Ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 2 (UHRF2) regulates cell cycle and binds 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) to promote completion of DNA demethylation. Uhrf2−/- mice are without gross phenotypic defects, however the cell-cycle and epigenetic regulatory functions of Uhrf2 during retinal tissue development is unclear. Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) produce all retinal neurons and Müller glia in a predictable sequence controlled by the complex interplay between extrinsic signaling, cell cycle, epigenetic changes, and cell-specific transcription factor activation. In this study we find that UHRF2 accumulates in RPCs, and its conditional deletion from RPCs reduced 5hmC, altered gene expressions, and disrupted retinal cell proliferation and differentiation. Retinal ganglion cells were overproduced in Uhrf2-deficient retinae at the expense of VSX2+ RPCs. Most other cell types were transiently delayed in differentiation. Expression of each member of the Tet3/Uhrf2/Tdg active demethylation pathway was reduced in Uhrf2-deficient retinae, consistent with locally reduced 5hmC in their gene bodies. This study highlights a novel role of UHRF2 in controlling the transition from RPCs to differentiated cell by regulating cell cycle, epigenetic and gene expression decisions.
UHRF2 regulates cell cycle, epigenetics and gene expression to control the timing of retinal progenitor and ganglion cell differentiation
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): National Institutes of Health
- Award Id(s): R01CA168622
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Children's Cancer Research Fund
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): The Minnesota Masonic Charities
- Funder(s):
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Xiaohong Wang, Aaron L. Sarver, Qiyuan Han, Christopher L. Seiler, Chencheng Xie, Huarui Lu, Colleen L. Forster, Natalia Y. Tretyakova, Timothy C. Hallstrom; UHRF2 regulates cell cycle, epigenetics and gene expression to control the timing of retinal progenitor and ganglion cell differentiation. Development 2022; dev.195644. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/dev.195644
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