Project description:We have created a Myrf knockdown (Myrf +/−) mutant mouse strain and investigated the molecular phenotype of reduced MYRF expression in the retina using RNA-sequencing. As an initial finding, photoreceptor defects with impaired functions of spatial vision and retinal electrophysiology were found in Myrf +/− mice, indicating an important role of MYRF in retinal development.It was revealed through RNA-seq that the expression of phototransduction and estrogen signaling pathways reduced in Myrf +/− mice. Thus, alterations of phototransduction and estrogen signaling pathways seem to play important roles in connecting Myrf deficiency with retinal photoreceptor defects.
Project description:Our research revealed that the transmembrane transcription factors MYRF-1 and MYRF-2 are crucial for activating the microRNA lin-4 at the end of the first larval stage in C. elegans. To determine whether MYRF regulates other microRNA genes during this period, we conducted a microRNA sequencing analysis to compare microRNA expression in late L1 larvae of wild type and myrf-1(ju1121) mutants. The myrf-1(ju1121) mutation causes a loss of function in both MYRF-1 and MYRF-2. Our analysis identified a subset of microRNAs that were differentially expressed between the wild type and the myrf-1(ju1121) mutants.
Project description:Improper light focus on the retina, refractive error, is primarily caused by eye size differences and is the leading cause of vision loss worldwide. C-terminal variants in the Myelin Regulatory Factor (MYRF) gene, a retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-derived transcription factor, lead to isolated nanophthalmos characterized by a small, though structurally sound eye. However, other MYRF loss-of-function variants cause syndromic disease. To address this discrepancy, in vitro and animal studies were performed on a pathogenic C-terminal variant dG-MYRF (p.Gly1126fs30*, c.3376-1G>A ). Human RPE-cells or primary RPE transduced with dG-MYRF showed reduced target gene expression, with decreased steady-state levels of the C-terminal cleavage product, but normal cleavage and localization. A homozygous humanized MYRF C-terminal mouse model (MyrfhumdG/humdG) was embryonic lethal by embryonic day (E) 18.5, while wildtype (MyrfhumWT/humWT) mice were viable. Single-cell RNA-seq from E17.5 MyrfhumdG/humdG and knockout RxCre;Myrffl/fl (E15.5 and P0) mice revealed shared differentially expressed genes, with decreased effect size in the MyrfhumdG/humdG eyes. These findings support dG-MYRF as a hypomorphic allele. Additionally, two novel MYRF splicing variants creating nonfunctional isoforms were found in families with isolated nanophthalmos. Overall, hypomorphic MYRF alleles underlie isolated nanophthalmos, supporting a tissue-specific threshold effect and highlighting unique roles for the MYRF C-terminus in the RPE.
Project description:To investigate the function of Dax1 in mouse ES cells, whole genome microarray expression profiling was employed to identify genes that are potentially affected by the deletion of Dax1.
Project description:The mesothelium is a squamous monolayer that ensheathes internal organs and lines the body cavities. Aside from facilitating tissue sliding, its additional functions remain poorly understood. Here, we study the mesothelium through investigating myelin regulatory factor (Myrf), a transcription factor expressed in the mesothelium and a top mutated gene in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a developmental disorder that affects the lung and diaphragm. In mice, inactivation of Myrf early in embryogenesis resulted in CDH and defective mesothelium specification, compromising its role as a signaling center for lung growth. Inactivation after mesothelium specification led to additional defects, including enhanced differentiation into various mesenchymal cell types, causing a striking accumulation of elastin-expressing smooth muscle/myofibroblasts encasing the lung, mimicking pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), a rare adult lung condition. Compound mutants demonstrate that MYRF functions synergistically with YAP/TAZ in mesothelium differentiation. Together, these findings highlight the complex role of the mesothelium in development and disease.
Project description:The mesothelium is a squamous monolayer that ensheathes internal organs and lines the body cavities. Aside from facilitating tissue sliding, its additional functions remain poorly understood. Here, we study the mesothelium through investigating myelin regulatory factor (Myrf), a transcription factor expressed in the mesothelium and a top mutated gene in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a developmental disorder that affects the lung and diaphragm. In mice, inactivation of Myrf early in embryogenesis resulted in CDH and defective mesothelium specification, compromising its role as a signaling center for lung growth. Inactivation after mesothelium specification led to additional defects, including enhanced differentiation into various mesenchymal cell types, causing a striking accumulation of elastin-expressing smooth muscle/myofibroblasts encasing the lung, mimicking pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), a rare adult lung condition. Compound mutants demonstrate that MYRF functions synergistically with YAP/TAZ in mesothelium differentiation. Together, these findings highlight the complex role of the mesothelium in development and disease.
Project description:The mesothelium is a squamous monolayer that ensheathes internal organs and lines the body cavities. Aside from facilitating tissue sliding, its additional functions remain poorly understood. Here, we study the mesothelium through investigating myelin regulatory factor (Myrf), a transcription factor expressed in the mesothelium and a top mutated gene in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), a developmental disorder that affects the lung and diaphragm. In mice, inactivation of Myrf early in embryogenesis resulted in CDH and defective mesothelium specification, compromising its role as a signaling center for lung growth. Inactivation after mesothelium specification led to additional defects, including enhanced differentiation into various mesenchymal cell types, causing a striking accumulation of elastin-expressing smooth muscle/myofibroblasts encasing the lung, mimicking pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE), a rare adult lung condition. Compound mutants demonstrate that MYRF functions synergistically with YAP/TAZ in mesothelium differentiation. Together, these findings highlight the complex role of the mesothelium in development and disease.
Project description:To investigate the function of Dax1 in mouse ES cells, whole genome microarray expression profiling was employed to identify genes that are potentially affected by the deletion of Dax1. An inducible knockout ES cell line of Dax1 with the Cre-loxP system was generated and gene expression was measured (i) without Dax1 deletion, (ii) after 4 days of Dax1 deletion, or (iii) after several passags of Dax1 deletion. Each sample was prepared in triplicate.