Cell type diversity during neuro-ectodermal (NE) differentiation is achieved through selective activation and silencing of neurodevelopmental genes. Here, we show a key role for the histone deacetylase complex MiDAC during neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) into NE. We demonstrate that MiDAC functions as a modulator of a neurodevelopmental gene expression program and binds to important regulators of neurite outgrowth. MiDAC mediates the removal of H4K20ac on the promoters and enhancers of pro-neural genes such as the axon guidance ligands Slit3 and Ntn1 while in parallel reducing H3K27ac on promoter-proximal and -distal elements of negative regulators of neurogenesis thereby upregulating and inhibiting gene expression, respectively. Furthermore, neurite outgrowth defects in MiDAC KO neurons can be rescued by restoring Slit3/Robo3-Ntn1/Unc5b signaling. Taken together, our work suggests a crucial role for MiDAC in regulating the secretome of the Slit3/Robo3-Ntn1/Unc5b signaling axes to ensure the proper integrity of neurite development. SOURCE: Hans-Martin Herz (hans-martin.herz@stjude.org) -  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE131060: The histone deacetylase complex MiDAC regulates a neurodevelopmental gene expression to control neurite outgrowth [RNA-Seq]