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Mason MRJ, Erp S, Wolzak K, Behrens A, Raivich G, Verhaagen J. The Jun-dependent axon regeneration gene program: Jun promotes regeneration over plasticity. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1242-1262. [PMID: 34718572 PMCID: PMC9029231 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The regeneration-associated gene (RAG) expression program is activated in injured peripheral neurons after axotomy and enables long-distance axon re-growth. Over 1000 genes are regulated, and many transcription factors are upregulated or activated as part of this response. However, a detailed picture of how RAG expression is regulated is lacking. In particular, the transcriptional targets and specific functions of the various transcription factors are unclear. Jun was the first-regeneration-associated transcription factor identified and the first shown to be functionally important. Here we fully define the role of Jun in the RAG expression program in regenerating facial motor neurons. At 1, 4 and 14 days after axotomy, Jun upregulates 11, 23 and 44% of the RAG program, respectively. Jun functions relevant to regeneration include cytoskeleton production, metabolic functions and cell activation, and the downregulation of neurotransmission machinery. In silico analysis of promoter regions of Jun targets identifies stronger over-representation of AP1-like sites than CRE-like sites, although CRE sites were also over-represented in regions flanking AP1 sites. Strikingly, in motor neurons lacking Jun, an alternative SRF-dependent gene expression program is initiated after axotomy. The promoters of these newly expressed genes exhibit over-representation of CRE sites in regions near to SRF target sites. This alternative gene expression program includes plasticity-associated transcription factors and leads to an aberrant early increase in synapse density on motor neurons. Jun thus has the important function in the early phase after axotomy of pushing the injured neuron away from a plasticity response and towards a regenerative phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R J Mason
- Laboratory for Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan Erp
- Laboratory for Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Wolzak
- Laboratory for Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Axel Behrens
- Adult Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Gennadij Raivich
- UCL Institute for Women's Health, Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Perinatal Brain Repair Group, London, WC1E 6HX, United Kingdom
| | - Joost Verhaagen
- Laboratory for Regeneration of Sensorimotor Systems, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center for Neurogenomics and Cognition Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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52
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Li X, Gracilla D, Cai L, Zhang M, Yu X, Chen X, Zhang J, Long X, Ding HF, Yan C. ATF3 promotes the serine synthesis pathway and tumor growth under dietary serine restriction. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109706. [PMID: 34551291 PMCID: PMC8491098 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine synthesis pathway (SSP) involving metabolic enzymes phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1), and phosphoserine phosphatase (PSPH) drives intracellular serine biosynthesis and is indispensable for cancer cells to grow in serine-limiting environments. However, how SSP is regulated is not well understood. Here, we report that activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) is crucial for transcriptional activation of SSP upon serine deprivation. ATF3 is rapidly induced by serine deprivation via a mechanism dependent on ATF4, which in turn binds to ATF4 and increases the stability of this master regulator of SSP. ATF3 also binds to the enhancers/promoters of PHGDH, PSAT1, and PSPH and recruits p300 to promote expression of these SSP genes. As a result, loss of ATF3 expression impairs serine biosynthesis and the growth of cancer cells in the serine-deprived medium or in mice fed with a serine/glycine-free diet. Interestingly, ATF3 expression positively correlates with PHGDH expression in a subset of TCGA cancer samples. Activation of the serine synthesis pathway is important for cancer cell growth, but how this pathway is regulated is not well understood. Li et al. report that ATF3 is an important regulator of this pathway and can promote serine biosynthesis and tumor growth under serine-limiting conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyao Li
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Daniel Gracilla
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Lun Cai
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Mingyi Zhang
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Xiaolin Yu
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Chen
- Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Junran Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center and College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaochun Long
- Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Han-Fei Ding
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Department of Pathology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Chunhong Yan
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
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53
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Hörberg J, Moreau K, Tamás MJ, Reymer A. Sequence-specific dynamics of DNA response elements and their flanking sites regulate the recognition by AP-1 transcription factors. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:9280-9293. [PMID: 34387667 PMCID: PMC8450079 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Activator proteins 1 (AP-1) comprise one of the largest families of eukaryotic basic leucine zipper transcription factors. Despite advances in the characterization of AP-1 DNA-binding sites, our ability to predict new binding sites and explain how the proteins achieve different gene expression levels remains limited. Here we address the role of sequence-specific DNA flexibility for stability and specific binding of AP-1 factors, using microsecond-long molecular dynamics simulations. As a model system, we employ yeast AP-1 factor Yap1 binding to three different response elements from two genetic environments. Our data show that Yap1 actively exploits the sequence-specific flexibility of DNA within the response element to form stable protein–DNA complexes. The stability also depends on the four to six flanking nucleotides, adjacent to the response elements. The flanking sequences modulate the conformational adaptability of the response element, making it more shape-efficient to form specific contacts with the protein. Bioinformatics analysis of differential expression of the studied genes supports our conclusions: the stability of Yap1–DNA complexes, modulated by the flanking environment, influences the gene expression levels. Our results provide new insights into mechanisms of protein–DNA recognition and the biological regulation of gene expression levels in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Hörberg
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Kevin Moreau
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Markus J Tamás
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Anna Reymer
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
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54
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Abstract
The fungal kingdom has provided advances in our ability to identify biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and to examine how gene composition of BGCs evolves across species and genera. However, little is known about the evolution of specific BGC regulators that mediate how BGCs produce secondary metabolites (SMs). A bioinformatics search for conservation of the Aspergillus fumigatus xanthocillin BGC revealed an evolutionary trail of xan-like BGCs across Eurotiales species. Although the critical regulatory and enzymatic genes were conserved in Penicillium expansum, overexpression (OE) of the conserved xan BGC transcription factor (TF) gene, PexanC, failed to activate the putative xan BGC transcription or xanthocillin production in P. expansum, in contrast to the role of AfXanC in A. fumigatus. Surprisingly, OE::PexanC was instead found to promote citrinin synthesis in P. expansum via trans induction of the cit pathway-specific TF, ctnA, as determined by cit BGC expression and chemical profiling of ctnA deletion and OE::PexanC single and double mutants. OE::AfxanC results in significant increases of xan gene expression and metabolite synthesis in A. fumigatus but had no effect on either xanthocillin or citrinin production in P. expansum. Bioinformatics and promoter mutation analysis led to the identification of an AfXanC binding site, 5'-AGTCAGCA-3', in promoter regions of the A. fumigatus xan BGC genes. This motif was not in the ctnA promoter, suggesting a different binding site of PeXanC. A compilation of a bioinformatics examination of XanC orthologs and the presence/absence of the 5'-AGTCAGCA-3' binding motif in xan BGCs in multiple Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. supports an evolutionary divergence of XanC regulatory targets that we speculate reflects an exaptation event in the Eurotiales. IMPORTANCE Fungal secondary metabolites (SMs) are an important source of pharmaceuticals on one hand and toxins on the other. Efforts to identify the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that synthesize SMs have yielded significant insights into how variation in the genes that compose BGCs may impact subsequent metabolite production within and between species. However, the role of regulatory genes in BGC activation is less well understood. Our finding that the bZIP transcription factor XanC, located in the xanthocillin BGC of both Aspergillus fumigatus and Penicillium expansum, has functionally diverged to regulate different BGCs in these two species emphasizes that the diversification of BGC regulatory elements may sometimes occur through exaptation, which is the co-option of a gene that evolved for one function to a novel function. Furthermore, this work suggests that the loss/gain of transcription factor binding site targets may be an important mediator in the evolution of secondary-metabolism regulatory elements.
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John E, Singh KB, Oliver RP, Tan K. Transcription factor control of virulence in phytopathogenic fungi. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2021; 22:858-881. [PMID: 33973705 PMCID: PMC8232033 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant-pathogenic fungi are a significant threat to economic and food security worldwide. Novel protection strategies are required and therefore it is critical we understand the mechanisms by which these pathogens cause disease. Virulence factors and pathogenicity genes have been identified, but in many cases their roles remain elusive. It is becoming increasingly clear that gene regulation is vital to enable plant infection and transcription factors play an essential role. Efforts to determine their regulatory functions in plant-pathogenic fungi have expanded since the annotation of fungal genomes revealed the ubiquity of transcription factors from a broad range of families. This review establishes the significance of transcription factors as regulatory elements in plant-pathogenic fungi and provides a systematic overview of those that have been functionally characterized. Detailed analysis is provided on regulators from well-characterized families controlling various aspects of fungal metabolism, development, stress tolerance, and the production of virulence factors such as effectors and secondary metabolites. This covers conserved transcription factors with either specialized or nonspecialized roles, as well as recently identified regulators targeting key virulence pathways. Fundamental knowledge of transcription factor regulation in plant-pathogenic fungi provides avenues to identify novel virulence factors and improve our understanding of the regulatory networks linked to pathogen evolution, while transcription factors can themselves be specifically targeted for disease control. Areas requiring further insight regarding the molecular mechanisms and/or specific classes of transcription factors are identified, and direction for future investigation is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan John
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Karam B. Singh
- Agriculture and FoodCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationFloreatWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Richard P. Oliver
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Kar‐Chun Tan
- Centre for Crop and Disease ManagementCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
- School of Molecular and Life SciencesCurtin UniversityBentleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
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56
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Jonsson WO, Margolies NS, Mirek ET, Zhang Q, Linden MA, Hill CM, Link C, Bithi N, Zalma B, Levy JL, Pettit AP, Miller JW, Hine C, Morrison CD, Gettys TW, Miller BF, Hamilton KL, Wek RC, Anthony TG. Physiologic Responses to Dietary Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction in Mice Are Influenced by Atf4 Status and Biological Sex. J Nutr 2021; 151:785-799. [PMID: 33512502 PMCID: PMC8030708 DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) improves body composition and metabolic health across several model organisms in part through induction of the integrated stress response (ISR). OBJECTIVE We investigate the hypothesis that activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) acts as a converging point in the ISR during SAAR. METHODS Using liver-specific or global gene ablation strategies, in both female and male mice, we address the role of ATF4 during dietary SAAR. RESULTS We show that ATF4 is dispensable in the chronic induction of the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor 21 while being essential for the sustained production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide. We also affirm that biological sex, independent of ATF4 status, is a determinant of the response to dietary SAAR. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that auxiliary components of the ISR, which are independent of ATF4, are critical for SAAR-mediated improvements in metabolic health in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- William O Jonsson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Emily T Mirek
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
| | - Melissa A Linden
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Cristal M Hill
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Christopher Link
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nazmin Bithi
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian Zalma
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jordan L Levy
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ashley P Pettit
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Joshua W Miller
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christopher Hine
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Thomas W Gettys
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Benjamin F Miller
- Aging & Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Karyn L Hamilton
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, CO, USA
| | - Ronald C Wek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tracy G Anthony
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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57
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Seo J, Koçak DD, Bartelt LC, Williams CA, Barrera A, Gersbach CA, Reddy TE. AP-1 subunits converge promiscuously at enhancers to potentiate transcription. Genome Res 2021; 31:538-550. [PMID: 33674350 PMCID: PMC8015846 DOI: 10.1101/gr.267898.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The AP-1 transcription factor (TF) dimer contributes to many biological processes and environmental responses. AP-1 can be composed of many interchangeable subunits. Unambiguously determining the binding locations of these subunits in the human genome is challenging because of variable antibody specificity and affinity. Here, we definitively establish the genome-wide binding patterns of five AP-1 subunits by using CRISPR to introduce a common antibody tag on each subunit. We find limited evidence for strong dimerization preferences between subunits at steady state and find that, under a stimulus, dimerization patterns reflect changes in the transcriptome. Further, our analysis suggests that canonical AP-1 motifs indiscriminately recruit all AP-1 subunits to genomic sites, which we term AP-1 hotspots. We find that AP-1 hotspots are predictive of cell type–specific gene expression and of genomic responses to glucocorticoid signaling (more so than super-enhancers) and are significantly enriched in disease-associated genetic variants. Together, these results support a model where promiscuous binding of many AP-1 subunits to the same genomic location play a key role in regulating cell type–specific gene expression and environmental responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungkyun Seo
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Division of Integrative Genomics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - D Dewran Koçak
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Luke C Bartelt
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Courtney A Williams
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Division of Integrative Genomics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Charles A Gersbach
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
| | - Timothy E Reddy
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Division of Integrative Genomics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,University Program in Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA
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58
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Silva LP, Horta MAC, Goldman GH. Genetic Interactions Between Aspergillus fumigatus Basic Leucine Zipper (bZIP) Transcription Factors AtfA, AtfB, AtfC, and AtfD. FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY 2021; 2:632048. [PMID: 37744135 PMCID: PMC10512269 DOI: 10.3389/ffunb.2021.632048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungus, capable of causing Invasive Aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients, recently transplanted or undergoing chemotherapy. In the present work, we continued the investigation on A. fumigatus AtfA-D transcription factors (TFs) characterizing possible genetic and physical interactions between them after normal growth and stressing conditions. We constructed double null mutants for all the possible combinations of ΔatfA-, -B, -C, and -D, and look into their susceptibility to different stressing conditions. Our results indicate complex genetic interactions among these TFs that could impact the response to different kinds of stressful conditions. AtfA-D interactions also affect the A. fumigatus virulence in Galleria mellonella. AtfA:GFP is ~97% located in the nucleus while about 20-30% of AtfB, -C, and -D:GFP locate into the nucleus in the absence of any stress. Under stressing conditions, AtfB, -C, and -D:GFP translocate to the nucleus about 60-80% upon the addition of sorbitol or H2O2. These four TFs are also interacting physically forming all the possible combinations of heterodimers. We also identified that AtfA-D physically interact with the MAPK SakA in the absence of any stress and upon osmotic and cell wall stresses. They are involved in the accumulation of trehalose, glycogen and metabolic assimilation of different carbon sources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gustavo Henrique Goldman
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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59
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An all-to-all approach to the identification of sequence-specific readers for epigenetic DNA modifications on cytosine. Nat Commun 2021; 12:795. [PMID: 33542217 PMCID: PMC7862700 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-20950-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications of DNA play important roles in many biological processes. Identifying readers of these epigenetic marks is a critical step towards understanding the underlying mechanisms. Here, we present an all-to-all approach, dubbed digital affinity profiling via proximity ligation (DAPPL), to simultaneously profile human TF-DNA interactions using mixtures of random DNA libraries carrying different epigenetic modifications (i.e., 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine) on CpG dinucleotides. Many proteins that recognize consensus sequences carrying these modifications in symmetric and/or hemi-modified forms are identified. We further demonstrate that the modifications in different sequence contexts could either enhance or suppress TF binding activity. Moreover, many modifications can affect TF binding specificity. Furthermore, symmetric modifications show a stronger effect in either enhancing or suppressing TF-DNA interactions than hemi-modifications. Finally, in vivo evidence suggests that USF1 and USF2 might regulate transcription via hydroxymethylcytosine-binding activity in weak enhancers in human embryonic stem cells. Identifying readers of epigenetic marks is a critical step for understanding the role of epigenetic marks in biology. Here, the authors applied DAPPL, an all-to-all approach to profile the interactions between TFs and epigenetic modified DNA libraries.
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60
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Makhnovskii PA, Bokov RO, Kolpakov FA, Popov DV. Transcriptomic Signatures and Upstream Regulation in Human Skeletal Muscle Adapted to Disuse and Aerobic Exercise. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031208. [PMID: 33530535 PMCID: PMC7866200 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Inactivity is associated with the development of numerous disorders. Regular aerobic exercise is broadly used as a key intervention to prevent and treat these pathological conditions. In our meta-analysis we aimed to identify and compare (i) the transcriptomic signatures related to disuse, regular and acute aerobic exercise in human skeletal muscle and (ii) the biological effects and transcription factors associated with these transcriptomic changes. A standardized workflow with robust cut-off criteria was used to analyze 27 transcriptomic datasets for the vastus lateralis muscle of healthy humans subjected to disuse, regular and acute aerobic exercise. We evaluated the role of transcriptional regulation in the phenotypic changes described in the literature. The responses to chronic interventions (disuse and regular training) partially correspond to the phenotypic effects. Acute exercise induces changes that are mainly related to the regulation of gene expression, including a strong enrichment of several transcription factors (most of which are related to the ATF/CREB/AP-1 superfamily) and a massive increase in the expression levels of genes encoding transcription factors and co-activators. Overall, the adaptation strategies of skeletal muscle to decreased and increased levels of physical activity differ in direction and demonstrate qualitative differences that are closely associated with the activation of different sets of transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel A. Makhnovskii
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.M.); (R.O.B.)
| | - Roman O. Bokov
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.M.); (R.O.B.)
| | - Fedor A. Kolpakov
- Institute of Computational Technologies of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia;
| | - Daniil V. Popov
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia; (P.A.M.); (R.O.B.)
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
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61
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Single position substitution of hairpin pyrrole-imidazole polyamides imparts distinct DNA-binding profiles across the human genome. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243905. [PMID: 33351840 PMCID: PMC7755219 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyrrole–imidazole (Py–Im) polyamides are synthetic molecules that can be rationally designed to target specific DNA sequences to both disrupt and recruit transcriptional machinery. While in vitro binding has been extensively studied, in vivo effects are often difficult to predict using current models of DNA binding. Determining the impact of genomic architecture and the local chromatin landscape on polyamide-DNA sequence specificity remains an unresolved question that impedes their effective deployment in vivo. In this report we identified polyamide–DNA interaction sites across the entire genome, by covalently crosslinking and capturing these events in the nuclei of human LNCaP cells. This technique confirms the ability of two eight ring hairpin-polyamides, with similar architectures but differing at a single ring position (Py to Im), to retain in vitro specificities and display distinct genome-wide binding profiles.
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62
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Martignago D, Siemiatkowska B, Lombardi A, Conti L. Abscisic Acid and Flowering Regulation: Many Targets, Different Places. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9700. [PMID: 33353251 PMCID: PMC7767233 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants can react to drought stress by anticipating flowering, an adaptive strategy for plant survival in dry climates known as drought escape (DE). In Arabidopsis, the study of DE brought to surface the involvement of abscisic acid (ABA) in controlling the floral transition. A central question concerns how and in what spatial context can ABA signals affect the floral network. In the leaf, ABA signaling affects flowering genes responsible for the production of the main florigen FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT). At the shoot apex, FD and FD-like transcription factors interact with FT and FT-like proteins to regulate ABA responses. This knowledge will help separate general and specific roles of ABA signaling with potential benefits to both biology and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lucio Conti
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Giovanni Celoria, 26-20133 Milan, Italy; (D.M.); (B.S.); (A.L.)
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63
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Binding and folding in transcriptional complexes. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2020; 66:156-162. [PMID: 33248428 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2020.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors are among the classes of proteins with the highest levels of disorder. Investigation of these regulatory proteins is uncovering not just the mechanisms that underlie gene regulation, but relationships that apply to all intrinsically disordered proteins. Recent studies confirm that binding does not necessarily induce folding but that when it does, it tends to follow induced fit mechanisms. Other work emphasises the importance of electrostatics to interactions involving intrinsically disordered proteins, and roles of intrinsic disorder in phase transitions. All these features help direct transcription factors to target sites in the genome to upregulate or downregulate transcription.
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64
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Papavassiliou AG, Musti AM. The Multifaceted Output of c-Jun Biological Activity: Focus at the Junction of CD8 T Cell Activation and Exhaustion. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112470. [PMID: 33202877 PMCID: PMC7697663 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
c-Jun is a major component of the dimeric transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1), a paradigm for transcriptional response to extracellular signaling, whose components are basic-Leucine Zipper (bZIP) transcription factors of the Jun, Fos, activating transcription factor (ATF), ATF-like (BATF) and Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) gene families. Extracellular signals regulate c-Jun/AP-1 activity at multiple levels, including transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of c-Jun expression and transactivity, in turn, establishing the magnitude and the duration of c-Jun/AP-1 activation. Another important level of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation is due to the capability of Jun family members to bind DNA as a heterodimer with every other member of the AP-1 family, and to interact with other classes of transcription factors, thereby acquiring the potential to integrate diverse extrinsic and intrinsic signals into combinatorial regulation of gene expression. Here, we review how these features of c-Jun/AP-1 regulation underlie the multifaceted output of c-Jun biological activity, eliciting quite distinct cellular responses, such as neoplastic transformation, differentiation and apoptosis, in different cell types. In particular, we focus on the current understanding of the role of c-Jun/AP-1 in the response of CD8 T cells to acute infection and cancer. We highlight the transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms through which c-Jun/AP-1 participates in the productive immune response of CD8 T cells, and how its downregulation may contribute to the dysfunctional state of tumor infiltrating CD8 T cells. Additionally, we discuss recent insights pointing at c-Jun as a suitable target for immunotherapy-based combination approaches to reinvigorate anti-tumor immune functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Anna Maria Musti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3337543732
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65
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Deng C, Shi M, Fu R, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Zhou Y, Wang Y, Ma X, Kai G. ABA-responsive transcription factor bZIP1 is involved in modulating biosynthesis of phenolic acids and tanshinones in Salvia miltiorrhiza. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5948-5962. [PMID: 32589719 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Phenolic acids and tanshinones are major bioactive ingredients in Salvia miltiorrhiza, which possess pharmacological activities with great market demand. However, transcriptional regulation of phenolic acid and tanshinone biosynthesis remains poorly understood. Here, a basic leucine zipper transcription factor (TF) named SmbZIP1 was screened from the abscisic acid (ABA)-induced transcriptome library. Overexpression of SmbZIP1 positively promoted phenolic acid biosynthesis by enhancing expression of biosynthetic genes such as cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H1). Furthermore, biochemical experiments revealed that SmbZIP1 bound the G-Box-like1 element in the promoter of the C4H1 gene. Meanwhile, SmbZIP1 inhibited accumulation of tanshinones mainly by suppressing the expression of biosynthetic genes including geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) which was confirmed as a target gene by in vitro and in vivo experiments. In contrast, the phenolic acid content was reduced and tanshinone was enhanced in CRISPR/Cas9 [clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9]-mediated knockout lines. In addition, the previously reported positive regulator of tanshinone biosynthesis, SmERF1L1, was found to be inhibited in SmbZIP1 overexpression lines indicated by RNA sequencing, and was proven to be the target of SmbZIP1. In summary, this work uncovers a novel regulator and deepens our understanding of the transcriptional and regulatory mechanisms of phenolic acid and tanshinone biosynthesis, and also sheds new light on metabolic engineering in S. miltiorrhiza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changping Deng
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Min Shi
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Rong Fu
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Yao Wang
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xingyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Biotechnology, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Guoyin Kai
- Laboratory of Medicinal Plant Biotechnology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
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66
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Brennan A, Leech JT, Kad NM, Mason JM. Selective antagonism of cJun for cancer therapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2020; 39:184. [PMID: 32917236 PMCID: PMC7488417 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01686-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The activator protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors modulate a diverse range of cellular signalling pathways into outputs which can be oncogenic or anti-oncogenic. The transcription of relevant genes is controlled by the cellular context, and in particular by the dimeric composition of AP-1. Here, we describe the evidence linking cJun in particular to a range of cancers. This includes correlative studies of protein levels in patient tumour samples and mechanistic understanding of the role of cJun in cancer cell models. This develops an understanding of cJun as a focal point of cancer-altered signalling which has the potential for therapeutic antagonism. Significant work has produced a range of small molecules and peptides which have been summarised here and categorised according to the binding surface they target within the cJun-DNA complex. We highlight the importance of selectively targeting a single AP-1 family member to antagonise known oncogenic function and avoid antagonism of anti-oncogenic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Brennan
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - James T Leech
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Neil M Kad
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NH, UK
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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67
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Rich-Griffin C, Eichmann R, Reitz MU, Hermann S, Woolley-Allen K, Brown PE, Wiwatdirekkul K, Esteban E, Pasha A, Kogel KH, Provart NJ, Ott S, Schäfer P. Regulation of Cell Type-Specific Immunity Networks in Arabidopsis Roots. THE PLANT CELL 2020; 32:2742-2762. [PMID: 32699170 PMCID: PMC7474276 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.20.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
While root diseases are among the most devastating stresses in global crop production, our understanding of root immunity is still limited relative to our knowledge of immune responses in leaves. Considering that root performance is based on the concerted functions of its different cell types, we undertook a cell type-specific transcriptome analysis to identify gene networks activated in epidermis, cortex, and pericycle cells of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) roots challenged with two immunity elicitors, the bacterial flagellin-derived flg22 and the endogenous Pep1 peptide. Our analyses revealed distinct immunity gene networks in each cell type. To further substantiate our understanding of regulatory patterns underlying these cell type-specific immunity networks, we developed a tool to analyze paired transcription factor binding motifs in the promoters of cell type-specific genes. Our study points toward a connection between cell identity and cell type-specific immunity networks that might guide cell types in launching immune response according to the functional capabilities of each cell type.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruth Eichmann
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Botany, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marco U Reitz
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Hermann
- Institute of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Paul E Brown
- Bioinformatics Research Technology Platform, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Wiwatdirekkul
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Eddi Esteban
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Asher Pasha
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Karl-Heinz Kogel
- Institute of Phytopathology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Nicholas J Provart
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology/Centre for the Analysis of Genome Evolution and Function, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Sascha Ott
- Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Schäfer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
- Institute of Molecular Botany, Ulm University, 89069 Ulm, Germany
- Warwick Integrative Synthetic Biology Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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68
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Stolz ML, McCormick C. The bZIP Proteins of Oncogenic Viruses. Viruses 2020; 12:v12070757. [PMID: 32674309 PMCID: PMC7412551 DOI: 10.3390/v12070757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors (TFs) govern diverse cellular processes and cell fate decisions. The hallmark of the leucine zipper domain is the heptad repeat, with leucine residues at every seventh position in the domain. These leucine residues enable homo- and heterodimerization between ZIP domain α-helices, generating coiled-coil structures that stabilize interactions between adjacent DNA-binding domains and target DNA substrates. Several cancer-causing viruses encode viral bZIP TFs, including human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the herpesviruses Marek’s disease virus (MDV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV). Here, we provide a comprehensive review of these viral bZIP TFs and their impact on viral replication, host cell responses and cell fate.
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69
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Kribelbauer JF, Loker RE, Feng S, Rastogi C, Abe N, Rube HT, Bussemaker HJ, Mann RS. Context-Dependent Gene Regulation by Homeodomain Transcription Factor Complexes Revealed by Shape-Readout Deficient Proteins. Mol Cell 2020; 78:152-167.e11. [PMID: 32053778 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic transcription factors (TFs) form complexes with various partner proteins to recognize their genomic target sites. Yet, how the DNA sequence determines which TF complex forms at any given site is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that high-throughput in vitro DNA binding assays coupled with unbiased computational analysis provide unprecedented insight into how different DNA sequences select distinct compositions and configurations of homeodomain TF complexes. Using inferred knowledge about minor groove width readout, we design targeted protein mutations that destabilize homeodomain binding both in vitro and in vivo in a complex-specific manner. By performing parallel systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment sequencing (SELEX-seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), and Hi-C assays, we not only classify the majority of in vivo binding events in terms of complex composition but also infer complex-specific functions by perturbing the gene regulatory network controlled by a single complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith F Kribelbauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ryan E Loker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Siqian Feng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Chaitanya Rastogi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Namiko Abe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - H Tomas Rube
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Harmen J Bussemaker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA; Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
| | - Richard S Mann
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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70
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Pogenberg V, Ballesteros-Álvarez J, Schober R, Sigvaldadóttir I, Obarska-Kosinska A, Milewski M, Schindl R, Ögmundsdóttir MH, Steingrímsson E, Wilmanns M. Mechanism of conditional partner selectivity in MITF/TFE family transcription factors with a conserved coiled coil stammer motif. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:934-948. [PMID: 31777941 PMCID: PMC6954422 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Interrupted dimeric coiled coil segments are found in a broad range of proteins and generally confer selective functional properties such as binding to specific ligands. However, there is only one documented case of a basic-helix–loop–helix leucine zipper transcription factor—microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)—in which an insertion of a three-residue stammer serves as a determinant of conditional partner selectivity. To unravel the molecular principles of this selectivity, we have analyzed the high-resolution structures of stammer-containing MITF and an engineered stammer-less MITF variant, which comprises an uninterrupted symmetric coiled coil. Despite this fundamental difference, both MITF structures reveal identical flanking in-phase coiled coil arrangements, gained by helical over-winding and local asymmetry in wild-type MITF across the stammer region. These conserved structural properties allow the maintenance of a proper functional readout in terms of nuclear localization and binding to specific DNA-response motifs regardless of the presence of the stammer. By contrast, MITF heterodimer formation with other bHLH-Zip transcription factors is only permissive when both factors contain either the same type of inserted stammer or no insert. Our data illustrate a unique principle of conditional partner selectivity within the wide arsenal of transcription factors with specific partner-dependent functional readouts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josué Ballesteros-Álvarez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Romana Schober
- Institute of Biophysics, JKU Life Science Center, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Gruberstraße 40, A-4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Ingibjörg Sigvaldadóttir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Agnieszka Obarska-Kosinska
- EMBL Hamburg c/o DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.,Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Max-von-Laue-Straße 3, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Morlin Milewski
- EMBL Hamburg c/o DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Schindl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Margrét Helga Ögmundsdóttir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Eiríkur Steingrímsson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Matthias Wilmanns
- EMBL Hamburg c/o DESY, Notkestraße 85, 22607 Hamburg, Germany.,University Hamburg Clinical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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71
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Sledgehammer to Scalpel: Broad Challenges to the Heart and Other Tissues Yield Specific Cellular Responses via Transcriptional Regulation of the ER-Stress Master Regulator ATF6α. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031134. [PMID: 32046286 PMCID: PMC7037772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
There are more than 2000 transcription factors in eukaryotes, many of which are subject to complex mechanisms fine-tuning their activity and their transcriptional programs to meet the vast array of conditions under which cells must adapt to thrive and survive. For example, conditions that impair protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), sometimes called ER stress, elicit the relocation of the ER-transmembrane protein, activating transcription factor 6α (ATF6α), to the Golgi, where it is proteolytically cleaved. This generates a fragment of ATF6α that translocates to the nucleus, where it regulates numerous genes that restore ER protein-folding capacity but is degraded soon after. Thus, upon ER stress, ATF6α is converted from a stable, transmembrane protein, to a rapidly degraded, nuclear protein that is a potent transcription factor. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing ATF6α location, activity, and stability, as well as the transcriptional programs ATF6α regulates, whether canonical genes that restore ER protein-folding or unexpected, non-canonical genes affecting cellular functions beyond the ER. Moreover, we will review fascinating roles for an ATF6α isoform, ATF6β, which has a similar mode of activation but, unlike ATF6α, is a long-lived, weak transcription factor that may moderate the genetic effects of ATF6α.
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72
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Lin QXX, Thieffry D, Jha S, Benoukraf T. TFregulomeR reveals transcription factors' context-specific features and functions. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:e10. [PMID: 31754708 PMCID: PMC6954419 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are sequence-specific DNA binding proteins, fine-tuning spatiotemporal gene expression. Since genomic occupancy of a TF is highly dynamic, it is crucial to study TF binding sites (TFBSs) in a cell-specific context. To date, thousands of ChIP-seq datasets have portrayed the genomic binding landscapes of numerous TFs in different cell types. Although these datasets can be browsed via several platforms, tools that can operate on that data flow are still lacking. Here, we introduce TFregulomeR (https://github.com/benoukraflab/TFregulomeR), an R-library linked to an up-to-date compendium of cistrome and methylome datasets, implemented with functionalities that facilitate integrative analyses. In particular, TFregulomeR enables the characterization of TF binding partners and cell-specific TFBSs, along with the study of TF’s functions in the context of different partnerships and DNA methylation levels. We demonstrated that TFs’ target gene ontologies can differ notably depending on their partners and, by re-analyzing well characterized TFs, we brought to light that numerous leucine zipper TFBSs derived from ChIP-seq experiments documented in current databases were inadequately characterized, due to the fact that their position weight matrices were assembled using a mixture of homodimer and heterodimer binding sites. Altogether, analyses of context-specific transcription regulation with TFregulomeR foster our understanding of regulatory network-dependent TF functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quy Xiao Xuan Lin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Denis Thieffry
- Computational Systems Biology Team, Institut de Biologie de l'École Normale Supérieure (IBENS), CNRS, INSERM, École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Sudhakar Jha
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Touati Benoukraf
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore.,Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
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73
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Yang Y, Yu TF, Ma J, Chen J, Zhou YB, Chen M, Ma YZ, Wei WL, Xu ZS. The Soybean bZIP Transcription Factor Gene GmbZIP2 Confers Drought and Salt Resistances in Transgenic Plants. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E670. [PMID: 31968543 PMCID: PMC7013997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abiotic stresses, such as drought and salt, are major environmental stresses, affecting plant growth and crop productivity. Plant bZIP transcription factors (bZIPs) confer stress resistances in harsh environments and play important roles in each phase of plant growth processes. In this research, 15 soybean bZIP family members were identified from drought-induced de novo transcriptomic sequences of soybean, which were unevenly distributed across 12 soybean chromosomes. Promoter analysis showed that these 15 genes were rich in ABRE, MYB and MYC cis-acting elements which were reported to be involved in abiotic stress responses. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that 15 GmbZIP genes could be induced by drought and salt stress. GmbZIP2 was significantly upregulated under stress conditions and thus was selected for further study. Subcellular localization analysis revealed that the GmbZIP2 protein was located in the cell nucleus. qRT-PCR results show that GmbZIP2 can be induced by multiple stresses. The overexpression of GmbZIP2 in Arabidopsis and soybean hairy roots could improve plant resistance to drought and salt stresses. The result of differential expression gene analysis shows that the overexpression of GmbZIP2 in soybean hairy roots could enhance the expression of the stress responsive genes GmMYB48, GmWD40, GmDHN15, GmGST1 and GmLEA. These results indicate that soybean bZIPs played pivotal roles in plant resistance to abiotic stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yang
- College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Jingzhou 434025, China;
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - Tai-Fei Yu
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - Jian Ma
- College of Agronomy, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China;
| | - Jun Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - Yong-Bin Zhou
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - Ming Chen
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - You-Zhi Ma
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
| | - Wen-Liang Wei
- College of Agriculture, Yangtze University, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Grain Industry, Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Jingzhou 434025, China;
| | - Zhao-Shi Xu
- Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Key Facility for Crop Gene Resources and Genetic Improvement, Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Triticeae Crops, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing 100081, China; (T.-F.Y.); (J.C.); (Y.-B.Z.); (M.C.); (Y.-Z.M.)
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74
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Ebert SM, Bullard SA, Basisty N, Marcotte GR, Skopec ZP, Dierdorff JM, Al-Zougbi A, Tomcheck KC, DeLau AD, Rathmacher JA, Bodine SC, Schilling B, Adams CM. Activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) promotes skeletal muscle atrophy by forming a heterodimer with the transcriptional regulator C/EBPβ. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:2787-2803. [PMID: 31953319 PMCID: PMC7049960 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle atrophy is a highly-prevalent and debilitating condition that remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Previous work found that aging, fasting, and immobilization promote skeletal muscle atrophy via expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in skeletal muscle fibers. However, the direct biochemical mechanism by which ATF4 promotes muscle atrophy is unknown. ATF4 is a member of the basic leucine zipper transcription factor (bZIP) superfamily. Because bZIP transcription factors are obligate dimers, and because ATF4 is unable to form highly-stable homodimers, we hypothesized that ATF4 may promote muscle atrophy by forming a heterodimer with another bZIP family member. To test this hypothesis, we biochemically isolated skeletal muscle proteins that associate with the dimerization- and DNA-binding domain of ATF4 (the bZIP domain) in mouse skeletal muscle fibers in vivo Interestingly, we found that ATF4 forms at least five distinct heterodimeric bZIP transcription factors in skeletal muscle fibers. Furthermore, one of these heterodimers, composed of ATF4 and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), mediates muscle atrophy. Within skeletal muscle fibers, the ATF4-C/EBPβ heterodimer interacts with a previously unrecognized and evolutionarily conserved ATF-C/EBP composite site in exon 4 of the Gadd45a gene. This three-way interaction between ATF4, C/EBPβ, and the ATF-C/EBP composite site activates the Gadd45a gene, which encodes a critical mediator of muscle atrophy. Together, these results identify a biochemical mechanism by which ATF4 induces skeletal muscle atrophy, providing molecular-level insights into the etiology of skeletal muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Ebert
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246; Emmyon, Inc., Coralville, Iowa 52241
| | - Steven A Bullard
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Nathan Basisty
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California 94945
| | - George R Marcotte
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Zachary P Skopec
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Jason M Dierdorff
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Asma Al-Zougbi
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Kristin C Tomcheck
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Austin D DeLau
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Jacob A Rathmacher
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246
| | - Sue C Bodine
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Emmyon, Inc., Coralville, Iowa 52241
| | | | - Christopher M Adams
- Departments of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242; Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa 52246; Emmyon, Inc., Coralville, Iowa 52241.
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75
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Yin Z, Venkannagari H, Lynch H, Aglyamova G, Bhandari M, Machius M, Nestler EJ, Robison AJ, Rudenko G. Self-assembly of the bZIP transcription factor ΔFosB. Curr Res Struct Biol 2019; 2:1-13. [PMID: 32542236 PMCID: PMC7295165 DOI: 10.1016/j.crstbi.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ΔFosB is a highly stable transcription factor that accumulates in specific brain regions upon chronic exposure to drugs of abuse, stress, or seizures, and mediates lasting behavioral responses. ΔFosB reportedly heterodimerizes with JunD forming a canonical bZIP leucine zipper coiled coil that clamps onto DNA. However, the striking accumulation of ΔFosB protein in brain upon chronic insult has brought its molecular status into question. Here, we demonstrate through a series of crystal structures that the ΔFosB bZIP domain self-assembles into stable oligomeric assemblies that defy the canonical arrangement. The ΔFosB bZIP domain also self-assembles in solution, and in neuron-like Neuro 2a cells it is trapped into molecular arrangements that are consistent with our structures. Our data suggest that, as ΔFosB accumulates in brain in response to chronic insult, it forms non-canonical assemblies. These species may be at the root of ΔFosB's striking protein stability, and its unique transcriptional and behavioral consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Yin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Harikanth Venkannagari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Haley Lynch
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Galina Aglyamova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mukund Bhandari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mischa Machius
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Eric J. Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alfred J. Robison
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Gabby Rudenko
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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76
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Liu X, Gupta STP, Bhimsaria D, Reed JL, Rodríguez-Martínez JA, Ansari AZ, Raman S. De novo design of programmable inducible promoters. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:10452-10463. [PMID: 31552424 PMCID: PMC6821364 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ligand-responsive allosteric transcription factors (aTF) play a vital role in genetic circuits and high-throughput screening because they transduce biochemical signals into gene expression changes. Programmable control of gene expression from aTF-regulated promoter is important because different downstream effector genes function optimally at different expression levels. However, tuning gene expression of native promoters is difficult due to complex layers of homeostatic regulation encoded within them. We engineered synthetic promoters de novo by embedding operator sites with varying affinities and radically reshaped binding preferences within a minimal, constitutive Escherichia coli promoter. Multiplexed cell-based screening of promoters for three TetR-like aTFs generated with this approach gave rich diversity of gene expression levels, dynamic ranges and ligand sensitivities and were 50- to 100-fold more active over their respective native promoters. Machine learning on our dataset revealed that relative position of the core motif and bases flanking the core motif play an important role in modulating induction response. Our generalized approach yields customizable and programmable aTF-regulated promoters for engineering cellular pathways and enables the discovery of new small molecule biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Sanjan T P Gupta
- The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Devesh Bhimsaria
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jennifer L Reed
- The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - Aseem Z Ansari
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,The Genome Center of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Srivatsan Raman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,The Genome Center of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.,Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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77
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Ghosh RP, Shi Q, Yang L, Reddick MP, Nikitina T, Zhurkin VB, Fordyce P, Stasevich TJ, Chang HY, Greenleaf WJ, Liphardt JT. Satb1 integrates DNA binding site geometry and torsional stress to differentially target nucleosome-dense regions. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3221. [PMID: 31324780 PMCID: PMC6642133 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The Satb1 genome organizer regulates multiple cellular and developmental processes. It is not yet clear how Satb1 selects different sets of targets throughout the genome. Here we have used live-cell single molecule imaging and deep sequencing to assess determinants of Satb1 binding-site selectivity. We have found that Satb1 preferentially targets nucleosome-dense regions and can directly bind consensus motifs within nucleosomes. Some genomic regions harbor multiple, regularly spaced Satb1 binding motifs (typical separation ~1 turn of the DNA helix) characterized by highly cooperative binding. The Satb1 homeodomain is dispensable for high affinity binding but is essential for specificity. Finally, we find that Satb1-DNA interactions are mechanosensitive. Increasing negative torsional stress in DNA enhances Satb1 binding and Satb1 stabilizes base unpairing regions against melting by molecular machines. The ability of Satb1 to control diverse biological programs may reflect its ability to combinatorially use multiple site selection criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajarshi P Ghosh
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BioX Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Quanming Shi
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BioX Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Linfeng Yang
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BioX Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Michael P Reddick
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- BioX Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Tatiana Nikitina
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Victor B Zhurkin
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Polly Fordyce
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA
| | - Timothy J Stasevich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Institute for Genome Architecture and Function, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Program in Epithelial Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - William J Greenleaf
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Jan T Liphardt
- Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- BioX Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Cell Biology Division, Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
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78
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Cohen DM, Lim HW, Won KJ, Steger DJ. Shared nucleotide flanks confer transcriptional competency to bZip core motifs. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:8371-8384. [PMID: 30085281 PMCID: PMC6144830 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence-specific DNA binding recruits transcription factors (TFs) to the genome to regulate gene expression. Here, we perform high resolution mapping of CEBP proteins to determine how sequence dictates genomic occupancy. We demonstrate a fundamental difference between the sequence repertoire utilized by CEBPs in vivo versus the palindromic sequence preference reported by classical in vitro models, by identifying a palindromic motif at <1% of the genomic binding sites. On the native genome, CEBPs bind a diversity of related 10 bp sequences resulting from the fusion of degenerate and canonical half-sites. Altered DNA specificity of CEBPs in cells occurs through heterodimerization with other bZip TFs, and approximately 40% of CEBP-binding sites in primary human cells harbor motifs characteristic of CEBP heterodimers. In addition, we uncover an important role for sequence bias at core-motif-flanking bases for CEBPs and demonstrate that flanking bases regulate motif function across mammalian bZip TFs. Favorable flanking bases confer efficient TF occupancy and transcriptional activity, and DNA shape may explain how the flanks alter TF binding. Importantly, motif optimization within the 10-mer is strongly correlated with cell-type-independent recruitment of CEBPβ, providing key insight into how sequence sub-optimization affects genomic occupancy of widely expressed CEBPs across cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Cohen
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hee-Woong Lim
- The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kyoung-Jae Won
- The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David J Steger
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,The Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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79
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Kribelbauer JF, Rastogi C, Bussemaker HJ, Mann RS. Low-Affinity Binding Sites and the Transcription Factor Specificity Paradox in Eukaryotes. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2019; 35:357-379. [PMID: 31283382 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100617-062719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic transcription factors (TFs) from the same structural family tend to bind similar DNA sequences, despite the ability of these TFs to execute distinct functions in vivo. The cell partly resolves this specificity paradox through combinatorial strategies and the use of low-affinity binding sites, which are better able to distinguish between similar TFs. However, because these sites have low affinity, it is challenging to understand how TFs recognize them in vivo. Here, we summarize recent findings and technological advancements that allow for the quantification and mechanistic interpretation of TF recognition across a wide range of affinities. We propose a model that integrates insights from the fields of genetics and cell biology to provide further conceptual understanding of TF binding specificity. We argue that in eukaryotes, target specificity is driven by an inhomogeneous 3D nuclear distribution of TFs and by variation in DNA binding affinity such that locally elevated TF concentration allows low-affinity binding sites to be functional.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith F Kribelbauer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; .,Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10031, USA;
| | - Chaitanya Rastogi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; .,Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10031, USA;
| | - Harmen J Bussemaker
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; .,Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10031, USA;
| | - Richard S Mann
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10031, USA; .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10031, USA.,Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
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80
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An ATF3-CreERT2 Knock-In Mouse for Axotomy-Induced Genetic Editing: Proof of Principle. eNeuro 2019; 6:eN-MNT-0025-19. [PMID: 30993183 PMCID: PMC6464513 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0025-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome editing techniques have facilitated significant advances in our understanding of fundamental biological processes, and the Cre-Lox system has been instrumental in these achievements. Driving Cre expression specifically in injured neurons has not been previously possible: we sought to address this limitation in mice using a Cre-ERT2 construct driven by a reliable indicator of axotomy, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3). When crossed with reporter mice, a significant amount of recombination was achieved (without tamoxifen treatment) in peripherally-projecting sensory, sympathetic, and motoneurons after peripheral nerve crush in hemizygotes (65–80% by 16 d) and was absent in uninjured neurons. Importantly, injury-induced recombination did not occur in Schwann cells distal to the injury, and with a knock-out-validated antibody we verified an absence of ATF3 expression. Functional recovery following sciatic nerve crush in ATF3-deficient mice (both hemizygotes and homozygotes) was delayed, indicating previously unreported haploinsufficiency. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we crossed the ATF3-CreERT2 line with a floxed phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) line and show significantly improved axonal regeneration, as well as more complete recovery of neuromuscular function. We also demonstrate the utility of the ATF3-CreERT2 hemizygous line by characterizing recombination after lateral spinal hemisection (C8/T1), which identified specific populations of ascending spinal cord neurons (including putative spinothalamic and spinocerebellar) and descending supraspinal neurons (rubrospinal, vestibulospinal, reticulospinal and hypothalamic). We anticipate these mice will be valuable in distinguishing axotomized from uninjured neurons of several different classes (e.g., via reporter expression), and in probing the function of any number of genes as they relate to neuronal injury and regeneration.
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81
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Sabin KZ, Jiang P, Gearhart MD, Stewart R, Echeverri K. AP-1 cFos/JunB/miR-200a regulate the pro-regenerative glial cell response during axolotl spinal cord regeneration. Commun Biol 2019; 2:91. [PMID: 30854483 PMCID: PMC6403268 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Salamanders have the remarkable ability to functionally regenerate after spinal cord transection. In response to injury, GFAP+ glial cells in the axolotl spinal cord proliferate and migrate to replace the missing neural tube and create a permissive environment for axon regeneration. Molecular pathways that regulate the pro-regenerative axolotl glial cell response are poorly understood. Here we show axolotl glial cells up-regulate AP-1cFos/JunB after injury, which promotes a pro-regenerative glial cell response. Injury induced upregulation of miR-200a in glial cells supresses c-Jun expression in these cells. Inhibition of miR-200a during regeneration causes defects in axonal regrowth and transcriptomic analysis revealed that miR-200a inhibition leads to differential regulation of genes involved with reactive gliosis, the glial scar, extracellular matrix remodeling and axon guidance. This work identifies a unique role for miR-200a in inhibiting reactive gliosis in axolotl glial cells during spinal cord regeneration. Keith Sabin et al. showed that upregulation of the AP-1 complex, composed of c-Fos and JunB, in the axolotl spinal cord promotes a pro-regenerative glial cell response. This response is impaired by inhibition of miR-200a; suggesting an important role for this microRNA in axolotl spinal cord regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Z Sabin
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.,Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, 02543, MA, USA
| | - Peng Jiang
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, 53715, WI, USA
| | - Micah D Gearhart
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Ron Stewart
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, 53715, WI, USA
| | - Karen Echeverri
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA. .,Marine Biological Laboratory, Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Woods Hole, 02543, MA, USA.
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82
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Brechun KE, Arndt KM, Woolley GA. Selection of Protein-Protein Interactions of Desired Affinities with a Bandpass Circuit. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:391-400. [PMID: 30448232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a genetic circuit in Escherichia coli that can be used to select for protein-protein interactions of different strengths by changing antibiotic concentrations in the media. The genetic circuit links protein-protein interaction strength to β-lactamase activity while simultaneously imposing tuneable positive and negative selection pressure for β-lactamase activity. Cells only survive if they express interacting proteins with affinities that fall within set high- and low-pass thresholds; i.e. the circuit therefore acts as a bandpass filter for protein-protein interactions. We show that the circuit can be used to recover protein-protein interactions of desired affinity from a mixed population with a range of affinities. The circuit can also be used to select for inhibitors of protein-protein interactions of defined strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Brechun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Molecular Biotechnology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Katja M Arndt
- Molecular Biotechnology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - G Andrew Woolley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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83
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Neural Transcription Factors in Disease Progression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1210:437-462. [PMID: 31900920 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-32656-2_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Progression to the malignant state is fundamentally dependent on transcriptional regulation in cancer cells. Optimum abundance of cell cycle proteins, angiogenesis factors, immune evasion markers, etc. is needed for proliferation, metastasis or resistance to treatment. Therefore, dysregulation of transcription factors can compromise the normal prostate transcriptional network and contribute to malignant disease progression.The androgen receptor (AR) is considered to be a key transcription factor in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. Consequently, androgen pathway inhibitors (APIs) are currently the mainstay in PCa treatment, especially in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, emerging evidence suggests that with increased administration of potent APIs, prostate cancer can progress to a highly aggressive disease that morphologically resembles small cell carcinoma, which is referred to as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), treatment-induced or treatment-emergent small cell prostate cancer. This chapter will review how neuronal transcription factors play a part in inducing a plastic stage in prostate cancer cells that eventually progresses to a more aggressive state such as NEPC.
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84
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Ivanov SM, Huber RG, Alibay I, Warwicker J, Bond PJ. Energetic Fingerprinting of Ligand Binding to Paralogous Proteins: The Case of the Apoptotic Pathway. J Chem Inf Model 2018; 59:245-261. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.8b00765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M. Ivanov
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix 07-01, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Roland G. Huber
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix 07-01, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138671, Singapore
| | - Irfan Alibay
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jim Warwicker
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, School of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester M1 7DN, U.K
| | - Peter J. Bond
- Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Matrix 07-01, 30 Biopolis Street, Singapore 138671, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
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85
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Yella VR, Bhimsaria D, Ghoshdastidar D, Rodríguez-Martínez J, Ansari AZ, Bansal M. Flexibility and structure of flanking DNA impact transcription factor affinity for its core motif. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:11883-11897. [PMID: 30395339 PMCID: PMC6294565 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial and temporal expression of genes is essential for maintaining phenotype integrity. Transcription factors (TFs) modulate expression patterns by binding to specific DNA sequences in the genome. Along with the core binding motif, the flanking sequence context can play a role in DNA-TF recognition. Here, we employ high-throughput in vitro and in silico analyses to understand the influence of sequences flanking the cognate sites in binding of three most prevalent eukaryotic TF families (zinc finger, homeodomain and bZIP). In vitro binding preferences of each TF toward the entire DNA sequence space were correlated with a wide range of DNA structural parameters, including DNA flexibility. Results demonstrate that conformational plasticity of flanking regions modulates binding affinity of certain TF families. DNA duplex stability and minor groove width also play an important role in DNA-TF recognition but differ in how exactly they influence the binding in each specific case. Our analyses further reveal that the structural features of preferred flanking sequences are not universal, as similar DNA-binding folds can employ distinct DNA recognition modes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Rajesh Yella
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 522502, India
| | - Devesh Bhimsaria
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | | | - José A Rodríguez-Martínez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, San Juan, PR 00925, USA
| | - Aseem Z Ansari
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- The Genome Center of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Manju Bansal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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86
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Lathbridge A, Mason JM. Computational Competitive and Negative Design To Derive a Specific cJun Antagonist. Biochemistry 2018; 57:6108-6118. [PMID: 30256622 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins reside at the end of cell-signaling cascades and function to modulate transcription of specific gene targets. bZIPs are recognized as important regulators of cellular processes such as cell growth, apoptosis, and cell differentiation. One such validated transcriptional regulator, activator protein-1, is typically comprised of heterodimers of Jun and Fos family members and is key in the progression and development of a number of different diseases. The best described component, cJun, is upregulated in a variety of diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, and psoriasis. Toward our goal of inhibiting bZIP proteins implicated in disease pathways, we here describe the first use of a novel in silico peptide library screening platform that facilitates the derivation of sequences exhibiting a high affinity for cJun while disfavoring homodimer formation or formation of heterodimers with other closely related Fos sequences. In particular, using Fos as a template, we have computationally screened a peptide library of more than 60 million members and ranked hypothetical on/off target complexes according to predicted stability. This resulted in the identification of a sequence that bound cJun but displayed little homomeric stability or preference for cFos. The computationally selected sequence maintains an interaction stability similar to that of a previous experimentally derived cJun antagonist while providing much improved specificity. Our study provides new insight into the use of tandem in silico screening/ in vitro validation and the ability to create a peptide that is capable of satisfying conflicting design requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lathbridge
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , U.K
| | - Jody M Mason
- Department of Biology & Biochemistry , University of Bath , Claverton Down , Bath BA2 7AY , U.K
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87
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Specificity landscapes unmask submaximal binding site preferences of transcription factors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10586-E10595. [PMID: 30341220 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1811431115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed Differential Specificity and Energy Landscape (DiSEL) analysis to comprehensively compare DNA-protein interactomes (DPIs) obtained by high-throughput experimental platforms and cutting edge computational methods. While high-affinity DNA binding sites are identified by most methods, DiSEL uncovered nuanced sequence preferences displayed by homologous transcription factors. Pairwise analysis of 726 DPIs uncovered homolog-specific differences at moderate- to low-affinity binding sites (submaximal sites). DiSEL analysis of variants of 41 transcription factors revealed that many disease-causing mutations result in allele-specific changes in binding site preferences. We focused on a set of highly homologous factors that have different biological roles but "read" DNA using identical amino acid side chains. Rather than direct readout, our results indicate that DNA noncontacting side chains allosterically contribute to sculpt distinct sequence preferences among closely related members of transcription factor families.
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88
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Dröge-Laser W, Snoek BL, Snel B, Weiste C. The Arabidopsis bZIP transcription factor family-an update. CURRENT OPINION IN PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 45:36-49. [PMID: 29860175 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The basic (region) leucine zippers (bZIPs) are evolutionarily conserved transcription factors in eukaryotic organisms. Here, we have updated the classification of the Arabidopsis thaliana bZIP-family, comprising 78 members, which have been assorted into 13 groups. Arabidopsis bZIPs are involved in a plethora of functions related to plant development, environmental signalling and stress response. Based on the classification, we have highlighted functional and regulatory aspects of selected well-studied bZIPs, which may serve as prototypic examples for the particular groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Dröge-Laser
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg 97082, Germany.
| | - Basten L Snoek
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Berend Snel
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Christoph Weiste
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg 97082, Germany.
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89
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Zhu YP, Wang M, Xiang Y, Qiu L, Hu S, Zhang Z, Mattjus P, Zhu X, Zhang Y. Nach Is a Novel Subgroup at an Early Evolutionary Stage of the CNC-bZIP Subfamily Transcription Factors from the Marine Bacteria to Humans. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19102927. [PMID: 30261635 PMCID: PMC6213907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal growth and development, as well as adaptive responses to various intracellular and environmental stresses, are tightly controlled by transcriptional networks. The evolutionarily conserved genomic sequences across species highlights the architecture of such certain regulatory elements. Among them, one of the most conserved transcription factors is the basic-region leucine zipper (bZIP) family. Herein, we have performed phylogenetic analysis of these bZIP proteins and found, to our surprise, that there exist a few homologous proteins of the family members Jun, Fos, ATF2, BATF, C/EBP and CNC (cap’n’collar) in either viruses or bacteria, albeit expansion and diversification of this bZIP superfamily have occurred in vertebrates from metazoan. Interestingly, a specific group of bZIP proteins is identified, designated Nach (Nrf and CNC homology), because of their strong conservation with all the known CNC and NF-E2 p45 subunit-related factors Nrf1 and Nrf2. Further experimental evidence has also been provided, revealing that Nach1 and Nach2 from the marine bacteria exert distinctive functions, when compared with human Nrf1 and Nrf2, in the transcriptional regulation of antioxidant response element (ARE)-battery genes. Collectively, further insights into these Nach/CNC-bZIP subfamily transcription factors provide a novel better understanding of distinct biological functions of these factors expressed in distinct species from the marine bacteria to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ping Zhu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Meng Wang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Yuancai Xiang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Lu Qiu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Shaofan Hu
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Zhengwen Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, School of Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 42 Western Common Road, Glasgow G22 5PQ, Scotland, UK.
| | - Peter Mattjus
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6A, III, BioCity, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Xiaomei Zhu
- Shanghai Center for Quantitative Life Science and Department of Physics, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Shanghai 200444, China.
| | - Yiguo Zhang
- The Laboratory of Cell Biochemistry and Topogenetic Regulation, College of Bioengineering and Faculty of Sciences, Chongqing University, No. 174 Shazheng Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400044, China.
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90
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Colinas M, Goossens A. Combinatorial Transcriptional Control of Plant Specialized Metabolism. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 23:324-336. [PMID: 29395832 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plants produce countless specialized compounds of diverse chemical nature and biological activities. Their biosynthesis often exclusively occurs either in response to environmental stresses or is limited to dedicated anatomical structures. In both scenarios, regulation of biosynthesis appears to be mainly controlled at the transcriptional level, which is generally dependent on a combined interplay of DNA-related mechanisms and the activity of transcription factors that may act in a combinatorial manner. How environmental and developmental cues are integrated into a coordinated cell type-specific stress response has only partially been unraveled so far. Building on the available examples from (metabolic) gene expression, here we propose theoretical models of how this integration of signals may occur at the level of transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Colinas
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alain Goossens
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium.
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91
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Chang YK, Zuo Z, Stormo GD. Quantitative profiling of BATF family proteins/JUNB/IRF hetero-trimers using Spec-seq. BMC Mol Biol 2018; 19:5. [PMID: 29587652 PMCID: PMC5869772 DOI: 10.1186/s12867-018-0106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background BATF family transcription factors (BATF, BATF2 and BATF3) form hetero-trimers with JUNB and either IRF4 or IRF8 to regulate cell fate in T cells and dendritic cells in vivo. While each combination of the hetero-trimer has a distinct role, some degree of cross-compensation was observed. The basis for the differential actions of IRF4 and IRF8 with BATF factors and JUNB is still unknown. We propose that the differences in function between these hetero-trimers may be caused by differences in their DNA binding preferences. While all three BATF family transcription factors have similar binding preferences when binding as a hetero-dimer with JUNB, the cooperative binding of IRF4 or IRF8 to the hetero-dimer/DNA complex could change the preferences. We used Spec-seq, which allows for the efficient and accurate determination of relative affinity to a large collection of sequences in parallel, to find differences between cooperative DNA binding of IRF4, IRF8 and BATF family members. Results We found that without IRF binding, all three hetero-dimer pairs exhibit nearly the same binding preferences to both expected wildtype binding sites TRE (TGA(C/G)TCA) and CRE (TGACGTCA). IRF4 and IRF8 show the very similar DNA binding preferences when binding with any of the three hetero-dimers. No major change of binding preferences was found in the half-sites between different hetero-trimers. IRF proteins bind with substantially lower affinity with either a single nucleotide spacer between IRF and BATF binding site or with an alternative mode of binding in the opposite orientation. In addition, the preference to CRE binding site was reduced with either IRF binding in all BATF–JUNB combinations. Conclusions The specificities of BATF, BATF2 and BATF3 are all very similar as are their interactions with IRF4 and IRF8. IRF proteins binding adjacent to BATF sites increases affinity substantially compared to sequences with spacings between the sites, indicating cooperative binding through protein–protein interactions. The preference for the type of BATF binding site, TRE or CRE, is also altered when IRF proteins bind. These in vitro preferences aid in the understanding of in vivo binding activities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12867-018-0106-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming K Chang
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zheng Zuo
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gary D Stormo
- Department of Genetics and Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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92
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Abstract
Transcription factors that trigger major developmental decisions in plants and animals are termed "master regulators". Such master regulators are classically seen as acting on the top of a regulatory hierarchy that determines a complete developmental program, and they usually encode transcription factors. Here, we introduce master regulators of flowering time and flower development as examples to show how analysis of molecular interactions and gene-regulatory networks in plants has changed our view on the molecular mechanisms by which these factors control developmental processes. A picture has emerged that emphasizes a complex combinatorial interplay in determining cell-type transcriptional programs, and a high level of feedback control. The expression of master regulators themselves is usually regulated by multiple factors integrating environmental and endogenous spatiotemporal cues. Master regulatory transcription factors regulate gene expression by different mechanisms, including modifications in chromatin status in the bound regions. A poorly understood phenomenon is how developmental master regulators exert functions in different cell- and organ types. This is especially relevant for those factors that have important functions in several developmental processes.
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93
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Tillo D, Ray S, Syed KS, Gaylor MR, He X, Wang J, Assad N, Durell SR, Porollo A, Weirauch MT, Vinson C. The Epstein-Barr Virus B-ZIP Protein Zta Recognizes Specific DNA Sequences Containing 5-Methylcytosine and 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine. Biochemistry 2017; 56:6200-6210. [PMID: 29072898 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) B-ZIP transcription factor Zta binds to many DNA sequences containing methylated CG dinucleotides. Using protein binding microarrays (PBMs), we analyzed the sequence specific DNA binding of Zta to four kinds of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA): (1) DNA containing cytosine in both strands, (2) DNA with 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in one strand and cytosine in the second strand, (3) DNA with 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in one strand and cytosine in the second strand, and (4) DNA in which both cytosines in all CG dinucleotides contain 5mC. We compared these data to PBM data for three additional B-ZIP proteins (CREB1 and CEBPB homodimers and cJun|cFos heterodimers). With cytosine, Zta binds the TRE motif TGAC/GTCA as previously reported. With CG dinucleotides containing 5mC on both strands, many TRE motif variants containing a methylated CG dinucleotide at two positions in the motif, such as MGAGTCA and TGAGMGA (where M = 5mC), were preferentially bound. 5mC inhibits binding of Zta to both TRE motif half-sites GTCA and CTCA. Like the CREB1 homodimer, the Zta homodimer and the cJun|cFos heterodimer more strongly bind the C/EBP half-site tetranucleotide GCAA when it contains 5mC. Zta also binds dsDNA sequences containing 5hmC in one strand, although the effect is less dramatic than that observed for 5mC. Our results identify new DNA sequences that are well-bound by the viral B-ZIP protein Zta only when they contain 5mC or 5hmC, uncovering the potential for discovery of new viral and host regulatory programs controlled by EBV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aleksey Porollo
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology and Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology and Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, United States
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A hypermorphic antioxidant response element is associated with increased MS4A6A expression and Alzheimer's disease. Redox Biol 2017; 14:686-693. [PMID: 29179108 PMCID: PMC5705802 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder, with AD risk influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified genetic loci associated with increased risk of developing AD. The MS4A (membrane-spanning 4-domains subfamily A) gene cluster is one of the most significant loci associated with AD risk, and MS4A6A expression is correlated with AD pathology. We identified a single nucleotide polymorphism, rs667897, at the MS4A locus that creates an antioxidant response element and links MS4A6A expression to the stress responsive Cap-n-Collar (CNC) transcription factors NRF1 (encoded by NFE2L1) and NRF2 (encoded by NFE2L2). The risk allele of rs667897 generates a strong CNC binding sequence that is activated by proteostatic stress in an NRF1-dependent manner, and is associated with increased expression of the gene MS4A6A. Together, these findings suggest that the cytoprotective CNC regulatory network aberrantly activates MS4A6A expression and increases AD risk in a subset of the population.
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