A human tissue screen identifies a regulator of ER secretion as a brain size determinant

ABSTRACT: A human tissue screen identifies a regulator of ER secretion as a brain size determinant. Abstract: Loss-of-function (LOF) screens provide a powerful approach to identify regulators in biological processes. Pioneered in laboratory animals, LOF screens of human genes are currently restricted to two-dimensional (2D) cell culture hindering testing of gene functions requiring tissue context. Here we present CRISPR-LIneage tracing at Cellular resolution in Heterogenous Tissue (CRISPR-LICHT), enabling parallel LOF studies in human cerebral organoid tissue. We used CRISPR-LICHT to test 173 microcephaly candidate genes revealing 25 to be involved in known and uncharacterized microcephaly-associated pathways. We characterized Immediate Early Response 3 Interacting Protein 1 (IER3IP1) regulating the unfolded protein response (UPR) and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein secretion crucial for tissue integrity, with dysregulation resulting in microcephaly. Our human tissue screening technology identifies microcephaly genes and mechanisms involved in brain size control.

INSTRUMENT(S): Orbitrap Exploris 480

ORGANISM(S): Homo Sapiens (human)

TISSUE(S): Embryonic Cerebral Cortex

SUBMITTER: Richard Imre  

LAB HEAD: Juergen Knoblich

PROVIDER: PXD019350 | Pride | 2021-11-10

REPOSITORIES: Pride