In Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression.

TitleIn Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsGarcia, GR, Goodale, BC, Wiley, MW, La Du, JK, Hendrix, DA, Tanguay, RL
JournalMol Pharmacol
Volume91
Issue6
Pagination609-619
Date Published2017 Jun
ISSN1521-0111
KeywordsAnimals, Animals, Genetically Modified, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Gene Knockdown Techniques, Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon, RNA, Long Noncoding, SOX9 Transcription Factor, Zebrafish, Zebrafish Proteins
Abstract

Xenobiotic activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) prevents the proper formation of craniofacial cartilage and the heart in developing zebrafish. Downstream molecular targets responsible for AHR-dependent adverse effects remain largely unknown; however, in zebrafish sox9b has been identified as one of the most-reduced transcripts in several target organs and is hypothesized to have a causal role in TCDD-induced toxicity. The reduction of sox9b expression in TCDD-exposed zebrafish embryos has been shown to contribute to heart and jaw malformation phenotypes. The mechanisms by which AHR2 (functional ortholog of mammalian AHR) activation leads to reduced sox9b expression levels and subsequent target organ toxicity are unknown. We have identified a novel long noncoding RNA (slincR) that is upregulated by strong AHR ligands and is located adjacent to the sox9b gene. We hypothesize that slincR is regulated by AHR2 and transcriptionally represses sox9b. The slincR transcript functions as an RNA macromolecule, and slincR expression is AHR2 dependent. Antisense knockdown of slincR results in an increase in sox9b expression during both normal development and AHR2 activation, which suggests relief in repression. During development, slincR was expressed in tissues with sox9 essential functions, including the jaw/snout region, otic vesicle, eye, and brain. Reducing the levels of slincR resulted in altered neurologic and/or locomotor behavioral responses. Our results place slincR as an intermediate between AHR2 activation and the reduction of sox9b mRNA in the AHR2 signaling pathway.

DOI10.1124/mol.117.108233
Alternate JournalMol. Pharmacol.
PubMed ID28385905
PubMed Central IDPMC5438132
Grant ListR21 ES025421 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
F31 ES026518 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P42 ES016465 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
F32 ES025082 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
T32 ES007060 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
P30 ES000210 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States