The transcription factor Zic4 acts as a transdifferentiation switch

Vogg, M. C.; Ferenc, J.; Buzgariu, W. C.; Perruchoud, C.; Papasaikas, P.; Sanchez, P. G. L.; Nuninger, C.; Delucinge-Vivier, C.; Rampon, C.; Beccari, L.; Vriz, S.; Vincent, S.; Galliot, B.; Tsiairis, C.

doi:10.1101/2021.12.22.473838

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.12.22.473838

The transcription factor Zic4 acts as a transdifferentiation switch

Vogg, M. C.·Ferenc, J.·Buzgariu, W. C.·Perruchoud, C.·Papasaikas, P.·Sanchez, P. G. L.·Nuninger, C.·Delucinge-Vivier, C.·Rampon, C.·Beccari, L.·Vriz, S.·Vincent, S.·Galliot, B.·Tsiairis, C.

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Abstract

The molecular mechanisms that maintain cell identities and prevent transdifferentiation remain mysterious. Interestingly, both dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation are transiently reshuffled during regeneration. Therefore, organisms that regenerate readily offer a fruitful paradigm to investigate the regulation of cell fate stability. Here, we used Hydra as a model system and show that Zic4 silencing is sufficient to induce transdifferentiation of tentacle into foot cells. We identified a Wnt-controlled Gene Regulatory Network that controls a transcriptional switch of cell identity. Furthermore, we show that this switch also controls the re-entry into the cell cycle. Our data indicate that maintenance of cell fate by a Wnt-controlled GRN is a key mechanism during both homeostasis and regeneration. One-Sentence SummaryA Wnt-controlled GRN controls fate maintenance in Hydra.

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Vogg, M. C., Ferenc, J., Buzgariu, W. C., Perruchoud, C., Papasaikas, P., Sanchez, P. G. L., Nuninger, C., Delucinge-Vivier, C., Rampon, C., Beccari, L., Vriz, S., Vincent, S., Galliot, B., Tsiairis, C.. 2021-12-23. The transcription factor Zic4 acts as a transdifferentiation switch. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.22.473838

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