Characterization of New Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neural Crest Development and Pathologies : Interplay Between SOX10 and p54NRB and Role of Editing

Résumé non transmisSOX10 is a transcription factor with well-known functions in neural crest and oligodendrocyte development. Mutations in SOX10 were first associated with Waardenburg-Hirschsprung disease (WS4; deafness, pigmentation defects and intestinal aganglionosis). However, variable phenotypes that extend beyond the WS4 definition are now reported. The neurological phenotypes associated with some truncating mutations are suggested to be the result of escape from the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway; but, to date, no mechanism has been suggested for missense mutations, of which approximately 20 have now been reported, and about half of which are redistributed in vitro to nuclear bodies of undetermined nature and function. Here, we reported that the paraspeckle protein p54NRB, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of gene expression during many cellular processes including differentiation, and is a member of the Drosophila behavior Human Splicing (DBHS) protein family, interacts and acts synergistically with SOX10 to regulate several target genes. Interestingly, this multifunctional protein, as well as two other members of the DBHS protein family, co-localized with SOX10 mutants in nuclear bodies, suggesting the possible paraspeckle nature of these foci or re-localization of the DBHS members to other subnuclear compartments. Remarkably, the co-transfection of wild-type and mutant SOX10 constructs led to the sequestration of wild-type SOX10 in mutant-induced foci. However, only foci forming mutants exclusively found in the nucleus altered synergistic activity between SOX10 and p54NRB. We proposed that such a dominant negative effect may contribute to or be at the origin of the progressive neurological phenotype observed in affected patients.One of the roles of p54NRB is the regulation of gene expression via nuclear retention, by binding to hyperedited IRAlu sequences this protein blocks their efficient export to the cytoplasm (Zhang and Carmichael., 2001), we then decided to get into the world of editing. Editing, is a molecular mechanism characterized by the deaminase conversion of adenosines into inosines (A-to-I). In mammals, this molecular modification, is performed by a cluster of three enzymes named Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs 1-3) (Wagner RW et al., 1989).In order to evaluate the role of ADAR1 in NC development, we decided to conditionally invalidate the expression of this enzyme using the NC specific HtPA-Cre line. Two main crossing strategies were followed, one including the Rosa26R-LacZ marker (RADR crossing) to track the NCCs and one not (CADR crossing). Globally, the Adar1 deficient pups harvested from the CADR crossing presented with 100% mortality within the first three days after birth. The survival rate of the mutants generated using the second strategy (RADR) was higher, however, none of the mutants survived up to P30. In general, the mutants of the latest crossing, presented with pleiotropic NC phenotype: abnormal melanocyte, ENS and sciatic nerve defects were observed