Fujita, R. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2020

Satellite cell expansion is mediated by P-eIF2α dependent Tacc3 translation

Translational control of gene expression is an important regulator of adult stem cell quiescence, activation and self-renewal. In skeletal muscle, quiescent satellite cells maintain low levels of protein synthesis, mediated in part through the phosphorylation of eIF2 (P-eIF2). Pharmacological inhibition of the eIF2 phosphatase with the small molecule sal003 maintains P-eIF2 and permits the expansion of satellite cells ex vivo. Paradoxically, P-eIF2 also increases the translation of specific mRNAs, which is mediated by P-eIF2 dependent readthrough of inhibitory upstream open reading frames (uORFs). Here, we ask whether P-eIF2 dependent mRNA translation enables expansion of satellite cells. Using transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, we show a number of genes associated with the assembly of the spindle pole to be upregulated at the level of protein, without corresponding change in mRNA levels, in satellite cells expanded in the presence of sal003. We show that uORFs in the 5UTR of mRNA for the mitotic spindle stability gene Tacc3 direct P-eIF2 dependent translation. Satellite cells deficient for TACC3 exhibit defects in expansion, self-renewal and regeneration of skeletal muscle. SignificanceTranslational control of gene expression has emerged as an important regulator of adult stem cell populations, which maintain low levels of protein synthesis. In adult muscle stem cells, or satellite cells, a portrait of translational control has emerged whereby multiple repression mechanisms prevent the translation of specific mRNAs. It remains unclear how other mRNAs escape repression and are efficiently translated. We show that within the context of low global rates of protein synthesis, satellite cell expansion occurs through the selective translation of Tacc3 mRNA. Tacc3 deficient satellite cells expand poorly, leading to defects in skeletal muscle regeneration. Our study provides a more complete picture of translational control of gene expression in adult stem cell populations.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

The genomic landscape of western South America: Andes, Amazonia and Pacific Coast

Studies of Native South American genetic diversity have helped to shed light on the peopling and differentiation of the continent, but available data are sparse for the major ecogeographic domains. These include the Pacific Coast, a potential early migration route; the Andes, home to the most expansive complex societies and to one of the most spoken indigenous language families of the continent (Quechua); and Amazonia, with its understudied population structure and rich cultural diversity. Here we explore the genetic structure of 177 individuals from these three domains, genotyped with the Affymetrix Human Origins array. We infer multiple sources of ancestry within the Native American ancestry component; one with clear predominance on the Coast and in the Andes, and at least two distinct substrates in neighboring Amazonia, with a previously undetected ancestry characteristic of northern Ecuador and Colombia. Amazonian populations are also involved in recent gene-flow with each other and across ecogeographic domains, which does not accord with the traditional view of small, isolated groups. Long distance genetic connections between speakers of the same language family suggest that languages had spread not by cultural contact alone. Finally, Native American populations admixed with post-Columbian European and African sources at different times, with few cases of prolonged isolation. With our results we emphasize the importance of including under-studied regions of the continent in high-resolution genetic studies, and we illustrate the potential of SNP chip arrays for informative regional scale analysis.

genetics↗