Fernandez-Guerrero, M. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2020

SPECIFIC ECTODERMAL ENHANCERS CONTROL THE EXPRESSION OF HoxC GENES IN DEVELOPING MAMMALIAN INTEGUMENTS

Vertebrate Hox genes are key players in the establishment of structures during the development of the main body axis. Subsequently, they play important roles either in organizing secondary axial structures such as the appendages, or during homeostasis in postnatal stages and adulthood. Here we set up to analyze their elusive function in the ectodermal compartment, using the mouse limb bud as a model. We report that the HoxC gene cluster was globally co-opted to be transcribed in the distal limb ectoderm, where it is activated following the rule of temporal colinearity. These ectodermal cells subsequently produce various keratinized organs such as nails or claws. Accordingly, deletion of the HoxC cluster led to mice lacking nails (anonychia) and also hairs (alopecia), a condition stronger than the previously reported loss of function of Hoxc13, which is the causative gene of the ectodermal dysplasia 9 (ECTD9) in human patients. We further identified two ectodermal, mammalian-specific enhancers located upstream of the HoxC gene cluster, which act synergistically to regulate Hoxc gene expression in the hair and nail ectodermal organs. Deletion of these regulatory elements alone or in combination revealed a strong quantitative component in the regulation of Hoxc genes in the ectoderm, suggesting that these two enhancers may have evolved along with mammals to provide the level of HOXC proteins necessary for the full development of hairs and nails. Significance StatementIn this study, we report a unique and necessary function for the HoxC gene cluster in the development of some ectodermal organs, as illustrated both by the hair and nail phenotype displayed by mice lacking the Hoxc13 function and by the congenital anonychia (absence of nails) in full HoxC cluster mutants. We show that Hoxc genes are activated in a colinear manner in the embryonic limb ectoderm and are subsequently transcribed in developing nails and hairs. We identify two mammalian-specific enhancers located upstream of the HoxC cluster with and exclusive ectodermal specificity. Individual or combined enhancer deletions suggest that they act in combination to raise the transcription level of several Hoxc genes during hairs and nails development.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Sp8 regulatory function in the limb bud ectoderm

Sp8 and Sp6 are two closely related Sp genes expressed in the limb ectoderm, where they regulate proximo-distal and dorso-ventral patterning. Genetic studies in mice have shown that they act in a dose-dependent manner, with Sp8 exerting a substantially stronger effect than Sp6. Here, we integrate ChIPmentation-seq and RNA-seq analyses to elucidate their genome-wide regulatory networks and mechanisms of action. Our results show that Sp8 has a dual mode of action either directly binding GC-rich motifs or indirectly binding AT-rich motifs through Dlx. In contrast, Sp6 primarily acts through AT-rich motifs, via interaction with cofactors such as Dlx5. Both factors regulate key components of the Wnt, FGF, and BMP signaling pathways, central to limb patterning, and display both cooperative and independent roles. We further show that Sp8 and Sp6 can form homo- and heterodimers, as well as interact with Dlx5, revealing a complex regulatory network. Our findings provide molecular insight into limb morphogenesis and have potential implications for understanding congenital limb malformations.

developmental biology↗