Project description:Regulation of mRNA splicing is a critical and tightly regulated cellular function, underlying the majority of proteomic diversity in our genomes. While disruption of this process is common in disease, the basic genetic complexity of alternative splicing in vivo remains poorly understood. To delineate the splicing landscape in disease, we used an integrative genomics approach and combined both genome and exon level transcriptome data in two somatic tissues (cerebella and peripheral ganglia) from a transgenic mouse model of neuroblastoma, a tumor that arises from peripheral ganglia. These data identify splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTL) that modulate differential splicing across the genome. Among these, an sQTL at FUBP1 revealed a splicing event that modulated levels of the MYC oncoprotein in human neuroblastoma-derived cell lines and correlated with outcome in neuroblastoma. Through this unbiased sQTL analysis, we also define de novo splicing motifs that serve as sites for recurrent mutations in cancer and lead to functional changes in exon expression, enhancing our understanding of the cancer genome. Exon expression from Superior Cervical Ganglia and Cerebellum from 102 backcrossed mice (TH-MYCN, FVB/NJ and 129/SvJ) were correlated with 349 genotyping markers to identify putative sQTL The mice were the N1 generation of a backcross between TH-MYCN (FVB/NJ background) and wild-type 129/SvJ: TH-MYCN (FVB/NJ) + 129/SvJ -> F1 (TH-MYCN FVB/NJ,129/SVJ) F1 (TH-MYCN FVB/NJ,129/SVJ) + 129/SvJ -> N1
Project description:It has been already reported that there are undifferentiated/proliferating neuroblasts in the postnatal sympathetic ganglia in TH-MYCN mice, a neuroblastoma model. We established suitable spheroid culture condition that selectively isolates undifferentiated neuroblasts from superior mesenteric ganligon (SMG) of TH-MYCN mice. In order to investigate the chromosomal alterations (gains or losses) of spheres derived from TH-MYCN mice, we carried out array comparative genomic hybridization. We investigated whether chromosomal alterations occured during early neuroblastoma tumorigenesis in TH-MYCN mice.
Project description:It has been already reported that there are undifferentiated/proliferating neuroblasts in the postnatal sympathetic ganglia in TH-MYCN mice. We established suitable spheroid culture condition that selectively isolates undifferentiated neuroblasts from superior mesenteric ganligon (SMG) of TH-MYCN mice. In the present study, in order to investigate the transcriptomic differences among 3-week-old WT SMG, TH-MYCN (hemizygote) SMG, and TH-MYCN (hemizygote) spheres, we carried out microarray gene expression analysis. We investigated whether or not undifferentiated cells observed in TH-MYCN SMG were selectively isolated and maintaned as spheres.
Project description:It has been already reported that there are undifferentiated/proliferating neuroblasts in the postnatal sympathetic ganglia in TH-MYCN mice. We established suitable spheroid culture condition that selectively isolates undifferentiated neuroblasts from superior mesenteric ganligon (SMG) of TH-MYCN mice. In the present study, in order to investigate the transcriptomic differences between embryonic day 13.5 (E13.5) WT derived primary spheres and E13.5 TH-MYCN derived passageable spheres, we carried out microarray gene expression analysis. We investigated critical molecular events in MYCN-transformed neuroblastoma cells in TH-MYCN mice.
Project description:It has been already reported that there are undifferentiated/proliferating neuroblasts in the postnatal sympathetic ganglia in TH-MYCN mice. Given the fact that neuroblastoma is derived from sympathoadrenal progenitors which are originated from neural crest stem cells, we attempted to use the well-established culture condition that has been utilized to maintain derivatives of neural crest stem cells. However, the medium contained retinoic acid (RA) which is known to induce neuroblastoma differentiation and is used in clinical treatment against high-risk patients. In the present study, the medium with RA (RA (+) medium) and without RA (RA (-) medium) were compared. Since undifferentiated neuroblasts are observable at one of the sympathetic ganglia, superior mesenteric ganglion (SMG), in 3-week-old TH-MYCN hemizygote (TH-MYCN+/-) mice with 129+Ter/SvJcl mice background, we dissected and dissociated the SMG to prepare single cells. These cells were cultured in either RA (+) or RA (-) media. Spheres formed in either RA (+) or RA (-) medium were subjected to microarray analysis.
Project description:Neuroblastoma susceptibility in TH-MYN mice is heavily influence by mouse strain background. We have combined linkage analysis of tumor susceptibility with expression QTL analysis of superior cervical ganglia (pure peripheral symptathetic nervous tissue) to identify genes underlying tumor formation The development of targeted therapeutics for neuroblastoma, the third most common tumor in children, has been limited by a poor understanding of growth signaling mechanisms unique to the peripheral nerve precursors from which tumors arise. In this study, we combined genetics with gene expression analysis in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system to implicate arginase 1 and GABA signaling in tumor formation in vivo. In human neuroblastoma cells, activation of GABA-A receptors by a benzodiazepine induced apoptosis and inhibited mitogenic signaling through AKT and MAPK. These results suggest that GABA influences both neural development and neuroblastoma, and that benzodiazepines in clinical use may have potential for neuroblastoma therapy. 224 backcrossed mice were genotyped at 349 markers to identify susceptibility loci for neuroblastoma. Gene expression from Superior Cervical Ganglia from 116 of these mice were correlated with genotyping data to identify putative eQTL.