A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
RUNX transcription factors are essential in maintaining epididymal epithelial differentiation
Authors: Toriseva Mervi, Björkgren Ida, Junnila Arttu, Mehmood Arfa, Mattsson Jesse, Raimoranta Inka, Kim Bongki, Laiho Asta, Nees Matthias, Elo Laura, Poutanen Matti, Breton Sylvie, Sipilä Petra
Publisher: Springer Nature
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Journal name in source: Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS
Journal acronym: Cell Mol Life Sci
Article number: 183
Volume: 81
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1420-682X
eISSN: 1420-9071
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-024-05211-5
Web address : https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-024-05211-5
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/387765833
Apart 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.
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