Identification of SUMO-Dependent Chromatin-Associated Transcriptional Repression Components by a Genome-wide RNAi Screen

SUMOylation of the Forkhead transcription factor FOXL2 promotes its stabilization/activation through transient recruitment to PML bodies

Background

FOXL2 is a transcription factor essential for ovarian development and maintenance. It is mutated in the genetic condition called Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES) and in cases of isolated premature ovarian failure. We and others have previously shown that FOXL2 undergoes several post-translational modifications.

Methods and Principal Findings

Here, using cells in culture, we show that interference with FOXL2 SUMOylation leads to a robust inhibition of its transactivation ability, which correlates with a decreased stability. Interestingly, FOXL2 SUMOylation promotes its transient recruitment to subnuclear structures that we demonstrate to be PML (Promyelocytic Leukemia) Nuclear Bodies. Since PML bodies are known to be sites where post-translational modifications of nuclear factors take place, we used tandem mass spectrometry to identify new post-translational modifications of FOXL2. Specifically, we detected four phosphorylated, one sulfated and three acetylated sites.

Conclusions

By analogy with other transcription factors, we propose that PML Nuclear Bodies might transiently recruit FOXL2 to the vicinity of locally concentrated enzymes that could be involved in the post-translational maturation of FOXL2. FOXL2 acetylation, sulfation, phosphorylation as well as other modifications yet to be discovered might alter the transactivation capacity of FOXL2 and/or its stability, thus modulating its global intracellular activity.

RNAi screening: new approaches, understandings, and organisms

RNA interference (RNAi) leads to sequence-specific knockdown of gene function. The approach can be used in large-scale screens to interrogate function in various model organisms and an increasing number of other species. Genome-scale RNAi screens are routinely performed in cultured or primary cells or in vivo in organisms such as C. elegans. High-throughput RNAi screening is benefitting from the development of sophisticated new instrumentation and software tools for collecting and analyzing data, including high-content image data. The results of large-scale RNAi screens have already proved useful, leading to new understandings of gene function relevant to topics such as infection, cancer, obesity, and aging. Nevertheless, important caveats apply and should be taken into consideration when developing or interpreting RNAi screens. Some level of false discovery is inherent to high-throughput approaches and specific to RNAi screens, false discovery due to off-target effects (OTEs) of RNAi reagents remains a problem. The need to improve our ability to use RNAi to elucidate gene function at large scale and in additional systems continues to be addressed through improved RNAi library design, development of innovative computational and analysis tools and other approaches.

Stress-induced PARP activation mediates recruitment of Drosophila Mi-2 to promote heat shock gene expression

Eukaryotic cells respond to genomic and environmental stresses, such as DNA damage and heat shock (HS), with the synthesis of poly-[ADP-ribose] (PAR) at specific chromatin regions, such as DNA breaks or HS genes, by PAR polymerases (PARP). Little is known about the role of this modification during cellular stress responses. We show here that the nucleosome remodeler dMi-2 is recruited to active HS genes in a PARP–dependent manner. dMi-2 binds PAR suggesting that this physical interaction is important for recruitment. Indeed, a dMi-2 mutant unable to bind PAR does not localise to active HS loci in vivo. We have identified several dMi-2 regions which bind PAR independently in vitro, including the chromodomains and regions near the N-terminus containing motifs rich in K and R residues. Moreover, upon HS gene activation, dMi-2 associates with nascent HS gene transcripts, and its catalytic activity is required for efficient transcription and co-transcriptional RNA processing. RNA and PAR compete for dMi-2 binding in vitro, suggesting a two step process for dMi-2 association with active HS genes: initial recruitment to the locus via PAR interaction, followed by binding to nascent RNA transcripts. We suggest that stress-induced chromatin PARylation serves to rapidly attract factors that are required for an efficient and timely transcriptional response.

Cells respond to elevated temperatures with the rapid activation of heat shock genes to ensure cellular survival. Heat shock gene activation involves the synthesis of poly-[ADP-ribose] (PAR) at heat shock loci, the opening of chromatin structure, and the coordinated recruitment of transcription factors and chromatin regulators RNA polymerase II and components of the RNA processing machinery. The molecular roles of PAR and and ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers in heat shock gene activation are not clear. We show here that the chromatin remodeler dMi-2 is recruited to Drosophila heat shock genes in a PAR–dependent manner. We provide evidence that recruitment involves direct binding of dMi-2 to PAR polymers and identify novel PAR sensing regions in the dMi-2 protein, including the chromodomains and a series of motifs rich in K and R residues. Upon HS gene activation, dMi-2 associates with nascent transcripts. In addition, we find that dMi-2 and its catalytic activity are important for heat shock gene activation and co-transcriptional RNA processing efficiency. Our study uncovers a novel role of PAR during heat shock gene activation and establishes an unanticipated link between chromatin remodeler activity and RNA processing.

Role for sumoylation in systemic inflammation and immune homeostasis in Drosophila larvae

To counter systemic risk of infection by parasitic wasps, Drosophila larvae activate humoral immunity in the fat body and mount a robust cellular response resulting in encapsulation of the wasp egg. Innate immune reactions are tightly regulated and are resolved within hours. To understand the mechanisms underlying activation and resolution of the egg encapsulation response and examine if failure of the latter develops into systemic inflammatory disease, we correlated parasitic wasp-induced changes in the Drosophila larva with systemic chronic conditions in sumoylation-deficient mutants. We have previously reported that loss of either Cactus, the Drosophila (IκB) protein or Ubc9, the SUMO-conjugating enzyme, leads to constitutive activation of the humoral and cellular pathways, hematopoietic overproliferation and tumorogenesis. Here we report that parasite infection simultaneously activates NF-κB-dependent transcription of Spätzle processing enzyme (SPE) and cactus. Endogenous Spätzle protein (the Toll ligand) is expressed in immune cells and excessive SPE or Spätzle is pro-inflammatory. Consistent with this function, loss of Spz suppresses Ubc9⁻ defects. In contrast to the pro-inflammatory roles of SPE and Spätzle, Cactus and Ubc9 exert an anti-inflammatory effect. We show that Ubc9 maintains steady state levels of Cactus protein. In a series of immuno-genetic experiments, we demonstrate the existence of a robust bidirectional interaction between blood cells and the fat body and propose that wasp infection activates Toll signaling in both compartments via extracellular activation of Spätzle. Within each organ, the IκB/Ubc9-dependent inhibitory feedback resolves immune signaling and restores homeostasis. The loss of this feedback leads to chronic inflammation. Our studies not only provide an integrated framework for understanding the molecular basis of the evolutionary arms race between insect hosts and their parasites, but also offer insights into developing novel strategies for medical and agricultural pest control.

Parasitoid wasps are a large group of insects in which the female injects her eggs into the bodies of host caterpillars (also called larvae). When the wasp egg hatches, the parasite larva gradually eats the host alive and takes over its body. Soon after the parasite egg is laid, an arms race between the parasite and the host is initiated. In a dramatic and highly restrained reaction, the host's blood cells surround and choke the development of the parasite egg. This encapsulation reaction allows the host to resume its development. We use Drosophila and its natural parasites to identify the mechanism that is essential for proper activation and termination of the encapsulation reaction. Unchecked encapsulation-like reaction flares up into a chronic inflammatory blood cancer in uninfected sumoylation-deficient larvae. Our studies reveal the parallels between acute (egg encapsulation) and chronic (blood cancer) inflammation in the fly. Moreover, these parallels match the criteria for acute and chronic inflammation in mammals. We can now understand more clearly how virus-like particles and factors introduced into the host along with the wasp egg disable the host's immune system to win the host/parasite arms race.

Epigenetic silencing of spermatocyte-specific and neuronal genes by SUMO modification of the transcription factor Sp3

SUMO modification of transcription factors is linked to repression of transcription. The physiological significance of SUMO attachment to a particular transcriptional regulator, however, is largely unknown. We have employed the ubiquitously expressed murine transcription factor Sp3 to analyze the role of SUMOylation in vivo. We generated mice and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) carrying a subtle point mutation in the SUMO attachment sequence of Sp3 (IKEE₅₅₃D mutation). The E₅₅₃D mutation impedes SUMOylation of Sp3 at K₅₅₁in vivo, without affecting Sp3 protein levels. Expression profiling revealed that spermatocyte-specific genes, such as Dmc1 and Dnahc8, and neuronal genes, including Paqr6, Rims3, and Robo3, are de-repressed in non-testicular and extra-neuronal mouse tissues and in mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressing the SUMOylation-deficient Sp3E₅₅₃D mutant protein. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments show that transcriptional de-repression of these genes is accompanied by the loss of repressive heterochromatic marks such as H3K9 and H4K20 tri-methylation and impaired recruitment of repressive chromatin-modifying enzymes. Finally, analysis of the DNA methylation state of the Dmc1, Paqr6, and Rims3 promoters by bisulfite sequencing revealed that these genes are highly methylated in Sp3wt MEFs but are unmethylated in Sp3E₅₅₃D MEFs linking SUMOylation of Sp3 to tissue-specific CpG methylation. Our results establish SUMO conjugation to Sp3 as a molecular beacon for the assembly of repression machineries to maintain tissue-specific transcriptional gene silencing.

Cell type–specific gene expression patterns are largely regulated by positively or negatively acting transcription factors binding to promoter and enhancer elements. The ubiquitous transcription factor Sp3 represents a paradigm for a dual function transcription factor as it can activate and repress transcription. The repression function of Sp3 is mediated by attachment of a small protein designated SUMO to a single lysine residue. SUMOylation of Sp3 thus acts as a molecular switch that determines whether Sp3 acts as an activator or repressor. In this study, we have generated mice with a subtle mutation in the SUMO attachment site of Sp3. We found that several spermatocyte- and brain-specific genes that are silenced in non-testicular and extra-neuronal tissues of wild-type animals become aberrantly de-repressed in mice in which the SUMO attachment site of Sp3 is mutated. De-repression of these genes is accompanied with dramatic epigenetic changes including the loss of repressive histone methylation marks and, most significantly, loss of DNA methylation. Our findings suggest that SUMO modification of a transcription factor can act as a molecular beacon for the assembly of repression machineries to maintain tissue-specific transcriptional gene silencing in vivo.

Acute promyelocytic leukaemia: novel insights into the mechanisms of cure

The fusion oncogene, promyelocytic leukaemia (PML)-retinoic acid receptor-α (RARA), initiates acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) through both a block to differentiation and increased self-renewal of leukaemic progenitor cells. The current standard of care is retinoic acid (RA) and chemotherapy, but arsenic trioxide also cures many patients with APL, and an RA plus arsenic trioxide combination cures most patients. This Review discusses the recent evidence that reveals surprising new insights into how RA and arsenic trioxide cure this leukaemia, by targeting PML-RARα for degradation. Drug-triggered oncoprotein degradation may be a strategy that is applicable to many cancers.

Drosophila transcription factor Tramtrack69 binds MEP1 to recruit the chromatin remodeler NuRD

ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes (remodelers) are essential regulators of chromatin structure and gene transcription. How remodelers can act in a gene-selective manner has remained enigmatic. A yeast two-hybrid screen for proteins binding the Drosophila transcription factor Tramtrack69 (TTK69) identified MEP1. Proteomic characterization revealed that MEP1 is a tightly associated subunit of the NuRD remodeler, harboring the Mi2 enzymatic core ATPase. In addition, we identified the fly homolog of human Deleted in oral cancer 1 (DOC1), also known as CDK2-associated protein 1 (CDK2AP1), as a bona fide NuRD subunit. Biochemical and genetic assays supported the functional association between MEP1, Mi2, and TTK69. Genomewide expression analysis established that TTK69, MEP1, and Mi2 cooperate closely to control transcription. The TTK69 transcriptome profile correlates poorly with remodelers other than NuRD, emphasizing the selectivity of remodeler action. On the genes examined, TTK69 is able to bind chromatin in the absence of NuRD, but targeting of NuRD is dependent on TTK69. Thus, there appears to be a hierarchical relationship in which transcription factor binding precedes remodeler recruitment.

The role of Sp1 and Sp3 in normal and cancer cell biology

Sp1 and Sp3 are transcription factors expressed in all mammalian cells. These factors are involved in regulating the transcriptional activity of genes implicated in most cellular processes. Dysregulation of Sp1 and Sp3 is observed in many cancers and diseases. Due to the amino acid sequence similarity of the DNA binding domains, Sp1 and Sp3 recognize and associate with the same DNA element with similar affinity. However, others and our laboratory demonstrated that these two factors possess different properties and exert different functional roles. Both Sp1 and Sp3 can interact with and recruit a large number of proteins including the transcription initiation complex, histone modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling complexes, which strongly suggest that Sp1 and Sp3 are important transcription factors in the remodeling chromatin and the regulation of gene expression. In this review, the role of Sp1 and Sp3 in normal and cancer cell biology and the multiple mechanisms deciding the functional roles of Sp1 and Sp3 will be presented.

Genomic screening with RNAi: results and challenges

RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective tool for genome-scale, high-throughput analysis of gene function. In the past five years, a number of genome-scale RNAi high-throughput screens (HTSs) have been done in both Drosophila and mammalian cultured cells to study diverse biological processes, including signal transduction, cancer biology, and host cell responses to infection. Results from these screens have led to the identification of new components of these processes and, importantly, have also provided insights into the complexity of biological systems, forcing new and innovative approaches to understanding functional networks in cells. Here, we review the main findings that have emerged from RNAi HTS and discuss technical issues that remain to be improved, in particular the verification of RNAi results and validation of their biological relevance. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of multiplexed and integrated experimental data analysis pipelines to RNAi HTS.

In vivo RNAi: today and tomorrow

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful reverse genetics approach to analyze gene functions both in tissue culture and in vivo. Because of its widespread applicability and effectiveness it has become an essential part of the tool box kits of model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila, and the mouse. In addition, the use of RNAi in animals in which genetic tools are either poorly developed or nonexistent enables a myriad of fundamental questions to be asked. Here, we review the methods and applications of in vivo RNAi to characterize gene functions in model organisms and discuss their impact to the study of developmental as well as evolutionary questions. Further, we discuss the applications of RNAi technologies to crop improvement, pest control and RNAi therapeutics, thus providing an appreciation of the potential for phenomenal applications of RNAi to agriculture and medicine.

The Arf tumor suppressor protein inhibits Miz1 to suppress cell adhesion and induce apoptosis

Arf assembles a complex containing Miz1, heterochromatin, and histone H3K3 to block expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction. The resulting blockade of cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions facilitates elimination of cells carrying oncogenic mutations.

Oncogenic stress induces expression of the alternate reading frame (Arf) tumor suppressor protein. Arf then stabilizes p53, which leads to cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. The mechanisms that distinguish both outcomes are incompletely understood. In this study, we show that Arf interacts with the Myc-associated zinc finger protein Miz1. Binding of Arf disrupts the interaction of Miz1 with its coactivator, nucleophosmin, induces the sumoylation of Miz1, and facilitates the assembly of a heterochromatic complex that contains Myc and trimethylated H3K9 in addition to Miz1. Arf-dependent assembly of this complex leads to the repression of multiple genes involved in cell adhesion and signal transduction and induces apoptosis. Our data point to a tumor-suppressive pathway that weakens cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions in response to expression of Arf and that may thereby facilitate the elimination of cells harboring an oncogenic mutation.

A SUMO-regulated activation function controls synergy of c-Myb through a repressor-activator switch leading to differential p300 recruitment

Synergy between transcription factors operating together on complex promoters is a key aspect of gene activation. The ability of specific factors to synergize is restricted by sumoylation (synergy control, SC). Focusing on the haematopoietic transcription factor c-Myb, we found evidence for a strong SC linked to SUMO-conjugation in its negative regulatory domain (NRD), while AMV v-Myb has escaped this control. Mechanistic studies revealed a SUMO-dependent switch in the function of NRD. When NRD is sumoylated, the activity of c-Myb is reduced. When sumoylation is abolished, NRD switches into being activating, providing the factor with a second activation function (AF). Thus, c-Myb harbours two AFs, one that is constitutively active and one in the NRD being SUMO-regulated (SRAF). This double AF augments c-Myb synergy at compound natural promoters. A similar SUMO-dependent switch was observed in the regulatory domains of Sp3 and p53. We show that the change in synergy behaviour correlates with a SUMO-dependent differential recruitment of p300 and a corresponding local change in histone H3 and H4 acetylation. We therefore propose a general model for SUMO-mediated SC, where SUMO controls synergy by determining the number and strength of AFs associated with a promoter leading to differential chromatin signatures.

Insights to transcriptional networks by using high throughput RNAi strategies

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful method to unravel the role of a given gene in eukaryotic cells. The development of high throughput assay platforms such as fluorescence plate readers and high throughput microscopy has allowed the design of genome wide RNAi screens to systemically discern members of regulatory networks around various cellular processes. Here we summarize the different strategies employed in RNAi screens to reveal regulators of transcriptional networks. We focus our discussion in experimental approaches designed to uncover regulatory interactions modulating transcription factor activity.

Cross-species RNAi rescue platform in Drosophila melanogaster

RNAi-mediated gene knockdown in Drosophila melanogaster is a powerful method to analyze loss-of-function phenotypes both in cell culture and in vivo. However, it has also become clear that false positives caused by off-target effects are prevalent, requiring careful validation of RNAi-induced phenotypes. The most rigorous proof that an RNAi-induced phenotype is due to loss of its intended target is to rescue the phenotype by a transgene impervious to RNAi. For large-scale validations in the mouse and Caenorhabditis elegans, this has been accomplished by using bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) of related species. However, in Drosophila, this approach is not feasible because transformation of large BACs is inefficient. We have therefore developed a general RNAi rescue approach for Drosophila that employs Cre/loxP-mediated recombination to rapidly retrofit existing fosmid clones into rescue constructs. Retrofitted fosmid clones carry a selection marker and a phiC31 attB site, which facilitates the production of transgenic animals. Here, we describe our approach and demonstrate proof-of-principle experiments showing that D. pseudoobscura fosmids can successfully rescue RNAi-induced phenotypes in D. melanogaster, both in cell culture and in vivo. Altogether, the tools and method that we have developed provide a gold standard for validation of Drosophila RNAi experiments.

p53 sumoylation: mechanistic insights from reconstitution studies

Sumoylation represents a cascade of enzymatic reactions mediated by SUMO-activating enzyme (SAE1/SAE2 heterodimer), SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9, and SUMO E3 ligases that include five protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS1, PIAS3, PIASy, PIASxalpha and PIASxbeta), and culminates in the formation of an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal glycine of a small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) and the lysine residue of a protein substrate. Conjugation of a SUMO moiety, ranging from 92 (for SUMO-2) to 97 (for SUMO-1) amino acids, not only increases the molecular size but also alters the property and function of the modified protein. Although sumoylation has been observed with many cellular proteins and the majority of transcription factors including the p53 tumor suppressor, this covalent modification is normally detectable only in a small population, often less than 5%, of a given substrate in vivo. This low abundance of SUMO-modified proteins, due to the presence of sentrin/SUMO-specific proteases (SENPs) that actively cleave the reversible SUMO linkage, has posed a challenge to define the biological effect of SUMO in living cells. Nevertheless, the recent development of reconstituted modification and chromatin-dependent transcription assays has provided unique insights into the molecular action of SUMO in modifying protein function. The availability of these reconstitution systems has unraveled the interplay between sumoylation and acetylation in regulating the DNA binding and transcriptional activity of p53 tetramers and further allow the identification of transcriptional corepressors, such as mSin3A, CoREST1/LSD1 and Mi-2/NuRD implicated in SUMO-dependent gene silencing events.

MBT domain proteins in development and disease

The Malignant Brain Tumor (MBT) domain is a "chromatin reader", a protein module that binds to post-translational modifications on histone tails that are thought to affect a variety of chromatin processes, including transcription. More specifically, MBT domains recognize mono- and di-methylated lysines at a number of different positions on histone H3 and H4 tails. Three Drosophila proteins, SCM, L(3)MBT and SFMBT contain multiple adjacent MBT repeats and have critical roles in development, maintenance of cell identity, and tumor suppression. Although they function in different pathways, these proteins all localize to chromatin in vivo and repress transcription by a currently unknown molecular mechanism that requires the MBT domains. The human genome contains several homologues of these MBT proteins, some of which have been linked to important gene regulatory pathways, such as E2F/Rb- and Polycomb-mediated repression, and to the insurgence of certain neurological tumors. Here, we review the genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology of MBT proteins and their role in development and disease.

Talking to chromatin: post-translational modulation of polycomb group function

Polycomb Group proteins are important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Epigenetic control by polycomb Group proteins involves intrinsic as well as associated enzymatic activities. Polycomb target genes change with cellular context, lineage commitment and differentiation status, revealing dynamic regulation of polycomb function. It is currently unclear how this dynamic modulation is controlled and how signaling affects polycomb-mediated epigenetic processes at the molecular level. Experimental evidence on regulation of polycomb function by post-translational mechanisms is steadily emerging: Polycomb Group proteins are targeted for ubiquitylation, sumoylation and phosphorylation. In addition, specific Polycomb Group proteins modify other (chromatin) associated proteins via similar post-translational modifications. Such modifications affect protein function by affecting protein stability, protein-protein interactions and enzymatic activities. Here, we review current insights in covalent modification of Polycomb Group proteins in the context of protein function and present a tentative view of integrated signaling to chromatin in the context of phosphorylation. Clearly, the available literature reveals just the tip of the iceberg, and exact molecular mechanisms in, and the biological relevance of post-translational regulation of polycomb function await further elucidation. Our understanding of causes and consequences of post-translational modification of polycomb proteins will gain significantly from in vivo validation experiments. Impaired polycomb function has important repercussions for stem cell function, development and disease. Ultimately, increased understanding of signaling to chromatin and the mechanisms involved in epigenetic remodeling will contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions in cell fate decisions in development and disease.

Transcriptional Suppression by Transient Recruitment of ARIP4 to Sumoylated nuclear receptor Ad4BP/SF-1

The small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO conjugates transcription factors and suppresses their respective activation of target genes. Although various SUMO-modified transcription factors have been isolated, mechanisms whereby sumoylated-substrates modulate transcription remain unknown. Here, we purified ARIP4 (AR interacting protein 4, a Rad54 family member and a SNF2 chromatin remodeling factor), which interacts with sumoylated Ad4BP/SF-1 through two SUMO-interacting motifs and one Ad4BP/SF-1-binding region. Remarkably, ARIP4 also interacts selectively with other sumoylated nuclear receptors including LRH-1, AR, and GR. Interestingly, the ATPase activity of ARIP4 was stimulated in the presence of sumoylated Ad4BP/SF-1 and the Ad4BP/SF-1-binding site containing double-stranded DNA. ChIP assays and siRNA studies strongly suggested that ARIP4 temporally suppresses Ad4BP/SF-1-mediated transcription through its transient recruitment to target genes. These findings suggest that ARIP4 may be a cofactor that modulates SUMO-mediated fine-tuning of transcriptional suppression.

HIPK1 interacts with c-Myb and modulates its activity through phosphorylation

The transcription factor v-Myb is a potent inducer of myeloid leukaemias, and its cellular homologue c-Myb plays a crucial role in the regulation of haematopoiesis. In a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screening we identified the nuclear kinase HIPK1 as an interaction partner for human c-Myb. The interaction involves a C-terminal region of HIPK1, while a bipartite interaction surface was identified in c-Myb, including regions in its N-terminal DNA-binding domain as well as in its C-terminal region. HIPK1 and c-Myb co-localize in distinct nuclear foci upon co-transfection. c-Myb appears to be phosphorylated by HIPK1 in its negative regulatory domain as supported by both in vivo and in vitro data. A functional assay revealed that HIPK1 repressed the ability of c-Myb to activate a chromatin embedded target gene, mim-1, in haematopoetic cells. Our findings point to a novel link between an important kinase and a key regulator of haematopoiesis.

Multiple aspects of ATP-dependent nucleosome translocation by RSC and Mi-2 are directed by the underlying DNA sequence

BACKGROUND

Chromosome structure, DNA metabolic processes and cell type identity can all be affected by changing the positions of nucleosomes along chromosomal DNA, a reaction that is catalysed by SNF2-type ATP-driven chromatin remodelers. Recently it was suggested that in vivo, more than 50% of the nucleosome positions can be predicted simply by DNA sequence, especially within promoter regions. This seemingly contrasts with remodeler induced nucleosome mobility. The ability of remodeling enzymes to mobilise nucleosomes over short DNA distances is well documented. However, the nucleosome translocation processivity along DNA remains elusive. Furthermore, it is unknown what determines the initial direction of movement and how new nucleosome positions are adopted.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We have used AFM imaging and high resolution PAGE of mononucleosomes on 600 and 2500 bp DNA molecules to analyze ATP-dependent nucleosome repositioning by native and recombinant SNF2-type enzymes. We report that the underlying DNA sequence can control the initial direction of translocation, translocation distance, as well as the new positions adopted by nucleosomes upon enzymatic mobilization. Within a strong nucleosomal positioning sequence both recombinant Drosophila Mi-2 (CHD-type) and native RSC from yeast (SWI/SNF-type) repositioned the nucleosome at 10 bp intervals, which are intrinsic to the positioning sequence. Furthermore, RSC-catalyzed nucleosome translocation was noticeably more efficient when beyond the influence of this sequence. Interestingly, under limiting ATP conditions RSC preferred to position the nucleosome with 20 bp intervals within the positioning sequence, suggesting that native RSC preferentially translocates nucleosomes with 15 to 25 bp DNA steps.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Nucleosome repositioning thus appears to be influenced by both remodeler intrinsic and DNA sequence specific properties that interplay to define ATPase-catalyzed repositioning. Here we propose a successive three-step framework consisting of initiation, translocation and release steps to describe SNF2-type enzyme mediated nucleosome translocation along DNA. This conceptual framework helps resolve the apparent paradox between the high abundance of ATP-dependent remodelers per nucleus and the relative success of sequence-based predictions of nucleosome positioning in vivo.

Sumoylation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 inhibits its acetylation and restrains transcriptional coactivator function

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a chromatin-associated nuclear protein and functions as a molecular stress sensor. At the cellular level, PARP1 has been implicated in a wide range of processes, such as maintenance of genome stability, cell death, and transcription. PARP1 functions as a transcriptional coactivator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1). In proteomic studies, PARP1 was found to be modified by small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs). Here, we characterize PARP1 as a substrate for modification by SUMO1 and SUMO3, both in vitro and in vivo. PARP1 is sumoylated at the single lysine residue K486 within its automodification domain. Interestingly, modification of PARP1 with SUMO does not affect its ADP-ribosylation activity but completely abrogates p300-mediated acetylation of PARP1, revealing an intriguing crosstalk of sumoylation and acetylation on PARP1. Genetic complementation of PARP1-depleted cells with wild-type and sumoylation-deficient PARP1 revealed that SUMO modification of PARP1 restrains its transcriptional coactivator function and subsequently reduces gene expression of distinct PARP1-regulated target genes.

Direct binding of CoREST1 to SUMO-2/3 contributes to gene-specific repression by the LSD1/CoREST1/HDAC complex

Posttranslational modification of transcription factors by the small ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO is associated with transcriptional repression, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely described. We have identified binding of the LSD1/CoREST1/HDAC corepressor complex to SUMO-2. Here we show that CoREST1 binds directly and noncovalently to SUMO-2, but not SUMO-1, and CoREST1 bridges binding of the histone demethylase LSD1 to SUMO-2. Depletion of SUMO-2/3 conjugates led to transcriptional derepression, reduced occupancy of CoREST1 and LSD1, and changes in histone methylation and acetylation at some, but not all, LSD1/CoREST1/HDAC target genes. We have identified a nonconsensus SUMO-interaction motif (SIM) in CoREST1 required for SUMO-2 binding, and we show that mutation of the CoREST1 SIM disrupted SUMO-2 binding and transcriptional repression of some neuronal-specific genes in nonneuronal cells. Our results reveal that direct interactions between CoREST1 and SUMO-2 mediate SUMO-dependent changes in chromatin structure and transcription that are important for cell-type-specific gene expression.

Crosstalk between sumoylation and acetylation regulates p53-dependent chromatin transcription and DNA binding

Covalent modification by small ubiquitin-related modifiers (SUMO) regulates p53 transcription activity through an undefined mechanism. Using reconstituted sumoylation components, we purified SUMO-1-conjugated p53 (Su-p53) to near homogeneity. Su-p53 exists in solution as a tetramer and interacts with p300 histone acetyltransferase as efficiently as the unmodified protein. Nevertheless, it fails to activate p53-dependent chromatin transcription because of its inability to bind DNA. With sequential modification assays, we found that sumoylation of p53 at K386 blocks subsequent acetylation by p300, whereas p300-acetylated p53 remains permissive for ensuing sumoylation at K386 and alleviates sumoylation-inhibited DNA binding. While preventing the free form of p53 from accessing its cognate sites, sumoylation fails to disengage prebound p53 from DNA. The sumoylation-deficient K386R protein, when expressed in p53-null cells, exhibits higher transcription activity and binds better to the endogenous p21 gene compared with the wild-type protein. These studies unravel a molecular mechanism underlying sumoylation-regulated p53 function and further uncover a new role of acetylation in antagonizing the inhibitory effect of sumoylation on p53 binding to DNA.

dMec: a novel Mi-2 chromatin remodelling complex involved in transcriptional repression

The ATP-dependent chromatin remodeller Mi-2 functions as a transcriptional repressor and contributes to the suppression of cell fates during development in several model organisms. Mi-2 is the ATPase subunit of the conserved Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex, and transcriptional repression by Mi-2 is thought to be dependent on its associated histone deacetylase. Here, we have purified a novel dMi-2 complex from Drosophila that is distinct from dNuRD. dMec (dMEP-1 complex) is composed of dMi-2 and dMEP-1. dMec is a nucleosome-stimulated ATPase that is expressed in embryos, larval tissues and adult flies. Surprisingly, dMec is far more abundant than dNuRD and constitutes the major dMi-2-containing complex. Both dNuRD and dMec associate with proneural genes of the achaete-scute complex. However, despite lacking a histone deacetylase subunit, only dMec contributes to the repression of proneural genes. These results reveal an unexpected complexity in the composition and function of Mi-2 complexes.

Epigenetic modifications in rheumatoid arthritis

Over the last decades, genetic factors for rheumatoid diseases like the HLA haplotypes have been studied extensively. However, during the past years of research, it has become more and more evident that the influence of epigenetic processes on the development of rheumatic diseases is probably as strong as the genetic background of a patient. Epigenetic processes are heritable changes in gene expression without alteration of the nucleotide sequence. Such modifications include chromatin methylation and post-translational modification of histones or other chromatin-associated proteins. The latter comprise the addition of methyl, acetyl, and phosphoryl groups or even larger moieties such as binding of ubiquitin or small ubiquitin-like modifier. The combinatory nature of these processes forms a complex network of epigenetic modifications that regulate gene expression through activation or silencing of genes. This review provides insight into the role of epigenetic alterations in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and points out how a better understanding of such mechanisms may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.

SUMO-modified Sp3 represses transcription by provoking local heterochromatic gene silencing

Modification of many transcription factors including Sp3 and steroidogenic factor 1 with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is associated with transcriptional repression. Here, we show that SUMOylation of transcription factors bound to DNA provokes the establishment of compacted repressive chromatin with characteristics of heterochromatin. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed SUMO-dependent recruitment of the chromatin remodeller Mi-2, MBT-domain proteins, heterochromatic protein 1, and the histone methyltransferases SETDB1 and SUV4-20H, concomitant with the establishment of histone modifications associated with repressed genes, including H3K9 and H4K20 trimethylation. These results indicate that SUMOylation has a crucial role in regulating gene expression by initiating chromatin structure changes that render DNA inaccessible to the transcription machinery.

SUMO-mediated inhibition of glucocorticoid receptor synergistic activity depends on stable assembly at the promoter but not on DAXX

Multiple transcription factors, including members of the nuclear receptor family, harbor one or more copies of a short regulatory motif that limits synergistic transactivation in a context-dependent manner. These synergy control (SC) motifs exert their effects by serving as sites for posttranslational modification by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins. By analyzing the requirements for both synergy control and SUMOylation in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), we find that an intact ligand-binding domain and an engaged DNA- binding domain dimerization interface are necessary for effective synergy control. However, these features, which promote stable assembly of GR-DNA complexes, are required downstream of SUMOylation because their disruption or deletion does not interfere with SUMO modification. Remarkably, in the absence of these features, sensitivity to the effects of SUMOylation can be restored simply by stabilization of DNA interactions through a heterologous DNA binding domain. The data indicate that stable interaction with DNA is an important prerequisite for SUMO-dependent transcriptional inhibition. Analysis of genomic regions occupied by GR indicates that the effects of SC motif SUMOylation are most evident at multiple, near-ideal GR binding sites and that SUMOylation selectively affects the induction of linked endogenous genes. Although the SUMO-binding protein DAXX has been proposed to mediate the inhibitory effects of GR SUMOylation, we find that inhibition by DAXX is independent of GR SUMOylation. Furthermore, neither expression nor knockdown of DAXX influences SUMO effects on GR. We therefore propose that stable binding of GR to multiple sites on DNA allows for the SUMO-dependent recruitment of inhibitory factors distinct from DAXX.