The Cdx2 homeobox gene is important in assigning positional identity during the finely orchestrated process of embryogenesis. In adults, regenerative responses to tissues damage can require a replay of these same developmental pathways. Errors in reassigning positional identity during regeneration can cause metaplasias-normal tissue arising in an abnormal location-and this in turn, is a well-recognized cancer risk factor. In animal models, a gain of Cdx2 function can elicit a posterior shift in tissue identity, modeling intestinal-type metaplasias of the esophagus (Barrett's esophagus) and stomach. Conversely, loss of Cdx2 function can elicit an anterior shift in tissue identity, inducing serrated-type lesions expressing gastric markers in the colon. These metaplasias are major risk factors for the later development of esophageal, stomach and colon cancer. Leukemia, another cancer in which Cdx2 is ectopically expressed, may have mechanistic parallels with epithelial cancers in terms of stress-induced reprogramming. This review will address how animal models have refined our understanding of the role of Cdx2 in these common human cancers.
- MeSH
- ezofágus patologie MeSH
- homeoboxové geny genetika MeSH
- kolon patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- metaplazie genetika patologie MeSH
- modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
- nádory jícnu genetika patologie MeSH
- nádory tračníku genetika patologie MeSH
- nádory žaludku genetika patologie MeSH
- progrese nemoci MeSH
- regulace genové exprese u nádorů * MeSH
- transkripční faktor CDX2 genetika metabolismus MeSH
- žaludek patologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Loss of totipotentcy in an early embryo is directed by molecular processes responsible for cell fate decisions. Three dimensional genome organisation is an important factor linking chromatin architecture with stage specific gene expression patterns. Little is known about the role of chromosome organisation in gene expression regulation of lineage specific factors in mammalian embryos. Using bovine embryos as a model we have described these interactions at key developmental stages. Three bovine chromosomes (BTA) that differ in size, number of carried genes, and contain loci for key lineage regulators OCT4, NANOG and CDX2, were investigated. The results suggest that large chromosomes regardless of their gene density (BTA12 gene-poor, BTA5 gene-rich) do not significantly change their radial position within the nucleus. Gene loci however, may change its position within the chromosome territory (CT) and relocate its periphery, when stage specific process of gene activation is required. Trophectoderm specific CDX2 and epiblast precursor NANOG loci tend to locate on the surface or outside of the CTs, at stages related with their high expression. We postulate that the observed changes in CT shape reflect global alternations in gene expression related to differentiation.
- MeSH
- buněčné jádro genetika MeSH
- buněčný rodokmen MeSH
- embryonální vývoj MeSH
- hybridizace in situ fluorescenční MeSH
- nanog genetika metabolismus MeSH
- oktamerní transkripční faktor 3 genetika metabolismus MeSH
- savčí chromozomy genetika MeSH
- skot MeSH
- transkripční faktor CDX2 genetika metabolismus MeSH
- vývojová regulace genové exprese MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- skot MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH