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Coordinate regulation of Igf-2 and H19 in cultured cells.

The insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf-2) and H19 genes are physically linked on mouse distal chromosome 7 and are reciprocally imprinted. We investigated the molecular basis of the parental imprints in somatic cell cultures derived from normal embryos or from their littermates with maternal uniparental disomy for distal chromosome 7 (MatDi7). In normal cells, the two genes appeared to respond to similar regulatory factor(s), since both genes were coordinately up-regulated upon growth arrest and cell clones which had lost expression of one gene had lost expression of the other. However, in a clone of MatDi7 cells (MatDi7 1-1a), which spontaneously began to express the maternally derived copy of Igf-2, Igf-2 and H19 were not coordinately regulated. MatDi7 1-1a cells showed de novo methylation of sites upstream of Igf-2 and also within the H19 promoter, epigenetic modifications normally seen only on the paternal chromosome. The data provide new experimental evidence for previously hypothesized mechanisms suggesting that Igf-2 and H19 are coordinately regulated.

Animals↗

Small marker X chromosomes lack the X inactivation center: implications for karyotype/phenotype correlations.

The abnormal phenotype and/or mental retardation seen in persons with small marker X (mar(X)) chromosomes has been hypothesized to be due to the loss of the X inactivation center (XIC) at Xq13.2, resulting in two active copies of genes in the pericentromeric region. In order to define precisely the DNA content of mar(X) chromosomes and to correlate phenotype with karyotype, we studied small mar(X) chromosomes, using FISH with probes in the juxtacentromeric region. One of the probes was a 40-kb genomic cosmid for the XIST gene, which maps to the smallest interval known to contain the XIC and is thought to be involved in X inactivation. Our findings reveal that small mar(X) chromosomes do not include the XIC and therefore cannot be subject to X inactivation, supporting the premise that abnormal dosage of expressed genes in the pericentromeric region of the X generates the aberrant phenotype seen in patients with small mar(X) chromosomes.

Adult↗

DNA replication analysis of FMR1, XIST, and factor 8C loci by FISH shows nontranscribed X-linked genes replicate late.

The relationship between the transcriptional state of a locus and the time when it replicates during DNA synthesis is increasingly apparent. Active autosomal genes tend to replicate early, whereas inactive ones are more permissive and frequently replicate later. Although the inactive X chromosome replicates later than its active homologue, little is known about the replication of X-linked genes. We have used FISH to examine the replication of loci on the active X chromosome that are not transcribed, either because the tissue analyzed was not the expressing tissue (F8C), because the locus is silent on all active X chromosomes (XIST), or because it has been mutated by expansion and methylation of a CpG island (FMR1). In this assay, an unreplicated locus is characterized by a single hybridization signal, and a replicated locus is characterized by a doublet hybridization signal. The percentage of doublets is used as a measure of relative time of replication in S phase. The validity of this approach has been established elsewhere, since results compare favorably with those obtained using traditional methods for studying DNA replication. Our results show that the FMR1 gene replicates relatively later in fragile X (fraX) males with the full mutation than in normal males, irrespective of the probe used. The F8C locus is late replicating in both normal and fraX males and replicates at nearly the same time on active and inactive X in females. The XIST locus replicates late in all the males studied and asynchronously in female cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cells, Cultured↗

The severe phenotype of females with tiny ring X chromosomes is associated with inability of these chromosomes to undergo X inactivation.

Mental retardation and a constellation of congenital malformations not usually associated with Turner syndrome are seen in some females with a mosaic 45,X/46,X,r(X) karyotype. Studies of these females show that the XIST locus on their tiny ring X chromosomes is either not present or not expressed. As XIST transcription is well correlated with inactivation of the X chromosome in female somatic cells and spermatogonia, nonexpression of the locus even when it is present suggests that these chromosomes are transcriptionally active. We examined the transcriptional activity of ring X chromosomes lacking XIST expression (XISTE-), from three females with severe phenotypes. The two tiny ring X chromosomes studied with an antibody specific for the acetylated isoforms of histone H4 marking transcribed chromatin domains were labeled at a level consistent with their being active. We also examined tow of the XISTE- ring chromosomes to determine whether genes that are normally silent on an inactive X are expressed from these chromosomes. Analyses of hybrid cells show that TIMP, ZXDA, and ZXDB loci on the proximal short arm, and AR and PHKA1 loci on the long arm, are well expressed from the tiny ring X chromosome lacking XIST DNA. Studies of the ring chromosome that has XIST DNA but does not transcribe it show that its AR allele is transcribed along with the one on the normal X allele.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylation↗

High incidence of loss of heterozygosity and abnormal imprinting of H19 and IGF2 genes in invasive cervical carcinomas. Uncoupling of H19 and IGF2 expression and biallelic hypomethylation of H19.

The few imprinted genes characterized so far include the insulin-like growth factor-2 gene (IGF2) coding for a foetal growth factor and the H19 gene whose normal function is unknown but which is likely to act as an RNA with an antitumour effect. IGF2 is expressed by the paternal allele and H19 by the maternal allele. This reciprocal expression is quite interesting because both H19 and IGF2 genes are located close to each other on chromosome 11p15.5 in a region subject to loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Moreover, loss of imprinting (LOI) or biallelic expression has been proposed as an epigenetic mechanism for tumorigenesis in a variety of human cancers including Wilms' tumour. In this study we report the LOH, LOI and methylation status of H19 and IGF2 genes in 29 invasive cervical carcinomas of different clinical stages. Fourteen (48%) and 13 (45%) tumours were heterozygous for H19 and IGF2 respectively. LOH for H19 and IGF2 genes were found in 2 of 14 (14%) and 3 of 13 (23%) informative tumours, respectively. LOI of H19 and IGF2 was detected in 2 of 12 (17%) and 5 of 10 (50%) tumours with no LOH, respectively. More interestingly, monoallelic expression of the otherwise silent H19 allele (allele switch) was observed in 2 of 12 (17%) tumours and biallelic expression of IGF2 was detected in one specimen of normal cervix adjacent to the tumour. The expressing H19 allele, and to a lower degree also the silent allele, were hypomethylated in tumours suggesting that demethylation of both H19 alleles may be associated with an early step of imprinting alteration. In cervical cancer H19 and IGF2 expressions could be independently regulated. In conclusion, our data suggest that H19 and IGF2 genes, via deletions and/or abnormal imprinting, could play a crucial role in a large proportion (58%) of cervical cancers where they may be associated with disease progression.

Alleles↗

Heritability of X chromosome--inactivation phenotype in a large family.

One of the two X chromosomes in each somatic cell of normal human females becomes inactivated very early in embryonic development. Although the inactivation of an X chromosome in any particular somatic cell of the embryonic lineage is thought to be a stochastic and epigenetic event, a strong genetic influence on this process has been described in the mouse. We have attempted to uncover evidence for genetic control of X-chromosome inactivation in the human by examining X chromosome-inactivation patterns in 255 females from 36 three-generation pedigrees, to determine whether this quantitative character exhibits evidence of heritability. We have found one family in which all seven daughters of one male and the mother of this male have highly skewed patterns of X-chromosome inactivation, suggesting strongly that this quantitative character is controlled by one or more X-linked genes in some families.

Alleles↗

Expression of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF)-II) and H19 in murine teratocarcinomas derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells.

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is expressed during embryogenesis in rodents and humans, but is not produced in most adult tissues. This pattern of expression is closely shared by the gene H19, which lies 3' to IGF-II. This, together with the fact that the genes are reciprocally imprinted, has led to the proposal that the genes are under common transcriptional control by the H19 enhancers during development. In the present study, embryonic stem (ES) cells have been used to generate teratocarcinomas in mice. These tumours generate a wide range of differentiated tissues which have been subjected to hybridisation histochemistry with RNA probes to H19 and IGF-II. Coexpression of the two genes was found in a range of tissues, a pattern consistent with the idea of common transcriptional control. However, there were some areas in which H19 was expressed strongly in comparison with IGF-II and vice versa suggesting the existence of further control elements other than the H19 enhancers.

Animals↗

H19 gene overexpression in atypical multidrug-resistant cells associated with expression of a 95-kilodalton membrane glycoprotein.

The multidrug resistance phenotype of human breast carcinoma MCF-7/AdrVp cells is characterized by overexpression of a 95-kilodalton membrane glycoprotein (p95), accompanied by a marked reduction in intracellular anthracycline accumulation, without overexpression of P-glycoprotein or the multidrug resistance protein. We discovered that the mRNA of the H19 gene is overexpressed in MCF-7/AdrVp cells relative to parental MCF-7 cells or drug-sensitive MCF-7/AdrVp revertant cells. H19 is an imprinted gene with an important role in fetal differentiation, as well as a postulated function as a tumor suppressor gene. Another p95-overexpressing multidrug-resistant cell line, human lung carcinoma NCI-H1688, also displays high levels of H19 mRNA. In contrast, several multidrug-resistant cell lines that overexpress P-glycoprotein or the multidrug resistance protein do not have higher levels of H19 mRNA than their drug-sensitive counterparts. This is the first report of H19 gene overexpression accompanying any form of drug resistance. The association of H19 and p95 gene expression in drug resistance warrants further study.

Base Sequence↗

Nonrandom X-inactivation patterns in normal females: lyonization ratios vary with age.

The utility of X-inactivation based clonality assays for evaluation of human neoplasia is well-documented. However, excessive Lyonization is a potential limitation of these assays, because it mimics clonal derivation of cells. The incidence of excessive Lyonization in healthy females is controversial, with reported incidence varying from 4% to 33%. Several explanations have been offered for the observed variation, including different criteria for excessive Lyonization, diversity of X-linked clonality assays, small population sizes and more recently, tissue specificity of X-inactivation patterns. However, it is also possible that stem cell depletion, clonal hematopoiesis, or selection pressures on blood cells results in an increased incidence of excessive skewing. If any of the latter is true, then the incidence of excessive skewing should increase with age in blood cells. To test this hypothesis, we determined X-inactivation ratios at the human androgen receptor locus of 295 normal females from three age groups: (1) neonates, (2) females 28 to 32 years old and, (3) females aged > or = 60 years. The incidence of skewing (allele ratios > or = 3:1) was 8.6% (14 of 162) in neonates (P = .104 v 28 to 32); 16.4% (11/67) in 28 to 32 y.o. (P = .0064 v > or = 60), and 37.9% (25 of 66) in women > or = 60 y.o. (P < .0001 v neonates). When a more stringent criterion for skewing was used (allele ratios > or = 10:1), the incidence was 1.9% (3 of 162) in neonates (P = .362 v 28 to 32), 4.5% (3 of 67) in 28 to 32 y.o. (P = .0022 v > or = 60), and 22.7% (15 of 66) in > or = 60 y.o. group (P < .0001 v neonates). Results have been confirmed at the phosphoglycerate kinase locus for 48 heterozygous females. The incidence of excessive skewing increases with age. In neonates, the incidence is low and may correspond to true excessive Lyonization. Acquired skewing occurs with aging in normal females and is present in 38% of females over the age of 60. Further studies are needed to determine whether acquired skewing is a consequence of stem cell depletion, true clonal hematopoiesis, growth advantage conferred by parental-specific X-chromosomes, or other causes. These data provide an explanation for variation in reported incidence of excessive skewing in normal females. Furthermore, these findings suggest that any study of clonality using X-inactivation based assays should incorporate age-matched controls for Lyonization.

Adult↗

IGF2 but not H19 shows loss of imprinting in human glioma.

Genomic imprinting is a gamete-specific modification resulting in the allele-specific expression of genes in somatic cells. A loss of imprinting (LOI) has been found in many embryonal and adult tumors, suggesting that it plays a role in tumor development. The incidence of LOI, however, does not seem to be ubiquitous among tumors because neuroblastoma and colorectal cancer revealed no LOI. We examined the involvement of LOI of IGF2 and H19 genes in human gliomas. The two genes were imprinted in normal brain subcortex tissues. In glioma, 8 of 14 informative cases (57%) revealed LOI in IGF2. The frequency did not depend on the tumor grade. For H19, in contrast, all 13 informative cases maintained imprinting. These results suggest that LOI of IGF2 but not H19 plays a role in the development of human glioma.

Adult↗

Reversal of loss of imprinting in tumor cells by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine.

To determine whether loss of imprinting in cancer might be reversed by altering DNA methylation, we treated tumor cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, a specific inhibitor of cytosine DNA methyltransferase. Treated cells showed several significant and reproducible changes. (a) Equal expression of maternal and paternal alleles of insulin-like growth factor 2 switched to predominant expression of a single parental allele. (b) H19 expression was reactivated. (c) Biallelic H19 expression switched to monoallelic expression. (d) Biallelic methylation of H19 switched to preferential allelic methylation. These results imply that abnormally imprinted cells are susceptible to epigenetic modification and that the effect of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on tumor cells with loss of imprinting is not random but specific to one allele.

Azacitidine↗

The 5' part of the human H19 RNA contains cis-acting elements hampering its translatability.

H19 is an imprinted gene developmentally regulated in man and mouse and implicated in various neoplasms. No corresponding protein product has yet been detected, although several open reading frames (ORFs) could be identified along its RNA. The largest ORF found in the human gene could encode a putative 26 kDa protein. We have isolated two H19 cDNAs (AP and ES) that contain this ORF4 and correspond to incomplete copies of the unique 2.3 kb H19 RNA. In transient expression assays, AP was able to synthesize a 26 kDa protein whereas ES was not. With respect to ORF4, ES exhibits a 536 bp long GC-rich 5' untranslated region, whereas AP contains the last 22 nucleotides of this 5'UTR. Using deletions and point mutations, we have found that the length and probably the secondary structure of the 5'UTR strongly hampers the translatability of the RNA. In addition, a potential role of upstream ORFs (uORFs) was detected as stressed by the enhances translation of a construct mutated in uORF3 overlapping ORF4. Interactions between H19 and proteins are indicated by a specific binding between 5'UTR derived RNA segments and two nuclear proteins of about 27 kDa. Our results favor a potential role of these particular structures and binding properties in general trans-regulation of RNA post-transcriptional processes rather than in normal control of H19 mRNA translation.

Animals↗

X-chromosome inactivation during the development of the male urogenital ridge of the mouse.

In the mouse, the activity of Sry (sex-determining gene on the Y chromosome) initiates the transformation of the indifferent gonad into a testis. In humans, a partial Xp21 duplication leads to the development of ovaries instead of testes in XY individuals. This observation indicates that sex determination might also be influenced by a gene-dosage compensation mechanism, in addition to a dominant action of the Sry gene. In female mammals, the regulation of X-linked gene dosage at early embryogenesis is achieved through the inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes. Here we have investigated the possibility that inactivation of the X chromosome may play a role in male sex determination. We have shown, using an X-linked lacZ transgenic mouse line, that loss of beta-galactosidase activity occurs in certain somatic cells of the developing male urogenital ridge. When changes associated with apoptosis of mesonephric tubules in the developing urogenital ridges are taken into account, expression of the Xist (X inactive specific transcript) gene correlates with X inactivation revealed by loss of beta-galactosidase activity in very early mesonephric tubule epithelial cells, gonadal interstitial mesenchymal cells and coelomic epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Expression of the putative proto-oncogene His-1 in normal and neoplastic tissues.

The His-1 gene is expressed as a 3-kb spliced and polyadenylated RNA that is believed to function in the absence of an encoded protein. The precise function of the His-1 gene is unknown, but its transcriptional activation in a series of mouse leukemias has implicated the His-1 RNA in leukemogenesis when it is abnormally expressed. To study the oncogenic potential of this gene in more detail, we have examined the normal tissue distribution of His-1 RNA during mouse embryogenesis and in various adult tissues. His-1 expression was detected at low levels in the epithelia of the adult mouse stomach, prostate, seminal vesicle, and the developing choroid plexus by in situ hybridization. All other tissues examined lacked detectable levels of hybridizing RNA, suggesting that normal His-1 gene expression is highly restricted to these epithelial sites. These transcripts were not detectable by Northern blot analysis of normal tissues but were readily identified in five mouse leukemias and in five carcinomas of the choroid plexus. These data indicate that the His-1 gene expression is highly restricted and suggest that inappropriate activation of this gene may contribute to carcinogenesis.

Alternative Splicing↗

Altered imprinting of the H19 and insulin-like growth factor II genes in testicular tumors.

PURPOSE: H19 and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) genes are imprinted in normal human tissues. Recent reports have described loss of imprinting (LOI) for these genes in some malignancies. We therefore examined the allele-specific expression of the H19 and IGF2 genes in testicular tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were examined in 17 testicular germ cell tumors and 2 testicular malignant lymphomas. RESULTS: All 4 informative testicular germ cell tumors showed LOI for the H19 gene. Five of 9 informative germ cell tumors showed LOI for the IGF2 gene, while testicular lymphomas did not show biallelic expression of the H19 or IGF2 gene. CONCLUSION: Loss of imprinting for the H19 and IGF2 genes in testicular seminomatous germ cell tumors may be involved in oncogenesis.

Genes, Tumor Suppressor↗

Disrupted IGF2 promoter control by silencing of promoter P1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Previous investigations have supported or indicated a stimulatory role of the insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2) in hepatocarcinogenesis. We have studied the transcript levels, promoter usage, and imprinting status of the ICF2 gene and its relationship to H19 in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and liver tumor cell lines. The activity of the IGF2 promoter P1 was lost in about 70% of the cases (18 of 25). This is the most prominent abnormality regarding the IGF2 regulation in this study. Total IGF2 as well as promoter P3 transcription were up-regulated in a small group of the tumors. Twenty genetically informative cases were obtained from 26 cases, thus excluding the probability of loss of heterozygosity of the IGF2 gene. Among these, nine showed abnormal monoallelic expression of IGF2. One HCC and one HCC cell line proved loss of functional imprinting of IGF2. H19 and IGF2 were regulated in parallel, and expression levels were variable. Taken together, the disruption of the IGF2 promoter regulation, particularly the loss of P1 activity, is a common feature of human HCCs. The loss of P1 activity explains the frequent loss of biallelic IGF2 expression and may potentially be used as a diagnostic or monitoring marker for human HCC.

Alleles↗