (hexamer response element) shared among the target genes. Interestingly, STAT3-binding motif is highly enriched in the MN–hexamer–bound peaks in addition to the HxRE. We also found that a transcriptionally active form of STAT3 is expressed in embryonic motor neurons and that STAT3 associates with the MN–hexamer, enhancing the transcriptional activity of the MN–hexamer in an upstream signal-dependent manner. Correspondingly, STAT3 was needed for motor neuron differentiation in the developing spinal cord. Together, our studies uncover crucial gene regulatory mechanisms that couple MN–hexamer and STAT-activating extracellular signals to promote motor neuron differentiation in vertebrate spinal cord. To explain our experimental scheme briefly, we are interested in finding target sites for the dimer of transcription factors Isl1 and Lhx3. To mimic the biological activity of Isl1/Lhx3 dimer, we made Isl1-Lhx3 fusion and found that Isl1-Lhx3 has a potent biological activity in multiple systems (i.e. generation of ectopic motor neurons). Then we made ES cell line that induces Flag-tagged Isl1-Lhx3 expression upon Dox treatment. These *mouse* ES cells differentiate to motor neurons (iMN-ESCs) when treated with Dox following EB formation. To identify genomic binding sites of Isl1-Lhx3 (Flag-tagged), we performed ChIP with Flag antibody (pull down of Flag-Isl1-Lhx3) in ES cells treated with Dox. ChIP with Flag antibody in ES cells treated with vehicle (no Dox) was done as a negative control in parallel, and sequenced along with +Dox sample. We have done these experiments twice (two sets).

Project description:BACKGROUND: The differentiation of neural progenitors into distinct classes within the central nervous system occurs over an extended period during which cells become progressively restricted in their fates. In the developing spinal cord, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) controls neural fates in a concentration-dependent manner by establishing discrete ventral progenitor domains characterized by specific combinations of transcription factors. It is unclear whether motor neuron progenitors can maintain their identities when expanded in vitro and whether their developmental potentials are restricted when exposed to defined extracellular signals. RESULTS: We have generated mice expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the Nkx6.1 promoter, enabling fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), purification and culture of individual spinal progenitors at clonal density, and analysis of their progeny. We demonstrate that cells isolated after progenitor domains are established are heterogeneous with respect to maintaining their identity after in vitro expansion. Most Nkx6.1+ progenitors lose their ventral identity following several divisions in culture, whereas a small subset is able to maintain its identity. Thus, subtype-restricted progenitors from the Nkx6.1+ region are present in the ventral spinal cord, although at a lower frequency than expected. Clones that maintain a motor neuron identity assume a transcriptional profile characteristic of thoracic motor neurons, despite some having been isolated from non-thoracic regions initially. Exposure of progenitors to Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 induces some dorsal cell type characteristics in their progeny, revealing that lineage-restricted progenitor subtypes are not fully committed to their fates. CONCLUSION: These findings support a model whereby continuous Shh signaling is required to maintain the identity of ventral progenitors isolated from the spinal cord, including motor neuron progenitors, after in vitro expansion. They also demonstrate that pre-patterned neural progenitors isolated from the central nervous system can change their regional identity in vitro to acquire a broader developmental potential.

Dataset Information

Olig2 and Hes regulatory dynamics during motor neuron differentiation revealed by single cell transcriptomics.

Publications

Olig2 and Hes regulatory dynamics during motor neuron differentiation revealed by single cell transcriptomics.

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