USP22 controls multiple signaling pathways that are essential for vasculature formation in the mouse placenta

Development. 2019 Feb 22;146(4):dev174037. doi: 10.1242/dev.174037.

Abstract

USP22, a component of the SAGA complex, is overexpressed in highly aggressive cancers, but the normal functions of this deubiquitinase are not well defined. We determined that loss of USP22 in mice results in embryonic lethality due to defects in extra-embryonic placental tissues and failure to establish proper vascular interactions with the maternal circulatory system. These phenotypes arise from abnormal gene expression patterns that reflect defective kinase signaling, including TGFβ and several receptor tyrosine kinase pathways. USP22 deletion in endothelial cells and pericytes that are induced from embryonic stem cells also hinders these signaling cascades, with detrimental effects on cell survival and differentiation as well as on the ability to form vessels. Our findings provide new insights into the functions of USP22 during development that may offer clues to its role in disease states.

Keywords: Endothelial cells; Mouse; Pericytes; Placenta; RTK receptors; SAGA; TGFβ signaling; USP22; Vascular development.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular System / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Survival
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane / metabolism
  • Ear, Inner / embryology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Mice
  • Phenotype
  • Placenta / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Time Factors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase

Substances

  • Tgfb1 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Endopeptidases
  • USP22 protein, mouse
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase