RUNX transcription factors are essential in maintaining epididymal epithelial differentiation

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2024 Apr 17;81(1):183. doi: 10.1007/s00018-024-05211-5.ABSTRACTApart from the androgen receptor, transcription factors (TFs) that are required for the development and formation of the different segments of the epididymis have remained unknown. We identified TF families expressed in the developing epididymides, of which many showed segment specificity. From these TFs, down-regulation of runt related transcription factors (RUNXs) 1 and 2 expression coincides with epithelial regression in Dicer1 cKO mice. Concomitant deletion of both Runx1 and Runx2 in a mouse epididymal epithelial cell line affected cell morphology, adhesion and mobility in vitro. Furthermore, lack of functional RUNXs severely disturbed the formation of 3D epididymal organoid-like structures. Transcriptomic analysis of the epididymal cell organoid-like structures indicated that RUNX1 and RUNX2 are involved in the regulation of MAPK signaling, NOTCH pathway activity, and EMT-related gene expression. This suggests that RUNXs are master regulators of several essential signaling pathways, and necessary for the maintenance of proper differentiation of the epididymal epithelium.PMID:38630262 | PMC:PMC11023966 | DOI:10.1007/s00018-024-05211-5

Source: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS - April 17, 2024 Category: Cytology Authors: Mervi Toriseva Ida Bj örkgren Arttu Junnila Arfa Mehmood Jesse Mattsson Inka Raimoranta Bongki Kim Asta Laiho Matthias Nees Laura Elo Matti Poutanen Sylvie Breton Petra Sipil ä Source Type: research