Project description:The goal was to identify DNA binding sites for the transcription factor Meis2 in native embryonic day 16 (E16) and adult sensory neurons from dorsal root ganglion (DRGs).
Project description:Calpains are non-lysosomal, Ca2+-dependent cysteine proteases, which are associated with various cellular functions but have so far been mainly studied in the context of disease. Their contribution to homeostasis in the healthy organism is still not well understood and their substrates have remained enigmatic in most cases. In the present study, we describe a previously unrecognized role for the calpain protease calpain2 in the regulation of neuronal differentiation of adult neural stem- and progenitor cells through cleavage and elimintation of the neuronal fate determinant MEIS2. Mass spectrometry analysis was performed on immunoprecipitated MEIS2 protein to identify phosphory¬lated residues in MEIS2 and on immunoprecipitated MEIS2 incubated with native porcine calpain2 to map calpain2-induced cleavage sites in the protein.
Project description:To better understand the molecular changes underlying tactile defects in Meis2 mutant mice, we performed bulk RNAseq analysis on Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) dissected form WT, Isl1Cre/+ and Isl1Cre/+::Meis2LoxP/LoxP E18.5 embryos
Project description:Single cell RNAseq was performed on naïve adult mouse lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cells. Neuronal and non-neuronal cell populations were identified.
Project description:Visceral sensory neurons encode distinct sensations from healthy organs and initiate pain states that are resistant to common analgesics. Transcriptome analysis is transforming our understanding of sensory neuron subtypes but has generally focused on somatic sensory neurons or the total population of neurons in which visceral neurons form the minority. Our aim was to define transcripts specifically expressed by sacral visceral sensory neurons, as a step towards understanding the unique biology of these neurons and potentially lead to identification of new analgesic targets for pelvic visceral pain. Our strategy was to identify genes differentially expressed between sacral dorsal root ganglia (DRG) that include somatic neurons and sacral visceral neurons, and adjacent lumbar DRG that comprise exclusively somatic sensory neurons. This was performed in male and female mice (adult and E18.5). By developing a method to restrict analyses to nociceptive Trpv1 neurons, a larger group of genes were detected as differentially expressed between spinal level. We identified many novel genes not previously been associated with pelvic visceral sensation or nociception. Limited sex differences were detected across the transcriptome of sensory ganglia, but more were revealed in sacral levels and especially in Trpv1 nociceptive neurons. These data will facilitate development of new tools to modify mature and developing sensory neurons and nociceptive pathways.
Project description:The goal of this study was to compare the gene expression profile, using RNA-seq technology, of mouse Meis1-Meis2 double KO or wild-type fetal or adult hearts.
Project description:ChIP-Sequencing on Meis2-HA in E12.5 palate, to identify Meis2 binding chromatin regions and target genes. Haploinsufficiency of MEIS2 is associated with cleft palate in humans and Meis2 inactivation leads to abnormal palate development in mice, implicating an essential role for Meis2 in palate development. However, its functional mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we found widespread Meis2 expression in the developing palate in mice. Meis2 inactivation by Wnt1Cre in cranial neural crest cells led to the cleft of the secondary palate. Importantly, about half of Wnt1Cre;Meis2f/f mice exhibited submucous cleft, providing an excellent model for studying palatal bone formation and patterning. Consistent with a complete absence of the palatal bones, integrative analyses of Meis2 ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, and ATAC-seq results identified key osteogenic genes that are regulated directly by Meis2, indicating the fundamental role of Meis2 in palatal osteogenesis. De novo motif analysis discovered that the Meis2-bound regions possess highly enriched binding motifs of several key osteogenic transcription factors particularly Shox2. Comparison of Meis2 and Shox2 ChIP-seq analyses further revealed a genome-wide co-occupancy, in addition to their co-localization in the developing palate and physical interaction, suggesting that Shox2 and Meis2 act as partners. However, while Shox2 is required for proper palatal bone formation and is a direct downstream target of Meis2, Shox2 overexpression failed to rescue the palatal bone defects in Meis2 mutant background. These results, together with the facts that Meis2 expression is associated with high osteogenic potential and is required for the chromatin accessibility of osteogenic genes, support a vital function of Meis2 in setting up the ground state for palatal osteogenesis.