TWIST1 and chromatin regulatory proteins interact to guide neural crest cell differentiation

Xiaochen Fan*, V. Pragathi Masamsetti, Jane Q. J. Sun, Kasper Engholm-Keller, Pierre Osteil, Joshua Studdert, Mark E. Graham, Nicolas Fossat, Patrick P. L. Tam

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Protein interaction is critical molecular regulatory activity underlining cellular functions and precise cell fate choices. Using TWIST1 BioID-proximity-labelling and network propagation analyses, we discovered and characterized a TWIST-chromatin regulatory module (TWIST1-CRM) in the neural crest cells (NCC). Combinatorial perturbation of core members of TWIST1-CRM: TWIST1, CHD7, CHD8, and WHSC1 in cell models and mouse embryos revealed that loss of the function of the regulatory module resulted in abnormal differentiation of NCCs and compromised craniofacial tissue patterning. Following NCC delamination, low level of TWIST1-CRM activity is instrumental to stabilize the early NCC signatures and migratory potential by repressing the neural stem cell programs. High level of TWIST1 module activity at later phases commits the cells to the ectomesenchyme. Our study further revealed the functional interdependency of TWIST1 and potential neurocristopathy factors in NCC development.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere62873
JournaleLife
Volume10
Number of pages33
ISSN2050-084X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Externally publishedYes

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