Biology subjects

Hall, E. T.

Publications and source records attributed to Hall, E. T..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2017

Actomyosin contractility modulates Wnt signaling through adherens junction stability

Mechanical forces can influence the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in processes like mesoderm differentiation and tissue stiffness during tumorigenesis, but a molecular mechanism involving both in a developing epithelium and its homeostasis is lacking. We identified that increased non-muscle myosin II activation and cellular contraction inhibited Wnt target gene transcription in developing Drosophila. Genetic interactions studies identified this effect was due to myosin-induced accumulation of cortical F-actin resulting in clustering and accumulation of E-cadherin to the adherens junctions. E-cadherin titrates any available {beta}-catenin, the Wnt pathway transcriptional co-activator, to the adherens junctions in order to maintain cell-cell adhesion under contraction. We show that decreased levels of cytoplasmic {beta}-catenin result in insufficient nuclear translocation for full Wnt target gene transcription. Our work elucidates a mechanism in which the dynamic activation of actomyosin contractility refines patterning of Wnt transcription during development and maintenance of epithelial tissue in organisms.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2017

Murine Glomerular Transcriptome Links Endothelial Cell-Specific Molecule-1 Deficiency With Susceptibility To Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of kidney disease; however, there are no early biomarkers and no cure. Thus, there is a large unmet need to predict which individuals will develop nephropathy and to understand the molecular mechanisms which govern this susceptibility. We compared the glomerular transcriptome from mice with distinct susceptibilities to DN, and identified differential regulation of genes that modulate inflammation. From these genes, we identified endothelial cell specific molecule-1 (Esm-1), as a glomerular-enriched determinant of resistance to DN. Glomerular Esm-1 mRNA and protein were lower in DN-susceptible, DBA/2, compared to DN-resistant, C57BL/6, mice. We demonstrated higher Esm-1 secretion from primary glomerular cultures of diabetic mice, and high glucose was sufficient to increase Esm-1 mRNA and protein secretion in both strains of mice. However, induction was significantly attenuated in DN-susceptible mice. Urine Esm-1 was also significantly higher only in DN-resistant mice. Moreover, using intravital microscopy and a biomimetic microfluidic assay, we showed that Esm-1 inhibited rolling and transmigration in a dose-dependent manner. For the first time we have uncovered glomerular-derived Esm-1 as a potential non-invasive biomarker of DN. Esm-1 inversely correlates with disease susceptibility and inhibits leukocyte infiltration, a critical factor in protecting the kidney from DN.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2017

The Protein Phosphatase 4 complex promotes the Notch 1pathway and wg transcription

The Wnt/Wingless (Wg) pathway controls cell fate specification, tissue differentiation and organ development across organisms. Using an in vivo RNAi screen to identify novel kinase and phosphatase regulators of the Wg pathway, we identified subunits of the serine threonine phosphatase Protein phosphatase 4 (PP4). Knockdown of the catalytic and the regulatory subunits of PP4 cause reductions in the Wg pathway targets Senseless and Distal-less. We find that PP4 regulates the Wg pathway by controlling Notch-driven wg transcription. Genetic interaction experiments identified that PP4 likely promotes Notch signaling within the nucleus of the Notch-receiving cell. Although the PP4 complex is implicated in various cellular processes, its role in the regulation of Wg and Notch pathways was previously uncharacterized. Our study identifies a novel role of PP4 in regulating Notch pathway, resulting in aberrations in Notch-mediated transcriptional regulation of the Wingless ligand. Furthermore, we show that PP4 regulates proliferation independent of its interaction with Notch.\n\nSummary statementThe protein phosphatase 4 complex promotes Notch signaling and target gene expression during Drosophila wing development.

developmental biology↗