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Centromere-binding protein F (CENP-F) is a large and complex protein shown to play critical roles in mitosis and various other interphase functions. Previous studies have shown that the disruption of CENP-F function leads to detrimental effects on human development. Still, it is important to note the lack of studies focusing on the effects that the loss of this essential protein may have on specific adult organs. In the current study, we used a novel global knockout murine model to analyze the potential consequences deletion of CENP-F has on adult kidney structure and function. We discovered several structural abnormalities including loss of ciliary structure, tubule dilation, and disruption of the glomerulus. Along with these structural irregularities, renal dysfunction was also detected suggesting hydronephrosis and acute kidney injury in these knockout organs. Importantly, this is the first study linking CENP-F to kidney disease and hopefully these data will serve as a platform to further investigate the molecular mechanisms disrupted in the kidney by the loss of CENP-F. Anat Rec, 302:163-170, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The sarcomere is the contractile unit within cardiomyocytes driving heart muscle contraction. We sought to test the mechanisms regulating actin and myosin filament assembly during sarcomere formation. Therefore, we developed an assay using human cardiomyocytes to monitor sarcomere assembly. We report a population of muscle stress fibers, similar to actin arcs in non-muscle cells, which are essential sarcomere precursors. We show sarcomeric actin filaments arise directly from muscle stress fibers. This requires formins (e.g., FHOD3), non-muscle myosin IIA and non-muscle myosin IIB. Furthermore, we show short cardiac myosin II filaments grow to form ~1.5 μm long filaments that then ‘stitch’ together to form the stack of filaments at the core of the sarcomere (i.e., the A-band). A-band assembly is dependent on the proper organization of actin filaments and, as such, is also dependent on FHOD3 and myosin IIB. We use this experimental paradigm to present evidence for a unifying model of sarcomere assembly.

Objective Blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES) is a tight junction-associated protein that regulates epithelial-mesenchymal states and is underexpressed in epithelial malignancy. However, the functional impact of BVES loss on tumourigenesis is unknown. Here we define the in vivo role of BVES in colitis-associated cancer (CAC), its cellular function and its relevance to patients with IBD. Design We determined BVES promoter methylation status using an Infinium HumanMethylation450 array screen of patients with UC with and without CAC. We also measured BVES mRNA levels in a tissue microarray consisting of normal colons and CAC samples. Bves −/− and wild-type mice (controls) were administered azoxymethane (AOM) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to induce tumour formation. Last, we used a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify BVES interactors and performed mechanistic studies in multiple cell lines to define how BVES reduces c-Myc levels. Results BVES mRNA was reduced in tumours from patients with CAC via promoter hypermethylation. Importantly, BVES promoter hypermethylation was concurrently present in distant non-malignant-appearing mucosa. As seen in human patients, Bves was underexpressed in experimental inflammatory carcinogenesis, and Bves −/− mice had increased tumour multiplicity and degree of dysplasia after AOM/DSS administration. Molecular analysis of Bves −/− tumours revealed Wnt activation and increased c-Myc levels. Mechanistically, we identified a new signalling pathway whereby BVES interacts with PR61α, a protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit, to mediate c-Myc destruction. Conclusion Loss of BVES promotes inflammatory tumourigenesis through dysregulation of Wnt signalling and the oncogene c-Myc. BVES promoter methylation status may serve as a CAC biomarker.

Centromere-binding protein F (CENP-F) is a very large and complex protein with many and varied binding partners including components of the microtubule network. Numerous CENP-F functions impacting diverse cellular behaviors have been identified. Importantly, emerging data have shown that CENP-F loss- or gain-of-function has critical effects on human development and disease. Still, it must be noted that data at the single cardiac myocyte level examining the impact of CENP-F loss-of-function on fundamental cellular behavior is missing. To address this gap in our knowledge, we analyzed basic cell structure and function in cardiac myocytes devoid of CENP-F. We found many diverse structural abnormalities including disruption of the microtubule network impacting critical characteristics of the cardiac myocyte. This is the first report linking microtubule network malfunction to cardiomyopathy. Importantly, we also present data demonstrating a direct link between a CENP-F single nucleotide polymorphism (snp) and human cardiac disease. In a proximate sense, these data examining CENP-F function explain the cellular basis underlying heart disease in this genetic model and, in a larger sense, they will hopefully provide a platform upon which the field can explore diverse cellular outcomes in wide-ranging areas of research on this critical protein.

Blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES), or POPDC1, is a tight junction-associated transmembrane protein that modulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via junctional signaling pathways. There have been no in vivo studies investigating the role of BVES in colitis. We hypothesized that BVES is critical for maintaining colonic epithelial integrity. At baseline, Bves −/− mouse colons demonstrate increased crypt height, elevated proliferation, decreased apoptosis, altered intestinal lineage allocation, and dysregulation of tight junctions with functional deficits in permeability and altered intestinal immunity. Bves −/− mice inoculated with Citrobacter rodentium had greater colonic injury, increased colonic and mesenteric lymph node bacterial colonization, and altered immune responses after infection. We propose that increased bacterial colonization and translocation result in amplified immune responses and worsened injury. Similarly, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) treatment resulted in greater histologic injury in Bves− /− mice. Two different human cell lines (Caco2 and HEK293Ts) co-cultured with enteropathogenic E. coli showed increased attaching/effacing lesions in the absence of BVES. Finally, BVES mRNA levels were reduced in human ulcerative colitis (UC) biopsy specimens. Collectively, these studies suggest that BVES plays a protective role both in ulcerative and infectious colitis and identify BVES as a critical protector of colonic mucosal integrity.

The sarcomere is the basic contractile unit within cardiomyocytes driving heart muscle contraction. We sought to test the mechanisms regulating thin (i.e., actin) and thick (i.e., myosin) filament assembly during sarcomere formation. Thus, we developed an assay using human cardiomyocytes to testde novosarcomere assembly. Using this assay, we report a population of muscle-specific stress fibers are essential sarcomere precursors. We show sarcomeric actin filaments arise directly from these muscle stress fibers. This process requires formin-mediated but not Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization and nonmuscle myosin IIB but not non-muscle myosin IIA. Furthermore, we show a short species of β cardiac myosin II filaments grows to form ~1.5 long filaments that then “stitch” together to form the stack of filaments at the core of the sarcomere (i.e., A-band). Interestingly, these are different from mechanisms that have previously been reported during stress fiber assembly in non-muscle cells. Thus, we provide a new model of cardiac sarcomere assembly based on distinct mechanisms of stress fiber regulation between non-muscle and muscle cells.

Regional differences in vascular physiology and disease response exist throughout the vascular tree. While these differences in physiology and disease correspond to regional vascular environmental conditions, there is also compelling evidence that the embryonic origins of the smooth muscle inherent to the vessels may play a role. Here, we review what is known regarding the role of embryonic origin of vascular smooth muscle cells during vascular development. The focus of this review is to highlight the heterogeneity in the origins of vascular smooth muscle cells and the resulting regional physiologies of the vessels. Our goal is to stimulate future investigation into this area and provide a better understanding of vascular organogenesis and disease. .

Historically, analyses of mesothelial differentiation have focused on the heart where a highly migratory population of progenitors originating from a localized “extrinsic” source moves to and over the developing organ. This model long stood alone as the paradigm for generation of this cell type. Here, using chick/quail chimeric grafting and subsequent identification of mesothelial cell populations, we demonstrate that a different mechanism for the generation of mesothelia exists in vertebrate organogenesis. In this newly discovered model, mesothelial progenitors are intrinsic to organs of the developing digestive and respiratory systems. Additionally, we demonstrate that the early heart stands alone in its ability to recruit an entirely exogenous mesothelial cell layer during development. Thus, the newly identified “organ intrinsic” model of mesotheliogenesis appears to predominate while the long-studied cardiac model of mesothelial development may be the outlier.

A long and productive history in biomedical research defines the chick as a model for human biology. Fundamental discoveries, including the description of directional circulation propelled by the heart and the link between oncogenes and the formation of cancer, indicate its utility in cardiac biology and cancer. Despite the more recent arrival of several vertebrate and invertebrate animal models during the last century, the chick embryo remains a commonly used model for vertebrate biology and provides a tractable biological template. With new molecular and genetic tools applied to the avian genome, the chick embryo is accelerating the discovery of normal development and elusive disease processes. Moreover, progress in imaging and chick culture technologies is advancing real-time visualization of dynamic biological events, such as tissue morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and cancer metastasis. A rich background of information, coupled with new technologies and relative ease of maintenance, suggest an expanding utility for the chick embryo in cardiac biology and cancer research.

Mesothelia in the adult vertebrate are the simple squamous epithelia covering all coelomic organs and body cavities. Until recently, analysis of the generation and differentiative potential of mesothelia in organogenesis has largely focused on development of visceral mesothelium of the heart; the epicardium and its progenitor, the proepicardium. Here, we review emerging data on the development and differentiation of serosal mesothelium, the covering of the gastrointestinal tract. This literature demonstrates that serosal mesothelium is generated through a completely different mechanism than that seen in the heart suggesting that commitment of progenitors to this cell lineage does not follow a common pathway. The differentiative potential of serosal mesothelium is also discussed in comparison to that observed for progeny of the proepicardium/epicardium. In our review of the literature, we point out gaps in our understanding of serosal mesothelial development and that of mesothelial development as a whole.

Mesothelium is the simple squamous epithelium covering all abdominal organs and the coeloms in which those organs reside. While the structural characteristics of this cell type were documented a century ago, its potential in development, disease, and wound healing is only now becoming apparent. In the embryo, mesothelia provide vasculogenic cells for the developing heart, lungs, and gut. Furthermore, adult mesothelial cells can be reactivated using thymosin β4 and mobilized to aid in tissue repair. Despite their positive role in development and repair, mesothelia are also susceptible to adhesion and tumor formation. With knowledge that the mesothelium is an important mediator of tissue repair as well as disease, it will be important to identify other factors like thymosin β4 that have the ability to potentiate these cells. Future use of chemical and genetic agents in conjunction with mesothelial cells will lead to enhanced therapeutic potential and mitigation of deleterious outcomes.

Mesothelium is the surface layer of all coelomic organs and is crucial for the generation of their vasculature. Still, our understanding of the genesis of this essential cell type is restricted to the heart where a localized exogenous population of cells, the proepicardium, migrates to and envelops the myocardium supplying mesothelial, vascular and stromal cell lineages. Currently it is not known whether this pattern of development is specific to the heart or applies broadly to other coelomic organs. Using two independent long-term lineage-tracing studies, we demonstrate that mesothelial progenitors of the intestine are intrinsic to the gut tube anlage. Furthermore, a novel chick-quail chimera model of gut morphogenesis reveals these mesothelial progenitors are broadly distributed throughout the gut primordium and are not derived from a localized and exogenous proepicardium-like source of cells. These data demonstrate an intrinsic origin of mesothelial cells to a coelomic organ and provide a novel mechanism for the generation of mesothelial cells.

Summary CENP-F is a large multifunctional protein with demonstrated regulatory roles in cell proliferation, vesicular transport and cell shape through its association with the microtubule (MT) network. Until now, analysis of CENP-F has been limited to in vitro analysis. Here, using a Cre-loxP system, we report the in vivo disruption of CENP-F gene function in murine cardiomyocytes, a cell type displaying high levels of CENP-F expression. Loss of CENP-F function in developing myocytes leads to decreased cell division, blunting of trabeculation and an initially smaller, thin-walled heart. Still, embryos are born at predicted mendelian ratios on an outbred background. After birth, hearts lacking CENP-F display disruption of their intercalated discs and loss of MT integrity particularly at the costamere; these two structures are essential for cell coupling/electrical conduction and force transduction in the heart. Inhibition of myocyte proliferation and cell coupling as well as loss of MT maintenance is consistent with previous reports of generalized CENP-F function in isolated cells. One hundred percent of these animals develop progressive dilated cardiomyopathy with heart block and scarring, and there is a 20% mortality rate. Importantly, although it has long been postulated that the MT cytoskeleton plays a role in the development of heart disease, this study is the first to reveal a direct genetic link between disruption of this network and cardiomyopathy. Finally, this study has broad implications for development and disease because CENP-F loss of function affects a diverse array of cell-type-specific activities in other organs.

Clinicians regularly transplant omental pedicles to repair a wide variety of injured tissues but the basic mechanism underlying this efficacious procedure is not understood. One possibility that has not been addressed is the ability of omentum to directly contribute regenerative cells to injured tissues. We hypothesized that if omental progenitor cells could be mobilized to incorporate into damaged tissue, the power of this therapy would be greatly expanded. Labeled omental grafts were transplanted into a murine carotid artery injury model. Selected grafts were treated with Thymosinβ4 prior to transplantation to investigate the effects of chemical potentiation on healing. We found treatment of grafts with Thymosinβ4 induced progenitor cells to fully integrate into the wall of injured vessels and differentiate into vascular smooth muscle. Myographic studies determined that arteries receiving Thymosinβ4-stimulated grafts were functionally indistinguishable from uninjured controls. Concurrent in vitro analyzes showed that Thymosinβ4 promoted proliferation, migration, and trans-differentiation of cells via AKT signaling. This study is the first to demonstrate that omentum can provide progenitor cells for repair, thus revealing a novel and naturally occurring source of vascular smooth muscle for use in cell-based therapies. Furthermore, our data show this system can be optimized with inducing factors, highlighting a more powerful therapeutic potential than that of its current clinical application. This is a paradigm-setting concept that lays the foundation for the use of chemical genetics to enhance therapeutic outcomes in a myriad of fields.

Genetic deletion of one microtubule-binding domain in CENP-F results in multiple cellular changes, including changes in cell migration, adhesion, and cilia formation. All of these changes are related to an increase in microtubule stabilization in CENP-F mutants. This suggests that CENP-F plays a role in microtubule organization outside of mitosis., Microtubule (MT)-binding centromere protein F (CENP-F) was previously shown to play a role exclusively in chromosome segregation during cellular division. Many cell models of CENP-F depletion show a lag in the cell cycle and aneuploidy. Here, using our novel genetic deletion model, we show that CENP-F also regulates a broader range of cellular functions outside of cell division. We characterized CENP-F+/+ and CENP-F–/– mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and found drastic differences in multiple cellular functions during interphase, including cell migration, focal adhesion dynamics, and primary cilia formation. We discovered that CENP-F–/– MEFs have severely diminished MT dynamics, which underlies the phenotypes we describe. These data, combined with recent biochemical research demonstrating the strong binding of CENP-F to the MT network, support the conclusion that CENP-F is a powerful regulator of MT dynamics during interphase and affects heterogeneous cell functions.

The adult heart has been reported to have an extensive lymphatic system, yet the development of this important system during cardiogenesis is still largely unexplored. The nuclear-localized transcription factor Prox-1 identified a sheet of Prox-1-positive cells on the developing aorta and pulmonary trunk in avian and murine embryos just prior to septation of the four heart chambers. The cells coalesced into a branching lymphatic network that spread within the epicardium to cover the heart. These vessels eventually expressed the lymphatic markers LYVE-1, VEGFR-3, and podoplanin. Before the Prox-1-positive cells were detected in the mouse epicardium, LYVE-1, a homologue of the CD44 glycoprotein, was primarily expressed in individual epicardial cells. Similar staining patterns were observed for CD44 in avian embryos. The proximity of these LYVE-1/CD44-positive mesenchymal cells to Prox-1-positive vessels suggests that they may become incorporated into the lymphatics. Unexpectedly, we detected LYVE-1/PECAM/VEGFR-3-positive vessels within the embryonic and adult myocardium which remained Prox-1/podoplanin-negative. Lymphatic markers were surprisingly found in adult rat and embryonic mouse epicardial cell lines, with Prox-1 also exhibiting nuclear-localized expression in primary cultures of embryonic avian epicardial cells. Our data identified three types of cells in the embryonic heart expressing lymphatic markers: (1) Prox-1-positive cells from an extracardiac source that migrate within the serosa of the outflow tract into the epicardium of the developing heart, (2) individual LYVE-1-positive cells in the epicardium that may be incorporated into the Prox-1-positive lymphatic vasculature, and (3) LYVE-1-positive cells/vessels in the myocardium that do not become Prox-1-positive even in the adult heart.

The microtubule (MT) network is essential in a broad spectrum of cellular functions. Many studies have linked CENP-F to MT-based activities as disruption of this protein leads to major changes in MT structure and function. Still, the basis of CENP-F regulation of the MT network remains elusive. Here, our studies reveal a novel and critical localization and role for CENP-F at the centrosome, the major MT organizing center (MTOC) of the cell. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identify Hook2, a linker protein that is essential for regulation of the MT network at the centrosome, as a binding partner of CENP-F. With recently developed immunochemical reagents, we confirm this interaction and reveal the novel localization of CENP-F at the centrosome. Importantly, in this first report of CENP-F−/−cells, we demonstrate that ablation of CENP-F protein function eliminates MT repolymerization after standard nocodazole treatment. This inhibition of MT regrowth is centrosome specific because MT repolymerization is readily observed from the Golgi in CENP-F−/−cells. The centrosome-specific function of CENP-F in the regulation of MT growth is confirmed by expression of truncated CENP-F containing only the Hook2-binding domain. Furthermore, analysis of partially reconstituted MTOC asters in cells that escape complete repolymerization block shows that disruption of CENP-F function impacts MT nucleation and anchoring rather than promoting catastrophe. Our study reveals a major new localization and function of CENP-F at the centrosome that is likely to impact a broad array of MT-based actions in the cell.

During mouse development, the sophisticated vascular network of the lung is established from embryonic day (E)≈10.5 and continues to develop postnatally. This network is composed of endothelial cells enclosed by vascular smooth muscle, pericytes, and other mesenchymal cells. Recent in vivo lineage labeling studies in the developing heart and intestine suggest that some of the vascular smooth muscle cells arise from the surface mesothelium. In the developing lung, the Wilm's tumor 1 gene ( Wt1 ) is expressed only in the mesothelial cells. Therefore, we lineage-labeled the mesothelium in vivo by using a Wt1-Cre transgene in combination with either Rosa26R lacZ , Rosa26R CAG-hPLAP , or Rosa26R EYFP reporter alleles. In all three cases, cells derived from lineage-labeled mesothelium are found inside the lung and as smooth muscle actin (SMA) and PDGF receptor-beta positive cells in the walls of pulmonary blood vessels. To corroborate this finding, we used 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester “mixed isomers” (CCFSE) dye to label mesothelial cells on the surface of the embryonic lung. Over the course of 72-h culture, dye-labeled cells also appear within the lung mesenchyme. Together, our data provide evidence that mesothelial cells serve as a source of vascular smooth muscle cells in the developing lung and suggest that a conserved mechanism applies to the development of blood vessels in all coelomic organs.

Syntaxin 4 is a component of the SNARE complex that regulates membrane docking and fusion. Using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we identify a novel interaction between syntaxin 4 and cytoplasmic murine CENPF, a protein previously demonstrated to associate with the microtubule network and SNAP-25. The binding domain for syntaxin 4 in CENPF was defined by yeast two-hybrid assay and co-immunoprecipitation. Confocal analyses in cell culture reveal a high degree of colocalization between endogenously expressed proteins in interphase cells. Additionally, the endogenous SNARE proteins can be isolated as a complex with CENPF in immunoprecipitation experiments. Further analyses demonstrate that murine CENPF and syntaxin 4 colocalize with components of plasma membrane recycling: SNAP-25 and VAMP2. Depletion of endogenous CENPF disrupts GLUT4 trafficking whereas expression of a dominant-negative form of CENPF inhibits cell coupling. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that CENPF provides a direct link between proteins of the SNARE system and the microtubule network and indicate a diverse role for murine CENPF in vesicular transport.

It is readily apparent that the process of heart development is an intricate one, in which cells derived from many embryonic sources coalesce and coordinate their behaviors and development, resulting in the mature heart. The behaviors and mechanisms of this process are complex, and still incompletely understood. However, it is readily apparent that communication between diverse cell types must be involved in this process. The signaling that emanates from epicardial and endocardial sources is the focus of this review.

Blood vessel epicardial substance (BVES/Popdc1) is a junctional-associated transmembrane protein that is underexpressed in a number of malignancies and regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. We previously identified a role for BVES in regulation of the Wnt pathway, a modulator of intestinal stem cell programs, but its role in small intestinal (SI) biology remains unexplored. We hypothesized that BVES influences intestinal stem cell programs and is critical to SI homeostasis after radiation injury. At baseline, Bves–/– mice demonstrated increased crypt height, as well as elevated proliferation and expression of the stem cell marker Lgr5 compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Intercross with Lgr5-EGFP reporter mice confirmed expansion of the stem cell compartment in Bves–/– mice. To examine stem cell function after BVES deletion, we used ex vivo 3D-enteroid cultures. Bves–/– enteroids demonstrated increased stemness compared to WT, when examining parameters such as plating efficiency, stem spheroid formation, and retention of peripheral cystic structures. Furthermore, we observed increased proliferation, expression of crypt-base columnar “CBC” and “+4” stem cell markers, amplified Wnt signaling, and responsiveness to Wnt activation in the Bves–/– enteroids. Bves expression was downregulated after radiation in WT mice. Moreover, after radiation, Bves–/– mice demonstrated significantly greater SI crypt viability, proliferation, and amplified Wnt signaling in comparison to WT mice. Bves–/– mice also demonstrated elevations in Lgr5 and Ascl2 expression, and putative damage-responsive stem cell populations marked by Bmi1 and TERT. Therefore, BVES is a key regulator of intestinal stem cell programs and mucosal homeostasis.

Bves/pop1a is a unique, highly conserved integral membrane protein expressed in embryonic epithelia and striated muscle. Although studies have proposed a role in epithelial morphogenesis, the function of Bves/pop1a in development is completely unknown. Here we show that Xenopus laevis Bves ( Xbves ) RNA and protein are expressed in epithelia of the early embryo. Transfection of Xbves into nonadherent mouse L cells confers cell/cell adhesion. Global inhibition of Xbves function by morpholino injection into two-cell embryos arrests development at gastrulation by deregulating the epithelial movements of epiboly and involution. Clonal inhibition of Xbves activity within the A1 blastomere and its derivatives completely randomizes movement of its progeny within otherwise normally differentiating embryos. These data demonstrate that Bves/pop1a proteins play a critical role in epithelial morphogenesis and, specifically, in the cell movements essential for epithelial rearrangements that occur during X. laevis development.

LIS1 and nuclear distribution gene E (NudE) are partner proteins in a conserved pathway regulating the function of dynein and microtubules. Here, we present data that cytoplasmic LEK1 (cytLEK1), a large protein containing a spectrin repeat and multiple leucine zippers, is a component of this pathway through its direct interaction with NudE, as determined by a yeast two-hybrid screen. We identified the binding domains in each molecule, and coimmunoprecipitation and colocalization studies confirmed the specificity of the interaction between cytLEK1 and NudE. Confocal deconvolution analysis revealed that cytLEK1 exhibits colocalization with endogenous NudE and with the known NudE binding partners, LIS1 and dynein. By localizing the NudE-binding domain of cytLEK1 to a small domain within the molecule, we were able to disrupt cytLEK1 function by using a dominant negative approach in addition to LEK1 knockdown and, thus, examine the role of the cytLEK1–NudE interaction in cells. Consistent with a defect in the LIS1 pathway, disruption of cytLEK1 function resulted in alteration of microtubule organization and cellular shape. The microtubule network of cells became tightly focused around the nucleus and resulted in a rounded cell shape. Additionally, cells exhibited a severe inability to repolymerize their microtubule networks after nocodazole challenge. Taken together, our studies revealed that cytLEK1 is essential for cellular functions regulated by the LIS1 pathway.

LEK1, a member of the LEK family of proteins, is ubiquitously expressed in developing murine tissues. Our current studies are aimed at identifying the role of LEK1 during cell growth and differentiation. Little is known about the function of LEK proteins. Recent studies in our laboratory have focused on the characterization of the LEK1 atypical Rb-binding domain that is conserved among all LEK proteins. Our findings suggest that LEK1 potentially functions as a universal regulator of pocket protein activity. Pocket proteins exhibit distinct expression patterns during development and function to regulate cell cycle, apoptosis, and tissue-specific gene expression. We show that LEK1 interacts with all three pocket proteins, p107, p130, and pRb. Additionally, this interaction occurs specifically between the LEK1 Rb-binding motif and the "pocket domain" of Rb proteins responsible for Rb association with other targets. Analyses of the effects of disruption of LEK1 protein expression by morpholino oligomers demonstrate that LEK1 depletion decreases cell proliferation, disrupts cell cycle progression, and induces apoptosis. Given its expression in developing cells, its association with pocket proteins, and its effects on proliferation, cell cycle, and viability of cells, we suggest that LEK1 functions in a similar manner to phosphorylation to disrupt association of Rb proteins with appropriate binding targets. Thus, the LEK1/Rb interaction serves to retain cells in a pre-differentiative, actively proliferative state despite the presence of Rb proteins during development. Our data suggest that LEK1 is unique among LEK family members in that it specifically functions during murine development to regulate the activity of Rb proteins during cell division and proliferation. Furthermore, we discuss the distinct possibility that a yet unidentified splice variant of the closely related human CENP-F, serves a similar function to LEK1 in humans.

Development of the coronary vascular system is an interesting model in developmental biology with major implications for the clinical setting. Although coronary vessel development is a form of vasculogenesis followed by angiogenesis, this system uses several unique developmental processes not observed in the formation of other blood vessels. This review summarizes the literature that describes the development of the coronary system, highlighting the unique aspects of coronary vessel development. It should be noted that many of the basic mechanisms that govern vasculogenesis in other systems have not been analyzed in coronary vessel development. In addition, we present recent advances in the field that uncover the basic mechanisms regulating the generation of these blood vessels and identify areas in need of additional studies.

We investigated the membrane topology of Bves/Pop1A as a foundation to dissect the molecular basis and function of Bves/Pop1A trafficking during development. Bves contains two asparagine-linked glycosylation sites within the amino terminus and three putative membrane domains. Therefore, glycosylation assays were performed to determine if the amino terminus of Bves is delivered into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and glycosylated. We establish that Bves from chick heart and transfected cells is glycosylated, implying that the amino terminus of cell surface molecules is extracellular. Three biochemically distinct approaches were utilized to determine the orientation of the carboxyl terminus of Bves. First, glycosylation of Bves at exogenous sites within the carboxyl terminus was only observed in a construct that lacked the third membrane domain, which presumably reversed the orientation of the carboxyl terminus. Second, co-expression of full-length Bves with soluble, carboxyl-terminal Bves constructs that reside in different subcellular compartments revealed that Bves-Bves interactions occur in the cytoplasm. Third, the immunoreactivity of endogenous Bves at the cell surface of epicardial cells was dramatically enhanced with detergent. These results suggest that the membrane topology of cell surface Bves/Pop1A is composed of an extracellular amino terminus, three transmembrane domains, and a cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus. We therefore hypothesize that the carboxyl terminus regulates the cellular distribution of Bves/Pop1A during coronary vessel development.

Cardiomyocytes, the workhorse cell of the heart, contain exquisitely organized cytoskeletal and contractile elements that generate the contractile force used to pump blood. Individual cardiomyocytes were first isolated over 40 years ago in order to better study the physiology and structure of heart muscle. Techniques have rapidly improved to include enzymatic digestion via coronary perfusion. More recently, analyzing the contractility and calcium flux of isolated myocytes has provided a vital tool in the cellular and sub-cellular analysis of heart failure. Echocardiography and EKGs provide information about the heart at an organ level only. Cardiomyocyte cell culture systems exist, but cells lack physiologically essential structures such as organized sarcomeres and t-tubules required for myocyte function within the heart. In the protocol presented here, cardiomyocytes are isolated via Langendorff perfusion. The heart is removed from the mouse, mounted via the aorta to a cannula, perfused with digestion enzymes, and cells are introduced to increasing calcium concentrations. Edge and sarcomere detection software is used to analyze contractility, and a calcium binding fluorescent dye is used to visualize calcium transients of electrically paced cardiomyocytes; increasing understanding of the role cellular changes play in heart dysfunction. Traditionally used to test drug effects on cardiomyocytes, we employ this system to compare myocytes from WT mice and mice with a mutation that causes dilated cardiomyopathy. This protocol is unique in its comparison of live cells from mice with known heart function and known genetics. Many experimental conditions are reliably compared, including genetic or environmental manipulation, infection, drug treatment, and more. Beyond physiologic data, isolated cardiomyocytes are easily fixed and stained for cytoskeletal elements. Isolating cardiomyocytes via perfusion is an extremely versatile method, useful in studying cellular changes that accompany or lead to heart failure in a variety of experimental conditions.

Disruption of the CMF1 function in anterior mesoderm inhibits cardiac myogenesis in avian embryos. In the present study, we show that CMF1 is a member of an emerging family of proteins that includes centromeric protein-F, mitosin, and LEK1. These proteins are characterized by their large size (350 kDa), dynamic subcellular distribution, and potential functions in cell division and differentiation. The current data suggest that CMF1 is a unique member of this family by virtue of its restricted protein expression and variant subcellular distribution. Immunochemical analysis demonstrates that CMF1 protein is expressed in cardiogenic cells prior to the activation of cardiac structural gene products. In addition, we show that expression of CMF1 is not dependent on the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway during development. Still, CMF1 cannot direct cardiomyogenesis in the absence of such factors as NKX-2.5. Taken with our previous data, this study suggests that CMF1 is a BMP-independent component of the cardiomyogenic pathway.

We report the identification and cloning of a unique chick myosin heavy chain (CMHC1) that is expressed exclusively in the heart during embryogenesis. Using primers specific to myosin heavy chains, we used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to clone and isolate CMHC1 from embryonic day 10 chicken heart RNA. Sequence analysis indicated that CMHC1 was a novel member of the myosin heavy chain family. Expression of the CMHC1 transcripts was detected in Hamburger Hamilton stage 10 chick embryos in the fusing myocardium. Expression of CMHC1 was maintained at high levels throughout the tubular heart of later stage embryos. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridizations failed to detect CMHC1 transcripts in the developing somites, limb buds, or skeletal musculature at any stage of chick development. Genomic CMHC1 clones have been isolated that contain sequences approximately 5.2 kilobase upstream of the presumptive CMHC1 transcription start site. Portions of the upstream regulatory region induced a 21-fold increase in reporter gene expression in primary cardiomyocytes. Because of its unique cardiac-restricted expression, CMHC1 will provide an excellent model system to study the molecular mechanisms required for the early developmental regulation of heart-specific genes.

We have used a subtractive method to clone novel messages enriched in the heart. Here we show that one such message,bves(blood vessel/epicardial substance) is a novel protein that is highly conserved between chicken and mouse. Thebvesmessage is detected at high levels in early chick hearts. Using anti-Bves antibodies, we show expression in cells of the proepicardial organ, migrating epicardium, epicardial-derived mesenchyme, and smooth muscle of the developing intracardiac arterial system, including the coronary arteries. Our data suggest that Bves is an early marker of developing vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, the expression pattern of Bves protein reveals the patterning of intracardiac vascular smooth muscle and possible insights into the cellular regulation of smooth muscle differentiation during vasculogenesis.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are derived from distinct embryonic origins. Vessels originating from differing smooth muscle cell populations have distinct vascular and pathological properties involving calcification, atherosclerosis, and structural defects such as aneurysm and coarctation. We hypothesized that domains within a single vessel, such as the aorta, vary in phenotype based on embryonic origin. Gene profiling and myographic analyses demonstrated that embryonic ascending and descending aortic domains exhibited distinct phenotypes. In vitro analyses demonstrated that VSMCs from each region were dissimilar in terms of cytoskeletal and migratory properties, and retention of different gene expression patterns. Using the same analysis, we found that these same two domains are indistinguishable in the adult vessel. Our data demonstrate that VSMCs from different embryonic origins are functionally distinct in the embryonic mouse, but converge to assume a common phenotype in the aorta of healthy adults. These findings have fundamental implications for aortic development, function and disease progression.

The Bves and NDRG4 proteins interact to regulate directional cell movement by mediating cell surface fusion of internalized fibronectin for resecretion. This provides the first evidence of Bves/NDRG4 protein function within subcellular trafficking pathways and explains how the Bves complex diversely influences development, cancer, and repair., Directional cell movement is universally required for tissue morphogenesis. Although it is known that cell/matrix interactions are essential for directional movement in heart development, the mechanisms governing these interactions require elucidation. Here we demonstrate that a novel protein/protein interaction between blood vessel epicardial substance (Bves) and N-myc downstream regulated gene 4 (NDRG4) is critical for regulation of epicardial cell directional movement, as disruption of this interaction randomizes migratory patterns. Our studies show that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for trafficking of internalized fibronectin through the “autocrine extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition” fibronectin recycling pathway. Of importance, we demonstrate that Bves/NDRG4-mediated fibronectin recycling is indeed essential for epicardial cell directional movement, thus linking these two cell processes. Finally, total internal reflectance fluorescence microscopy shows that Bves/NDRG4 interaction is required for fusion of recycling endosomes with the basal cell surface, providing a molecular mechanism of motility substrate delivery that regulates cell directional movement. This is the first evidence of a molecular function for Bves and NDRG4 proteins within broader subcellular trafficking paradigms. These data identify novel regulators of a critical vesicle-docking step required for autocrine ECM deposition and explain how Bves facilitates cell-microenvironment interactions in the regulation of epicardial cell–directed movement.

Mesothelia, which cover all coelomic organs and body cavities in vertebrates, perform diverse functions in embryonic and adult life. Yet, mesothelia are traditionally viewed as simple, uniform epithelia. Here we demonstrate distinct differences between visceral and parietal mesothelia, the most basic subdivision of this tissue type, in terms of gene expression, adhesion, migration, and invasion. Gene profiling determined that autotaxin, a secreted lysophospholipase D originally discovered as a tumor cell-motility-stimulating factor, was expressed exclusively in the more motile and invasive visceral mesothelia and at abnormally high levels in mesotheliomas. Gain and loss of function studies demonstrate that autotaxin signaling is indeed a critical factor responsible for phenotypic differences within mesothelia. Furthermore, we demonstrate that known and novel small molecule inhibitors of the autotaxin signaling pathway dramatically blunt migratory and invasive behaviors of aggressive mesotheliomas. Taken together, this study reveals distinct phenotypes within the mesothelial cell lineage, demonstrates that differential autotaxin expression is the molecular underpinning for these differences, and provides a novel target and lead compounds to intervene in invasive mesotheliomas.

The ability of undifferentiated cardiogenic mesoderm to generate diversified myogenic phenotypes was assayed in a minimal culture system. During cardiogenesis in vivo, the anterior and posterior segments of the avian heart have distinct patterns of contractile protein gene expression when they first differentiate. To assess the potential of undifferentiated cardiogenic tissue to diversify into distinct anterior and posterior lineages prior to heart formation, cardiogenic mesoderm and endoderm were removed together from the embryo at Hamburger and Hamilton stages 4-8. Explants from each of these stages differentiated in defined medium as indicated by the expression of muscle-specific genes. However, the ability to express the atrial-specific myosin heavy chain (AMHC1) mRNA was confined to posterior cardiac progenitors. Diversification was not dependent on anterior endoderm, suggesting that inductive interactions between the mesoderm and endoderm are not necessary to maintain diversified cardiac lineages after stage 4. The diversified potential of explanted cardiogenic tissue was altered with retinoic acid treatment, resulting in the activation of AMHC1 gene expression in the anterior progenitors. Anterior cardiogenic cells removed from the embryo at stage 8, when the heart begins to differentiate in vivo, are not susceptible to the alteration of diversified phenotype by retinoic acid treatment. Therefore, the potential to form distinct cardiomyogenic cell lineages is present in the anterior lateral plate mesoderm soon after gastrulation and the maturation of these lineages in a positionally dependent manner is maintained in a simple defined culture system in vitro.

Background: To generate the mature intestine, splanchnic mesoderm diversifies into six different tissue layers each with multiple cell types through concurrent and complex morphogenetic events. Hindering the progress of research in the field is the lack of a detailed description of the fundamental morphological changes that constitute development of the intestinal mesoderm. Results: We used immunofluorescence and morphometric analyses of wild-type and Tg(tie1:H2B-eYFP) quail embryos to establish a comprehensive timeline of mesodermal development in the avian intestine. The following landmark features were analyzed from appearance of the intestinal primordium through generation of the definitive structure: radial compartment formation, basement membrane dynamics, mesothelial differentiation, mesenchymal expansion and growth patterns, smooth muscle differentiation, and maturation of the vasculature. In this way, structural relationships between mesodermal components were identified over time. Conclusions: This integrated analysis presents a roadmap for investigators and clinicians to evaluate diverse experimental data obtained at individual stages of intestinal development within the longitudinal context of intestinal morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 241:1678–1694, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.

Summary Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. During NEC pathogenesis, bacteria are able to penetrate innate immune defenses and invade the intestinal epithelial layer causing subsequent inflammation and tissue necrosis. Normally the Paneth cells appear in the intestinal crypts during the first trimester of human pregnancy. Paneth cells constitute a major component of the innate immune system by producing multiple antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory mediators. To better understand the possible role of Paneth cell disruption in NEC, we quantified the number of Paneth cells present in infants with NEC and found they were significantly decreased compared to age matched controls. We were able to model this loss in the intestine of P14-16 day old mice by treating them with the zinc chelator dithizone. Intestines from dithizone treated animals retained approximately half the number of Paneth cells as controls. Furthermore, by combining dithizone treatment with exposure to Klebsiella pneumoniae we were able to induce intestinal injury and inflammatory induction that resembles human NEC. Additionally, this novel Paneth cell ablation model produces NEC-like pathology consistent with other currently used animal models, but is simpler to use, can be used in older animals that have been dam fed, and represents a novel line of investigation to study NEC pathogenesis and treatment.

Epicardial development is a process during which epithelial sheet movement, single cell migration, and differentiation are coordinated to generate coronary arteries. Signaling cascades regulate the concurrent and complex nature of these three events. Through simple and highly reproducible assays, we identified small organic molecules that impact signaling pathways regulating these epicardial behaviors. Subsequent biochemical analyses confirmed the specificity of these reagents and revealed novel targets for the widely used dorsomorphin (DM) and LDN-193189 molecules. Using these newly characterized reagents, we show the broad regulation of epicardial cell differentiation, sheet movement, and single cell migration by Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ). With the DM analogue DMH1, a highly specific Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) inhibitor, we demonstrate the cooperative yet exclusive role for BMP signaling in regulation of sheet migration. The action of DMH1 reveals that small organic molecules (SOM) can intervene on a single epicardial behavior while leaving other concurrent behaviors intact. All SOM data were confirmed by reciprocal experiments using growth factor addition and/or application of established non-SOM inhibitors. These compounds can be applied to cell lines or native proepicardial tissue. Taken together, these data establish the efficacy of chemical intervention for analysis of epicardial behaviors and provide novel reagents for analysis of epicardial development and repair.

Clinicians regularly transplant omental pedicles to repair a wide variety of injured tissues but the basic mechanism underlying this efficacious procedure is not understood. One possibility that has not been addressed is the ability of omentum to directly contribute regenerative cells to injured tissues. We hypothesized that if omental progenitor cells could be mobilized to incorporate into damaged tissue, the power of this therapy would be greatly expanded. Labeled omental grafts were transplanted into a murine carotid artery injury model. Selected grafts were treated with Thymosinβ4 prior to transplantation to investigate the effects of chemical potentiation on healing. We found treatment of grafts with Thymosinβ4 induced progenitor cells to fully integrate into the wall of injured vessels and differentiate into vascular smooth muscle. Myographic studies determined that arteries receiving Thymosinβ4-stimulated grafts were functionally indistinguishable from uninjured controls. Concurrent in vitro analyzes showed that Thymosinβ4 promoted proliferation, migration, and trans-differentiation of cells via AKT signaling. This study is the first to demonstrate that omentum can provide progenitor cells for repair, thus revealing a novel and naturally occurring source of vascular smooth muscle for use in cell-based therapies. Furthermore, our data show this system can be optimized with inducing factors, highlighting a more powerful therapeutic potential than that of its current clinical application. This is a paradigm-setting concept that lays the foundation for the use of chemical genetics to enhance therapeutic outcomes in a myriad of fields.

Blood vessel epicardial substance (Bves) is a transmembrane adhesion protein that regulates tight junction (TJ) formation in a variety of epithelia. The role of TJs within epithelium extends beyond the mechanical properties. They have been shown to play a direct role in regulation of RhoA and ZONAB/DbpA, a y-box transcription factor. We hypothesize that Bves can modulate RhoA activation and ZONAB/DbpA activity through its regulatory effect on TJ formation. Immortalized human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells were stably transfected with Flag-tagged full length chicken Bves (w-Bves) or C-terminus truncated Bves (t-Bves). We found that stably transfected w-Bves and t-Bves were interacting with endogenous human Bves. However, interaction with t-Bves appeared to disrupt cell membrane localization of endogenous Bves and interaction with ZO-1. w-Bves cells exhibited increased TJ function reflected by increased trans-epithelial electrical resistance, while t-Bves cells lost TJ protein immunolocalization at cell-cell contacts and exhibited decreased trans-epithelial electrical resistance. In parental HCE and w-Bves cells ZONAB/DbpA and GEF-H1 were seen at cell borders in the same pattern as ZO-1. However, expression of t-Bves led to decreased membrane localization of both ZONAB/DbpA and GEF-H1. t-Bves cells had increased RhoA activity, as indicated by a significant 30% increase in FRET activity compared to parental HCE cells. ZONAB/DbpA transcriptional activity, assessed using a luciferase reporter probe, was increased in t-Bves cells. These studies demonstrate that Bves expression and localization can regulate RhoA and ZONAB/DbpA activity.