Human TBX5 Research Articles

Hierarchical deployment of Tbx3 dictates the identity of hypothalamic KNDy neurons to control puberty onset.

The neuroendocrine system consists of a heterogeneous collection of neuropeptidergic neurons in the brain, among which hypothalamic KNDy neurons represent an indispensable cell subtype controlling puberty onset. Although neural progenitors and neuronal precursors along the cell lineage hierarchy adopt a cascade diversification strategy to generate hypothalamic neuronal heterogeneity, the cellular logic operating within the lineage to specify a subtype of neuroendocrine neurons remains unclear. As human genetic studies have recently established a link between TBX3 mutations and delayed puberty onset, we systematically studied Tbx3-derived neuronal lineage and Tbx3-dependent neuronal specification and found that Tbx3 hierarchically established and maintained the identity of KNDy neurons for triggering puberty. Apart from the well-established lineage-dependent fate determination, we uncovered rules of interlineage interaction and intralineage retention operating through neuronal differentiation in the absence of Tbx3. Moreover, we revealed that human TBX3 mutations disturbed the phase separation of encoded proteins and impaired transcriptional regulation of key neuropeptides, providing a pathological mechanism underlying TBX3-associated puberty disorders.

Generation of a CRISPR/Cas edited human induced pluripotent stem cell line DHMi005-A-1 carrying a patient-specific disease-causing point mutation in the TBX5 gene

A number of mutations in the human TBX5 gene have been described which cause Holt-Oram syndrome, a severe congenital disease associated with abnormalities in heart and upper limb development. We have used a prime-editing approach to introduce a patient-specific disease-causing TBX5 mutation (c.920_C > A) into an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a healthy donor. The resulting iPSC line provides a powerful tool to identify and analyze the biological and molecular impact of this specific TBX5 mutation in comparison to the isogenic control iPSC line during cardiac development.

Zfhx3 Transcription Factor Represses the Expression of SCN5A Gene and Decreases Sodium Current Density (INa).

The ZFHX3 and SCN5A genes encode the zinc finger homeobox 3 (Zfhx3) transcription factor (TF) and the human cardiac Na+ channel (Nav1.5), respectively. The effects of Zfhx3 on the expression of the Nav1.5 channel, and in cardiac excitability, are currently unknown. Additionally, we identified three Zfhx3 variants in probands diagnosed with familial atrial fibrillation (p.M1260T) and Brugada Syndrome (p.V949I and p.Q2564R). Here, we analyzed the effects of native (WT) and mutated Zfhx3 on Na+ current (INa) recorded in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. ZFHX3 mRNA can be detected in human atrial and ventricular samples. In HL-1 cardiomyocytes, transfection of Zfhx3 strongly reduced peak INa density, while the silencing of endogenous expression augmented it (from −65.9 ± 8.9 to −104.6 ± 10.8 pA/pF; n ≥ 8, p < 0.05). Zfhx3 significantly reduced the transcriptional activity of human SCN5A, PITX2, TBX5, and NKX25 minimal promoters. Consequently, the mRNA and/or protein expression levels of Nav1.5 and Tbx5 were diminished (n ≥ 6, p < 0.05). Zfhx3 also increased the expression of Nedd4-2 ubiquitin-protein ligase, enhancing Nav1.5 proteasomal degradation. p.V949I, p.M1260T, and p.Q2564R Zfhx3 produced similar effects on INa density and time- and voltage-dependent properties in WT. WT Zfhx3 inhibits INa as a result of a direct repressor effect on the SCN5A promoter, the modulation of Tbx5 increasing on the INa, and the increased expression of Nedd4-2. We propose that this TF participates in the control of cardiac excitability in human adult cardiac tissue.

Identification of deleterious single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)s in the human TBX5 gene & prediction of their structural & functional consequences: An in silico approach

T-box transcription factor 5 gene (TBX5) encodes the transcription factor TBX5, which plays a crucial role in the development of heart and upper limbs. Damaging single nucleotide variants in this gene alter the protein structure, disturb the functions of TBX5, and ultimately cause Holt-Oram Syndrome (HOS). By analyzing the available single nucleotide polymorphism information in the dbSNP database, this study was designed to identify the most deleterious TBX5 SNPs through insilico approaches and predict their structural and functional consequences.Fifty-eight missense substitutions were found damaging by sequence homology-based tools: SIFT and PROVEAN, and structure homology-based tool PolyPhen-2. Various disease association meta-predictors further scrutinized these SNPs. Additionally, conservation profile of the amino acid residues, their surface accessibility, stability, and structural integrity of the native protein upon mutations were assessed. From these analyses, finally 5 SNPs were detected as the most damaging ones: [rs1565941579 (P85S), rs1269970792 (W121R), rs772248871 (V153D), rs769113870 (E208D), and rs1318021626 (I222N)]. Analyses of stop-lost, nonsense, UTR, and splice site SNPs were also conducted.Through integrative bioinformatics analyses, this study has identified the SNPs that are deleterious to the TBX5 protein structure and have the potential to cause HOS. Further wet-lab experiments can validate these findings.

Zfhx3 decreases expression of cardiac Nav1.5 channels and inhibits sodium current

Abstract Background Zfhx3 (zinc finger homeobox 3) is a transcription factor (TF) encoded by the ZFHX3 gene. GWAS and gene-based association studies showed that ZFHX3 is one of the major atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility-conferring genes. The sodium current (INa), carried by Nav1.5 channels encoded by SCN5A, is responsible for atrial and ventricular action potential depolarization and determines cardiac excitability. Zfhx3 interacts with other TFs, such as Tbx5 and Pitx2c that increase and decrease INa, respectively. However, the effects of Zfhx3 on cardiac INa are currently unknown. Purpose We aimed to determine the effects of Zfhx3 on the INa on HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Methods cDNAs encoding human Zfhx3 together or not with Pitx2c or Tbx5 were transfected in HL-1 cells. Endogenous Zfhx3 expression in HL-1 cells was silenced by means of siRNAs. INa was recorded at room temperature using the whole-cell patch-clamp and luciferase reporter assays, qPCR and Western-blot (WB) analyses were also conducted. Results Expression analysis of RNA-seq data from human ventricular (n=432) samples (GTEx) demonstrated that Zfhx3 mRNA can be detected in the adult working myocardium. Transfection of Zfhx3 strongly reduced peak INa density (from −75.0±6.6 to −30.9±2.9 pA/pF; n≥26, P&amp;lt;0.001). In contrast, Zfhx3 silencing augmented INa density compared to cells transfected with scrambled siRNA (from −65.9±8.9 to −104.6±10.8 pA/pF; n≥8, P&amp;lt;0.05). Neither Zfhx3 expression nor silencing modified time and voltage dependence of activation and inactivation or the reactivation kinetics. Zfhx3 significantly reduced transcriptional activity of human SCN5A, PITX2 and TBX5 minimal promoters and, consequently, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Nav1.5, Pitx2c, and Tbx5 were diminished (n≥6, P&amp;lt;0.05). In cells transfected with Zfhx3 together with Pitx2c, but not with Tbx5, INa density was significantly smaller than in cells expressing WT Zfhx3 alone (n≥15, P&amp;lt;0.05). Further WB experiments demonstrated that Zfhx3 increased the expression of Nedd4–2 ubiquitin-protein ligase, which ubiquitinates Nav1.5 channels and favors their proteasomal degradation. Conclusions Zfhx3 inhibits INa as a result of a direct repressor effect on the SCN5A promoter, the modulation of Tbx5-increasing and Pitx2-decreasing effects on the INa, and the enhancement of Nav1.5 channel degradation. We propose a novel and complex mechanism that regulates the expression of sodium channels and the density of the INa, which are critical for the control of cardiac excitability. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadComunidad Autόnoma de Madrid

Functional identity of hypothalamic melanocortin neurons depends on Tbx3.

Heterogeneous populations of hypothalamic neurons orchestrate energy balance via the release of specific signatures of neuropeptides. However, how specific intracellular machinery controls peptidergic identities and function of individual hypothalamic neurons remains largely unknown. The transcription factor T-box 3 (Tbx3) is expressed in hypothalamic neurons sensing and governing energy status, whereas human TBX3 haploinsufficiency has been linked with obesity. Here, we demonstrate that loss of Tbx3 function in hypothalamic neurons causes weight gain and other metabolic disturbances by disrupting both the peptidergic identity and plasticity of Pomc/Cart and Agrp/Npy neurons. These alterations are observed after loss of Tbx3 in both immature hypothalamic neurons and terminally differentiated mouse neurons. We further establish the importance of Tbx3 for body weight regulation in Drosophila melanogaster and show that TBX3 is implicated in the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into hypothalamic Pomc neurons. Our data indicate that Tbx3 directs the terminal specification of neurons as functional components of the melanocortin system and is required for maintaining their peptidergic identity. In summary, we report the discovery of a key mechanistic process underlying the functional heterogeneity of hypothalamic neurons governing body weight and systemic metabolism.

MiR-10a and MiR-10b Target the 3′-Untranslated Region of TBX5 to Repress Its Expression

As a well-known transcription factor, TBX5 is involved in embryonic cardiac development. Although TBX5 functions in a dose-dependent manner, the posttranscriptional regulation of human TBX5 is poorly understood. Thus, this study aimed to identify microRNAs that modulate TBX5 expression. Luciferase assays were used to screen miRNAs predicted to modulate TBX5 expression. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis, the authors found that miR-10a and miR-10b significantly repressed TBX5 expression and decreased TBX5 protein levels by targeting the TBX5 3'-untranslated region. In addition, miR-10a and miR-10b expression levels were respectively 2.77 and 3.51 times higher in the heart tissues of congenital heart disease patients than in healthy control subjects, suggesting that they are potential diagnostic biomarkers. In conclusion, the study results indicate that miR-10a and miR-10b inhibit TBX5 expression at the level of translation. Higher levels of miR-10a and miR-10b expression are associated with a higher risk of congenital heart defects.

Distinct tissue-specific requirements for the zebrafish tbx5 genes during heart, retina and pectoral fin development.

The transcription factor Tbx5 is expressed in the developing heart, eyes and anterior appendages. Mutations in human TBX5 cause Holt–Oram syndrome, a condition characterized by heart and upper limb malformations. Tbx5-knockout mouse embryos have severely impaired forelimb and heart morphogenesis from the earliest stages of their development. However, zebrafish embryos with compromised tbx5 function show a complete absence of pectoral fins, while heart development is disturbed at significantly later developmental stages and eye development remains to be thoroughly analysed. We identified a novel tbx5 gene in zebrafish—tbx5b—that is co-expressed with its paralogue, tbx5a, in the developing eye and heart and hypothesized that functional redundancy could be occurring in these organs in embryos with impaired tbx5a function. We have now investigated the consequences of tbx5a and/or tbx5b downregulation in zebrafish to reveal that tbx5 genes have essential roles in the establishment of cardiac laterality, dorsoventral retina axis organization and pectoral fin development. Our data show that distinct relationships between tbx5 paralogues are required in a tissue-specific manner to ensure the proper morphogenesis of the three organs in which they are expressed. Furthermore, we uncover a novel role for tbx5 genes in the establishment of correct heart asymmetry in zebrafish embryos.

Genetic analysis of the TBX1 gene promoter in indirect inguinal hernia

Inguinal hernia is a common disease, most cases of which are indirect inguinal hernia (IIH). Genetic factors play an important role for inguinal hernia. Increased incidences of inguinal hernia have been reported in patients with 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome, which is mainly caused by TBX1 gene mutations. Thus, we hypothesized that altered TBX1 gene expression may contribute to IIH development. In this study, the human TBX1 gene promoter was genetically analyzed in children with IIH (n=100) and ethnic-matched controls (n=167). Functions of DNA sequence variants (DSVs) within the TBX1 gene promoter were examined in cultured human fibroblast cells. The results showed that two heterozygous DSVs were found, both of which were single nucleotide polymorphisms. One DSV, g.4248 C>T (rs41298629), was identified in a 2-year-old boy with right-sided IIH, but not in all controls, which significantly decreased TBX1 gene promoter activity. Another DSV, g.4199 C>T (rs41260844), was found in both IIH patients and controls with similar frequencies (P>0.05), which did not affect TBX1 gene promoter activity. Collectively, our data suggested that the DSV within the TBX1 gene promoter may change TBX1 level, contributing to IIH development as a rare risk factor. Underlying molecular mechanisms need to be established.

Cloning and expression of &lt;I&gt;Tbx3&lt;/I&gt; gene in Siberian sturgeon, &lt;I&gt;Acipenser baerii&lt;/I&gt;

Tbx3, a member of the TBX2 subfamily of T-box gene family, encodes a transcription factor with a highly conserved DNA-binding domain, which called T-domain. Tbx3 is involved in morphogenesis and organogenesis in vertebrates, such as limb development, heart remodeling, and neural placode differentiation. In the present study, a full-length 2 908 bp Tbx3 cDNA from Acipenser baerii (AbTbx3) was obtained using RT-PCR and RACE technique, which includes a 2 166 bp complete open reading frame encoding a putative peptide of 721 amino acids. AbTbx3 shares 73.5% identity with its human homolog. Particularly, the DNA-binding domain of AbTbx3 shared 95.2% identity with human Tbx3. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AbTbx3 was grouped with Tbx3s in other vertebrates, which were clustered with Tbx2s and separated from Tbx4/5s. The predicted secondary and three-dimensional structures of the T-domain of AbTbx3 were remarkably similar to human Tbx3. Through semi-quantity RT-PCR, the expression of AbTbx3 was first detected at blastula stage during Siberian sturgeon embryonic development, increased gradually, reached its peak at early tail-bud stage and then decreased slightly. In adult sturgeon, AbTbx3 was strongly expressed in eye, brain, gill, intestines, pectoral fin and pelvic fin, but not in liver, blood, heart, kidney and muscle. The whole mount in situ hybridization showed that AbTbx3 was mainly expressed in the otic vesicle, hindbrain, dorsal notochord, pineal organ and dorsal fin bud in the larvae of stage 37 and 43.

Transrepression activity of T-box1 in a gene regulation network in mouse cells

T-box1 (TBX1) has been identified as a candidate disease-causing gene in DiGeorge syndrome/conotruncal anomaly face syndrome (DGS/CAFS). Tbx1 can function as a transcriptional transactivator as well as a transrepressor. Although the transactivating role of Tbx1 has been the focus of a number of published studies, its transrepression activity has been largely unexplored. Thus, this study centers on the identification of potential transrepressed targets of Tbx1. By subtractive hybridization, we compared the expression profiles of control mouse P19 cells and P19 cells depleted of Tbx1 via RNA interference. We identified 127 genes that were potentially transrepressed by Tbx1. Of the transrepressed genes, we focused on Ywhae and C1qbp and carried out promoter assays. The results showed that Tbx1 potentially transrepresses the promoter activities of these genes via palindromic sequences, including 5′-CCACAG-3′ and 5′-(C/G)TGTG(C/G)-3′, harbored within the promoters. Electromobility shift assays also showed that Tbx1 specifically interacts with certain portions of these promoter sequences. Moreover, the construction of Tbx1 mutants containing known human TBX1 mutations showed that these mutations result in the loss of Tbx1 transrepression activity. These results indicate that Tbx1 functions as a transrepressor in a gene regulation network, wherein Ywhae and C1qbp are 2 of the targets transrepressed by Tbx1 via T-box binding elements. Hence, the loss of TBX1 transrepression activity could be associated with the disease phenotypes of patients with DGS/CAFS.

Structure of the DNA‐bound T‐box domain of human TBX1, a transcription factor associated with the DiGeorge syndrome

Proteins: Structure, Function, and BioinformaticsVolume 80, Issue 2 p. 655-660 Structure Note Structure of the DNA-bound T-box domain of human TBX1, a transcription factor associated with the DiGeorge syndrome Kamel El Omari, Kamel El Omari Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorJulie De Mesmaeker, Julie De Mesmaeker Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorDimple Karia, Dimple Karia Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorHelen Ginn, Helen Ginn Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorShoumo Bhattacharya, Shoumo Bhattacharya Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorErika J. Mancini, Corresponding Author Erika J. Mancini erika@strubi.ox.ac.uk Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomDivision of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX37BN, UK===Search for more papers by this author Kamel El Omari, Kamel El Omari Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorJulie De Mesmaeker, Julie De Mesmaeker Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorDimple Karia, Dimple Karia Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorHelen Ginn, Helen Ginn Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorShoumo Bhattacharya, Shoumo Bhattacharya Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorErika J. Mancini, Corresponding Author Erika J. Mancini erika@strubi.ox.ac.uk Division of Structural Biology, The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, United KingdomDivision of Structural Biology, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX37BN, UK===Search for more papers by this author First published: 29 September 2011 https://doi.org/10.1002/prot.23208Citations: 15Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume80, Issue2February 2012Pages 655-660 RelatedInformation

Transactivation in Drosophila of human enhancers by human transcription factors involved in congenital heart diseases

Background: The human transcription factors (TFs) GATA4, NKX2.5 and TBX5 form part of the core network necessary to build a human heart and are involved in Congenital Heart Diseases (CHDs). The human natriuretic peptide precursor A (NPPA) and α-myosin heavy chain 6 (MYH6) genes are downstream effectors involved in cardiogenesis that have been demonstrated to be in vitro targets of such TFs. Results: To study the interactions between these human TFs and their target enhancers in vivo, we overexpressed them in the whole Drosophila cardiac tube using the UAS/GAL4 system. We observed that all three TFs up-regulate their natural target enhancers in Drosophila and cause developmental defects when overexpressed in eyes and wings. Conclusions: A strong potential of the present model might be the development of combinatorial and mutational assays to study the interactions between human TFs and their natural target promoters, which are not easily undertaken in tissue culture cells because of the variability in transfection efficiency, especially when multiple constructs are used. Thus, this novel system could be used to determine in vivo the genetic nature of the human mutant forms of these TFs, setting up a powerful tool to unravel the molecular genetic mechanisms that lead to CHDs. Developmental Dynamics 241:190–199, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Key findingsThe mammalian transcription factors GATA4, Nkx2.5 and TBX5 are able to transactivate the Nppa and Myh6 human enhancers in Drosophila embryos.The endogenous Drosophila homologs of GATA4, Nkx2.5 and TBX5 are not transactivated by GATA4, Nkx2.5 or TBX5, ruling out a possible endogenous regulatory circuit.Overexpression in the mesoderm of GATA4, Nkx2.5 or TBX5 is lethal and overexpression in eyes and wings causes reduced organs.

Basal transcription of the human TBX3 gene, a key developmental regulator which is overexpressed in several cancers, requires functional NF-Y and Sp1 sites

TBX3 is a member of the T-box family of genes that encode developmentally important transcription factors. Mutations resulting in decreased levels of functional TBX3 lead to Ulnar-Mammary Syndrome and increased levels of TBX3 have been linked to several cancers. To understand the mechanisms regulating TBX3 expression we have previously cloned the 5′-flanking region of the human TBX3 gene and here we describe cis-elements required for its basal transcription. Using site-directed mutagenesis, luciferase reporter assays and in vitro and in vivo DNA binding experiments we identify a Sp1 element and two CCAAT boxes to be essential for basal TBX3 promoter activity. Our results are consistent with reports that these sites are necessary for efficient basal transcription in genes which lack TATA boxes or an Initiator which we show to be the case for TBX3.

Structural Basis of TBX5–DNA Recognition: The T-Box Domain in Its DNA-Bound and -Unbound Form

TBX5, a member of the T-box transcription factor family, plays an important role in heart and limb development. More than 60 single point or deletion mutations of human TBX5 are associated with Holt–Oram syndrome that manifests itself as heart and limb malformations in 1 out of 100,000 live births. The majority of these mutations are located in the TBX5 T-box domain. We solved the crystal structures of the human TBX5 T-box domain in its DNA-unbound form and in complex with a natural DNA target site allowing for the first time the comparison between unbound and DNA-bound forms. Our analysis identifies a 3 10-helix at the C-terminus of the T-box domain as an inducible recognition element, critically required for the interaction with DNA, as it only forms upon DNA binding and is unstructured in the DNA-unbound form. Using circular dichroism, we characterized the thermal stability of six TBX5 mutants containing single point mutations in the T-box domain (M74V, G80R, W121G, G169R, T223M, and R237W) and compared them with wild-type protein. Mutants G80R and W121G show drastically reduced thermal stability, while the other mutants only show a marginal stability decrease. For all TBX5 mutants, binding affinities to specific and nonspecific DNA sequences were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry. All TBX5 mutants show reduced binding affinities to a specific DNA target site, although to various degrees. Interestingly, all tested TBX5 mutants differ in their ability to bind unspecific DNA, indicating that both sequence-specific and unspecific binding might contribute to the misregulation of target gene expression.

Comparing Pumps

Comparing Pumps

Null mutations in Drosophila Optomotor-blind affect T-domain residues conserved in all Tbx proteins

The T-box transcription factors TBX2 and TBX3 are overexpressed in many human cancers raising the need for a thorough understanding of the cellular function of these proteins. In Drosophila, there is one corresponding ortholog, Optomotor-blind (Omb). Currently, only two missense mutations are known for the two human proteins. Making use of the developmental defects caused by inactivation of omb, we have isolated and molecularly characterized four new omb mutations, three of them are missense mutations of amino acids fully conserved in all Tbx proteins. We interpret the functional defects in the framework of the known structure of the human TBX3 protein and provide evidence for loss of Omb DNA-binding activity in all three newly identified missense mutations.

Abstract 1459: Tbx5 Regulates Progenitor Cell Migration During Cardiac Vasculogenesis

Mutations in TBX5 cause Holt-Oram syndrome (HOS) characterized by congenital heart malformation and upper limb deformity. Human TBX5 is expressed not only in a chamber specific myocardial distribution but also in coronary blood vessels. We have shown that mouse and chick Tbx5 are expressed in the proepicardial organ (PEO), a transitory structure from which epicardium and coronary vessels arise. We therefore investigated Tbx5 function during coronary vasculogenesis by manipulating Tbx5 gene dosage at critical points during chick and mouse cardioogenesis. Overexpression or inactivation of Tbx5 in chick PEO and chick epicardial cells leads to impaired migration and blocks incorporation of epicardial derived-cells (EPDCs) into coronary vessels. These data suggest Tbx5 acts during migration of PEO cells to the myocardium and migration of EPDCs into the subepicardium and myocardium. Epicardial restricted inactivation of Tbx5 using Wt1-cre and Tbx5 lox/lox mice reveals impaired migration (E10.5–11.5) of cytokeratin-positive PEO cells to the heart tube. However, at E14.5, mutant hearts display evidence of an epicardial layer suggesting delayed PE cell migration. However, unlike the flattened layer of epicardial cells in wildtype hearts, mutant hearts exhibit epicardial cells with irregular polygonal shapes and epicardial cyst-like structures lined by delaminated epicardium and filled with erythrocytes. At E17.5, we observe partial detachment of epicardium and nests of multiple contiguous subepicardial vessels without penetration into the myocardium. These observations suggest impaired migration of EPDCs into myocardium with consequent abnormally exuberant vasculogenesis restricted to the subepicardium. PECAM-1 expression analyses in E17.5 mutant embryos and neonatal mutant mice reveal marked reduction of myocardial coronary endothelial cells as well as defective coronary arteries and veins. These defects are associated with an upregulation of HIF1a in the myocardium, and, using an oxygen sensing dye, we observe relative tissue hypoxia in mutant myocardium. Our findings support a conserved requirement for Tbx5 in progenitor cell migration for the establishment of the coronary vasculature.

Teed Off

See related article, pages 1340–1349 In this issue of Circulation Research , Bakker et al1 report that the T-box transcription factor Tbx3 is required for development of the mouse atrioventricular conduction system. This study adds to the increasingly complex roles for T-box genes in the regulation of cell lineage maturation and proliferation in the developing heart. Previous studies from this same group have implicated Tbx3 in control of mouse sinoatrial node development and pacemaker activity.2 A closely related factor Tbx2 also contributes to atrioventricular (AV) canal specification by repressing genes expressed in the chamber myocardium.3,4 Mutations in human TBX5 cause Holt–Oram syndrome, which includes conduction system disease, and mice with heterozygous mutations in Tbx5 develop progressive AV block and other conduction anomalies.5–7 Additional T-box factors including Tbx1, Tbx20, and Tbx18 are expressed in distinct compartments of the heart and have critical functions in cardiac cell lineage maturation, proliferation, and morphogenesis.8 It is becoming increasingly apparent that multiple T-box transcription factors are important regulators of conduction system differentiation and patterning while also contributing to many other aspects of heart cell lineage development and morphogenesis. Bakker et al1 report that Tbx3 is required for maturation of the atrioventricular conduction system based on loss of function studies in mice. Mice lacking Tbx3 do not survive past embryonic day (E)14.5 and exhibit abnormal gene expression in conduction system progenitor cells, as well as severe structural malformations, including double outlet right ventricle and ventricular septal defects. Particular attention was paid to the crest of the interventricular septum, where the AV bundle components of the central conduction system will develop. In normal mice, the myocytes in the crest of the interventricular septum diversify from the rest of the septum myocardium with increased expression of Tbx3 , Tbx5 , …

Human TBX1 Missense Mutations Cause Gain of Function Resulting in the Same Phenotype as 22q11.2 Deletions

Deletion 22q11.2 syndrome is the most frequent known microdeletion syndrome and is associated with a highly variable phenotype, including DiGeorge and Shprintzen (velocardiofacial) syndromes. Although haploinsufficiency of the T-box transcription factor gene TBX1 is thought to cause the phenotype, to date, only four different point mutations in TBX1 have been reported in association with six of the major features of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Although, for the two truncating mutations, loss of function was previously shown, the pathomechanism of the missense mutations remains unknown. We report a novel heterozygous missense mutation, H194Q, in a familial case of Shprintzen syndrome and show that this and the two previously reported missense mutations result in gain of function, possibly through stabilization of the protein dimer DNA complex. We therefore conclude that TBX1 gain-of-function mutations can result in the same phenotypic spectrum as haploinsufficiency caused by loss-of-function mutations or deletions.