A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech

Leech embryogenesis is a model for investigating cellular and molecular processes of development. Due to the unusually large size of embryonic stem cells (teloblasts: 50–300 μm) in the glossiphoniid leech, Theromyzon tessulatum, and the presence of identifiable stem cell precursors (proteloblasts),...

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Main Authors: Kristi A. Hohenstein, Shirley A. Lang, Tej Nuthulaganti, Daniel H. Shain
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/145183
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author Kristi A. Hohenstein
Shirley A. Lang
Tej Nuthulaganti
Daniel H. Shain
author_facet Kristi A. Hohenstein
Shirley A. Lang
Tej Nuthulaganti
Daniel H. Shain
author_sort Kristi A. Hohenstein
collection DOAJ
description Leech embryogenesis is a model for investigating cellular and molecular processes of development. Due to the unusually large size of embryonic stem cells (teloblasts: 50–300 μm) in the glossiphoniid leech, Theromyzon tessulatum, and the presence of identifiable stem cell precursors (proteloblasts), we previously isolated a group of genes upregulated upon stem cell birth. In the current study, we show that one of these genes, designated Theromyzon proliferation (Tpr), is required for normal stem cell genesis; specifically, transient Tpr knockdown experiments conducted with antisense oligonucleotides and monitored by semiquantitative RT-PCR, caused abnormal proteloblast proliferation leading to embryonic death, but did not overtly affect neuroectodermal or mesodermal stem cell development once these cells were born. Tpr encodes a large glutamine-rich (∼34%) domain that shares compositional similarity with strong transcriptional enhancers many of which have been linked with trinucleotide repeat disorders (e.g., Huntington's).
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spelling doaj-art-16c57dcf381d4521b566838d032d04b32025-08-20T03:54:32ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-96782010-01-01201010.4061/2010/145183145183A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in LeechKristi A. Hohenstein0Shirley A. Lang1Tej Nuthulaganti2Daniel H. Shain3Department of Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08102, USADepartment of Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08102, USADepartment of Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08102, USADepartment of Biology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Camden, NJ 08102, USALeech embryogenesis is a model for investigating cellular and molecular processes of development. Due to the unusually large size of embryonic stem cells (teloblasts: 50–300 μm) in the glossiphoniid leech, Theromyzon tessulatum, and the presence of identifiable stem cell precursors (proteloblasts), we previously isolated a group of genes upregulated upon stem cell birth. In the current study, we show that one of these genes, designated Theromyzon proliferation (Tpr), is required for normal stem cell genesis; specifically, transient Tpr knockdown experiments conducted with antisense oligonucleotides and monitored by semiquantitative RT-PCR, caused abnormal proteloblast proliferation leading to embryonic death, but did not overtly affect neuroectodermal or mesodermal stem cell development once these cells were born. Tpr encodes a large glutamine-rich (∼34%) domain that shares compositional similarity with strong transcriptional enhancers many of which have been linked with trinucleotide repeat disorders (e.g., Huntington's).http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/145183
spellingShingle Kristi A. Hohenstein
Shirley A. Lang
Tej Nuthulaganti
Daniel H. Shain
A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
Stem Cells International
title A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
title_full A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
title_fullStr A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
title_full_unstemmed A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
title_short A Glutamine-Rich Factor Affects Stem Cell Genesis in Leech
title_sort glutamine rich factor affects stem cell genesis in leech
url http://dx.doi.org/10.4061/2010/145183
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