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Endomitosis controls tissue-specific gene expression during development

ABSTRACT: Polyploid cells contain more than two copies of the genome and are found in many plant and animal tissues. Different types of polyploidy exist, in which the genome is confined to either one nucleus (mononucleation) or two or more nuclei (multinucleation). Despite the widespread occurrence of polyploidy, the functional significance of different types of polyploidy are largely unknown. Here, we assess the function of multinucleation in C. elegans intestinal cells through specific inhibition of binucleation without altering genome ploidy. Through single worm RNA sequencing, we find that binucleation is important for tissue-specific gene expression, most prominently for genes that show a rapid upregulation at the transition from larval development to adulthood. Regulated genes include vitellogenins, which encode yolk proteins that facilitate nutrient transport to the germline. We find that reduced expression of vitellogenins in mononucleated intestinal cells leads to progeny with developmental delays and reduced fitness. Together, our results show that binucleation facilitates rapid upregulation of intestine-specific gene expression during development, independently of genome ploidy, underscoring the importance of spatial genome organization for polyploid cell function.

ORGANISM(S): Caenorhabditis elegans

PROVIDER: GSE169330 | GEO | 2022/03/07

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:A defining feature of the mammalian liver is polyploidy, a numerical change in the entire complement of chromosomes. The first step of polyploidization involves cell division with failed cytokinesis. Although polyploidy is common, affecting ~90% of hepatocytes in mice and 50% in humans, the specialized role played by polyploid cells in liver homeostasis and disease remains poorly understood. The goal of this study was to identify novel signals that regulate polyploidization, and we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs). First, to test whether miRNAs could regulate hepatic polyploidy we examined livers from Dicer1 liver-specific knockout mice, which are devoid of mature miRNAs. Loss of miRNAs resulted in a 3-fold reduction in binucleate hepatocytes, indicating that miRNAs regulate polyploidization. Secondly, we surveyed age-dependent expression of miRNAs in wild-type mice and identified a subset of miRNAs, including miR-122, that is differentially expressed at 2-3 weeks, a period when extensive polyploidization occurs. Next, we examined Mir122 knockout mice and observed profound, life-long depletion of polyploid hepatocytes, proving that miR-122 is required for complete hepatic polyploidization. Moreover, the polyploidy defect in Mir122 knockout mice was ameliorated by adenovirus-mediated over-expression of miR-122, underscoring the critical role miR-122 plays in polyploidization. Finally, we identified direct targets of miR-122 (Cux1, Rhoa, Iqgap1, Mapre1, Nedd4l and Slc25a34) that regulate cytokinesis. Inhibition of each target induced cytokinesis failure and promoted hepatic binucleation. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that miR-122 is both necessary and sufficient in liver polyploidization. Among the different signals that have been associated with hepatic polyploidy, miR-122 is the first liver-specific signal identified. These studies will serve as the foundation for future work investigating miR-122 in liver maturation, homeostasis and disease. Livers from C57Bl/6 mice were isolated at defined ages: embryonic day 15.5 (n=3; mixed gender), 2 weeks (n=3; male), 3 weeks (n=3, male) and 7 weeks (n=3; male). Differential miRNA expression was assessed using the nCounter Mouse miRNA Expression Assay Kit (nanoString).

Project description:BACKGROUND & AIMS: Thirty to ninety percent of hepatocytes contain whole genome duplications, making it imperative to understand the fates and functions of these polyploid cells and how they affect development of liver disease. An important question is how polyploid cells respond to chronic proliferative demands, which are characteristic of liver diseases, but a challenging situation for cells with multiple genomes. METHODS: To interrogate liver polyploidy, we employed a mouse with reversible ANLN ( Anillin actin binding protein) knockdown that drives hepatocyte polyploidization in a doxycycline inducible fashion. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were used to induce chronic liver damage and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed partial hepatectomies to test regeneration and RNA-seq to assess gene expression changes. Lineage tracing was used to rule out repopulation from non-hepatocyte sources. In vivo imaging of mitotic hepatocytes estimated the frequency of aneuploidy during regeneration, and exome sequencing of 54 human cirrhotic nodules was used to quantify aneuploidy. RESULTS: Hepatocytes from mice given chronic CCl4 alone showed significant increases in ploidy. Super-polyploid mice with 97% polyploid hepatocytes, due to induced knockdown of Anln , were almost completely protected from tumorigenesis induced by DEN and chronic CCl4 . The protection was not associated with differences in regenerative capacity, tissue fitness, gene regulation, or mitotic errors. Regenerative contributions from a non-hepatocyte population were ruled out using lineage tracing, confirming that polyploids can replenish tissues during chronic damage. No lagging chromosomes or micronuclei were found in mitotic polyploid cells and there was no evidence of chromosomal copy number variations in 54 nodules, suggesting that aneuploidy is not a common outcome of polyploid cell divisions. CONCLUSION: During chronic injury, polyploid hepatocytes readily divide and regenerate while being buffered from tumor suppressor loss and tumorigenesis. Therapeutic strategies to increase numbers of polypoid hepatocytes could prevent cancer while preserving regeneration.

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Endomitosis controls tissue-specific gene expression during development

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