Sesn1 is a novel gene for left-right asymmetry and mediating nodal signaling.
Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying left-right asymmetry in vertebrate animal models but little is known on left-right axis formation in humans. Previously, we identified SESN1 (also known as PA26) as a candidate gene for heterotaxia by positional cloning of the breakpoint regions of a de novo translocation in a heterotaxia patient. In this study, we show by means of a zebrafish sesn1-knockdown model that Sesn1 is required for normal embryonic left-right determination. In this model, developmental defects and expression data of genes implicated in vertebrate left-right asymmetry indicate a role for Sesn1 in mediating Nodal signaling. In the lateral plate mesoderm, Nodal signaling plays a central role in left-right axis formation in vertebrates and is mediated by FoxH1 transcriptional induction. In line with this, we show that Sesn1 physically interacts with FoxH1 or a FoxH1-containing complex. Mutation analysis in a panel of 234 patients with isolated heterotaxia did not reveal mutations, indicating that these are only exceptional causes of human heterotaxia. In this study, we identify SESN1 as an indispensable gene for vertebrate left-right asymmetry and a new player in mediating Nodal signaling.
Peeters
Hilde
H
Department of Human Genetics, Clinical Genetics Unit, University of Leuven, Belgium. hilde.peeters@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Voz
Marianne L
ML
Verschueren
Kristin
K
De Cat
Bart
B
Pendeville
Hélène
H
Thienpont
Bernard
B
Schellens
Ann
A
Belmont
John W
JW
David
Guido
G
Van De Ven
Wim J M
WJ
Fryns
Jean-Pierre
JP
Gewillig
Marc
M
Huylebroeck
Danny
D
Peers
Bernard
B
Devriendt
Koen
K
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D055457:Nodal Protein; D011485:Protein Binding; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000084622:Sestrins
D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D055457:Nodal Protein; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D029961:Zebrafish Proteins; C526007:NODAL protein, human; C515672:Sesn1 protein, zebrafish; D000084622:Sestrins; C491116:foxh1 protein, zebrafish