Biology subjects

Enriquez, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Enriquez, J..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Metabolic Reprogramming by Mutant GNAS Creates an Actionable Dependency in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas

ObjectiveOncogenic "hotspot" mutations of KRAS and GNAS are two major driver alterations in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs), which are bona fide precursors to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. We previously reported that pancreas-specific KrasG12D and GnasR201C co-expression in p48Cre; KrasLSL-G12D; Rosa26LSL-rtTA; Tg (TetO-GnasR201C) mice ("Kras;Gnas" mice) caused development of cystic lesions recapitulating IPMNs. Here, we aim to unveil the consequences of mutant GnasR201C expression on phenotype, transcriptomic profile, and genomic dependencies. DesignWe performed multimodal transcriptional profiling (bulk RNA sequencing, single cell RNA sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics) in the "Kras;Gnas" autochthonous model and tumor-derived cell lines (Kras;Gnas cells), where GnasR201C expression is inducible. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen was conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities in KrasG12D;GnasR201Cco-expressing cells. ResultsInduction of GnasR201C - and resulting G(s)alpha signaling - leads to the emergence of a gene signature of gastric (pyloric type) metaplasia in pancreatic neoplastic epithelial cells. CRISPR screening identified the synthetic essentiality of glycolysis-related genes Gpi1 and Slc2a1 in KrasG12D;GnasR201C co-expressing cells. Real-time metabolic analyses in Kras;Gnas cells and autochthonous Kras;Gnas model confirmed enhanced glycolysis upon GnasR201C induction. Induction of GnasR201C made KrasG12D expressing cells more dependent on glycolysis for their survival. Protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the glycolytic intermediate enzyme PFKFB3 was a driver of increased glycolysis upon GnasR201C induction. ConclusionMultiple orthogonal approaches demonstrate that KrasG12D and GnasR201C co-expression results in a gene signature of gastric pyloric metaplasia and glycolytic dependency during IPMN pathogenesis. The observed metabolic reprogramming may provide a potential target for therapeutics and interception of IPMNs. SUMMARYO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this topicC_ST_ABSO_LIActivating "hotspot" mutations of KRAS and GNAS are found in a majority of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs). C_LIO_LIExpression of mutant KRAS and GNAS drives development of IPMN-like cystic lesions in the murine pancreas that eventually progress to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). C_LI What this study addsO_LIMutant GNAS and the resulting aberrant G(s)alpha signaling drives a transcriptional signature of gastric (pyloric type) metaplasia in IPMNs with mucin production. C_LIO_LIAberrant G(s)alpha signaling enhances glycolysis via protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of the glycolytic enzyme PFKFB3. C_LIO_LIEnhanced glycolysis in KRAS;GNAS-mutated IPMN cells is validated via multiple orthogonal approaches in vitro and in vivo and represents an actionable metabolic vulnerability. C_LI How this study might affect research, practice or policyO_LIThe present study provides mechanistic insight into how aberrant G(s)alpha signaling alters the biology of Kras-mutant pancreatic epithelial neoplasia through metaplastic and metabolic reprogramming. C_LIO_LITargeting glycolysis in IPMNs may represent both a therapeutic avenue as well as an opportunity for intercepting progression to invasive cancer. C_LI

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Human organoid modeling of congenital malformations caused by RFX6 mutations reveal an essential role for this transcription factor in establishing and maintaining duodenal identity upstream of PDX1

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract consists of highly specialized organs from the proximal esophagus to the distal colon, each with unique functions. Rare congenital malformations of the GI tract, including organ atresia, agenesis or mis-patterning are linked to gene mutations although the molecular basis of these malformations has been poorly studied due to lack of model systems to study human development. We identified a patient with compound heterozygous mutations in the transcription factor RFX6 with pancreatic agenesis as previously described. In addition, the patient had duodenal mal-rotation and atresia suggesting that establishment of the proximal small intestine was impaired in these patients. To identify the molecular basis of the intestinal malformation we generated induced pluripotent stem cell lines from this patient, and derived human intestinal organoid (HIOs) to identify how mutations in RFX6 impact intestinal patterning and function. We identified that the duodenal identity of HIOs and patient tissues had adopted a more distal small intestinal signature, including expression of SATB2, normally expressed in the ileum and colon. CRISPR-mediated correction of RFX6 restored duodenal identity, including expression of PDX1, which is required for duodenal development. Using transcriptomic approaches in HIOs and Xenopus embryos we identified that PDX1 is a downstream transcriptional target of RFX6 and that PDX1 expression in a RFX6 mutant background was sufficient to rescue duodenal identity. However, RFX6 had a PDX1-independent role in regulating expression of components of WNT, HH, and BMP signaling pathways that are critical for establishing early regional identity in the GI tract. In summary, we have identified that RFX6 is one of the most upstream regulators early intestinal patterning in vertebrates and that it acts by regulating key transcriptional and signaling pathways.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

The post-transcriptional regulation of TFs in immature motoneurons shapes the axon-muscle connectome

Temporal factors expressed sequentially in neural stem cells, such as RNA binding proteins (RBPs) or transcription factors (TFs), are key elements in the generation of neuronal diversity. The molecular mechanism underlying how the temporal identity of stem cells is decoded into their progeny to generate neuronal diversity is largely unknown. Here, we used genetic and new computational tools to study with precision the unique fates of the progeny of a stem cell producing 29 morphologically distinct leg motoneurons (MNs) in Drosophila. We identified 40 TFs expressed in this MN lineage, 15 of which are expressed in a combinatorial manner in immature MNs just before their morphological differentiation. By following TF expression patterns at an earlier developmental stages, we discovered 19 combinatorial codes of TFs that were progressively established in immature MNs as a function of their birth order. The comparison of the RNA and protein expression profiles of 6 TFs revealed that post-transcriptional regulation plays an essential role in shaping these TF codes. We found that the two known RBPs, Imp and Syp, expressed sequentially in neuronal stem cells, are upstream regulators of the TF codes. Both RBPs are key players in the construction of axon-muscle connectome through the post-transcriptional regulation of 5 of the 6 TFs examined. By deciphering the function of Imp in the immature MNs with respect to the stem cell of the same lineage, we propose a model where RBPs shape the morphological fates of MNs through post-transcriptional regulation of TF codes in immature MNs. Taken together, our study reveals that immature MNs are plastic cells that have the potential to acquire many morphological fates. The molecular basis of MN plasticity originates in the broad expression of different TF mRNA, that are post-transcriptionally shaped into TF codes by Imp and Syp, and potentially by other RBPs that remain to be discovered, to determine their morphological fates.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine induces a strong neutralizing immunity in preclinical studies

Controlling the global COVID-19 pandemic depends, among other measures, on developing preventive vaccines at an unprecedented pace. Vaccines approved for use and those in development intend to use neutralizing antibodies to block viral sites binding to the hosts cellular receptors. Virus infection is mediated by the spike glycoprotein trimer on the virion surface via its receptor binding domain (RBD). Antibody response to this domain is an important outcome of the immunization and correlates well with viral neutralization. Here we show that macromolecular constructs with recombinant RBD conjugated to tetanus toxoid induce a potent immune response in laboratory animals. Some advantages of the immunization with the viral antigen coupled to tetanus toxoid have become evident such as predominant IgG immune response due to affinity maturation and long-term specific B-memory cells. This paper demonstrates that subunit conjugate vaccines can be an alternative for COVID-19, paving the way for other viral conjugate vaccines based on the use of small viral proteins involved in the infection process.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2017

Differing strategies used by motor neurons and glia to achieve robust development of an adult neuropil in Drosophila

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, neurons and glia are generated in a stereotyped order from dedicated progenitors called neural stem cells, but the purpose of invariant lineages is not understood. Here we show that three of the stem cells that produce leg motor neurons in Drosophila also generate a specialized subset of glia, the neuropil glia, which wrap and send processes into the neuropil where motor neuron dendrites arborize. The development of the neuropil glia and leg motor neurons is highly coordinated. However, although individual motor neurons have a stereotyped birth order and transcription factor code, both the number and individual morphologies of the glia born from these lineages are highly plastic, even though the final structure they contribute to is highly stereotyped. We suggest that the shared lineages of these two cell types facilitates the assembly of complex neural circuits, and that the two different birth order strategies - hardwired for motor neurons and flexible for glia - are important for robust nervous system development and homeostasis.

neuroscience↗