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An epigenetic barrier in neural progenitor cells and early neurons set the timing of human neuronal maturation [RNA-seq]

ABSTRACT: A challenge for understanding the development of brain circuits is to identify the factors that instruct neurons to accomplish each developmental steps at the appropriate stage. Neuronal maturation follows an intrinsic species-specific developmental pace that is extremely protracted in humans and that is retained during human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) differentiations. Using a novel platform that synchronized the generation of cortical neurons from hPSC, we established morphological, functional, and molecular roadmaps of maturation. We found that the temporal unfolding of maturation programs proceeds gradually and is limited by the retention of complex epigenetic signatures. Loss-of-function of multiple such epigenetic factors at the neuron stage triggered precocious molecular and functional maturation. Remarkably, transient pharmacological manipulation of a subset of epigenetic factors, including EZH2, EHMT1/2 and DOT1L, at the progenitor cell stage can prime precursors to reach enhanced molecular and functional signatures of maturity as neurons. Our results indicate that the rate at which neurons mature is set well before neurogenesis through the establishment of an “epigenetic barrier” in progenitor cells that gets slowly erased in neurons, allowing the gradual onset of maturation programs.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE196073 | GEO | 2023/11/06

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Newborn neurons enter an extended maturation stage, during which they acquire excitability characteristics crucial for development of presynaptic and postsynaptic connectivity. In contrast to earlier specification programs, little is known aboutthe regulatory mechanisms that control neuronal maturation. The Pet-1 ETS (E26 transformation-specific) factor is continuously expressed in serotonin (5-HT) neurons and initially acts in postmitotic precursors to control acquisition of 5-HT transmitter identity. Using a combination of RNA sequencing, electrophysiology, and conditional targeting approaches, we determined gene expression patterns in maturing flow-sorted 5-HT neurons and the temporal requirements for Pet-1 in shaping these patterns for functional maturation of mouse 5-HT neurons. We report a profound disruption of postmitotic expression trajectories in Pet-1 / neurons, which prevented postnatal maturation of 5-HT neuron passive and active intrinsic membrane properties, G-protein signaling, and synaptic responses to glutamatergic, lysophosphatidic, and adrenergic agonists. Unexpectedly, conditional targeting revealed a postnatal stage-specific switch in Pet-1 targets from 5-HT synthesis genes to transmitter receptor genes required for afferent modulation of 5-HT neuron excitability. 5-HT1a autoreceptor expression depended transiently on Pet-1, thus revealing an early postnatal sensitive period for control of 5-HT excitability genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing revealed that Pet-1 regulates 5-HT neuron maturation through direct gene activation and repression. Moreover, Pet-1 directly regulates the 5-HT neuron maturation factor Engrailed 1, which suggests Pet-1 orchestrates maturationthrough secondary postmitotic regulatoryfactors. The early postnatal switch in Pet-1targets uncovers a distinct neonatal stage-specific function for Pet-1, during which it promotes maturation of 5-HT neuron excitability. 5-HT neuron mRNA profiles of E11.5, E15.5, and postnatal (P1-P3) wild type (WT) and Pet-1-/- mice were generated by deep sequencing, in triplicate, using Illumina HiSeq 2500. Myc-tagged Pet-1 ChIP-seq was performed on E12.5 to E14.5 hindbrains and sequencing using NextSeq 500.

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An epigenetic barrier in neural progenitor cells and early neurons set the timing of human neuronal maturation [RNA-seq]

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