Unique and overlapping GLI1 and GLI2 transcriptional targets in neoplastic chondrocytes

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 29;14(1):e0211333. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211333. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Excessive Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in chondrocytes is sufficient to cause formation of enchondroma-like lesions which can progress to chondrosarcoma. To elucidate potential underlying mechanisms, we identified GLI1 and GLI2 target genes in human chondrosarcoma. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing and microarray data, in silico analyses were conducted to identify and characterize unique and overlapping GLI1 and GLI2 binding regions in neoplastic chondrocytes. After overlaying microarray data from human chondrosarcoma, 204 upregulated and 106 downregulated genes were identified as Hh-responsive Gli binding targets. After overlaying published Gli ChIP-on-chip data from mouse, 48 genes were identified as potential direct downstream targets of Hedgehog signaling with shared GLI binding regions in evolutionarily conserved DNA elements. Among these was BMP2, pointing to potential cross-talk between TGF beta signaling and Hh signaling. Our identification of potential target genes that are unique and common to GLI1 and GLI2 in neoplastic chondrocytes contributes to elucidating potential pathways through which Hh signaling impacts cartilage tumor biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Bone Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Chondrosarcoma / genetics*
  • Chondrosarcoma / metabolism
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Hedgehog Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Proteins / chemistry
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Protein Binding
  • Signal Transduction
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1 / chemistry
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1 / metabolism*
  • Zinc Finger Protein Gli2 / chemistry
  • Zinc Finger Protein Gli2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • GLI1 protein, human
  • GLI2 protein, human
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Zinc Finger Protein GLI1
  • Zinc Finger Protein Gli2