Inhibition of β-catenin dependent WNT signalling upregulates the transcriptional repressor NR0B1 and downregulates markers of an A9 phenotype in human embryonic stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons: Implications for Parkinson's disease

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 23;16(12):e0261730. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261730. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

In this study we investigate how β-catenin-dependent WNT signalling impacts midbrain dopaminergic neuron (mDA) specification. mDA cultures at day 65 of differentiation responded to 25 days of the tankyrase inhibitor XAV969 (XAV, 100nM) with reduced expression of markers of an A9 mDA phenotype (KCNJ6, ALDH1A1 and TH) but increased expression of the transcriptional repressors NR0B1 and NR0B2. Overexpression of NR0B1 and or NR0B2 promoted a loss of A9 dopaminergic neuron phenotype markers (KCNJ6, ALDH1A1 and TH). Overexpression of NR0B1, but not NR0B2 promoted a reduction in expression of the β-catenin-dependent WNT signalling pathway activator RSPO2. Analysis of Parkinson's disease (PD) transcriptomic databases shows a profound PD-associated elevation of NR0B1 as well as reduced transcript for RSPO2. We conclude that reduced β-catenin-dependent WNT signalling impacts dopaminergic neuron identity, in vitro, through increased expression of the transcriptional repressor, NR0B1. We also speculate that dopaminergic neuron regulatory mechanisms may be perturbed in PD and that this may have an impact upon both existing nigral neurons and also neural progenitors transplanted as PD therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor / biosynthesis*
  • DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor / genetics
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Human Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Parkinson Disease / genetics
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • DAX-1 Orphan Nuclear Receptor
  • NR0B1 protein, human
  • beta Catenin

Grants and funding

Parts of this work were funded by the Yulgilbar Alzheimer’s Research Program, Stem Cells Australia (SR1101002) and the Australian Research Council (DP140103743). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.