An Atlas of Thyroid Hormone Receptors' Target Genes in Mouse Tissues.

We gathered available RNA-seq and ChIP-seq data in a single database to better characterize the target genes of thyroid hormone receptors in several cell types. This database can serve as a resource to analyze the mode of action of thyroid hormone (T3). Additionally, it is an easy-to-use and convenient tool to obtain information on specific genes regarding T3 regulation or to extract large gene lists of interest according to the users' criteria. Overall, this atlas is a unique compilation of recent sequencing data focusing on T3, its receptors, modes of action, targets and roles, which may benefit researchers within the field. A preliminary analysis indicates extensive variations in the repertoire of target genes where transcription is upregulated by chromatin-bound nuclear receptors. Although it has a major influence, chromatin accessibility is not the only parameter that determines the cellular selectivity of the hormonal response.

A high expression ratio of RhoA/RhoB is associated with the migratory and invasive properties of basal-like Breast Tumors.

Basal-like breast cancer is among the most aggressive cancers and there is still no effective targeted treatment. In order to identify new therapeutic targets, we performed mRNA-Seq on eight breast cancer cell lines. Among the genes overexpressed in basal-like tumors, we focused on the RhoA and RhoB genes, which encode small GTPases known to play a role in the actin cytoskeleton, allowing cells to migrate. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used for expression studies. Migratory and invasive properties were analysed by wound healing and Boyden chambers assays. Stress fibers formation was evaluated by fluorescent actin labeling. Rho siRNA, small inhibitor Rhosin treatment and BRCA1 transfection were performed to study the role of Rho and BRCA1 proteins. We showed that strong expression of RhoA and low expression of RhoB was associated with the basal-like subtype of breast cancer. Decreasing RhoA expression reduced the migratory and invasive capacities of basal-like cell lines, while decreasing RhoB expression increased these capacities. Rhosin, an inhibitor of RhoA, could also reduce the migration of basal-like cell lines. Rho proteins are involved in the formation of stress fibers, a conformation of the actin cytoskeleton found in migrating cells: inhibition of RhoA expression decreased the formation of these fibers. BRCA1, a gene frequently inactivated in basal-like tumors, appears to play a role in the differential expression of RhoA and RhoB in these tumors, as the restoration of BRCA1 expression in a BRCA1-mutated basal-like cell line decreased expression of RhoA and increased expression of RhoB, resulting in reduced migratory capacity. These results suggest Rho proteins as potential therapeutic targets for basal-like and BRCA1-mutated breast cancer, as migration and acquisition of mesenchymal properties are key functional pathways in these tumors with high metastatic potential.

Alternative PDGFD rearrangements in dermatofibrosarcomas protuberans without PDGFB fusions.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is underlined by recurrent collagen type I alpha 1 chain-platelet-derived growth factor B chain (COL1A1-PDGFB) fusions but ~ 4% of typical dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans remain negative for this translocation in routine molecular screening. We investigated a series of 21 cases not associated with the pathognomonic COL1A1-PDGFB fusion on routine fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. All cases displayed morphological and clinical features consistent with the diagnosis of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. RNA-sequencing analysis was successful in 20 cases. The classical COL1A1-PDGFB fusion was present in 40% of cases (n = 8/20), and subsequently confirmed with a COL1A1 break-apart FISH probe in all but one case (n = 7/8). 55% of cases (n = 11/20) displayed novel PDGFD rearrangements; PDGFD being fused either to the 5' part of COL6A3 (2q37.3) (n = 9/11) or EMILIN2 (18p11) (n = 2/11). All rearrangements led to in-frame fusion transcripts and were confirmed at genomic level by FISH and/or array-comparative genomic hybridization. PDGFD-rearranged dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans presented clinical outcomes similar to typical dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Notably, the two EMILIN2-PDGFD cases displayed fibrosarcomatous transformation and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A at genomic level. We report the first recurrent molecular variant of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans involving PDGFD, which functionally mimic bona fide COL1A1-PDGFB fusions, leading presumably to a similar autocrine loop-stimulating PDGFRB. This study also emphasizes that COL1A1-PDGFB fusions can be cytogenetically cryptic on FISH testing in a subset of cases, thereby representing a diagnostic pitfall that pathologists should be aware of.

Functional Definition of Thyroid Hormone Response Elements Based on a Synthetic STARR-seq Screen.

When bound to thyroid hormone, the nuclear receptor TRα1 activates the transcription of a number of genes in many cell types. It mainly acts by binding DNA as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptors at specific response elements related to the DR4 consensus sequence. However, the number of DR4-like elements in the genome exceed by far the number of occupied sites, indicating that minor variations in nucleotides composition deeply influence the DNA-binding capacity and transactivation activity of TRα1. An improved protocol of synthetic self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing was used to quantitatively assess the transcriptional activity of thousands of synthetic sites in parallel. This functional screen highlights a strong correlation between the affinity of the heterodimers for DNA and their capacity to mediate the thyroid hormone response.

Brown adipocytes local response to thyroid hormone is required for adaptive thermogenesis in adult male mice.

Thyroid hormone (T3) and its nuclear receptors (TR) are important regulators of energy expenditure and adaptive thermogenesis, notably through their action in the brown adipose tissue (BAT). However, T3 acts in many other peripheral and central tissues which are also involved in energy expenditure. The general picture of how T3 regulates BAT thermogenesis is currently not fully established, notably due to the absence of extensive omics analyses and the lack of specific mice model. Here, we first used transcriptome and cistrome analyses to establish the list of T3/TR direct target genes in brown adipocytes. We then developed a novel model of transgenic mice, in which T3 signaling is specifically suppressed in brown adipocytes at adult stage. We addressed the capacity of these mice to mount a thermogenic response when challenged by either a cold exposure or a high-fat diet, and analyzed the associated changes in BAT transcriptome. We conclude that T3 plays a crucial role in the thermogenic response of the BAT, controlling the expression of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and regulating BAT proliferation. The resulting picture provides an unprecedented view on the pathways by which T3 activates energy expenditure through an efficient adaptive thermogenesis in the BAT.

Prenatal exposure to paraquat and nanoscaled TiO2 aerosols alters the gene expression of the developing brain.

Nanopesticides are innovative pesticides involving engineered nanomaterials in their formulation to increase the efficiency of plant protection products, while mitigating their environmental impact. Despite the predicted growth of the nanopesticide use, no data is available on their inhalation toxicity and the potential cocktail effects between their components. In particular, the neurodevelopmental toxicity caused by prenatal exposures might have long lasting consequences. In the present study, we repeatedly exposed gestating mice in a whole-body exposure chamber to three aerosols, involving the paraquat herbicide, nanoscaled titanium dioxide particles (nTiO2), or a mixture of both. Particle number concentrations and total mass concentrations were followed to enable a metrological follow-up of the exposure sessions. Based on the aerosols characteristics, the alveolar deposited dose in mice was then estimated. RNA-seq was used to highlight dysregulations in the striatum of pups in response to the in utero exposure. Modifications in gene expression were identified at post-natal day 14, which might reflect neurodevelopmental alterations in this key brain area. The data suggest an alteration in the mitochondrial function following paraquat exposure, which is reminiscent of the pathological process leading to Parkinson disease. Markers of different cell lineages were dysregulated, showing effects, which were not limited to dopaminergic neurons. Exposure to the nTiO2 aerosol modulated the regulation of cytokines and neurotransmitters pathways, perhaps reflecting a minor neuroinflammation. No synergy was found between paraquat and nTiO2. Instead, the neurodevelopmental effects were surprisingly lower than the one measured for each substance separately.

Central vs. Peripheral Action of Thyroid Hormone in Adaptive Thermogenesis: A Burning Topic.

Thyroid hormones (TH) contribute to the control of adaptive thermogenesis, which is associated with both higher energy expenditure and lower body mass index. While it was clearly established that TH act directly in the target tissues to fulfill its metabolic activities, some studies have rather suggested that TH act in the hypothalamus to control these processes. This paradigm shift has subjected the topic to intense debates. This review aims to recapitulate how TH control adaptive thermogenesis and to what extent the brain is involved in this process. This is of crucial importance for the design of new pharmacological agents that would take advantage of the TH metabolic properties.

In vitro assessment of pesticides capacity to act as agonists/antagonists of the thyroid hormone nuclear receptors.

Chemicals acting as thyroid hormone disruptors (THDs) are of a particular concern for public health, considering the importance of this hormone in neurodevelopment and metabolic processes. They might either alter the circulating level of thyroid hormone (TH) or interfere with the cellular response to the hormonal stimulation. In order to assess this later possibility we selected 39 pesticides and combined several in vitro tests. Reporter assays respectively addressed the transactivation capacity of the full-length TH nuclear receptor TRα1, the transactivation capacity of its C-terminal ligand binding domain, or the ability of the hormone to destabilize the interaction between TRα1 and the transcriptional corepressor NcoR. Although some pesticides elicit a cellular response, which sometimes interferes with TH signaling, RNA-seq analysis provided no evidence that they can act as TRα1 agonists or antagonists. Their neurodevelopmental toxicity in mammals cannot be explained by an alteration of the response to TH.

Erratum: In vitro assessment of pesticides capacity to act as agonists/antagonists of the thyroid hormone nuclear receptors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102957.].