Orthodenticle homeobox 2

Homeobox protein OTX2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the OTX2 gene.[5][6]

OTX2
Available structures
PDBOrtholog search: PDBe RCSB
Identifiers
AliasesOTX2, CPHD6, MCOPS5, Orthodenticle homeobox 2
External IDsOMIM: 600037 MGI: 97451 HomoloGene: 11026 GeneCards: OTX2
Gene location (Human)
Chr.Chromosome 14 (human)[1]
Band14q22.3Start56,799,905 bp[1]
End56,816,693 bp[1]
RNA expression pattern
More reference expression data
Orthologs
SpeciesHumanMouse
Entrez

5015

18424

Ensembl

ENSG00000165588

ENSMUSG00000021848

UniProt

P32243

P80206

RefSeq (mRNA)

NM_001270523
NM_001270524
NM_001270525
NM_021728
NM_172337

RefSeq (protein)

NP_001257452
NP_001257453
NP_001257454
NP_068374
NP_758840

n/a

Location (UCSC)Chr 14: 56.8 – 56.82 MbChr 14: 48.66 – 48.67 Mb
PubMed search[3][4]
Wikidata
View/Edit HumanView/Edit Mouse

Function

This gene encodes a member of the bicoid sub-family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors. The encoded protein acts as a transcription factor and may play a role in brain and sensory organ development. A similar protein in mice is required for proper forebrain development. Two transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified for this gene. Other alternative splice variants may exist, but their full length sequences have not been determined.[6]

Otx2 is a group of homeobox genes that are typically described as a head organizer in the primitive streak stage of embryonic development. Otx2, which is an encoded protein that plays the role of a transcription factor, has also been shown to be involved in the regional patterning of the midbrain and forebrain. This group of genes demonstrates later in progression to have an influence on the formation of the sensory organs, pituitary gland, pineal gland, inner ear, eye and optic nerve. Otx2 not only has a prominent role in developing this area but also aids in ensuring that the retina and brain stay intact. This group of genes has a huge role in development and if it is expressed incorrectly it can have detrimental effects on the fetus. Otx2 mutations have also been associated with seizures, developmental delays, short stature, structural abnormalities of the pituitary gland, and an early onset of degeneration of the retina. A “knockout” model on the group of Otx2 genes has been performed to see what effects it would have on the adult retina. It was found that without the Otx2 gene expression there was slow degeneration of photoreceptor cells in this area. Thus, proving that the homeobox genes of Otx2 are essential in forming a viable embryo.

Clinical significance

Otx2 is expressed in the brain, ear, nose and eye, and in the case of mutations; it can lead to significant developmental abnormalities and disorders. Mutations in OTX2 can cause eye disorders including anophthalmia and microphthalmia.[7] Apart from anophthalmia and microphthalmia, other abnormalities such as aplasia of the optic nerve, hypoplasia of the optic chiasm and dysplastic optic globes have also been observed. Other defects that occur due to a mutation of the Otx2 gene include pituitary abnormalities and mental retardation. Abnormal pituitary structure and/or function seem to be the most common feature associated with Otx2 mutations.[8]

Otx2 also regulates two other genes, Lhx1 and Dkk1 that also play a role in head morphogenesis.[9] Otx2 is required during early formation of the embryo to initiate the movement of cells towards the anterior region and establish the anterior visceral endoderm. In the absence of Otx2, this movement can be impeded, which can be overcome by the expression of Dkk1, but it does not prevent the embryo from developing head truncation defects. The absence of Otx2 and the enhanced expression of Lhx1 can also lead to severe head truncation.

It has been shown that if Otx2 is over expressed it can lead to childhood malignant brain tumors called medulloblastomas.

Duplication of OTX2 is involved in the pathogenesis of Hemifacial Microsomia.[10]

In the mouse, the lack of Otx2 inhibits the development of the head. These 'knockout' mice that fail to form the head have gastrulation defects and die at midgestation with severe brain anomalies.

Role of Otx2 in Visual Plasticity

Recent research has identified the homeoprotein Otx2 as a possible molecular ‘messenger’ that is necessary for experience-driven visual plasticity during the critical period.[11] Initially involved in embryonic head formation, Otx2 is re-expressed during the critical period of rats (>P23) and regulates the maturation of parvalbumin-expressing GABAergic interneurons (PV-cells), which control the onset of critical period plasticity.[12] Dark-rearing from birth and binocular enucleation of rats resulted in decreased expression of PV-cells and Otx2, which suggests that these proteins are visually experience-driven.[12] Otx2 loss-of-function experiments delayed ocular dominance plasticity by impairing the development of PV-cells.[12] Research into Otx2 and visual plasticity during the critical period is of particular interest to the study of developmental abnormalities such as amblyopia. More research must be conducted to determine if Otx2 could be utilized for therapeutic recovery of visual plasticity to aid some amblyopic patients.

Role in Embryonic Stem Cells Biology

Otx2 is a key regulator of the earliest stages of ES cell differentiation.[13][14][15] The ectopic expression of Otx2 drives ES cells into differentiation, even in the presence of the LIF cytokine. At the molecular level, Otx2 induction partially compensates the gene expression changes induced by Nanog overexpression in the absence of LIF.[16]

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References
  1. GRCh38: Ensembl release 89: ENSG00000165588 - Ensembl, May 2017
  2. GRCm38: Ensembl release 89: ENSMUSG00000021848 - Ensembl, May 2017
  3. "Human PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  4. "Mouse PubMed Reference:". National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  5. Kastury K, Druck T, Huebner K, Barletta C, Acampora D, Simeone A, Faiella A, Boncinelli E (July 1994). "Chromosome locations of human EMX and OTX genes". Genomics. 22 (1): 41–5. doi:10.1006/geno.1994.1343. PMID 7959790.
  6. "Entrez Gene: OTX2 orthodenticle homeobox 2".
  7. Verma AS, Fitzpatrick DR (November 2007). "Anophthalmia and microphthalmia". Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2: 47. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-2-47. PMC 2246098. PMID 18039390.
  8. Schilter KF, Schneider A, Bardakjian T, Soucy JF, Tyler RC, Reis LM, Semina EV (February 2011). "OTX2 microphthalmia syndrome: four novel mutations and delineation of a phenotype". Clinical Genetics. 79 (2): 158–68. doi:10.1111/j.1399-0004.2010.01450.x. PMC 3017659. PMID 20486942.
  9. Ip CK, Fossat N, Jones V, Lamonerie T, Tam PP (October 2014). "Head formation: OTX2 regulates Dkk1 and Lhx1 activity in the anterior mesendoderm". Development. 141 (20): 3859–67. doi:10.1242/dev.114900. PMID 25231759.
  10. Zielinski D, Markus B, Sheikh M, Gymrek M, Chu C, Zaks M, Srinivasan B, Hoffman JD, Aizenbud D, Erlich Y (2014). "OTX2 duplication is implicated in hemifacial microsomia". PLoS One. 9 (5): e96788. Bibcode:2014PLoSO...996788Z. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0096788. PMC 4016008. PMID 24816892.
  11. Sugiyama S, Prochiantz A, Hensch TK (April 2009). "From brain formation to plasticity: insights on Otx2 homeoprotein". Development, Growth & Differentiation. 51 (3): 369–77. doi:10.1111/j.1440-169X.2009.01093.x. PMID 19298552.
  12. Sugiyama S, Di Nardo AA, Aizawa S, Matsuo I, Volovitch M, Prochiantz A, Hensch TK (August 2008). "Experience-dependent transfer of Otx2 homeoprotein into the visual cortex activates postnatal plasticity". Cell. 134 (3): 508–20. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2008.05.054. PMID 18692473.
  13. Heurtier, V., Owens, N., Gonzalez, I. et al. The molecular logic of Nanog-induced self-renewal in mouse embryonic stem cells. Nat Commun 10, 1109 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09041-z
  14. Otx2 is an intrinsic determinant of the embryonic stem cell state and is required for transition to a stable epiblast stem cell condition, Dario Acampora, Luca G. Di Giovannantonio, Antonio Simeone, Development 2013 140: 43-55; doi: 10.1242/dev.085290
  15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2014.04.003
  16. Heurtier, V., Owens, N., Gonzalez, I. et al. The molecular logic of Nanog-induced self-renewal in mouse embryonic stem cells. Nat Commun 10, 1109 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09041-z

Further reading

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