Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
11:34
A Competent Hepatocyte Model Examining Hepatitis B Virus Entry through Sodium Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide as a Therapeutic Target
Published on: May 10, 2022
2.3K
YTHDC1 Is Essential for Postnatal Liver Development and Homeostasis.
Xinzhi Li1,2, Xueying Li1, Chunhong Liu1
1HIT Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Science and Technology, State Key Laboratory of Matter Behaviors in Space Environment, Frontier Science Center for Interaction between Space Environment and Matter, Zhengzhou Research Institute, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 19, 2025
Summary
YTHDC1 is vital for hepatocyte maturation and liver health. Its absence causes liver injury and disease, highlighting its role in maintaining liver homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Hepatocyte maturation is critical for liver function and occurs postnatally.
- The molecular regulators of hepatocyte maturation are not fully understood.
- YTHDC1 is a key protein involved in RNA modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of YTHDC1 in hepatocyte maturation and liver homeostasis.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which YTHDC1 regulates hepatocyte function.
Main Methods:
- Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Ythdc1 in mice.
- Analysis of liver function, histology, and molecular markers.
- Investigation of YTHDC1's interaction with Foxa1 and Foxa2 mRNA via m6A recognition.
Main Results:
- YTHDC1 expression increases postnatally in the liver.
- Hepatocyte-specific Ythdc1 deletion impairs maturation, causing liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and promoting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
- YTHDC1 enhances FOXA1 and FOXA2 expression posttranscriptionally by binding to their m6A-modified mRNA.
Conclusions:
- YTHDC1 is a crucial positive regulator of postnatal hepatocyte maturation and liver homeostasis.
- YTHDC1-mediated regulation of FOXA1 and FOXA2 is essential for preventing liver pathologies.
- YTHDC1 acts through m6A recognition to promote the expression of key transcription factors, thereby controlling hepatocyte maturation.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Liver Regeneration
3.4K
The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
3.4K
01:30Liver Physiology
1.3K
The liver, an essential organ in the human body, performs over 200 vital functions that can be broadly categorized into metabolic, hematological, endocrine regulation, and bile production.
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
Metabolic Regulation:
The liver is the central organ involved in regulating blood composition. It stabilizes blood glucose levels, maintaining them within the range of 70–110 mg/dL. When these levels drop, the liver breaks down glycogen reserves and releases glucose into the bloodstream. It can...
1.3K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
7.5K
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
7.5K
01:18Functions of Thyroid Hormones
3.2K
The thyroid hormone (TH) plays a pivotal role in the intricate orchestration of physiological processes, exerting profound effects on development, metabolism, and homeostasis throughout different life stages.
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
TH is indispensable for the normal development and maturation of the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems during fetal and childhood growth. It facilitates bone mineral turnover and regulates protein synthesis in developing tissues, contributing significantly to overall growth and...
3.2K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.2K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
14.0K
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
14.0K