Matthias Kohn

Recent Assembly of an Imprinted Domain from Non-Imprinted Components

Genomic imprinting, representing parent-specific expression of alleles at a locus, raises many questions about how—and especially why—epigenetic silencing of mammalian genes evolved. We present the first in-depth study of how a human imprinted domain evolved, analyzing a domain containing several imprinted genes that are involved in human disease. Using comparisons of orthologous genes in humans, marsupials, and the platypus, we discovered that the Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome region on human Chromosome 15q was assembled only recently (105–180 million years ago). This imprinted domain arose after a region bearing UBE3A (Angelman syndrome) fused with an unlinked region bearing SNRPN (Prader-Willi syndrome), which had duplicated from the non-imprinted SNRPB/B′. This region independently acquired several retroposed gene copies and arrays of small nucleolar RNAs from different parts of the genome. In their original configurations, SNRPN and UBE3A are expressed from both alleles, implying that acquisition of imprinting occurred after their rearrangement and required the evolution of a control locus. Thus, the evolution of imprinting in viviparous mammals is ongoing.

Accelerated aging phenotype in mice with conditional deficiency for mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in the connective tissue

The free radical theory of aging postulates that the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species is the major determinant of aging and lifespan. Its role in aging of the connective tissue has not yet been established, even though the incidence of aging‐related disorders in connective tissue‐rich organs is high, causing major disability in the elderly. We have now addressed this question experimentally by creating mice with conditional deficiency of the mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase in fibroblasts and other mesenchyme‐derived cells of connective tissues in all organs. Here, we have shown for the first time that the connective tissue‐specific lack of superoxide anion detoxification in the mitochondria results in reduced lifespan and premature onset of aging‐related phenotypes such as weight loss, skin atrophy, kyphosis (curvature of the spine), osteoporosis and muscle degeneration in mutant mice. Increase in p16INK4a, a robust in vivo marker for fibroblast aging, may contribute to the observed phenotype. This novel model is particularly suited to decipher the underlying mechanisms and to develop hopefully novel connective tissue‐specific anti‐aging strategies.

A comparative expression analysis of four MRX genes regulating intracellular signalling via small GTPases.

The X chromosomal mental retardation genes have attained high interest in the past. A rough classification distinguishes syndromal mental retardation (MRXS) and nonsyndromal mental retardation (MRX) conditions. The latter are suggested to be responsible for human specific development of cognitive abilities. These genes have been shown to be engaged in chromatin remodelling or in intracellular signalling. During this analysis, we have compared the expression pattern in the mouse of four genes from the latter class of MRX genes: Ophn1, Arhgef6 (also called αPix), Pak3, and Gdi1. Ophn1, Pak3, and Gdi1 show a specific neuronal expression pattern with a certain overlap that allows to assign these signalling molecules to the same functional context. We noticed the highest expression of these genes in the dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis of the hippocampus, in structures engaged in learning and memory. A completely different expression pattern was observed for Arhgef6. In the CNS, it is expressed in ventricular zones, where neuronal progenitor cells are located. But Arhgef6 expression is also found in other non-neural tissues. Our analysis provides evidence that these signalling molecules are involved in different spatio-temporal expression domains of common signalling cascades and that for most tissues considerable functional redundancy of Rho-mediated signalling pathways exists.

Expression pattern of the Rsk2, Rsk4 and Pdk1 genes during murine embryogenesis.

The ribosomal S6 kinase family members RSK2 (RPS6KA3) and RSK4 (RPS6KA6) belong to the group of X chromosomal genes, in which defects cause unspecific mental retardation (MRX) in humans. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal expression pattern of these genes during mouse development with emphasis to midgestation stages. Additionally, we analyzed the expression of the phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 gene, Pdk1 (Pspk1), which is essential for the activation of Rsk family members and thus regulates their function. During midgestation we observed specifically enhanced expression of Rsk2 first in somites, later restricted to the dermatomyotome of the somites, then in the sensory ganglia of cranial nerves and in the dorsal root ganglia of the spinal nerves. High Rsk2 expression in the cranial nerve ganglia persists throughout development and is correlated with Pdk1 expression. In the brain of 2-day-old mice, Pdk1 is expressed in the cortical plate of the cerebral cortex and in the stratum pyramidale of the hippocampus, whereas Rsk2 expression is lower in these structures. For Rsk4 ubiquitous expression at lower levels was observed throughout development.

Reconstruction of the ancestral ferungulate karyotype by electronic chromosome painting (E-painting)

By comparing high-coverage and high-quality whole genome sequence assemblies it is now possible to reconstruct putative ancestral progenitor karyotypes, here called protokaryotypes. For this study we used the recently described electronic chromosome painting technique (E-painting) to reconstruct the karyotype of the 85 million-year-old (MYA) ferungulate ancestor. This model is primarily based on dog (Canis familiaris) and cattle (Bos taurus) genome data and is highly consistent with comparative gene mapping and chromosome painting data. The protokaryotype bears 23 autosomal chromosome pairs and the sex chromosomes and preserves most of the chromosomal associations described previously for the boreo-eutherian protokaryotype. The model indicates that five interchromosomal rearrangements occurred during the transition from the boreo-eutherian to the ferungulate ancestor. From there on 66 further interchromosomal rearrangements took place in the lineage leading to cattle and 61 further interchromosomal rearrangements in the lineage to dog.

Recruitment of old genes to new functions: evidences obtained by comparing the orthologues of human XLMR genes in mouse and chicken

Gene mapping data indicate that the human X chromosome is enriched in genes that affect both, higher cognitive efficiency and reproductive success. This raises the question whether these functions are ancient, or whether conserved X-linked genes were recruited to new functions. We have studied three X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) genes by RNA in situ hybridization in mouse and in chicken, in which these genes are autosomal: Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 6 (ARHGEF6), oligophrenin (OPHN1), and p21 activated kinase 3 (PAK3). In the mouse these genes are specifically expressed in telencephalic regions. Their orthologues in the chicken gave patterns of similar specificity in ancient parts of the brain, i.e. cerebellum and mesencephalon, but were not expressed in the telencephalon. Also in the testes, specific expression was only found in mouse, not in chicken. These data are interpreted such that certain genes on the X chromosome gained novel functions during evolution.

Overexpression of manganese superoxide dismutase in human dermal fibroblasts enhances the contraction of free floating collagen lattice: implications for ageing and hyperplastic scar formation

Cell–matrix interactions are of significant importance for tissue homeostasis of the skin and, if disturbed, may lead to ageing and hyperplastic scar formation. We have studied fibroblasts stably overexpressing manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) with a defined capacity for the removal of superoxide anions and concomitant accumulation of hydrogen peroxide to evaluate the role of enhanced MnSOD activity on the dynamics of cell–matrix interactions in the three-dimensional collagen lattice contraction assay. MnSOD overexpressing fibroblast populated collagen lattices revealed a significantly enhanced contraction compared to collagen lattices populated with vector control cells. The enhanced collagen lattice contraction was in part due to an increase in active TGF-β1 and the accumulation of H2O2 in MnSOD overexpressing fibroblasts populated collagen lattices. Inhibition of TGF-β1 signalling by the ALK4,5,7 kinases’ inhibitor SB431542 at least partly inhibited the enhanced collagen lattice contraction of MnSOD overexpressing fibroblasts populated lattices. In addition, supplementation of vector control fibroblast populated collagen lattices with recombinant TGF-β1 concentration dependently enhanced the collagen lattice contraction. In the presence of the antioxidant Ebselen, a mimic of H2O2 and other hydroperoxides/peroxynitrite-detoxifying glutathione peroxidase, collagen lattice contraction and the activation of TGF-β1 were significantly reduced in collagen lattices populated with MnSOD overexpressing fibroblasts. Collectively, these data suggest that H2O2 or other hydroperoxides or peroxynitrite or a combination thereof may function as important second messengers in collagen lattice contraction and act at least in part via TGF-β1 activation.

Enrichment of brain-related genes on the mammalian X chromosome is ancient and predates the divergence of synapsid and sauropsid lineages

Previous studies have revealed an enrichment of reproduction- and brain-related genes on the human X chromosome. In the present study, we investigated the evolutionary history that underlies this functional specialization. To do so, we analyzed the orthologous building blocks of the mammalian X chromosome in the chicken genome. We used Affymetrix chicken genome microarrays to determine tissue-selective gene expression in several tissues of the chicken, including testis and brain. Subsequently, chromosomal distribution of genes with tissue-selective expression was determined. These analyzes provided several new findings. Firstly, they showed that chicken chromosomes orthologous to the mammalian X chromosome exhibited an increased concentration of genes expressed selectively in brain. More specifically, the highest concentration of brain-selectively expressed genes was found on chicken chromosome GGA12, which shows orthology to the X chromosomal regions with the highest enrichment of non-syndromic X-linked mental retardation (MRX) genes. Secondly, and in contrast to the first finding, no enrichment of testis-selective genes could be detected on these chicken chromosomes. These findings indicate that the accumulation of brain-related genes on the prospective mammalian X chromosome antedates the divergence of sauropsid and synapsid lineages 315 million years ago, whereas the accumulation of testis-related genes on the mammalian X chromosome is more recent and due to adaptational changes.

Localization of human X chromosomal mental retardation (MRX) genes in chicken and comparison with the chicken genome sequence data

In an ongoing study human X chromosomal mental retardation genes (MRX) were mapped in the chicken genome. Up to now the homologs of 13 genes were localized by FISH techniques. Four genes from HSAXp (TM4SF2, RSK2/RPS6KA3, NLGN4, ARX) map to GGA1q13→q31, and seven genes from HSAXq (OPHN1, AGTR2, ARHGEF6, PAK3, FACL4/ACS4, FMR2, ATRX) to GGA4p. The gene-rich region of HSAXq28 proved to be much less conserved. GDI1 localized to GGA1pter and SLC6A8 to a mid-sized microchromosome. The order of the genes was determined from the newly available genome sequence data from chicken, which reveals exact colinearity between the genes in HSAXp and GGA1q13→q31, but completely scrambled gene order between the genes with common synteny from HSAXq and GGA4p. This result supports the hypothesis that the human X chromosome is a real ancient autosomal linkage group.

Chapter 7:Aging after Solar Radiation

Knowledge on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of photoaging of the skin and the importance of the dermal compartment as a model for tissue and organ aging in general has increased tremendously. The symptoms and consequences of photoaging of the skin are mainly due to cellular and molecular chan...