Project description:We aim to profile the dynamic changes of gene expression dynamics during cortical neuron differentiation from human iPSCs. We used RNA-seq to map open chromatins in iPSCs, neural stem cells (NSCs) at day 33 and day 41.
Project description:Performed RNA-seq analysis of animals with xbp-1s overexpression (ER stress response transcription factor) in specific neuron types: pan-neuronal, serotonergic neuron, dopaminergic neuron, and both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons, all compared to a wild-type control. RNA-seq was performed on purified RNA extracted from ~1000 whole worms using a proprietary Genewiz protocol described briefly in the manuscript. 3 biological replicates are provided for each sample.
Project description:We aim to profile the dynamic changes of chromatin accessibility (openness) to transcription factors during cortical neuron differentiation from human iPSCs. We used ATAC-seq to map open chromatins in iPSCs, neural stem cells (NSCs) at day 27 and day 33 of neural induction (designated as iN-d30 for simplicity), and neurons at day 41 (iN-d41). We found that there were robust dynamic changes of open chromatins that are corresponding to cell stage-specific gene function both at genome-wide level and at individual loci of interest to neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders, with NSC (iN-d30) gaining most (89%) of the neuron specific open chromatin peaks. Open chromatin peaks shared by different cell stages were overrepresented in core promoters, while the peaks specific to each cell stage or showing dynamic change of openness were enriched in introns and intergenic sequences. The dynamic change of open chromatins is orchestrated by specific sets of transcription factors (TFs) in each cell stage, providing epigenomic support the central role of NEUROD1 and NEUROG2 in cortical neuron differentiation.
Project description:Human serotonergic neurons are derived using published transdifferentiation protocols. Human Fibroblasts correspond to human fibroblasts (from Line#1, Coriell bought (AG08498)). Samples labeled human neurons or induced neurons (iN) correspond to neurons transdifferentiated from fibroblasts using two transcription factors, as previously described (#1-AG08498 or #2:ERF-1, Erlangen Germany, a line given to us by collaborators) into primarily glutamatergic neruons. Samples labled 5-HT neurons or serotonergic neurons or iSN correspond to serotonergic neurons derived from the stated fibroblast lines, using an additional four transcription factors. For transdifferentiation of iN and iSN, fibroblasts were made to overexpress the stated transcription factors in a doxycycline inducible manner for up to 3 weeks, and then neurons are sorted out and collected directly into Trizol for RNA preparation and sequencing. The non-transdifferentiated fibroblast lines were collected in bulk withtout differentiation into neurons. The line number corresponds to the same fibroblast line either being transdifferentiated into iN or iSN, as labeled - for direct and groupwise comparison.
Project description:The DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) and plays an important role in survival and maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the development of the male germline in zebrafish and mice. It was shown to be expressed in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), PGCs, and spermatogonia, but little is known about its specific role in pluripotency and human germline development. Here we use CRISPR/Cas mediated knockout and PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in human iPSCs to analyse if DND1 (1) plays a role in maintaining pluripotency and (2) in specification of PGCLCs. We generated several clonal lines with biallelic loss of function mutations and analysed their potential to differentiate towards PGCLCs and their gene expression on RNA and protein level via bulk RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. The generated knockout iPSCs showed no differences in pluripotency gene expression, proliferation nor trilineage differentiation potential, but yielded reduced numbers o PGCLCs compared to their parental iPSCs. RNAseq analysis in PGCLCs showed significantly reduced expression of genes associated with cellular developmental processes and cell differentiation in knockout cells, including known markers for PGCs (NANOS3, SOX17, PRDM1, EPCAM) and naïve pluripotency (TFCP2L, DNMT3L).
Project description:We used scRNA-seq to examine serotonergic function in asexual planarians. We profiled 47,292 single cell transcriptomes of planarian of 3 different RNAi categories: gfp(RNAi), lhx1/5-1(RNAi) and pitx(RNAi). We detected changes in cell type frequency and gene expression patterns in planarian of different knock-down conditions, capturing regulatory programs of distinct cell types in response to loss of serotonergic function.
Project description:The motor neuron (MN)–hexamer complex consisting of LIM homeobox 3, Islet-1, and nuclear LIM interactor is a key determinant of motor neuron specification and differentiation. To gain insights into the transcriptional network in motor neuron development, we performed a genome-wide ChIP-sequencing analysis and found that the MN–hexamer directly regulates a wide array of motor neuron genes by binding to the HxRE (hexamer response element) shared among the target genes. Interestingly, STAT3-binding motif is highly enriched in the MN–hexamer–bound peaks in addition to the HxRE. We also found that a transcriptionally active form of STAT3 is expressed in embryonic motor neurons and that STAT3 associates with the MN–hexamer, enhancing the transcriptional activity of the MN–hexamer in an upstream signal-dependent manner. Correspondingly, STAT3 was needed for motor neuron differentiation in the developing spinal cord. Together, our studies uncover crucial gene regulatory mechanisms that couple MN–hexamer and STAT-activating extracellular signals to promote motor neuron differentiation in vertebrate spinal cord. To explain our experimental scheme briefly, we are interested in finding target sites for the dimer of transcription factors Isl1 and Lhx3. To mimic the biological activity of Isl1/Lhx3 dimer, we made Isl1-Lhx3 fusion and found that Isl1-Lhx3 has a potent biological activity in multiple systems (i.e. generation of ectopic motor neurons). Then we made ES cell line that induces Flag-tagged Isl1-Lhx3 expression upon Dox treatment. These *mouse* ES cells differentiate to motor neurons (iMN-ESCs) when treated with Dox following EB formation. To identify genomic binding sites of Isl1-Lhx3 (Flag-tagged), we performed ChIP with Flag antibody (pull down of Flag-Isl1-Lhx3) in ES cells treated with Dox. ChIP with Flag antibody in ES cells treated with vehicle (no Dox) was done as a negative control in parallel, and sequenced along with +Dox sample. We have done these experiments twice (two sets).