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Streubel G, Bouchard C, Berberich H, Zeller MS, Teichmann S, Adamkiewicz J, Müller R, Klempnauer KH, Bauer UM. PRMT4 is a novel coactivator of c-Myb-dependent transcription in haematopoietic cell lines. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003343. [PMID: 23505388 PMCID: PMC3591284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferase 4 (PRMT4)–dependent methylation of arginine residues in histones and other chromatin-associated proteins plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. However, the exact mechanism of how PRMT4 activates transcription remains elusive. Here, we identify the chromatin remodeller Mi2α as a novel interaction partner of PRMT4. PRMT4 binds Mi2α and its close relative Mi2β, but not the other components of the repressive Mi2-containing NuRD complex. In the search for the biological role of this interaction, we find that PRMT4 and Mi2α/β interact with the transcription factor c-Myb and cooperatively coactivate c-Myb target gene expression in haematopoietic cell lines. This coactivation requires the methyltransferase and ATPase activity of PRMT4 and Mi2, respectively. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis shows that c-Myb target genes are direct transcriptional targets of PRMT4 and Mi2. Knockdown of PRMT4 or Mi2α/β in haematopoietic cells of the erythroid lineage results in diminished transcriptional induction of c-Myb target genes, attenuated cell growth and survival, and deregulated differentiation resembling the effects caused by c-Myb depletion. These findings reveal an important and so far unknown connection between PRMT4 and the chromatin remodeller Mi2 in c-Myb signalling. Our manuscript deals with the Protein arginine methyltransferase 4 (PRMT4), which modifies arginine residues in histones and other chromatin-associated proteins and plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. We addressed the question of how the transcriptional function of PRMT4 might contribute to cell lineage specification despite its ubiquitious expression pattern and how this could explain its involvement in tumorigenesis. As protein associations are likely to provide an answer to this question, we attempted to identify novel interaction partners of PRMT4 using a biochemical approach. By this means, we found that PRMT4 binds Mi2α and its close relative Mi2β. In the search for the biological role of this interaction, we found that PRMT4 and Mi2α/β interact with the transcription factor c-Myb and cooperatively coactivate c-Myb target gene expression in haematopoietic cell lines. Depletion of PRMT4 or Mi2α/β in human erythroleukemia cells resulted in deregulated cell proliferation and differentiation resembling the effects caused by c-Myb depletion. Our findings unravel an important and so far unknown connection between PRMT4 and the chromatin remodeller Mi2 in c-Myb signalling and gene activation and identify both coregulators as attractive targets for leukaemia research and therapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gundula Streubel
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Caroline Bouchard
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Berberich
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marc S. Zeller
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Adamkiewicz
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Uta-Maria Bauer
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
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302
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Functional analyses of Trichoderma reesei LAE1 reveal conserved and contrasting roles of this regulator. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2013; 3:369-78. [PMID: 23390613 PMCID: PMC3564997 DOI: 10.1534/g3.112.005140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 12/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The putative methyltransferase LaeA is a global regulator that affects the expression of multiple secondary metabolite gene clusters in several fungi, and it can modify heterochromatin structure in Aspergillus nidulans. We have recently shown that the LaeA ortholog of Trichoderma reesei (LAE1), a fungus that is an industrial producer of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, regulates the expression of cellulases and polysaccharide hydrolases. To learn more about the function of LAE1 in T. reesei, we assessed the effect of deletion and overexpression of lae1 on genome-wide gene expression. We found that in addition to positively regulating 7 of 17 polyketide or nonribosomal peptide synthases, genes encoding ankyrin-proteins, iron uptake, heterokaryon incompatibility proteins, PTH11-receptors, and oxidases/monoxygenases are major gene categories also regulated by LAE1. chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing with antibodies against histone modifications known to be associated with transcriptionally active (H3K4me2 and -me3) or silent (H3K9me3) chromatin detected 4089 genes bearing one or more of these methylation marks, of which 75 exhibited a correlation between either H3K4me2 or H3K4me3 and regulation by LAE1. Transformation of a laeA-null mutant of A. nidulans with the T. reesei lae1 gene did not rescue sterigmatocystin formation and further impaired sexual development. LAE1 did not interact with A. nidulans VeA in yeast two-hybrid assays, whereas it interacted with the T. reesei VeA ortholog, VEL1. LAE1 was shown to be required for the expression of vel1, whereas the orthologs of velB and VosA are unaffected by lae1 deletion. Our data show that the biological roles of A. nidulans LaeA and T. reesei LAE1 are much less conserved than hitherto thought. In T. reesei, LAE1 appears predominantly to regulate genes increasing relative fitness in its environment.
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303
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Fontán N, García-Domínguez P, Álvarez R, de Lera ÁR. Novel symmetrical ureas as modulators of protein arginine methyl transferases. Bioorg Med Chem 2013; 21:2056-67. [PMID: 23395110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2013.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Methylation of histone arginine residues is an epigenetic mark related to gene expression that is implicated in a variety of biological processes and can be reversed by small-molecule modulators of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). A series of symmetrical ureas, designed as analogues of the known PRMT1 inhibitor AMI-1 have been synthesized using Pd-catalyzed Ar-N amide bond formation processes or carbonylation reactions as key steps. Their inhibitory profile has been characterized. The enzymatic assays showed a weak effect on PRMT1 and PRMT5 activity for most of the compounds. The acyclic urea that exhibited the strongest effect on the inhibition of the PRMT1 activity also showed the greatest effect on the expression of some androgen receptor target genes (TMPRSS2 and FKBP5), which may be related with its enzymatic activity. Surprisingly, AMI-1 behaved as an activator of PRMT5 activity, a result not reported so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Fontán
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultade de Química, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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304
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Cherblanc FL, Davidson RWM, Di Fruscia P, Srimongkolpithak N, Fuchter MJ. Perspectives on natural product epigenetic modulators in chemical biology and medicine. Nat Prod Rep 2013; 30:605-24. [DOI: 10.1039/c3np20097c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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305
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Abstract
There are nine protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) encoded in mammalian genomes, the protein products of which catalyse three types of arginine methylation--monomethylation and two types of dimethylation. Protein arginine methylation is an abundant modification that has been implicated in signal transduction, gene transcription, DNA repair and mRNA splicing, among others. Studies have only recently linked this modification to carcinogenesis and metastasis. Sequencing studies have not generally found alterations to the PRMTs; however, overexpression of these enzymes is often associated with various cancers, which might make some of them viable targets for therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanzhong Yang
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1808 Park Road 1C, P.O. BOX 389, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
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306
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Li J, Zhao Z, Carter C, Ehrlich LIR, Bedford MT, Richie ER. Coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 regulates fetal hematopoiesis and thymocyte development. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 190:597-604. [PMID: 23248263 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) is a protein arginine methyltransferase that methylates histones and transcriptional regulators. We previously reported that the absence of CARM1 partially blocks thymocyte differentiation at embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5). In this study, we find that reduced thymopoiesis in Carm1(-/-) mice is due to a defect in the fetal hematopoietic compartment rather than in the thymic stroma. To determine the cellular basis for impaired thymopoiesis, we examined the number and function of fetal liver (FL) and bone marrow cells. Despite markedly reduced cellularity of hematopoietic progenitors in E18.5 bone marrow, the number of long-term hematopoietic stem cells and downstream subsets was not reduced in Carm1(-/-) E14.5 or E18.5 FL. Nevertheless, competitive reconstitution assays revealed a deficit in the ability of Carm1(-/-) FL cells to contribute to hematopoiesis. Furthermore, impaired differentiation of Carm1(-/-) FL cells in a CARM1-sufficient host showed that CARM1 is required cell autonomously in hematopoietic cells. Coculture of Carm1(-/-) FL cells on OP9-DL1 monolayers showed that CARM1 is required for survival of hematopoietic progenitors under conditions that promote differentiation. Taken together, this report demonstrates that CARM1 is a key epigenetic regulator of hematopoiesis that affects multiple lineages at various stages of differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX 78957, USA
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307
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Millan MJ. An epigenetic framework for neurodevelopmental disorders: from pathogenesis to potential therapy. Neuropharmacology 2012; 68:2-82. [PMID: 23246909 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2012] [Revised: 11/11/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are characterized by aberrant and delayed early-life development of the brain, leading to deficits in language, cognition, motor behaviour and other functional domains, often accompanied by somatic symptoms. Environmental factors like perinatal infection, malnutrition and trauma can increase the risk of the heterogeneous, multifactorial and polygenic disorders, autism and schizophrenia. Conversely, discrete genetic anomalies are involved in Down, Rett and Fragile X syndromes, tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis, the less familiar Phelan-McDermid, Sotos, Kleefstra, Coffin-Lowry and "ATRX" syndromes, and the disorders of imprinting, Angelman and Prader-Willi syndromes. NDDs have been termed "synaptopathies" in reference to structural and functional disturbance of synaptic plasticity, several involve abnormal Ras-Kinase signalling ("rasopathies"), and many are characterized by disrupted cerebral connectivity and an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory transmission. However, at a different level of integration, NDDs are accompanied by aberrant "epigenetic" regulation of processes critical for normal and orderly development of the brain. Epigenetics refers to potentially-heritable (by mitosis and/or meiosis) mechanisms controlling gene expression without changes in DNA sequence. In certain NDDs, prototypical epigenetic processes of DNA methylation and covalent histone marking are impacted. Conversely, others involve anomalies in chromatin-modelling, mRNA splicing/editing, mRNA translation, ribosome biogenesis and/or the regulatory actions of small nucleolar RNAs and micro-RNAs. Since epigenetic mechanisms are modifiable, this raises the hope of novel therapy, though questions remain concerning efficacy and safety. The above issues are critically surveyed in this review, which advocates a broad-based epigenetic framework for understanding and ultimately treating a diverse assemblage of NDDs ("epigenopathies") lying at the interface of genetic, developmental and environmental processes. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Neurodevelopmental Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Millan
- Unit for Research and Discovery in Neuroscience, IDR Servier, 125 chemin de ronde, 78290 Croissy sur Seine, Paris, France.
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308
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Castellano S, Spannhoff A, Milite C, Dal Piaz F, Cheng D, Tosco A, Viviano M, Yamani A, Cianciulli A, Sala M, Cura V, Cavarelli J, Novellino E, Mai A, Bedford MT, Sbardella G. Identification of small-molecule enhancers of arginine methylation catalyzed by coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1. J Med Chem 2012; 55:9875-90. [PMID: 23095008 PMCID: PMC3508294 DOI: 10.1021/jm301097p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Arginine methylation is a common post-translational modification that is crucial in modulating gene expression at multiple critical levels. The arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are envisaged as promising druggable targets, but their role in physiological and pathological pathways is far from being clear due to the limited number of modulators reported to date. In this effort, enzyme activators can be invaluable tools useful as gain-of-function reagents to interrogate the biological roles in cells and in vivo of PRMTs. Yet the identification of such molecules is rarely pursued. Herein we describe a series of aryl ureido acetamido indole carboxylates (dubbed "uracandolates"), able to increase the methylation of histone (H3) or nonhistone (polyadenylate-binding protein 1, PABP1) substrates induced by coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1), both in in vitro and cellular settings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of compounds acting as CARM1 activators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Castellano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Astrid Spannhoff
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - Ciro Milite
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Fabrizio Dal Piaz
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Donghang Cheng
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - Alessandra Tosco
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Monica Viviano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Abdellah Yamani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Agostino Cianciulli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Marina Sala
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Vincent Cura
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), UDS, CNRS, INSERM, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Jean Cavarelli
- Département de Biologie Structurale Intégrative, IGBMC (Institut de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), UDS, CNRS, INSERM, 67404 Illkirch Cedex, France
| | - Ettore Novellino
- Dipartimento di Chimica Farmaceutica e Tossicologica, Università di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, I-80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonello Mai
- Istituto Pasteur – Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie del Farmaco, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le A. Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Mark T. Bedford
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, Texas 78957, USA
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte Don Melillo, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy
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309
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Histone methylation in the nervous system: functions and dysfunctions. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 47:740-56. [PMID: 23161382 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8376-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling is a key epigenetic process controlling the regulation of gene transcription. Local changes of chromatin architecture can be achieved by post-translational modifications of histones such as methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, and ADP-ribosylation. These changes are dynamic and allow for rapid repression or de-repression of specific target genes. Chromatin remodeling enzymes are largely involved in the control of cellular differentiation, and loss or gain of function is often correlated with pathological events. For these reasons, research on chromatin remodeling enzymes is currently very active and rapidly expanding, these enzymes representing very promising targets for the design of novel therapeutics in different areas of medicine including oncology and neurology. In this review, we focus on histone methylation in the nervous system. We provide an overview on mammalian histone methyltransferases and demethylases and their mechanisms of action, and we discuss their roles in the development of the nervous system and their involvement in neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and behavioral disorders.
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310
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Theillet FX, Smet-Nocca C, Liokatis S, Thongwichian R, Kosten J, Yoon MK, Kriwacki RW, Landrieu I, Lippens G, Selenko P. Cell signaling, post-translational protein modifications and NMR spectroscopy. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2012; 54:217-36. [PMID: 23011410 PMCID: PMC4939263 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-012-9674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Post-translationally modified proteins make up the majority of the proteome and establish, to a large part, the impressive level of functional diversity in higher, multi-cellular organisms. Most eukaryotic post-translational protein modifications (PTMs) denote reversible, covalent additions of small chemical entities such as phosphate-, acyl-, alkyl- and glycosyl-groups onto selected subsets of modifiable amino acids. In turn, these modifications induce highly specific changes in the chemical environments of individual protein residues, which are readily detected by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy. In the following, we provide a concise compendium of NMR characteristics of the main types of eukaryotic PTMs: serine, threonine, tyrosine and histidine phosphorylation, lysine acetylation, lysine and arginine methylation, and serine, threonine O-glycosylation. We further delineate the previously uncharacterized NMR properties of lysine propionylation, butyrylation, succinylation, malonylation and crotonylation, which, altogether, define an initial reference frame for comprehensive PTM studies by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois-Xavier Theillet
- Department of NMR-Supported Structural Biology, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), In-cell NMR Group, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, German
| | - Caroline Smet-Nocca
- CNRS UMR 8576, Universite Lille Nord de France, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Stamatios Liokatis
- Department of NMR-Supported Structural Biology, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), In-cell NMR Group, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, German
| | - Rossukon Thongwichian
- Department of NMR-Supported Structural Biology, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), In-cell NMR Group, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, German
| | - Jonas Kosten
- Department of NMR-Supported Structural Biology, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), In-cell NMR Group, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, German
| | - Mi-Kyung Yoon
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Richard W. Kriwacki
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- CNRS UMR 8576, Universite Lille Nord de France, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Guy Lippens
- CNRS UMR 8576, Universite Lille Nord de France, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq, France
| | - Philipp Selenko
- Department of NMR-Supported Structural Biology, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology (FMP Berlin), In-cell NMR Group, Robert-Roessle Strasse 10, 13125 Berlin, German
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311
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Scarpa M, Stylianou E. Epigenetics: Concepts and relevance to IBD pathogenesis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012; 18:1982-96. [PMID: 22407855 DOI: 10.1002/ibd.22934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to introduce the exciting field of epigenetics and to describe how it could explain the mechanisms by which environmental changes induce pathological gene expression and determine cell phenotype and function in IBD. We outline how epigenetics research in the context of a variety of clinical conditions, but mainly in cancer, has begun to define the role of multiple combinations of modifications to chromatin, diverse families of enzymes, and non-coding RNAs in determining transcriptional outcomes. These findings are applicable to understanding the context-specific events that underlie the expression of genes in diseases like IBD and have the potential to reveal new targets for improved IBD therapy. The current status of epigenetics-based therapies is also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melania Scarpa
- Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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312
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Wang X, Huang Y, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Lu J, Huang B. Suppression of PRMT6-mediated arginine methylation of p16 protein potentiates its ability to arrest A549 cell proliferation. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2012; 44:2333-41. [PMID: 23032699 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Revised: 09/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The tumor suppressor p16(INK4A) (p16) blocks the cell cycle progression by inhibiting phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein. We describe here a novel aspect of the posttranslational control that has an important functional consequence on p16 protein. We first discovered that the p16 protein was methylated in various cell lineages. We then determined that the arginine 22, 131 and 138 of p16 were the main methylation sites. Western blotting and TUNEL analyses revealed that the p16 protein bearing these point mutations induced a higher apoptosis ratio than wild-type p16 in A549 cells. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation assays suggested that decrease of p16 arginine methylation level promoted the association of p16 with CDK4. Additionally, we determined that the protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) was responsible for the p16 arginine methylation. Results from flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that PRMT6 overexpression counteracted the cell cycle arrest at G1 phase induced by wild-type p16 in A549 cells. We also provided evidence that PRMT6 was able to interact with p16, and that the intensity of p16-CDK4 association was reduced upon PRMT6 overexpression. Together, data presented in this report establish that methylation at specific arginine residues of p16 protein by PRMT6 may be critical for the activity of p16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuli Wang
- The Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, 5268 Renmin Street, Changchun 130024, China
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313
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Sharma P, Azebi S, England P, Christensen T, Møller-Larsen A, Petersen T, Batsché E, Muchardt C. Citrullination of histone H3 interferes with HP1-mediated transcriptional repression. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002934. [PMID: 23028349 PMCID: PMC3441713 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease associated with abnormal expression of a subset of cytokines, resulting in inappropriate T-lymphocyte activation and uncontrolled immune response. A key issue in the field is the need to understand why these cytokines are transcriptionally activated in the patients. Here, we have examined several transcription units subject to pathological reactivation in MS, including the TNFα and IL8 cytokine genes and also several Human Endogenous RetroViruses (HERVs). We find that both the immune genes and the HERVs require the heterochromatin protein HP1α for their transcriptional repression. We further show that the Peptidylarginine Deiminase 4 (PADI4), an enzyme with a suspected role in MS, weakens the binding of HP1α to tri-methylated histone H3 lysine 9 by citrullinating histone H3 arginine 8. The resulting de-repression of both cytokines and HERVs can be reversed with the PADI-inhibitor Cl-amidine. Finally, we show that in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from MS patients, the promoters of TNFα, and several HERVs share a deficit in HP1α recruitment and an augmented accumulation of histone H3 with a double citrulline 8 tri-methyl lysine 9 modifications. Thus, our study provides compelling evidence that HP1α and PADI4 are regulators of both immune genes and HERVs, and that multiple events of transcriptional reactivation in MS patients can be explained by the deficiency of a single mechanism of gene silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sharma
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Biologie du Développement, CNRS URA2578, Unité de Régulation Epigénétique, Paris, France
| | - Saliha Azebi
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Biologie du Développement, CNRS URA2578, Unité de Régulation Epigénétique, Paris, France
| | - Patrick England
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, CNRS UMR3528, Plate-Forme de Biophysique des Macromolécules et de Leurs Interactions, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Thor Petersen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eric Batsché
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Biologie du Développement, CNRS URA2578, Unité de Régulation Epigénétique, Paris, France
| | - Christian Muchardt
- Institut Pasteur, Département de Biologie du Développement, CNRS URA2578, Unité de Régulation Epigénétique, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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314
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Stein C, Riedl S, Rüthnick D, Nötzold RR, Bauer UM. The arginine methyltransferase PRMT6 regulates cell proliferation and senescence through transcriptional repression of tumor suppressor genes. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:9522-33. [PMID: 22904088 PMCID: PMC3479209 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) is a coregulator of gene expression and executes its repressing as well as activating function by asymmetric dimethylation of histone H3 at R2 (H3 R2me2a). Given that elevated expression levels of PRMT6 have been reported in various cancer types, we explore here its role in cell proliferation and senescence. We find that knockdown of PRMT6 results in proliferation defects of transformed as well as non-transformed cells, causes G1-phase arrest and induces senescence. This phenotype is accompanied by transcriptional upregulation of important cell cycle regulators, most prominently the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor gene p21 (p21CIP1/WAF1, CDKN1A) and p16 (p16INK4A, CDKN2A). Chromatin immuno-precipitation analysis reveals that the p21 gene is a direct target of PRMT6 and the corresponding histone mark H3 R2me2a. Using a cell model of oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), in which p21 is an essential activator of the senescent phenotype, we show that PRMT6 expression declines upon induction of senescence and conversely p21 gene expression increases. Moreover, overexpression of PRMT6 leads to reduced levels of OIS. These findings indicate that the transcriptional repressor activity of PRMT6 facilitates cell proliferation and blocks senescence by regulation of tumor suppressor genes and that this might contribute to the oncogenic capacity of PRMT6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Stein
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research, University of Marburg, Emil-Mannkopff-Strasse 2, 35032 Marburg, Germany
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315
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Neault M, Mallette FA, Vogel G, Michaud-Levesque J, Richard S. Ablation of PRMT6 reveals a role as a negative transcriptional regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:9513-21. [PMID: 22904064 PMCID: PMC3479207 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Arginine methylation of histones is a well-known regulator of gene expression. Protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) has been shown to function as a transcriptional repressor by methylating the histone H3 arginine 2 [H3R2(me2a)] repressive mark; however, few targets are known. To define the physiological role of PRMT6 and to identify its targets, we generated PRMT6(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). We observed that early passage PRMT6(-/-) MEFs had growth defects and exhibited the hallmarks of cellular senescence. PRMT6(-/-) MEFs displayed high transcriptional levels of p53 and its targets, p21 and PML. Generation of PRMT6(-/-); p53(-/-) MEFs prevented the premature senescence, suggesting that the induction of senescence is p53-dependent. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we observed an enrichment of PRMT6 and H3R2(me2a) within the upstream region of Trp53. The PRMT6 association and the H3R2(me2a) mark were lost in PRMT6(-/-) MEFs and an increase in the H3K4(me3) activator mark was observed. Our findings define a new regulator of p53 transcriptional regulation and define a role for PRMT6 and arginine methylation in cellular senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Neault
- Terry Fox Molecular Oncology Group and Bloomfield Center for Research on Aging, Segal Cancer Centre, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3T 1E2
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316
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Doueiri R, Anupam R, Kvaratskhelia M, Green KB, Lairmore MD, Green PL. Comparative host protein interactions with HTLV-1 p30 and HTLV-2 p28: insights into difference in pathobiology of human retroviruses. Retrovirology 2012; 9:64. [PMID: 22876852 PMCID: PMC3464894 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-9-64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/11/2012] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) are closely related human retroviruses, but have unique disease associations. HTLV-1 is the causative agent of an aggressive T-cell leukemia known as adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), and other inflammatory diseases. HTLV-2 infection has not been clearly associated with any disease condition. Although both viruses can transform T cells in vitro, the HTLV-1 provirus is mainly detected in CD4+ T cells whereas HTLV-2 is mainly detected in CD8+ T cells of infected individuals. HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 encode accessory proteins p30 and p28, respectively, which share partial amino acid homology and are required for viral persistence in vivo. The goal of this study was to identify host proteins interacting with p30 and p28 in order to understand their role in pathogenesis. Results Affinity-tag purification coupled with mass spectrometric (MS) analyses revealed 42 and 22 potential interacting cellular partners of p30 and p28, respectively. Of these, only three cellular proteins, protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), hnRNP K and 60 S ribosomal protein L8 were detected in both p30 and p28 fractions. To validate the proteomic results, four interacting proteins were selected for further analyses using immunoblot assays. In full agreement with the MS analysis two cellular proteins REGγ and NEAF-interacting protein 30 (NIP30) selectively interacted with p30 and not with p28; heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 (hnRNP H1) bound to p28 and not to p30; and PRMT5 interacted with both p30 and p28. Further studies demonstrated that reduced levels of PRMT5 resulted in decreased HTLV-2 viral gene expression whereas the viral gene expression of HTLV-1 was unchanged. Conclusion The comparisons of p30 and p28 host protein interaction proteome showed striking differences with some degree of overlap. PRMT5, one of the host proteins that interacted with both p30 and p28 differentially affected HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 viral gene expression suggesting that PRMT5 is involved at different stages of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 biology. These findings suggest that distinct host protein interaction profiles of p30 and p28 could, in part, be responsible for differences in HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 pathobiology. This study provides new avenues of investigation into mechanisms of viral infection, tropism and persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami Doueiri
- Center for Retrovirus Research, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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317
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Siarheyeva A, Senisterra G, Allali-Hassani A, Dong A, Dobrovetsky E, Wasney GA, Chau I, Marcellus R, Hajian T, Liu F, Korboukh I, Smil D, Bolshan Y, Min J, Wu H, Zeng H, Loppnau P, Poda G, Griffin C, Aman A, Brown PJ, Jin J, Al-Awar R, Arrowsmith CH, Schapira M, Vedadi M. An allosteric inhibitor of protein arginine methyltransferase 3. Structure 2012; 20:1425-35. [PMID: 22795084 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2012.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PRMT3, a protein arginine methyltransferase, has been shown to influence ribosomal biosynthesis by catalyzing the dimethylation of the 40S ribosomal protein S2. Although PRMT3 has been reported to be a cytosolic protein, it has been shown to methylate histone H4 peptide (H4 1-24) in vitro. Here, we report the identification of a PRMT3 inhibitor (1-(benzo[d][1,2,3]thiadiazol-6-yl)-3-(2-cyclohexenylethyl)urea; compound 1) with IC50 value of 2.5 μM by screening a library of 16,000 compounds using H4 (1-24) peptide as a substrate. The crystal structure of PRMT3 in complex with compound 1 as well as kinetic analysis reveals an allosteric mechanism of inhibition. Mutating PRMT3 residues within the allosteric site or using compound 1 analogs that disrupt interactions with allosteric site residues both abrogated binding and inhibitory activity. These data demonstrate an allosteric mechanism for inhibition of protein arginine methyltransferases, an emerging class of therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Siarheyeva
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, MaRS Centre, South Tower, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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318
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Lu H, Cui JY, Gunewardena S, Yoo B, Zhong XB, Klaassen CD. Hepatic ontogeny and tissue distribution of mRNAs of epigenetic modifiers in mice using RNA-sequencing. Epigenetics 2012; 7:914-29. [PMID: 22772165 DOI: 10.4161/epi.21113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Developmental regulation of gene expression is controlled by distinct epigenetic signatures catalyzed by various epigenetic modifiers. Little is known about the ontogeny and tissue distribution of these epigenetic modifiers. In the present study, we used a novel approach of RNA-sequencing to elucidate hepatic ontogeny and tissue distribution of mRNA expression of 142 epigenetic modifiers, including enzymes involved in DNA methylation/demethylation, histone acetylation/deacetylation, histone methylation/demethylation, histone phosphorylation and chromosome remodeling factors in male C57BL/6 mice. Livers from male C57BL/6 mice were collected at 12 ages from prenatal to adulthood. Many of these epigenetic modifiers were expressed at much higher levels in perinatal livers than adult livers, such as Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Apobec3, Kat1, Ncoa4, Setd8, Ash2l, Dot1l, Cbx1, Cbx3, Cbx5, Cbx6, Ezh2, Suz12, Eed, Suv39h1, Suv420h2, Dek, Hdac1, Hdac2, Hdac7, Kdm2b, Kdm5c, Kdm7, Prmt1-5, Prmt7, Smarca4, Smarcb1, Chd4 and Ino80e. In contrast, hepatic mRNA expression of a few epigenetic modifiers increased during postnatal liver development, such as Smarca2, Kdm1b, Cbx7 and Chd3. In adult mice (60 d of age), most epigenetic modifiers were expressed at moderately (1-3-fold) higher levels in kidney and/or small intestine than liver. In conclusion, this study, for the first time, unveils developmental changes in mRNA abundance of all major known epigenetic modifiers in mouse liver. These data suggest that ontogenic changes in mRNA expression of epigenetic modifiers may play important roles in determining the addition and/or removal of corresponding epigenetic signatures during liver development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Lu
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
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319
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Kölbel K, Ihling C, Kühn U, Neundorf I, Otto S, Stichel J, Robaa D, Beck-Sickinger AG, Sinz A, Wahle E. Peptide Backbone Conformation Affects the Substrate Preference of Protein Arginine Methyltransferase I. Biochemistry 2012; 51:5463-75. [DOI: 10.1021/bi300373b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Knut Kölbel
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse
3, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Christian Ihling
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Uwe Kühn
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse
3, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Neundorf
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103
Leipzig, Germany
| | - Silke Otto
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse
3, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Jan Stichel
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Brüderstrasse 34, 04103
Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dina Robaa
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | | | - Andrea Sinz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Strasse 4, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Elmar Wahle
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Kurt-Mothes-Strasse
3, 06120 Halle, Germany
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320
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Sinha SH, Owens EA, Feng Y, Yang Y, Xie Y, Tu Y, Henary M, Zheng YG. Synthesis and evaluation of carbocyanine dyes as PRMT inhibitors and imaging agents. Eur J Med Chem 2012; 54:647-59. [PMID: 22749641 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2012] [Revised: 06/04/2012] [Accepted: 06/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Protein arginine methylation regulates multiple biological processes. Deregulation of protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) activities has been observed in many disease phenotypes. Small molecule probes that target PRMTs with strong affinity and selectivity can be used as valuable tools to dissect biological mechanisms of arginine methylation and establish the role of PRMT proteins in a disease process. In this work, we report synthesis and evaluation of a class of carbocyanine compounds containing indolium, benz[e]indolium or benz[c,d]indolium heterocyclic moieties that bind to the predominant arginine methyltransferase PRMT1 and inhibit its methyltransferase activity at low micromolar potencies. In particular, the developed molecules have long wavelength colorimetric and fluorometric photoactivities, which can be used for optical and near-infrared fluorescence imaging in cells or biological tissues. Together, these new chemical probes have potential application in PRMT studies both as enzyme inhibitors and as fluorescent dyes for microscope imaging.
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321
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The role of epigenetic regulation in stem cell and cancer biology. J Mol Med (Berl) 2012; 90:791-801. [PMID: 22660276 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-012-0917-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Normal development and homeostasis requires a carefully coordinated gene expression program. Appropriate transcriptional regulation is maintained, in part, through epigenetic modifications of both DNA and histones. It is now apparent that the epigenetic landscape is complex and carefully controlled to both silence and activate gene transcription and that these states remain exquisitely poised for reversal. The deregulation of epigenetics in cancer is common and results in both the activation of oncogenes and the silencing of tumor suppressors. A tremendous amount of research corroborates the existence in many tumor types of a cancer stem cell that is both the origin and cell type responsible for resistance of tumors to current therapies. As our understanding of cancer stem cell biology continues, it is apparent that these cells are also under the influence of epigenetic regulation. We will discuss the cancer stem cell hypothesis and the role of epigenetics in both normal and cancer stem cell biology.
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322
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Shindo H, Suzuki R, Tsuchiya W, Taichi M, Nishiuchi Y, Yamazaki T. PHD finger of the SUMO ligase Siz/PIAS family in rice reveals specific binding for methylated histone H3 at lysine 4 and arginine 2. FEBS Lett 2012; 586:1783-9. [PMID: 22626555 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.04.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
We determined the three-dimensional structure of the PHD finger of the rice Siz/PIAS-type SUMO ligase, OsSiz1, by NMR spectroscopy and investigated binding ability for a variety of methylated histone H3 tails, showing that OsSiz1-PHD primarily recognizes dimethylated Arg2 of the histone H3 and that methylations at Arg2 and Lys4 reveal synergy effect on binding to OsSiz1-PHD. The K4 cage of OsSiz1-PHD for trimethylated Lys4 of H3K4me3 was similar to that of the BPTF-PHD finger, while the R2 pocket for Arg2 was different. It is intriguing that the PHD module of Siz/PIAS plays an important role, with collaboration with the DNA binding domain SAP, in gene regulation through SUMOylation of a variety of effectors associated with the methylated arginine-riched chromatin domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heisaburo Shindo
- Biomolecular Research Unit, National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
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323
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Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a dynamic and reversible process that establishes normal cellular phenotypes but also contributes to human diseases. At the molecular level, epigenetic regulation involves hierarchical covalent modification of DNA and the proteins that package DNA, such as histones. Here, we review the key protein families that mediate epigenetic signalling through the acetylation and methylation of histones, including histone deacetylases, protein methyltransferases, lysine demethylases, bromodomain-containing proteins and proteins that bind to methylated histones. These protein families are emerging as druggable classes of enzymes and druggable classes of protein-protein interaction domains. In this article, we discuss the known links with disease, basic molecular mechanisms of action and recent progress in the pharmacological modulation of each class of proteins.
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324
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Ahmad A, Cao X. Plant PRMTs broaden the scope of arginine methylation. J Genet Genomics 2012; 39:195-208. [PMID: 22624881 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Post-translational methylation at arginine residues is one of the most important covalent modifications of proteins, involved in a myriad of essential cellular processes in eukaryotes, such as transcriptional regulation, RNA processing, signal transduction, and DNA repair. Methylation at arginine residues is catalyzed by a family of enzymes called protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). PRMTs have been extensively studied in various taxa and there is a growing tendency to unveil their functional importance in plants. Recent studies in plants revealed that this evolutionarily conserved family of enzymes regulates essential traits including vegetative growth, flowering time, circadian cycle, and response to high medium salinity and ABA. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the field of post-translational arginine methylation with special emphasis on the roles and future prospects of this modification in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Ahmad
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics and National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road #5, Beijing 100101, China
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325
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Cho JN, Ryu JY, Jeong YM, Park J, Song JJ, Amasino RM, Noh B, Noh YS. Control of seed germination by light-induced histone arginine demethylation activity. Dev Cell 2012; 22:736-48. [PMID: 22483719 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2012.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2011] [Revised: 01/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
For optimal survival, various environmental and endogenous factors should be monitored to determine the appropriate timing for seed germination. Light is a major environmental factor affecting seed germination, which is perceived by phytochromes. The light-dependent activation of phytochrome B (PHYB) modulates abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling and metabolism. Thus far, several negative regulators of seed germination that act when PHYB is inactive have been reported. However, neither positive regulators of seed germination downstream of PHYB nor a direct mechanism for regulation of the hormone levels has been elucidated. Here, we show that the histone arginine demethylases, JMJ20 and JMJ22, act redundantly as positive regulators of seed germination. When PHYB is inactive, JMJ20/JMJ22 are directly repressed by the zinc-finger protein SOMNUS. However, upon PHYB activation, JMJ20/JMJ22 are derepressed, resulting in increased gibberellic acid levels through the removal of repressive histone arginine methylations at GA3ox1/GA3ox2, which in turn promotes seed germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Nam Cho
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-747, Korea
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326
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Histone H3R17me2a mark recruits human RNA polymerase-associated factor 1 complex to activate transcription. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:5675-80. [PMID: 22451921 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1114905109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) is a coactivator for a number of transcription factors, including nuclear receptors. Although CARM1 and its asymmetrically deposited dimethylation at histone H3 arginine 17 (H3R17me2a) are associated with transcription activation, the mechanism by which CARM1 activates transcription remains unclear. Using an unbiased biochemical approach, we discovered that the transcription elongation-associated PAF1 complex (PAF1c) directly interacts with H3R17me2a. PAF1c binds to histone H3 tails harboring dimethylation at R17 in CARM1-methylated histone octamers. Knockdown of either PAF1c subunits or CARM1 affected transcription of CARM1-regulated, estrogen-responsive genes. Furthermore, either CARM1 knockdown or CARM1 enzyme-deficient mutant knockin resulted in decreased H3R17me2a accompanied by the reduction of PAF1c occupancy at the proximal promoter estrogen-responsive elements. In contrast, PAF1c knockdown elicited no effects on H3R17me2a but reduced the H3K4me3 level at estrogen-responsive elements. These observations suggest that, apart from PAF1c's established roles in directing histone modifications, PAF1c acts as an arginine methyl histone effector that is recruited to promoters and activates a subset of genes, including targets of estrogen signaling.
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327
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Liu K, Guo Y, Liu H, Bian C, Lam R, Liu Y, Mackenzie F, Rojas LA, Reinberg D, Bedford MT, Xu RM, Min J. Crystal structure of TDRD3 and methyl-arginine binding characterization of TDRD3, SMN and SPF30. PLoS One 2012; 7:e30375. [PMID: 22363433 PMCID: PMC3281842 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SMN (Survival motor neuron protein) was characterized as a dimethyl-arginine binding protein over ten years ago. TDRD3 (Tudor domain-containing protein 3) and SPF30 (Splicing factor 30 kDa) were found to bind to various methyl-arginine proteins including Sm proteins as well later on. Recently, TDRD3 was shown to be a transcriptional coactivator, and its transcriptional activity is dependent on its ability to bind arginine-methylated histone marks. In this study, we systematically characterized the binding specificity and affinity of the Tudor domains of these three proteins quantitatively. Our results show that TDRD3 preferentially recognizes asymmetrical dimethylated arginine mark, and SMN is a very promiscuous effector molecule, which recognizes different arginine containing sequence motifs and preferentially binds symmetrical dimethylated arginine. SPF30 is the weakest methyl-arginine binder, which only binds the GAR motif sequences in our library. In addition, we also reported high-resolution crystal structures of the Tudor domain of TDRD3 in complex with two small molecules, which occupy the aromatic cage of TDRD3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Huazhong Normal University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yahong Guo
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Haiping Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanbing Bian
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Lam
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yongsong Liu
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farrell Mackenzie
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Luis Alejandro Rojas
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Danny Reinberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biochemistry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mark T. Bedford
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Science Park-Research Division, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Rui-Ming Xu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- * E-mail: (R-MX); (JM)
| | - Jinrong Min
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, College of Life Science, Huazhong Normal University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (R-MX); (JM)
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328
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Wang YC, Li C. Evolutionarily conserved protein arginine methyltransferases in non-mammalian animal systems. FEBS J 2012; 279:932-45. [PMID: 22251447 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2012.08490.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Protein arginine methylation is catalyzed by members of the protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) family. In the present review, nine PRMTs identified in mammals (human) were used as templates to survey homologous PRMTs in 10 animal species with a completed sequence available in non-mammalian vertebrates, invertebrate chordates, echinoderms, arthropods, nematodes and cnidarians. We show the conservation of the most typical type I PRMT1 and type II PRMT5 in all of the species examined, the wide yet different distribution of PRMT3, 4 and 7 in non-mammalian animals, the vertebrate-restricted distribution of PRMT8 and the special reptile/avian-deficient distribution of PRMT2 and 6. We summarize the basic functions of each PRMT and focus on the current investigations of PRMTs in the non-mammalian animal models, including Xenopus, fish (zebrafish, flounder and medaka), Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. Studies in the model systems not only complement the understanding of the functions of PRMTs in mammals, but also provide valuable information about their evolution, as well as their critical roles and interplays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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329
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Larkin J, Goh XY, Vetter M, Pickering L, Swanton C. Epigenetic regulation in RCC: opportunities for therapeutic intervention? Nat Rev Urol 2012; 9:147-55. [DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2011.236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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330
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Chiou YY, Fu SL, Lin WJ, Lin CH. Proteomics analysis of in vitro protein methylation during Src-induced transformation. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:451-61. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201100280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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331
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Cheng D, Vemulapalli V, Bedford MT. Methods applied to the study of protein arginine methylation. Methods Enzymol 2012; 512:71-92. [PMID: 22910203 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-391940-3.00004-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Arginine methylation was discovered in the mid-1960s. About 15 years ago, the first protein arginine N-methyltransferase (PRMT) enzyme was described. The PRMT family now stands at nine members, and these enzymes play a key role in regulating a multitude of cellular events. The majority of the PRMTs have been deleted in mice, thus providing genetically tractable systems for in vivo and cell-based studies. These studies have implicated this posttranslational modification in chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, RNA processing, protein/RNA trafficking, signal transduction, and DNA repair. In this chapter, we introduce different approaches that have been developed to assess protein arginine methylation levels and characterize PRMT substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghang Cheng
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, USA.
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332
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Carey N. Epigenetics—an emerging and highly promising source of new drug targets. MEDCHEMCOMM 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/c1md00264c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications to DNA and its associated histone proteins are major influences on gene expression. This regulatory process is disrupted in cancer and a range of chronic human diseases, and provides attractive new intervention points and targets for drug discovery.
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333
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Cohen I, Poręba E, Kamieniarz K, Schneider R. Histone modifiers in cancer: friends or foes? Genes Cancer 2011; 2:631-47. [PMID: 21941619 DOI: 10.1177/1947601911417176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Covalent modifications of histones can regulate all DNA-dependent processes. In the last few years, it has become more and more evident that histone modifications are key players in the regulation of chromatin states and dynamics as well as in gene expression. Therefore, histone modifications and the enzymatic machineries that set them are crucial regulators that can control cellular proliferation, differentiation, plasticity, and malignancy processes. This review discusses the biology and biochemistry of covalent histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and evaluates the dual role of their modifiers in cancer: as oncogenes that can initiate and amplify tumorigenesis or as tumor suppressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idan Cohen
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
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334
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Issa
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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335
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Rust HL, Zurita-Lopez CI, Clarke S, Thompson PR. Mechanistic studies on transcriptional coactivator protein arginine methyltransferase 1. Biochemistry 2011; 50:3332-45. [PMID: 21417440 PMCID: PMC3582369 DOI: 10.1021/bi102022e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) catalyze the transfer of methyl groups from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the guanidinium group of arginine residues in a number of important cell signaling proteins. PRMT1 is the founding member of this family, and its activity appears to be dysregulated in heart disease and cancer. To begin to characterize the catalytic mechanism of this isozyme, we assessed the effects of mutating a number of highly conserved active site residues (i.e., Y39, R54, E100, E144, E153, M155, and H293), which are believed to play key roles in SAM recognition, substrate binding, and catalysis. The results of these studies, as well as pH-rate studies, and the determination of solvent isotope effects (SIEs) indicate that M155 plays a critical role in both SAM binding and the processivity of the reaction but is not responsible for the regiospecific formation of asymmetrically dimethylated arginine (ADMA). Additionally, mutagenesis studies on H293, combined with pH studies and the lack of a normal SIE, do not support a role for this residue as a general base. Furthermore, the lack of a normal SIE with either the wild type or catalytically impaired mutants suggests that general acid/base catalysis is not important for promoting methyl transfer. This result, combined with the fact that the E144A/E153A double mutant retains considerably more activity then the single mutants alone, suggests that the PRMT1-catalyzed reaction is primarily driven by bringing the substrate guanidinium into the proximity of the S-methyl group of SAM and that the prior deprotonation of the substrate guanidinium is not required for methyl transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather L. Rust
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208
| | - Cecilia I. Zurita-Lopez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Steven Clarke
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Paul R. Thompson
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208
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336
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Abstract
The generation of complex organisms requires that an initial population of cells with identical gene expression profiles can adopt different cell fates during development by progressively diverging transcriptional programs. These programs depend on the binding of transcritional regulators to specific genomic sites, which in turn is controlled by modifications of the chromatin. Chromatin modifications may occur directly upon DNA by methylation of specific nucleotides, or may involve post-translational modification of histones. Local regulation of histone post-translational modifications regionalizes the genome into euchromatic regions, which are more accessible to DNA-binding factors, and condensed heterochromatic regions, inhibiting the binding of such factors. In addition, these modifications may be required in a genome-wide fashion for processes such as DNA replication or chromosome condensation. From an embryologist's point of view chromatin modifications are intensively studied in the context of imprinting and have more recently received increasing attention in understanding the basis of pluripotency and cellular differentiation. Here, we describe recently uncovered roles of chromatin modifications in zebrafish development and regeneration, as well as available resources and commonly used techniques. We provide a general introduction into chromatin modifications and their respective functions with a focus on gene transcription, as well as key aspects of their roles in the early zebrafish embryo, neural development, formation of the digestive system and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Cayuso Mas
- MRC National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, London, NW7 1AA, UK
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