In utero gene expression in the Slc39a8(neo/neo) knockdown mouse

Sci Rep. 2018 Jul 16;8(1):10703. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29109-y.

Abstract

Slc39a8 encodes ZIP8, a divalent cation/bicarbonate symporter expressed in pluripotent mouse embryonic stem cells, and therefore ubiquitous in adult tissues; ZIP8 influxes Zn2+, Mn2+ and Fe2+. Slc39a8(neo/neo) knockdown mice exhibit 10-15% of wild-type ZIP8 mRNA and protein levels, and show pleiotropic phenotype of stunted growth, neonatal lethality, multi-organ dysmorphogenesis, and dysregulated hematopoiesis manifested as severe anemia. Herein we performed RNA-seq analysis of gestational day (GD)13.5 yolk sac and placenta, and GD16.5 liver, kidney, lung, heart and cerebellum, comparing Slc39a8(neo/neo) with Slc39a8(+/+) wild-type. Meta-data analysis of differentially-expressed genes revealed 29 unique genes from all tissues - having enriched GO categories associated with hematopoiesis and hypoxia and KEGG categories of complement, response to infection, and coagulation cascade - consistent with dysregulated hematopoietic stem cell fate. Based on transcription factor (TF) profiles in the JASPAR database, and searching for TF-binding sites enriched by Pscan, we identified numerous genes encoding zinc-finger and other TFs associated with hematopoietic stem cell functions. We conclude that, in this mouse model, deficient ZIP8-mediated divalent cation transport affects zinc-finger (e.g. GATA proteins) and other TFs interacting with GATA proteins (e.g. TAL1), predominantly in yolk sac. These data strongly support the phenotype of dysmorphogenesis and anemia seen in Slc39a8(neo/neo) mice in utero.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Cation Transport Proteins / deficiency*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Female
  • GATA Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Hematopoiesis / genetics
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Morphogenesis / genetics
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Yolk Sac / cytology
  • Yolk Sac / metabolism
  • Zinc Fingers

Substances

  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • GATA Transcription Factors
  • Slc39a8 protein, mouse
  • T-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Protein 1
  • Tal1 protein, mouse