During embryogenesis, many key transcription factors are used repeatedly, achieving different outcomes depending on cell type and developmental stage. The epigenetic modification of the genome functions as a memory of a cells developmental history, and it has been proposed that such modification shapes the cellular response to transcription factors. To investigate the role of DNA methylation in the response to transcription factor Gata4, we examined expression profiles of Dnmt3a-/-Dnmt3b-/- ES cell-derived mesoderm cells cultured for 4 days with or without Gata4 activation, as well as the wild-type counterparts, using Affymetrix microarrays.
DNA methylation restricts lineage-specific functions of transcription factor Gata4 during embryonic stem cell differentiation.
Specimen part
View SamplesOur previous study revealed that the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Hand2 is a downstream target of progesterone signaling in mouse uterine stroma at the time of implantation. Further, conditional deletion of Hand2 in mouse uterus leads to implantation failure due to impaired uterine epithelial receptivity.
The antiproliferative action of progesterone in uterine epithelium is mediated by Hand2.
Specimen part, Disease
View SamplesThis array set was used to identify the genes that are highly expressed in the mouse suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Because pharmacological inhibition of Gai/o activity with pertussis toxin hampers intercellular synchronization and causes dampened rhythms of the entire SCN, we hypothesized that member(s) of the Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) family might contribute to synchronized cellular oscillations in the SCN. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed all known mouse Rgs genes for their expression by using GeneChip and selected the genes that are highly expressed in the SCN for further analysis.
Circadian regulation of intracellular G-protein signalling mediates intercellular synchrony and rhythmicity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Disease, Treatment, Time
View SamplesFunctionally polarized CD4+ T helper (Th) cells such as Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells are central to the regulation of acquired immunity. However, the molecular mechanisms governing the maintenance of the polarized functions of Th cells remain unclear. GATA3, a master regulator of Th2 cell differentiation, initiates the expressions of Th2 cytokine genes and other Th2-specific genes. GATA3 also plays important roles in maintaining Th2 cell function and in continuous chromatin remodeling of Th2 cytokine gene loci. However, it is unclear whether continuous expression of GATA3 is required to maintain the expression of various other Th2-specific genes. In this report, genome-wide DNA gene expression profiling revealed that GATA3 expression is critical for the expression of a certain set of Th2-specific genes. We demonstrated that GATA3 dependency is reduced for some Th2-specific genes in fully developed Th2 cells compared to that observed in effector Th2 cells, whereas it is unchanged for other genes. Moreover, effects of a loss of GATA3 expression in Th2 cells on the expression of cytokine and cytokine receptor genes were examined in detail. A critical role of GATA3 in the regulation of Th2-specific gene expression is confirmed in in vivo generated antigen-specific memory Th2 cells. Therefore, GATA3 is required for the continuous expression of the majority of Th2-specific genes involved in maintaining the Th2 cell identity.
Genome-Wide Gene Expression Profiling Revealed a Critical Role for GATA3 in the Maintenance of the Th2 Cell Identity.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesWe used microarray analysis to identify specific molecular mechanisms controlling IL-5 transcription in memory Th2 cells.
Eomesodermin controls interleukin-5 production in memory T helper 2 cells through inhibition of activity of the transcription factor GATA3.
Specimen part
View SamplesDuring mammalian gastrulation, pluripotent epiblast stem cells migrate through the primitive streak to form the multipotent progenitors of the mesoderm and endoderm germ layers. Msgn1 is a bHLH transcription factor and is a direct target gene of the Wnt/bcatenin signaling pathway. Msgn1 is expressed in the mesodermal compartment of the primitive streak and is necessary for the proper development of the mesoderm. Msgn1 mutants show defects in somitogenesis leading to a lack of trunk skeletal muscles, vertebra and ribs.
The Wnt3a/β-catenin target gene Mesogenin1 controls the segmentation clock by activating a Notch signalling program.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe goal of this project was to elucidate the target genes and transcriptional networks activated by Wnt3a during gastrulation, a complex morphogenetic process in which the embryonic germ layers are formed and the vertebrate body plan is established.
The Wnt3a/β-catenin target gene Mesogenin1 controls the segmentation clock by activating a Notch signalling program.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesGene expression profiles of Cbfb-deficient and control Treg cells were compared.
Indispensable role of the Runx1-Cbfbeta transcription complex for in vivo-suppressive function of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesThe aim of our study is to determine the functions of histone deacetylases (HDACs) 1 and 2 in Schwann cells during postnatal development of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Schwann cells are the myelinating glial cells of the PNS. At birth, mouse sciatic nerves mature in 2 subsequent phases: 1/ big caliber axons get sorted into a 1 to 1 relationship with Schwann cells, 2/ Schwann cells build a myelin sheath around sorted axons. In mice where both HDAC1 & HDAC2 have been specifically knocked out in Schwann cells, both phases are impaired. HDACs are chromatin remodeling enzymes, they can thus alter gene expression directly. We want to identify which genes controlled by HDAC1 and HDAC2 in Schwann cells are necessary for the maturation of sciatic nerves. Because HDAC1 and HDAC2 can compensate for each other loss to some extend, we will first analyze changes of gene expression in HDAC1/HDAC2 double KO animals. We expect to gain critical insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling Schwann cell differentiation and myelination. This knowledge is of key importance for the success of regenerative medicine in peripheral neuropathies, nerve tumors, and transplantation paradigms in non-regenerative CNS lesions and in large PNS injuries.
HDAC1 and HDAC2 control the transcriptional program of myelination and the survival of Schwann cells.
Disease, Disease stage
View SamplesTranscription factors that regulate quiescence, proliferation, and homing of lymphocytes are critical for effective immune system function. In the present study, we demonstrated that the transcription factor ELF4 directly activates the tumor suppressor KLF4 downstream of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling to induce cell cycle arrest in nave CD8+ T cells. Elf4- and Klf4-deficient mice accumulated CD8+CD44hi T cells during steady-state conditions and generated more memory T cells after immunization. The homeostatic expansion of CD8+CD44hi T cells in Elf4-null mice resulted in a redistribution of cells to non-lymphoid tissue due to reduced expression of the transcription factor KLF2, and the surface proteins CCR7 and CD62L. This work describes the combinatorial role of lymphocyte-intrinsic factors in the control of T cell homeostasis, activation and homing.
Transcription factor ELF4 controls the proliferation and homing of CD8+ T cells via the Krüppel-like factors KLF4 and KLF2.
Specimen part
View Samples