Biology subjects

Loza, O.

Publications and source records attributed to Loza, O..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

The Fat4 intracellular domain controls turnover of Fat4/Dchs1 planar polarity membrane complexes

The Fat/Dachsous (Ft/Ds) pathway is a highly conserved pathway regulating planar cell polarity (PCP) across different animal species. Proteins from the Ft and Ds family are large transmembrane protocadherins that form heterophilic complexes on the boundaries between cells. Fat4 and Dchs1, the main mammalian homologues of this pathway, have been implicated in PCP in various epithelial tissues and were shown to form extremely stable complexes at the boundaries between cells. It is unclear however, what are the dynamics controlling such stable boundary complexes, and how the formation and turnover of these complexes is regulated. Here, we use quantitative live imaging to elucidate the role of the intracellular domains (ICD) of Fat4 and Dchs1 in regulating Fat4/Dchs1 complex dynamics. We show that removing the ICD of Fat4 results in a reduction of both Trans-endocytosis (TEC) of Dchs1 into the Fat4 cells and boundary accumulation, but does not affect the diffusion of the complexes at the boundary. We further show that the ICD of Fat4 controls the turnover rate of Fat4/Dchs1 complexes. Finally, we find that while actin polymerization is required for maintaining the boundary accumulation of Fat4/Dchs1 complexes, we do not identify correlations between Fat4/Dchs1 complexes and local actin accumulation. Overall, we suggest that the Fat4 ICD is important for the turnover and plasticity of the highly stable Fat4/Dchs1 complexes associated with PCP. Statement of SignificanceThe purpose of this study is to elucidate the dynamics leading to the formation and maintenance of Fat4/Dchs1 complexes at the cell boundary and how it is affected by the ICD of Fat4 in mammals. The insights from this work are important for obtaining a mechanistic molecular framework for understanding formation of planar cell polarity as well as for highlighting how cell boundary membrane complexes are regulated.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Mechano-signaling feedback underlies precise inner hair cell patterning in the organ of Corti

The mammalian hearing organ, the organ of Corti, is one of the most organized tissues in the mammalian body plan. It contains precisely positioned array of alternating sensory hair cells (HC) and non-sensory supporting cells that emerge during embryonic development from an initially disordered pro-sensory domain. While much is known on the genetics and biochemistry underlying this process, it is still unclear how such precise alternating patterns emerge during embryonic development. Here, we combine live imaging of mouse inner ear explants with hybrid mechano-regulatory models to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the formation of a single row of inner HC (IHC). We show that a narrow strip of initially disordered salt-and-pepper pattern, generated by Notch-mediated lateral inhibition, is dynamically refined by coordinated intercalations, delaminations, and differential adhesion. We identify a new morphological transition, termed hopping intercalation, that allows nascent IHC to hop under the apical plane into their final position. We further show that IHC patterning is associated with boundary localization of the cell adhesion molecules, Nectin-3 and Nectin-1. Our experimental results and modeling support a mechanism for precise patterning based on a feedback between Notch-mediated differentiation and mechanically driven cellular reorganization that is likely relevant for many developmental processes.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Gene Activation and repression by the glucocorticoid receptor are mediated by sequestering Ep300 and two modes of chromatin binding

The transcription factor glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a key mediator of stress response and a broad range of physiological processes. How can GR rapidly activate the expression of some genes while repress others, remains an open question due to the challenge to associate GR binding sites (GBSs) to their distant gene targets. Mapping the full 3D scope of GR-responsive promoters using high-resolution 4C-seq unravelled spatial separation between chromatin interaction networks of GR-activated and repressed genes. Analysing GR binding sites and other regulatory loci in their functional 3D context revealed that GR sequesters the co-activator Ep300 from active non-GBS enhancers in both activated and repressed gene compartments. While this is sufficient for rapid gene repression, gene activation is countered by productive recruitment of Ep300 to GBS. Importantly, in GR-activated compartments Klf4 binding at non-GBS regulatory elements cluster in 3D with GBS and antagonizes GR activation. In addition, we revealed ROR and Rev-erb transcription factors as novel co-regulators for GR-mediated gene expression.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Genomic Retargeting of Tumor Suppressors p53 and CTCF Promotes Oncogenesis

Gene transcription is substantially regulated by distant regulatory elements via combinatorial binding of transcription factors. It is more and more recognized that alterations in chromatin state and transcription factor binding in these distant regulatory elements may have key roles in cancer development. Here we focused on the first stages of oncogene induced carcinogenic transformation, and characterized the regulatory network underlying transcriptional reprogramming associated with this process. Using Hi-C data, we couple between differentially expressed genes and their differentially active regulatory elements and reveal two candidate transcription factors, p53 and CTCF, as major determinants of transcriptional reprogramming at early stages of HRas-induced transformation. Strikingly, the malignant transcriptional reprograming is promoted by redistribution of chromatin binding of these factors without major variation in their expression level. Our results demonstrate that alterations in the regulatory landscape have a major role in driving oncogene-induced transcriptional reprogramming.

cell biology↗