Project description:In order to establish a list of candidate direct COUP-TFI gene targets in the inner ear, we analyzed the differential gene expression profiles of the wild-type and the COUP-TFI–/– P0 inner ears.
Project description:These data support a translational control of COUP-TFI gradient expression by FGF8 via miR-21 and contribute to our understanding of how regionalized expression is established during neocortical area mapping
Project description:In order to establish a list of candidate direct COUP-TFI gene targets in the inner ear, we analyzed the differential gene expression profiles of the wild-type and the COUP-TFIâ/â P0 inner ears. We performed a total of 8 microarray experiments using Affymetrix MG-U74Av2 chips, including 2 biological and 2 experimental replicates per genotype sample. Due to limiting RNA yields from the newborn inner ear, each microarray chip was hybridized with an RNA pool from multiple tissue samples. We analyzed our data using two different algorithms: GC-Robust Multi-Array (GCRMA) and dChip. Each normalized expression dataset was subsequently analyzed by 2-way ANOVA, evaluating both genotype and experimental effects. This statistical approach allowed us to 1) account for an experimental effect observed in the expression value of many genes, therefore increasing the power of the analysis, and 2) filter out potential expression differences due to contamination during dissections (contaminating genes would present as probes with a significant interaction p-value). Using this methodology, the gene hits from the GCRMA-normalized expression dataset consisted of 256 genes with a significant genotype effect (p<0.01) and no interaction (p>0.01). Similar cutoffs applied on the dChip-normalized dataset resulted in 250 significant gene hits. Within both groups, COUP-TFI has the lowest genotype p-value, validating our statistical approach.
Project description:The human neural retina is enriched for alternative splicing, and it is estimated that more than 10% of variants associated with inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) alter splicing. Previous research mainly used short-read RNA-sequencing techniques to investigate retina-specific splicing and splicing factors. However, this technique provides limited information about transcript isoforms. To gain a deeper understanding of the human neural retina and its isoforms, we generated a proteogenomic atlas that combined PacBio long-read RNA-sequencing data with mass-spectrometry and whole-genome sequencing data from three healthy human neural retina samples. RNA-sequencing revealed that one-third of all transcripts were novel, and for IRD-associated genes, even 43% were novel. The most common novel elements of these transcripts were alternative poly(A) sites, exon elongation, and intron retention. Some novel elements affect the non-coding region but for more than 50% of the novel transcripts a novel open reading frame was predicted. Using proteomics, ten novel peptides confirmed novel isoforms in five genes. Additionally, we found novel isoforms of IMPDH1, an IRD-associated gene, with supporting peptide evidence. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the transcript and protein isoforms expressed in the healthy human neural retina. Moreover, it highlights the importance of studying tissue specific transcriptomes in greater detail to better understand tissue-specific regulation and to identify disease-causing variants.
Project description:Otx2 has been shown to be non cell autonomously required for photoreceptor cell survival in the adult mouse RPE. This study aims to identify Otx2 DNA binding profile in both RPE and neural retina to i) identify direct targets of Otx2 in the RPE ii) compare Otx2 binding profile in neural retina and RPE to unveil hidden functions in the neural retina. WT and GFP antibodies were used to perform two independent ChIP-seq experiments using Illumina GAIIx.
Project description:Otx2 has been shown to be non cell autonomously required for photoreceptor cell survival in the adult mouse RPE. This study aims to identify Otx2 DNA binding profile in both RPE and neural retina to i) identify direct targets of Otx2 in the RPE ii) compare Otx2 binding profile in neural retina and RPE to unveil hidden functions in the neural retina.
Project description:Recent studies demonstrated that metabolic disturbance, such as augmented glycolysis, contributes to fibrosis. The molecular regulation of this metabolic perturbation in fibrosis, however, has been elusive. COUP-TFII (also known as NR2F2) is an important regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. Its contribution to organ fibrosis is undefined. Here, we found increased COUP-TFII expression in myofibroblasts in human fibrotic kidneys, lungs, kidney organoids, and mouse kidneys after injury. Genetic ablation of COUP-TFII in mice resulted in attenuation of injury-induced kidney fibrosis. A non-biased proteomic study revealed the suppression of fatty acid oxidation and the enhancement of glycolysis pathways in COUP-TFII overexpressing fibroblasts. Overexpression of COUP-TFII in fibroblasts induced augmented glycolysis and production of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and collagen1. Knockout of COUP-TFII decreased glycolysis and collagen1 levels in fibroblasts. Chip-qPCR revealed the binding of COUP-TFII on the promoter of PGC1α. Overexpression of COUP-TFII reduced the cellular level of PGC1α. Targeting COUP-TFII serves as a novel treatment approach for mitigating fibrosis in chronic kidney disease and potentially fibrosis in other organs.
Project description:The orphan nuclear receptor COUP-TFII is expressed at a low level in adult tissues, but its expression is increased and shown to promote progression of multiple diseases including prostate cancer, heart failure and muscular dystrophy. Suppression of COUP-TFII slows disease progression, making it an intriguing therapeutic target. Here, we identified a potent and specific COUP-TFII inhibitor through high-throughput screening. The inhibitor specifically suppressed COUP-TFII activity to regulate its target genes.