LKB1, Salt-Inducible Kinases, and MEF2C Are Linked Dependencies in Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The lineage-specific transcription factor (TF) MEF2C is often deregulated in leukemia. However, strategies to target this TF have yet to be identified. Here, we used a domain-focused CRISPR screen to reveal an essential role for LKB1 and its Salt-Inducible Kinase effectors (SIK3, in a partially redundant manner with SIK2) to maintain MEF2C function in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A key phosphorylation substrate of SIK3 in this context is HDAC4, a repressive cofactor of MEF2C. Consequently, targeting of LKB1 or SIK3 diminishes histone acetylation at MEF2C-bound enhancers and deprives leukemia cells of the output of this essential TF. We also found that MEF2C-dependent leukemias are sensitive to on-target chemical inhibition of SIK activity. This study reveals a chemical strategy to block MEF2C function in AML, highlighting how an oncogenic TF can be disabled by targeting of upstream kinases.

The Mef2c Gene Dose-Dependently Controls Hippocampal Neurogenesis and the Expression of Autism-Like Behaviors.

Mutations in the activity-dependent transcription factor MEF2C have been associated with several neuropsychiatric disorders. Among these, autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related behavioral deficits are manifested. Multiple animal models that harbor mutations in Mef2c have provided compelling evidence that Mef2c is indeed an ASD gene. However, studies in mice with germline or global brain knock-out of Mef2c are limited in their ability to identify the precise neural substrates and cell types that are required for the expression of Mef2c-mediated ASD behaviors. Given the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in cognitive and social behaviors, in this study we aimed to investigate the role of Mef2c in the structure and function of newly generated dentate granule cells (DGCs) in the postnatal hippocampus and to determine whether disrupted Mef2c function is responsible for manifesting ASD behaviors. Overexpression of Mef2c (Mef2cOE ) arrested the transition of neurogenesis at progenitor stages, as indicated by sustained expression of Sox2+ in Mef2cOE DGCs. Conditional knock-out of Mef2c (Mef2ccko ) allowed neuronal commitment of Mef2ccko cells; however, Mef2ccko impaired not only dendritic arborization and spine formation but also synaptic transmission onto Mef2ccko DGCs. Moreover, the abnormal structure and function of Mef2ccko DGCs led to deficits in social interaction and social novelty recognition, which are key characteristics of ASD behaviors. Thus, our study revealed a dose-dependent requirement of Mef2c in the control of distinct steps of neurogenesis, as well as a critical cell-autonomous function of Mef2c in newborn DGCs in the expression of proper social behavior in both sexes.

Genes positively regulated by Mef2c in cortical neurons are enriched for common genetic variation associated with IQ and educational attainment.

The myocyte enhancer factor 2 C (MEF2C) gene encodes a transcription factor important for neurogenesis and synapse development and contains common variants associated with intelligence (IQ) and educational attainment (EA). Here, we took gene expression data from the mouse cortex of a Mef2c mouse model with a heterozygous DNA binding-deficient mutation of Mef2c (Mef2c-het) and combined these data with MEF2C ChIP-seq data from cortical neurons and single-cell data from the mouse brain. This enabled us to create a set of genes that were differentially regulated in Mef2c-het mice, represented direct target genes of MEF2C and had elevated in expression in cortical neurons. We found this gene-set to be enriched for genes containing common genetic variation associated with IQ and EA. Genes within this gene-set that were down-regulated, i.e. have reduced expression in Mef2c-het mice versus controls, were specifically significantly enriched for both EA and IQ associated genes. These down-regulated genes were enriched for functionality in the adenylyl cyclase signalling system, which is known to positively regulate synaptic transmission and has been linked to learning and memory. Within the adenylyl cyclase signalling system, three genes regulated by MEF2C, CRHR1, RGS6, and GABRG3, are associated at genome-wide significant levels with IQ and/or EA. Our results indicate that genetic variation in MEF2C and its direct target genes within cortical neurons contribute to variance in cognition within the general population, and the molecular mechanisms involved include the adenylyl cyclase signalling system's role in synaptic function.

Transcriptional and functional consequences of alterations to MEF2C and its topological organization in neuronal models.

Point mutations and structural variants that directly disrupt the coding sequence of MEF2C have been associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). However, the impact of MEF2C haploinsufficiency on neurodevelopmental pathways and synaptic processes is not well understood, nor are the complex mechanisms that govern its regulation. To explore the functional changes associated with structural variants that alter MEF2C expression and/or regulation, we generated an allelic series of 204 isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived neural stem cells and glutamatergic induced neurons. These neuronal models harbored CRISPR-engineered mutations that involved direct deletion of MEF2C or deletion of the boundary points for topologically associating domains (TADs) and chromatin loops encompassing MEF2C. Systematic profiling of mutation-specific alterations, contrasted to unedited controls that were exposed to the same guide RNAs for each edit, revealed that deletion of MEF2C caused differential expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental pathways and synaptic function. We also discovered significant reduction in synaptic activity measured by multielectrode arrays (MEAs) in neuronal cells. By contrast, we observed robust buffering against MEF2C regulatory disruption following deletion of a distal 5q14.3 TAD and loop boundary, whereas homozygous loss of a proximal loop boundary resulted in down-regulation of MEF2C expression and reduced electrophysiological activity on MEA that was comparable to direct gene disruption. Collectively, these studies highlight the considerable functional impact of MEF2C deletion in neuronal cells and systematically characterize the complex interactions that challenge a priori predictions of regulatory consequences from structural variants that disrupt three-dimensional genome organization.

Downregulation of Wtap causes dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure.

RNA binding proteins have been shown to regulate heart development and cardiac diseases. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms is not known. In this study, we identified Wilms' tumor 1-associating protein (WTAP, a key regulatory protein of the m6A RNA methyltransferase complex) as a key regulator of heart function and cardiac diseases. WTAP is associated with heart development, and its expression is downregulated in both human and mice with heart failure. Cardiomyocyte-specific knockout of Wtap (Wtap-CKO) induces dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure and neonatal death. Although WTAP deficiency in the heart decreases METTL3 (methyltransferase-like 3) protein levels, cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of Mettl3 in Wtap-CKO mice does not rescue the phenotypes of Wtap-CKO mice. Instead, WTAP deficiency in the heart decreases chromatin accessibility in the promoter regions of Mef2a (myocyte enhancer factor-2α) and Mef2c, leading to reduced mRNA and protein levels of these genes and lower expression of their target genes. Conversely, WTAP directly binds to the promoter of the Mef2c gene and increases its promoter luciferase activity and expression. These data demonstrate that WTAP plays a key role in heart development and cardiac function by maintaining the chromatin accessibility of cardiomyocyte specific genes.

MEF2C contributes to axonal branching by regulating Kif2c transcription.

Neurons are post-mitotic cells, with microtubules playing crucial roles in axonal transport and growth. Kinesin family member 2c (KIF2C), a member of the Kinesin-13 family, possesses the ability to depolymerize microtubules and is involved in remodelling the microtubule lattice. Myocyte enhancer factor 2c (MEF2C) was initially identified as a regulator of muscle differentiation but has recently been associated with neurological abnormalities such as severe cognitive impairment, stereotyping, epilepsy and brain malformations when mutated or deleted. However, further investigation is required to determine which target genes MEF2C acts upon to influence neuronal function as a transcription regulator. Our data demonstrate that knockdown of both Mef2c and Kif2c significantly impacts spinal motor neuron development and behaviour in zebrafish. Luciferase reporter assays and chromosome immunoprecipitation assays, along with down/upregulated expression analysis, revealed that MFE2C functions as a novel transcription regulator for the Kif2c gene. Additionally, the knockdown of either Mef2c or Kif2c expression in E18 cortical neurons substantially reduces the number of primary neurites and axonal branches during neuronal development in vitro without affecting neurite length. Finally, depletion of Kif2c eliminated the effects of overexpression of Mef2c on the neurite branching. Based on these findings, we provided novel evidence demonstrating that MEF2C regulates the transcription of the Kif2c gene thereby influencing the axonal branching.

Aberrant ecotropic viral integration site-1 (EVI-1) and myocyte enhancer factor 2 C gene (MEF2C) in adult acute myeloid leukemia are associated with adverse t (9:22) & 11q23 rearrangements.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) shows multiple chromosomal translocations & point mutations which can be used to refine risk-adapted therapy in AML patients. Ecotropic viral integration site-1 (EVI-1) & myocyte enhancer factor 2 C gene (MEF2C) are key regulatory transcription factors in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis & both drive immune escape. This prospective study involved 80 adult de novo AML patients recruited from Oncology Center, Mansoura University, between March 2019 and July 2021. The MEF2C and EVI1 expression were measured using a Taqman probe-based qPCR assay. The results revealed that EVI1 and MEF2C expression were significantly elevated in AML patients as compared to control subjects (p = 0.001. 0.007 respectively). Aberrant expressions of EVI1 and MEF2C showed a significant negative correlation with hemoglobin levels (p = 0.034, 0.025 respectively), & bone marrow blasts (p = 0.007, 0.002 respectively). 11q23 translocation was significantly associated with EVI1 and MEF2C (p = 0.004 and 0.02 respectively). Also, t (9;22) was significantly associated with EVI1 and MEF2C (p = 0.01 and 0.03 respectively), higher expression of EVI1 and MEF2C were significantly associated with inferior outcome after induction therapy (p = 0.001 and 0.018 respectively) and shorter overall survival (p = 0.001, 0.014 respectively). In conclusion, EVI1 & MEF2C were significantly expressed in AML cases. EVI1 & MEF2C overexpression were significantly associated with 11q23 rearrangements and t (9;22) and were indicators for poor outcome in adult AML patients; These results could be a step towards personalized therapy in those patients.

CircVCAN promotes glioma progression through the miR-488-3p/MEF2C-JAGGED1 axis.

Gliomas are the most prevalent primary malignant brain tumors worldwide. Growing evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the regulation of biological behavior of tumors. We aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of circVCAN in glioma. RNase R treatment was utilized to assess the cyclic properties of circVCAN. CircVCAN, miR-488-3p, and myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) levels in glioma tissues and cells were detected by reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the localization of them in glioma cells was determined with fluorescence in situ hybridization. Furthermore, a variety of biologically functional assessments were used to validate the role of circVCAN in glioma. The regulatory mechanisms of circVCAN, miR-488-3p, and MEF2C were further confirmed by double luciferase reporter gene assay, RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assay, and the binding of MEF2C to JAGGED1 was revealed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Additionally, a xenograft tumor model was constructed to demonstrate the effect of circVCAN on tumor growth in vivo. Our results indicated that circVCAN was more stable than its linear RNA and was significantly upregulated in gliomas. CircVCAN overexpression stimulated glioma cells to proliferate and metastasize, but circVCAN silencing exerted the opposite effect. Meanwhile, silencing circVCAN inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found that circVCAN interacted with miR-488-3p to regulate MEF2C expression, and miR-488-3p inhibition or MEF2C overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect on malignant bio-behaviors mediated by circVCAN knockdown in glioma cells. MEF2C promoted the transcription of JAGGED1, and circVCAN knockdown reduced the binding between MEF2C and JAGGED1. Collectively, circVCAN is a carcinogenic circRNA in glioma, and the circVCAN/miR-488-3p/MEF2C-JAGGED1 axis could serve as a potential target for the management of glioma.

miR-1 as a Key Epigenetic Regulator in Early Differentiation of Cardiac Sinoatrial Region.

A large diversity of epigenetic factors, such as microRNAs and histones modifications, are known to be capable of regulating gene expression without altering DNA sequence itself. In particular, miR-1 is considered the first essential microRNA in cardiac development. In this study, miR-1 potential role in early cardiac chamber differentiation was analyzed through specific signaling pathways. For this, we performed in chick embryos functional experiments by means of miR-1 microinjections into the posterior cardiac precursors-of both primitive endocardial tubes-committed to sinoatrial region fates. Subsequently, embryos were subjected to whole mount in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analysis. As a relevant novelty, our results revealed that miR-1 increased Amhc1, Tbx5 and Gata4, while this microRNA diminished Mef2c and Cripto expressions during early differentiation of the cardiac sinoatrial region. Furthermore, we observed in this developmental context that miR-1 upregulated CrabpII and Rarß and downregulated CrabpI, which are three crucial factors in the retinoic acid signaling pathway. Interestingly, we also noticed that miR-1 directly interacted with Hdac4 and Calm1/Calmodulin, as well as with Erk2/Mapk1, which are three key factors actively involved in Mef2c regulation. Our study shows, for the first time, a key role of miR-1 as an epigenetic regulator in the early differentiation of the cardiac sinoatrial region through orchestrating opposite actions between retinoic acid and Mef2c, fundamental to properly assign cardiac cells to their respective heart chambers. A better understanding of those molecular mechanisms modulated by miR-1 will definitely help in fields applied to therapy and cardiac regeneration and repair.

Peripheral Auditory Nerve Impairment in a Mouse Model of Syndromic Autism.

Dysfunction of the peripheral auditory nerve (AN) contributes to dynamic changes throughout the central auditory system, resulting in abnormal auditory processing, including hypersensitivity. Altered sound sensitivity is frequently observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting that AN deficits and changes in auditory information processing may contribute to ASD-associated symptoms, including social communication deficits and hyperacusis. The MEF2C transcription factor is associated with risk for several neurodevelopmental disorders, and mutations or deletions of MEF2C produce a haploinsufficiency syndrome characterized by ASD, language, and cognitive deficits. A mouse model of this syndromic ASD (Mef2c-Het) recapitulates many of the MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome-linked behaviors, including communication deficits. We show here that Mef2c-Het mice of both sexes exhibit functional impairment of the peripheral AN and a modest reduction in hearing sensitivity. We find that MEF2C is expressed during development in multiple AN and cochlear cell types; and in Mef2c-Het mice, we observe multiple cellular and molecular alterations associated with the AN, including abnormal myelination, neuronal degeneration, neuronal mitochondria dysfunction, and increased macrophage activation and cochlear inflammation. These results reveal the importance of MEF2C function in inner ear development and function and the engagement of immune cells and other non-neuronal cells, which suggests that microglia/macrophages and other non-neuronal cells might contribute, directly or indirectly, to AN dysfunction and ASD-related phenotypes. Finally, our study establishes a comprehensive approach for characterizing AN function at the physiological, cellular, and molecular levels in mice, which can be applied to animal models with a wide range of human auditory processing impairments.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This is the first report of peripheral auditory nerve (AN) impairment in a mouse model of human MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome that has well-characterized ASD-related behaviors, including communication deficits, hyperactivity, repetitive behavior, and social deficits. We identify multiple underlying cellular, subcellular, and molecular abnormalities that may contribute to peripheral AN impairment. Our findings also highlight the important roles of immune cells (e.g., cochlear macrophages) and other non-neuronal elements (e.g., glial cells and cells in the stria vascularis) in auditory impairment in ASD. The methodological significance of the study is the establishment of a comprehensive approach for evaluating peripheral AN function and impact of peripheral AN deficits with minimal hearing loss.

The spatiotemporal matching pattern of Ezrin/Periaxin involved in myoblast differentiation and fusion and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-associated muscle atrophy.

BACKGROUND: Clinically, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT)-associated muscle atrophy still lacks effective treatment. Deletion and mutation of L-periaxin can be involved in CMT type 4F (CMT4F) by destroying the myelin sheath form, which may be related to the inhibitory role of Ezrin in the self-association of L-periaxin. However, it is still unknown whether L-periaxin and Ezrin are independently or interactively involved in the process of muscle atrophy by affecting the function of muscle satellite cells. METHOD: A gastrocnemius muscle atrophy model was prepared to mimic CMT4F and its associated muscle atrophy by mechanical clamping of the peroneal nerve. Differentiating C2C12 myoblast cells were treated with adenovirus-mediated overexpression or knockdown of Ezrin. Then, overexpression of L-periaxin and NFATc1/c2 or knockdown of L-periaxin and NFATc3/c4 mediated by adenovirus vectors were used to confirm their role in Ezrin-mediated myoblast differentiation, myotube formation and gastrocnemius muscle repair in a peroneal nerve injury model. RNA-seq, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used in the above observation. RESULTS: For the first time, instantaneous L-periaxin expression was highest on the 6th day, while Ezrin expression peaked on the 4th day during myoblast differentiation/fusion in vitro. In vivo transduction of adenovirus vectors carrying Ezrin, but not Periaxin, into the gastrocnemius muscle in a peroneal nerve injury model increased the numbers of muscle myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I and II type myofibers, reducing muscle atrophy and fibrosis. Local muscle injection of overexpressed Ezrin combined with incubation of knockdown L-periaxin within the injured peroneal nerve or injection of knockdown L-periaxin into peroneal nerve-injured gastrocnemius muscle not only increased the number of muscle fibers but also recovered their size to a relatively normal level in vivo. Overexpression of Ezrin promoted myoblast differentiation/fusion, inducing increased MyHC-I+ and MyHC-II + muscle fiber specialization, and the specific effects could be enhanced by the addition of adenovirus vectors for knockdown of L-periaxin by shRNA. Overexpression of L-periaxin did not alter the inhibitory effects on myoblast differentiation and fusion mediated by knockdown of Ezrin by shRNA in vitro but decreased myotube length and size. Mechanistically, overexpressing Ezrin did not alter protein kinase A gamma catalytic subunit (PKA-γ cat), protein kinase A I alpha regulatory subunit (PKA reg Iα) or PKA reg Iß levels but increased PKA-α cat and PKA reg II α levels, leading to a decreased ratio of PKA reg I/II. The PKA inhibitor H-89 remarkably abolished the effects of overexpressing-Ezrin on increased myoblast differentiation/fusion. In contrast, knockdown of Ezrin by shRNA significantly delayed myoblast differentiation/fusion accompanied by an increased PKA reg I/II ratio, and the inhibitory effects could be eliminated by the PKA reg activator N6-Bz-cAMP. Meanwhile, overexpressing Ezrin enhanced type I muscle fiber specialization, accompanied by an increase in NFATc2/c3 levels and a decrease in NFATc1 levels. Furthermore, overexpressing NFATc2 or knocking down NFATc3 reversed the inhibitory effects of Ezrin knockdown on myoblast differentiation/fusion. CONCLUSIONS: The spatiotemporal pattern of Ezrin/Periaxin expression was involved in the control of myoblast differentiation/fusion, myotube length and size, and myofiber specialization, which was related to the activated PKA-NFAT-MEF2C signaling pathway, providing a novel L-Periaxin/Ezrin joint strategy for the treatment of muscle atrophy induced by nerve injury, especially in CMT4F.

Refining patterns of MEF2C effects in white matter microstructure and psychiatric features.

Several GWAS reported Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 C (MEF2C) gene associations with white matter microstructure and psychiatric disorders, and MEF2C involvement in pathways related to neuronal development suggests a common biological factor underlying these phenotypes. We aim to refine the MEF2C effects in the brain relying on an integrated analysis of white matter and psychiatric phenotypes in an extensively characterized sample. This study included 870 Brazilian adults (47% from an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder outpatient clinic) assessed through standardized psychiatric interviews, 139 of which underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan. We evaluated variants in the MEF2C region using two approaches: 1) a gene-wide analysis, which uses the sum of polymorphism effects, and 2) SNP analyses, restricted to the independent variants within the gene. The outcomes included psychiatric phenotypes and fractional anisotropy for brain images. Results: The gene-wide analyses pointed to a nominal association between MEF2C and the Temporal Portion of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus (SLFTEMP). The SNP analysis identified four independent variants significantly associated with SLFTEMP and one (rs4218438) with Substance Use Disorder. Our findings showing specific associations of MEF2C variants with temporal-frontal circuitry components may help to elucidate how the MEF2C gene underlies a broad range of psychiatric phenotypes since these regions are relevant to executive and cognitive functions.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma of the skin harboring recurrent SS18 fusions: A cutaneous analog to a newly described salivary gland tumor.

BACKGROUND: Microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) is a newly described salivary gland neoplasm characterized by MEF2C::SS18 fusions. MSA was previously thought to occur exclusively in salivary glands. Here, we expand the spectrum of known primary sites of this tumor by describing a series of cutaneous tumors with analogous findings. METHODS: We identified four cutaneous primary tumors with histopathologic features identical to MSA of the salivary glands. These cases were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for SS18 rearrangement and targeted RNA-sequencing. We also queried a pan-tumor database of advanced carcinomas for MEF2C::SS18. RESULTS: The cases occurred in men ranging from 61 to 74 years (mean, 68). They arose from the skin of the nose, chin, scalp, and external auditory canal. All included cords/microcysts of eosinophilic cells with bland oval nuclei and bluish mucin within fibromyxoid stroma. The scalp tumor also exhibited high-grade transformation (marked atypia, elevated mitotic rate, and necrosis), a feature unreported in salivary MSA. By immunohistochemistry, all cases were positive for S100. Two showed a myoepithelial component positive for p40 and smooth muscle actin or calponin. Three cases harbored MEF2C::SS18 by RNA sequencing, while one with limited tissue had SS18 rearrangement via FISH. Two patients had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis in limited follow-up (3 and 6 months). The pan-tumor database query also did not identify MEF2C::SS18 in any advanced cutaneous carcinomas. CONCLUSION: This report expands the sites that can be involved by MSA. Similar to salivary cases, MEF2C::SS18 represents a recurrent fusion in MSA of the skin. Unusual features in cutaneous cases not seen in salivary MSA include one case with high-grade transformation and two cases with a myoepithelial cell component. Identification of this fusion expands the spectrum of salivary-analog cutaneous tumors and aids in precise tumor classification.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma: Cutaneous counterpart of a newly described salivary gland tumor with recurrent MEF2C::SS18 fusion.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) is a distinctive low-grade salivary gland tumor with a novel MEF2C::SS18 fusion. Although MSA most commonly occurs in the oral cavity, cases of MSA involving skin have been described recently. Histopathologically, MSA is characterized by microcystic tubules with basophilic luminal secretions, a fibromyxoid stroma and cells with eosinophilic or clear cytoplasm, and a unique immunohistochemical profile (S100+, SOX10+, p63+, and p40-). Cutaneous MSA may rarely demonstrate high-grade features. Follow-up studies have shown MSA to be an indolent tumor, without local recurrence or metastasis after complete surgical excision in the vast majority of cases. It is important to recognize the histopathological features of this unique tumor with a novel MEF2C::SS18 fusion that may occur in skin and to utilize appropriate molecular studies for accurate diagnosis.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma of the external ear canal.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) is a recently described salivary gland tumor characterized by unique histomorphologic and immunohistochemical features as well as recurrent MEF2C::SS18 gene fusion. Since 2019, 24 cases have been reported in the literature, primarily arising in the oral cavity, with a single reported case arising in the parotid gland. Here, we present a case of MSA that arose in the external ear canal in an 89-year-old woman and was discovered during management of vertigo symptoms. Excisional biopsy of the lesion showed multiple fragments of squamous epithelium with hyperplastic changes and a distinct subepithelial infiltrating neoplasm composed of bland cells forming tubules and cords. Neoplastic cells expressed keratin, S100 protein, p63, and TLE1 and did not express p40, mammaglobin, pan-TRK, synaptophysin, or chromogranin by immunohistochemistry. SS18 gene rearrangement was shown with break-apart fluorescent in situ hybridization. Overall, the histomorphologic, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic findings confirm a diagnosis of MSA arising in a unique extraoral location.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma of the skin, a novel type of sweat gland carcinoma: Report of three additional cases.

Microsecretory adenocarcinoma (MSA) is a newly described salivary gland tumor harboring a characteristic balanced chromosomal translocation resulting in MEF2C::SS18 gene fusion. Six primary cutaneous MSA cases have been recently described. We report three additional cases confirming the relevance of this recently identified entity of primary cutaneous adnexal tumor. Three patients aged 53-, 64- and 78-year-old were retrospectively diagnosed with MSA of the skin (MSAS) as consultation cases of the CARADERM (CAncers RAres DERMatologiques) national network. The clinical presentation was an indolent nodule on the upper extremities. There was no history of salivary gland tumor. Histopathologically, the tumors presented as dermal nodular proliferation with slightly infiltrative borders, composed of cribriform and microcystic structures with abundant myxoid intraluminal secretion embedded in a fibromyxoid stroma. They diffusely expressed cytokeratin 8 and SOX10, focally p63 and heterogeneously smooth muscle actin. All tumors harbored the MEF2C::SS18 gene fusion. A complete surgical excision was performed. No local recurrence or distant metastases were observed so far (follow-up: 17, 38, and 45 months). MSAS is the cutaneous homologue of MSA of the salivary gland, a low-grade adnexal neoplasm whose prognosis seems to be excellent once the complete removal of the tumor is assured.

METTL3 Promotes the Differentiation of Goat Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells by Regulating MEF2C mRNA Stability in a m6A-Dependent Manner.

The development of mammalian skeletal muscle is a highly complex process involving multiple molecular interactions. As a prevalent RNA modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulates the expression of target genes to affect mammalian development. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how m6A participates in the development of goat muscle. In this study, methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) was significantly enriched in goat longissimus dorsi (LD) tissue. In addition, the global m6A modification level and differentiation of skeletal muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) were regulated by METTL3. By performing mRNA-seq analysis, 8050 candidate genes exhibited significant changes in expression level after the knockdown of METTL3 in MuSCs. Additionally, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) illustrated that myocyte enhancer factor 2c (MEF2C) mRNA contained m6A modification. Further experiments demonstrated that METTL3 enhanced the differentiation of MuSCs by upregulating m6A levels and expression of MEF2C. Moreover, the m6A reader YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein C1 (YTHDC1) was bound and stabilized to MEF2C mRNA. The present study reveals that METTL3 enhances myogenic differentiation in MuSCs by regulating MEF2C and provides evidence of a post-transcriptional mechanism in the development of goat skeletal muscle.

MEF2C and miR-194-5p: New Players in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis.

Among breast cancer (BC) subtypes, the most aggressive is triple negative BC (TNBC), which is prone to metastasis. We previously found that microRNA (miR)-194-5p is downregulated at the early stages of TNBC brain metastasis development. Additionally, the transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2)C, a bioinformatically predicted miR-194-5p target, was increasingly expressed throughout TNBC brain metastasis formation and disease severity. However, the contributions of these two players to malignant cells' features remain undetermined. This study aimed at disclosing the role of miR-194-5p and MEF2C in TNBC tumorigenesis. The transfection of 4T1 cells with a silencer for MEF2C or with a pre-miRNA for miR-194-5p was employed to study TNBC cells' phenotypic alterations regarding epithelial and mesenchymal markers, as well as migratory capability alterations. MEF2C-silenced cells presented a decline in both vimentin and cytokeratin expression, whereas the overexpression of miR-194-5p promoted an increase in cytokeratin and a reduction in vimentin, reflecting the acquisition of an epithelial phenotype. Both treatments reduced TNBC cells' migration. These results suggest that MEF2C may determine TNBC cells' invasive properties by partially determining the occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, while the overexpression of miR-194-5p promotes a decline in TNBC cells' aggressive behavior and reinforces this miRNA's role as a tumor suppressor in TNBC.

Mef2c factors are required for early but not late addition of cardiomyocytes to the ventricle.

During heart formation, the heart grows and undergoes dramatic morphogenesis to achieve efficient embryonic function. Both in fish and amniotes, much of the growth occurring after initial heart tube formation arises from second heart field (SHF)-derived progenitor cell addition to the arterial pole, allowing chamber formation. In zebrafish, this process has been extensively studied during embryonic life, but it is unclear how larval cardiac growth occurs beyond 3 days post-fertilisation (dpf). By quantifying zebrafish myocardial growth using live imaging of GFP-labelled myocardium we show that the heart grows extensively between 3 and 5 dpf. Using methods to assess cell division, cellular development timing assay and Kaede photoconversion, we demonstrate that proliferation, CM addition, and hypertrophy contribute to ventricle growth. Mechanistically, we show that reduction in Mef2c activity (mef2ca+/-;mef2cb-/-), downstream or in parallel with Nkx2.5 and upstream of Ltbp3, prevents some CM addition and differentiation, resulting in a significantly smaller ventricle by 3 dpf. After 3 dpf, however, CM addition in mef2ca+/-;mef2cb-/- mutants recovers to a normal pace, and the heart size gap between mutants and their siblings diminishes into adulthood. Thus, as in mice, there is an early time window when SHF contribution to the myocardium is particularly sensitive to loss of Mef2c activity.

MEF2C-AS1 regulates its nearby gene MEF2C to mediate cervical cancer cell malignant phenotypes in vitro.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the second most common malignancy among women. GEPIA demonstrated that MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C present downregulation in CC tissues. We attempted to clarify molecular mechanism between MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C underlying CC progression. RT-qPCR was used to measure expression levels and subcellular distribution of MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C in CC cell lines. Gain-of-function assays were conducted to reveal roles of MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C in CC cell behaviors. Bioinformatics, RNA pull down, and RIP assays were performed to assess association of MEF2C-AS1 or MEF2C with miR-20 b-5p in CC cells. Rescue assays were done to assess regulatory function of the MEF2C-AS1-miR-20 b-5p-MEF2C axis in CC cellular processes. MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C showed downregulation and had a positive expression correlation in CC tissues. MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C presented downregulation in CC cells, and they majorly distributed in CC cell cytoplasm. MEF2C-AS1 and MEF2C upregulation repressed CC cell proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic abilities. MEF2C-AS1 competitively bound with miR-20 b-5p to upregulate MEF2C in CC cells. The impacts of MEF2C-AS1 elevation on CC cell proliferative, migratory, and angiogenic capabilities were countervailed by miR-20 b-5p overexpression. The impacts of miR-20 b-5p inhibitor on CC cell proliferative, migratory and angiogenic capabilities were countervailed by MEF2C depletion. To sum up, MEF2C-AS1 and its nearby gene MEF2C present downregulation and serve as tumor suppressors in CC cells. MEF2C-AS1 suppresses CC cell malignancy in vitro through sponging miR-20 b-5p to upregulate MEF2C, which may provide a potential new direction for seeking therapeutic plans of CC.