Project description:This study compares the transcripts bound to BORIS in neural progenitor cells and cells differentiated for 6 days into young neurons We present expression profiles for neural progenitor cells (arrays hybridised in triplicate) and in young neurons (arrays hybridised in duplicate). Immunoprecipitated BORIS-mRNA complexes were used to assess the association of BORIS with target mRNAs in neural progenitor cells and in young neurons (both arrays hybridised in duplicate).
Project description:This study compares the transcripts bound to BORIS in neural progenitor cells and cells differentiated for 6 days into young neurons
Project description:A common aberration in cancer is the activation of germline-specific proteins. The DNA-binding proteins among them generate novel chromatin states, not found in normal cells. The chromatin architecture protein CTCF has a germline-specific paralog BORIS/CTCFL, which is often erroneously activated in cancers. Another common feature of malignancies is the changed expression and epigenetic states of genomic repeats. The investigation of BORIS and CTCF binding to DNA repeats in cancer cell lines by ChIP-chip revealed three classes: elements cohabited by BORIS and CTCF, CTCF-bound only, or BORIS-only.
Project description:To identify regulators of activity-dependent neural progenitor cell fate, we used RNA-Seq to profile the transcriptomes of proliferating neural progenitor cells and newly-differentiated immature neurons. We identified six DE transcription factors which are predicted to regulate the majority of the other DE transcripts. We investigated the effect of BRCA1 and ELK-1 on activity-regulated neurogenesis in the tadpole visual system and found that knockdown of either BRCA1 or ELK-1 altered the fates of neural progenitor cells, and furthermore that the effects of visual experience on neurogenesis depend on BRCA1 expression, while the effects of visual experience on neuronal differentiation depend on ELK-1 expression. These studies provide insight into the potential mechanisms by which neural activity affects neural progenitor cell fate.
Project description:<p><b>BRAINCODE: How Does the Human Genome Function in Specific Brain Neurons?</b> The human brain comprises about 86 billion neurons whose function is central to human biology. How does the human genome program high performing neurons and neural networks in response to experience? What subprograms does the genome express in physiologically and morphologically distinct brain cells? The goal of the BRAIN Cell encyclOpeDia of transcribed Elements Consortium (BRAINcode) is to provide a map of gene expression - both protein-coding and non-coding - in specific cell types, not in culture, but in situ in brains of people. Going beyond traditional mRNA sequencing, polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated transcripts were ultra deeply sequenced using ribo-depleted RNA from neurons laser-captured from human post-mortem brains. Three prototypical neuron types, dopamine neurons, pyramidal neurons, and Betz cells, were prioritized because of their key biologic roles and differential vulnerability to important neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Genetic variation between individuals was examined for correlation with differences in transcribed sequences to identify regions of the genome that influence whether, how, and how much a transcript is expressed in specific cell types in human brains. Our results indicate a vast universe of annotated and novel non-coding RNAs expressed in brain cells and suggest a more diverse and much more complex transcriptional architecture than previously imagined. </p>
Project description:Purpose: Genetic and clinical association studies have identified disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) as a candidate risk gene for major mental illness. DISC1 is interrupted by a balanced chr(1;11) translocation in a Scottish family, in which the translocation predisposes to psychiatric disorders. We investigate the consequences of DISC1 interruption in human neural cells using TALENs or CRISPR-Cas9 to target the DISC1 locus. We sought to compare the gene expression profiles of human neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and neurons with interruption of the DISC1 gene in exon 2 (affecting all known coding transcripts) or exon 8 (near the site of the Scottish translocation, affecting longer transcripts). Methods: Wild-type and DISC1-targeted iPSCs (wild-type = "WT", exon 8 single allelic frameshift mutant = "ex8_wm", exon 8 biallelic frameshift mutant = "ex8_mm", exon 2 biallelic frameshift mutant = "ex2mm") were differentiated to NPCs and neurons using an embryoid aggregate method. NPC or neuronal cultures were used for RNA harvest and subsequent paired-end stranded sequencing of >50M reads/sample and 3-6 biological replicates per group. Results: We find that a subset of genes related to neuronal differentiation and development are dysregulated with DISC1 disruption at the NPC timepoint, whereas expression of genes related to neuronal function and signaling are altered at the neuronal timepoint. This study implicates DISC1 as a regulator of neuronal development. mRNA profiles of wild-type and DISC1-targeted human iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (day 17) and neurons (day 50) by paired-end sequencing, with 3-6 biological replicates, using Illumina HiSeq
Project description:Translation of many transcripts is highly regulated in the developing brain, and disturbance of translational regulation machinery contributes to neurodevelopmental disorders. In neural progenitor cells, for example, several critical pro-differentiation genes are transcribed, but their translation is repressed to allow rapid translation when appropriate signals to differentiate are received. This layer of translational regulation makes it challenging to directly correlate RNA and protein levels in stem cells and neurons. During early neural development, translation is regulated by several pathways that can impact neuron fate and function. The mTOR-mediated signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the induction of neuron differentiation, axon and dendrite development, and gliogenesis, while being key in the maintenance of pluripotent and neural stem cells {Wang:2013hg}{Agrawal:2014ek}{Ka:2014fq}. Dysregulation of the translation repressor eIF4E-binding protein 2 (4EBP2), a downstream target of mTORC1, leads to an increased ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synaptic inputs and autistic-like behaviors {Gkogkas:2013fh}. The Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), which is encoded by the FMR1 gene {Verkerk:1991hu}, is an RNA binding protein (RBP) that regulates translation through multiple mechanisms {Richter:2015ii}. Loss of expression of FMR1 causes Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited intellectual disability as well as the most prevalent single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). FMRP typically functions as a translational repressor {Li:2001ds} and some studies suggest that FXS results from an inability of neurons to achieve regulated local translation, particularly in response to stimuli {Richter:2015ii}. This suggests important roles for control of translation in stem cells and neurons, and an association with significant risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.