Allele-specific repression of Sox2 through the long non-coding RNA Sox2ot

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 10;8(1):386. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18649-4.

Abstract

The transcription factor Sox2 controls the fate of pluripotent stem cells and neural stem cells. This gatekeeper function requires well-regulated Sox2 levels. We postulated that Sox2 regulation is partially controlled by the Sox2 overlapping long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene Sox2ot. Here we show that the RNA levels of Sox2ot and Sox2 are inversely correlated during neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Through allele-specific enhanced transcription of Sox2ot in mouse Sox2eGFP knockin ESCs we demonstrate that increased Sox2ot transcriptional activity reduces Sox2 RNA levels in an allele-specific manner. Enhanced Sox2ot transcription, yielding lower Sox2 RNA levels, correlates with a decreased chromatin interaction of the upstream regulatory sequence of Sox2 and the ESC-specific Sox2 super enhancer. Our study indicates that, in addition to previously reported in trans mechanisms, Sox2ot can regulate Sox2 by an allele-specific mechanism, in particular during development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Mice
  • Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Neurogenesis*
  • RNA, Long Noncoding / genetics*
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • SOXB1 Transcription Factors
  • Sox2 protein, mouse
  • long noncoding RNA Sox2OT, mouse