1
|
Bohrer C, Varon E, Peretz E, Reinitz G, Kinor N, Halle D, Nissan A, Shav-Tal Y. CCAT1 lncRNA is chromatin-retained and post-transcriptionally spliced. Histochem Cell Biol 2024; 162:91-107. [PMID: 38763947 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-024-02294-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Super-enhancers are unique gene expression regulators widely involved in cancer development. Spread over large DNA segments, they tend to be found next to oncogenes. The super-enhancer c-MYC locus forms long-range chromatin looping with nearby genes, which brings the enhancer and the genes into proximity, to promote gene activation. The colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) gene, which is part of the MYC locus, transcribes a lncRNA that is overexpressed in colon cancer cells through activation by MYC. Comparing different types of cancer cell lines using RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA FISH), we detected very prominent CCAT1 expression in HeLa cells, observed as several large CCAT1 nuclear foci. We found that dozens of CCAT1 transcripts accumulate on the gene locus, in addition to active transcription occurring from the gene. The accumulating transcripts are released from the chromatin during cell division. Examination of CCAT1 lncRNA expression patterns on the single-RNA level showed that unspliced CCAT1 transcripts are released from the gene into the nucleoplasm. Most of these unspliced transcripts were observed in proximity to the active gene but were not associated with nuclear speckles in which unspliced RNAs usually accumulate. At larger distances from the gene, the CCAT1 transcripts appeared spliced, implying that most CCAT1 transcripts undergo post-transcriptional splicing in the zone of the active gene. Finally, we show that unspliced CCAT1 transcripts can be detected in the cytoplasm during splicing inhibition, which suggests that there are several CCAT1 variants, spliced and unspliced, that the cell can recognize as suitable for export.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaya Bohrer
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Varon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Eldar Peretz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Gita Reinitz
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Kinor
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - David Halle
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Aviram Nissan
- Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
- Surgical Innovation Laboratory, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yaron Shav-Tal
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Verlhac MH. Exploring the maternal inheritance transmitted by the oocyte to its progeny. C R Biol 2024; 347:45-52. [PMID: 38888193 DOI: 10.5802/crbiol.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Fertility is declining worldwide and many couples are turning towards assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to conceive babies. Organisms that propagate via sexual reproduction often come from the fusion between two gametes, an oocyte and a sperm, whose qualities seem to be decreasing in the human species. Interestingly, while the sperm mostly transmits its haploid genome, the oocyte transmits not only its haploid set of chromosomes but also its huge cytoplasm to its progeny. This is what can be defined as the maternal inheritance composed of chromosomes, organelles, lipids, metabolites, proteins and RNAs. To decipher the decline in oocyte quality, it is essential to explore the nature of the maternal inheritance, and therefore study the last stages of murine oogenesis, namely the end of oocyte growth followed by the two meiotic divisions. These divisions are extremely asymmetric in terms of the size of the daughter cells, allowing to preserve the maternal inheritance accumulated during oocyte growth within these huge cells to support early embryo development. Studies performed in Marie-Hélène Verlhac's lab have allowed to discover the unprecedented impact of original acto-myosin based mechanisms in the constitution as well as the preservation of this maternal inheritance and the consequences when these processes go awry.
Collapse
|
3
|
Giudice J, Jiang H. Splicing regulation through biomolecular condensates and membraneless organelles. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00739-7. [PMID: 38773325 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates, sometimes also known as membraneless organelles (MLOs), can form through weak multivalent intermolecular interactions of proteins and nucleic acids, a process often associated with liquid-liquid phase separation. Biomolecular condensates are emerging as sites and regulatory platforms of vital cellular functions, including transcription and RNA processing. In the first part of this Review, we comprehensively discuss how alternative splicing regulates the formation and properties of condensates, and conversely the roles of biomolecular condensates in splicing regulation. In the second part, we focus on the spatial connection between splicing regulation and nuclear MLOs such as transcriptional condensates, splicing condensates and nuclear speckles. We then discuss key studies showing how splicing regulation through biomolecular condensates is implicated in human pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases, different types of cancer, developmental disorders and cardiomyopathies, and conclude with a discussion of outstanding questions pertaining to the roles of condensates and MLOs in splicing regulation and how to experimentally study them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jimena Giudice
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- McAllister Heart Institute, School of Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Paul S, Arias MA, Wen L, Liao SE, Zhang J, Wang X, Regev O, Fei J. RNA molecules display distinctive organization at nuclear speckles. iScience 2024; 27:109603. [PMID: 38638569 PMCID: PMC11024929 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA molecules often play critical roles in assisting the formation of membraneless organelles in eukaryotic cells. Yet, little is known about the organization of RNAs within membraneless organelles. Here, using super-resolution imaging and nuclear speckles as a model system, we demonstrate that different sequence domains of RNA transcripts exhibit differential spatial distributions within speckles. Specifically, we image transcripts containing a region enriched in binding motifs of serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins and another region enriched in binding motifs of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs). We show that these transcripts localize to the outer shell of speckles, with the SR motif-rich region localizing closer to the speckle center relative to the hnRNP motif-rich region. Further, we identify that this intra-speckle RNA organization is driven by the strength of RNA-protein interactions inside and outside speckles. Our results hint at novel functional roles of nuclear speckles and likely other membraneless organelles in organizing RNA substrates for biochemical reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Paul
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mauricio A. Arias
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
- Institute for System Genetics, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Li Wen
- Department of Physics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Susan E. Liao
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
| | - Jiacheng Zhang
- Graduate Program in Biophysical Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaoshu Wang
- The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Oded Regev
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA
| | - Jingyi Fei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Acosta-Cárdenas J, Jiménez-García LF, Cruz-Gómez SDJ, Mendoza-von der Borch AP, Segura-Valdez MDL. Microscopic Analysis of Nuclear Speckles in a Viviparous Reptile. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5281. [PMID: 38791320 PMCID: PMC11120696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles are compartments enriched in splicing factors present in the nucleoplasm of eucaryote cells. Speckles have been studied in mammalian culture and tissue cells, as well as in some non-mammalian vertebrate cells and invertebrate oocytes. In mammals, their morphology is linked to the transcriptional and splicing activities of the cell through a recruitment mechanism. In rats, speckle morphology depends on the hormonal cycle. In the present work, we explore whether a similar situation is also present in non-mammalian cells during the reproductive cycle. We studied the speckled pattern in several tissues of a viviparous reptile, the lizard Sceloporus torquatus, during two different stages of reproduction. We used immunofluorescence staining against splicing factors in hepatocytes and oviduct epithelium cells and fluorescence and confocal microscopy, as well as ultrastructural immunolocalization and EDTA contrast in Transmission Electron Microscopy. The distribution of splicing factors in the nucleoplasm of oviductal cells and hepatocytes coincides with the nuclear-speckled pattern described in mammals. Ultrastructurally, those cell types display Interchromatin Granule Clusters and Perichromatin Fibers. In addition, the morphology of speckles varies in oviduct cells at the two stages of the reproductive cycle analyzed, paralleling the phenomenon observed in the rat. The results show that the morphology of speckles in reptile cells depends upon the reproductive stage as it occurs in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeniffer Acosta-Cárdenas
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Luis Felipe Jiménez-García
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - Sarai de Jesús Cruz-Gómez
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - Ana Paulina Mendoza-von der Borch
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| | - María de Lourdes Segura-Valdez
- Laboratorio de Nanobiología Celular, Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México—UNAM, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (J.A.-C.); (L.F.J.-G.); (S.d.J.C.-G.); (A.P.M.-v.d.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hoboth P, Sztacho M, Hozák P. Nuclear patterns of phosphatidylinositol 4,5- and 3,4-bisphosphate revealed by super-resolution microscopy differ between the consecutive stages of RNA polymerase II transcription. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38734927 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Phosphatidylinositol phosphates are powerful signaling molecules that orchestrate signaling and direct membrane trafficking in the cytosol. Interestingly, phosphatidylinositol phosphates also localize within the membrane-less compartments of the cell nucleus, where they participate in the regulation of gene expression. Nevertheless, current models of gene expression, which include condensates of proteins and nucleic acids, do not include nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates. This gap is partly a result of the missing detailed analysis of the subnuclear distribution of phosphatidylinositol phosphates and their relationships with gene expression. Here, we used quantitative dual-color direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy to analyze the nanoscale co-patterning between RNA polymerase II transcription initiation and elongation markers with respect to phosphatidylinositol 4,5- or 3,4-bisphosphate in the nucleoplasm and nuclear speckles and compared it with randomized data and cells with inhibited transcription. We found specific co-patterning of the transcription initiation marker P-S5 with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the nucleoplasm and with phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate at the periphery of nuclear speckles. We showed the specific accumulation of the transcription elongation marker PS-2 and of nascent RNA in the proximity of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate associated with nuclear speckles. Taken together, this shows that the distinct spatial associations between the consecutive stages of RNA polymerase II transcription and nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates exhibit specificity within the gene expression compartments. Thus, in analogy to the cellular membranes, where phospholipid composition orchestrates signaling pathways and directs membrane trafficking, we propose a model in which the phospholipid identity of gene expression compartments orchestrates RNA polymerase II transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hoboth
- Laboratory of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Viničná Microscopy Core Facility, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Sztacho
- Laboratory of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Cancer Cell Architecture, Institute of Biochemistry and Experimental Oncology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hozák
- Laboratory of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Microscopy Centre, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Chakraborty S, Mishra J, Roy A, Niharika, Manna S, Baral T, Nandi P, Patra S, Patra SK. Liquid-liquid phase separation in subcellular assemblages and signaling pathways: Chromatin modifications induced gene regulation for cellular physiology and functions including carcinogenesis. Biochimie 2024; 223:74-97. [PMID: 38723938 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.05.007] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) describes many biochemical processes, including hydrogel formation, in the integrity of macromolecular assemblages and existence of membraneless organelles, including ribosome, nucleolus, nuclear speckles, paraspeckles, promyelocytic leukemia (PML) bodies, Cajal bodies (all exert crucial roles in cellular physiology), and evidence are emerging day by day. Also, phase separation is well documented in generation of plasma membrane subdomains and interplay between membranous and membraneless organelles. Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of biopolymers/proteins are the most critical sticking regions that aggravate the formation of such condensates. Remarkably, phase separated condensates are also involved in epigenetic regulation of gene expression, chromatin remodeling, and heterochromatinization. Epigenetic marks on DNA and histones cooperate with RNA-binding proteins through their IDRs to trigger LLPS for facilitating transcription. How phase separation coalesces mutant oncoproteins, orchestrate tumor suppressor genes expression, and facilitated cancer-associated signaling pathways are unravelling. That autophagosome formation and DYRK3-mediated cancer stem cell modification also depend on phase separation is deciphered in part. In view of this, and to linchpin insight into the subcellular membraneless organelle assembly, gene activation and biological reactions catalyzed by enzymes, and the downstream physiological functions, and how all these events are precisely facilitated by LLPS inducing organelle function, epigenetic modulation of gene expression in this scenario, and how it goes awry in cancer progression are summarized and presented in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhajit Chakraborty
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Jagdish Mishra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Ankan Roy
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Niharika
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Soumen Manna
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Tirthankar Baral
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Piyasa Nandi
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India
| | - Subhajit Patra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India
| | - Samir Kumar Patra
- Epigenetics and Cancer Research Laboratory, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Life Science, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bhat P, Chow A, Emert B, Ettlin O, Quinodoz SA, Strehle M, Takei Y, Burr A, Goronzy IN, Chen AW, Huang W, Ferrer JLM, Soehalim E, Goh ST, Chari T, Sullivan DK, Blanco MR, Guttman M. Genome organization around nuclear speckles drives mRNA splicing efficiency. Nature 2024; 629:1165-1173. [PMID: 38720076 PMCID: PMC11164319 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The nucleus is highly organized, such that factors involved in the transcription and processing of distinct classes of RNA are confined within specific nuclear bodies1,2. One example is the nuclear speckle, which is defined by high concentrations of protein and noncoding RNA regulators of pre-mRNA splicing3. What functional role, if any, speckles might play in the process of mRNA splicing is unclear4,5. Here we show that genes localized near nuclear speckles display higher spliceosome concentrations, increased spliceosome binding to their pre-mRNAs and higher co-transcriptional splicing levels than genes that are located farther from nuclear speckles. Gene organization around nuclear speckles is dynamic between cell types, and changes in speckle proximity lead to differences in splicing efficiency. Finally, directed recruitment of a pre-mRNA to nuclear speckles is sufficient to increase mRNA splicing levels. Together, our results integrate the long-standing observations of nuclear speckles with the biochemistry of mRNA splicing and demonstrate a crucial role for dynamic three-dimensional spatial organization of genomic DNA in driving spliceosome concentrations and controlling the efficiency of mRNA splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Bhat
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amy Chow
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Olivia Ettlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sofia A Quinodoz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mackenzie Strehle
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Yodai Takei
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alex Burr
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Isabel N Goronzy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Allen W Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Wesley Huang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jose Lorenzo M Ferrer
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Soehalim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Say-Tar Goh
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Tara Chari
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Delaney K Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Deehan MA, Kothuis JM, Sapp E, Chase K, Ke Y, Seeley C, Iuliano M, Kim E, Kennington L, Miller R, Boudi A, Shing K, Li X, Pfister E, Anaclet C, Brodsky M, Kegel-Gleason K, Aronin N, DiFiglia M. Nacc1 Mutation in Mice Models Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Underlying Synaptic Dysfunction. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1610232024. [PMID: 38388424 PMCID: PMC10993038 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1610-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation in the transcription repressor Nucleus accumbens-associated 1 (NACC1) gene at c.892C>T (p.Arg298Trp) on chromosome 19 causes severe neurodevelopmental delay ( Schoch et al., 2017). To model this disorder, we engineered the first mouse model with the homologous mutation (Nacc1+/R284W ) and examined mice from E17.5 to 8 months. Both genders had delayed weight gain, epileptiform discharges and altered power spectral distribution in cortical electroencephalogram, behavioral seizures, and marked hindlimb clasping; females displayed thigmotaxis in an open field. In the cortex, NACC1 long isoform, which harbors the mutation, increased from 3 to 6 months, whereas the short isoform, which is not present in humans and lacks aaR284 in mice, rose steadily from postnatal day (P) 7. Nuclear NACC1 immunoreactivity increased in cortical pyramidal neurons and parvalbumin containing interneurons but not in nuclei of astrocytes or oligodendroglia. Glial fibrillary acidic protein staining in astrocytic processes was diminished. RNA-seq of P14 mutant mice cortex revealed over 1,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Glial transcripts were downregulated and synaptic genes upregulated. Top gene ontology terms from upregulated DEGs relate to postsynapse and ion channel function, while downregulated DEGs enriched for terms relating to metabolic function, mitochondria, and ribosomes. Levels of synaptic proteins were changed, but number and length of synaptic contacts were unaltered at 3 months. Homozygosity worsened some phenotypes including postnatal survival, weight gain delay, and increase in nuclear NACC1. This mouse model simulates a rare form of autism and will be indispensable for assessing pathophysiology and targets for therapeutic intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Deehan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Josine M Kothuis
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Ellen Sapp
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kathryn Chase
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Yuting Ke
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Connor Seeley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Maria Iuliano
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Emily Kim
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Lori Kennington
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Rachael Miller
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Adel Boudi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kai Shing
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Xueyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Edith Pfister
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Christelle Anaclet
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California 95817
| | - Michael Brodsky
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Kimberly Kegel-Gleason
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Neil Aronin
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Marian DiFiglia
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Xue M, Dong L, Zhang H, Li Y, Qiu K, Zhao Z, Gao M, Han L, Chan AKN, Li W, Leung K, Wang K, Pokharel SP, Qing Y, Liu W, Wang X, Ren L, Bi H, Yang L, Shen C, Chen Z, Melstrom L, Li H, Timchenko N, Deng X, Huang W, Rosen ST, Tian J, Xu L, Diao J, Chen CW, Chen J, Shen B, Chen H, Su R. METTL16 promotes liver cancer stem cell self-renewal via controlling ribosome biogenesis and mRNA translation. J Hematol Oncol 2024; 17:7. [PMID: 38302992 PMCID: PMC10835888 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-024-01526-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation, progression, recurrence, and treatment resistance, the mechanism underlying liver CSC self-renewal remains elusive. We aim to characterize the role of Methyltransferase 16 (METTL16), a recently identified RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, in HCC development/maintenance, CSC stemness, as well as normal hepatogenesis. METHODS Liver-specific Mettl16 conditional KO (cKO) mice were generated to assess its role in HCC pathogenesis and normal hepatogenesis. Hydrodynamic tail-vein injection (HDTVi)-induced de novo hepatocarcinogenesis and xenograft models were utilized to determine the role of METTL16 in HCC initiation and progression. A limiting dilution assay was utilized to evaluate CSC frequency. Functionally essential targets were revealed via integrative analysis of multi-omics data, including RNA-seq, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-seq, and ribosome profiling. RESULTS METTL16 is highly expressed in liver CSCs and its depletion dramatically decreased CSC frequency in vitro and in vivo. Mettl16 KO significantly attenuated HCC initiation and progression, yet only slightly influenced normal hepatogenesis. Mechanistic studies, including high-throughput sequencing, unveiled METTL16 as a key regulator of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation and mRNA translation and identified eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit a (eIF3a) transcript as a bona-fide target of METTL16 in HCC. In addition, the functionally essential regions of METTL16 were revealed by CRISPR gene tiling scan, which will pave the way for the development of potential inhibitor(s). CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the crucial oncogenic role of METTL16 in promoting HCC pathogenesis and enhancing liver CSC self-renewal through augmenting mRNA translation efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Xue
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 7539, USA
| | - Honghai Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Yangchan Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Kangqiang Qiu
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Zhicong Zhao
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Min Gao
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Li Han
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Anthony K N Chan
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Keith Leung
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Kitty Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Sheela Pangeni Pokharel
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Ying Qing
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Xueer Wang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Lili Ren
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Hongjie Bi
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Lu Yang
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Chao Shen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Zhenhua Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Laleh Melstrom
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Hongzhi Li
- Department of Molecular Medicine, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Nikolai Timchenko
- Division of General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Xiaolan Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Wendong Huang
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Graduate School of Biological Science, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Steven T Rosen
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jingyan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Clinical Trial Center, Shanghai Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Peter O'Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 7539, USA
| | - Jiajie Diao
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
- Gehr Family Center for Leukemia Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA
| | - Baiyong Shen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Rui Su
- Department of Systems Biology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA.
- City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hall LL, Creamer KM, Byron M, Lawrence JB. Differences in Alu vs L1-rich chromosome bands underpin architectural reorganization of the inactive-X chromosome and SAHFs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.09.574742. [PMID: 38260534 PMCID: PMC10802495 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.09.574742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The linear DNA sequence of mammalian chromosomes is organized in large blocks of DNA with similar sequence properties, producing a pattern of dark and light staining bands on mitotic chromosomes. Cytogenetic banding is essentially invariant between people and cell-types and thus may be assumed unrelated to genome regulation. We investigate whether large blocks of Alu-rich R-bands and L1-rich G-bands provide a framework upon which functional genome architecture is built. We examine two models of large-scale chromatin condensation: X-chromosome inactivation and formation of senescence-associated heterochromatin foci (SAHFs). XIST RNA triggers gene silencing but also formation of the condensed Barr Body (BB), thought to reflect cumulative gene silencing. However, we find Alu-rich regions are depleted from the L1-rich BB, supporting it is a dense core but not the entire chromosome. Alu-rich bands are also gene-rich, affirming our earlier findings that genes localize at the outer periphery of the BB. SAHFs similarly form within each territory by coalescence of syntenic L1 regions depleted for highly Alu-rich DNA. Analysis of senescent cell Hi-C data also shows large contiguous blocks of G-band and R-band DNA remodel as a segmental unit. Entire dark-bands gain distal intrachromosomal interactions as L1-rich regions form the SAHF. Most striking is that sharp Alu peaks within R-bands resist these changes in condensation. We further show that Chr19, which is exceptionally Alu rich, fails to form a SAHF. Collective results show regulation of genome architecture corresponding to large blocks of DNA and demonstrate resistance of segments with high Alu to chromosome condensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa L. Hall
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Kevin M. Creamer
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Meg Byron
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Jeanne B. Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Eichenberger BT, Griesbach E, Mitchell J, Chao JA. Following the Birth, Life, and Death of mRNAs in Single Cells. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2023; 39:253-275. [PMID: 37843928 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-022723-024045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in single-molecule imaging of mRNAs in fixed and living cells have enabled the lives of mRNAs to be studied with unprecedented spatial and temporal detail. These approaches have moved beyond simply being able to observe specific events and have begun to allow an understanding of how regulation is coupled between steps in the mRNA life cycle. Additionally, these methodologies are now being applied in multicellular systems and animals to provide more nuanced insights into the physiological regulation of RNA metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bastian T Eichenberger
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland;
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Esther Griesbach
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Jessica Mitchell
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland;
| | - Jeffrey A Chao
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hoboth P, Sztacho M, Quaas A, Akgül B, Hozák P. Quantitative super-resolution microscopy reveals the differences in the nanoscale distribution of nuclear phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in human healthy skin and skin warts. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1217637. [PMID: 37484912 PMCID: PMC10361526 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1217637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Imaging of human clinical formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections provides insights into healthy and diseased states and therefore represents a valuable resource for basic research, as well as for diagnostic and clinical purposes. However, conventional light microscopy does not allow to observe the molecular details of tissue and cell architecture due to the diffraction limit of light. Super-resolution microscopy overcomes this limitation and provides access to the nanoscale details of tissue and cell organization. Methods: Here, we used quantitative multicolor stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy to study the nanoscale distribution of the nuclear phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (nPI(4,5)P2) with respect to the nuclear speckles (NS) marker SON. Results: Increased nPI(4,5)P2 signals were previously linked to human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated carcinogenesis, while NS-associated PI(4,5)P2 represents the largest pool of nPI(4,5)P2 visualized by staining and microscopy. The implementation of multicolor STED nanoscopy in human clinical FFPE skin and wart sections allowed us to provide here the quantitative evidence for higher levels of NS-associated PI(4,5)P2 in HPV-induced warts compared to control skin. Discussion: These data expand the previous reports of HPV-induced increase of nPI(4,5)P2 levels and reveal for the first time the functional, tissue-specific localization of nPI(4,5)P2 within NS in clinically relevant samples. Moreover, our approach is widely applicable to other human clinical FFPE tissues as an informative addition to the classical histochemistry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hoboth
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Sztacho
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Alexander Quaas
- Institute of Pathology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Baki Akgül
- Institute of Virology, University of Cologne, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Pavel Hozák
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Microscopy Centre, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wakao S, Saitoh N, Awazu A. Mathematical model of structural changes in nuclear speckle. Biophys Physicobiol 2023; 20:e200020. [PMID: 38496241 PMCID: PMC10941963 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v20.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles are nuclear bodies consisting of populations of small and irregularly shaped droplet-like molecular condensates that contain various splicing factors. Recent experiments have revealed the following structural features of nuclear speckles: (I) Each molecular condensate contains SON and SRRM2 proteins, and MALAT1 non-coding RNA surrounds these condensates; (II) During normal interphase of the cell cycle in multicellular organisms, these condensates are broadly distributed throughout the nucleus. In contrast, when cell transcription is suppressed, the condensates fuse and form strongly condensed spherical droplets; (III) SON is dispersed spatially in MALAT1 knocked-down cells and MALAT1 is dispersed in SON knocked-down cells because of the collapse of the nuclear speckles. However, the detailed interactions among the molecules that are mechanistically responsible for the structural variation remain unknown. In this study, a coarse-grained molecular dynamics model of the nuclear speckle was developed by considering the dynamics of SON, SRRM2, MALAT1, and pre-mRNA as representative components of the condensates. The simulations reproduced the structural changes, which were used to predict the interaction network among the representative components of the condensates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Wakao
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Akinori Awazu
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kim T, Yoo J, Do S, Hwang DS, Park Y, Shin Y. RNA-mediated demixing transition of low-density condensates. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2425. [PMID: 37105967 PMCID: PMC10140143 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38118-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates play a key role in organizing cellular reactions by concentrating a specific set of biomolecules. However, whether condensate formation is accompanied by an increase in the total mass concentration within condensates or by the demixing of already highly crowded intracellular components remains elusive. Here, using refractive index imaging, we quantify the mass density of several condensates, including nucleoli, heterochromatin, nuclear speckles, and stress granules. Surprisingly, the latter two condensates exhibit low densities with a total mass concentration similar to the surrounding cyto- or nucleoplasm. Low-density condensates display higher permeability to cellular protein probes. We find that RNA tunes the biomolecular density of condensates. Moreover, intracellular structures such as mitochondria heavily influence the way phase separation proceeds, impacting the localization, morphology, and growth of condensates. These findings favor a model where segregative phase separation driven by non-associative or repulsive molecular interactions together with RNA-mediated selective association of specific components can give rise to low-density condensates in the crowded cellular environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taehyun Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyoon Yoo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungho Do
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Soo Hwang
- Division of Environmental Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - YongKeun Park
- Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
- Tomocube Inc, Daejeon, 34109, South Korea
| | - Yongdae Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Li X, An Z, Zhang W, Li F. Phase Separation: Direct and Indirect Driving Force for High-Order Chromatin Organization. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:499. [PMID: 36833426 PMCID: PMC9956262 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The multi-level spatial chromatin organization in the nucleus is closely related to chromatin activity. The mechanism of chromatin organization and remodeling attract much attention. Phase separation describes the biomolecular condensation which is the basis for membraneless compartments in cells. Recent research shows that phase separation is a key aspect to drive high-order chromatin structure and remodeling. In addition, chromatin functional compartmentalization in the nucleus which is formed by phase separation also plays an important role in overall chromatin structure. In this review, we summarized the latest work about the role of phase separation in spatial chromatin organization, focusing on direct and indirect effects of phase separation on 3D chromatin organization and its impact on transcription regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Li
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Core Facility of Developmental Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ziyang An
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wenqing Zhang
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Feifei Li
- Division of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Ilık İA, Aktaş T. Nuclear speckles: dynamic hubs of gene expression regulation. FEBS J 2022; 289:7234-7245. [PMID: 34245118 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Complex, multistep biochemical reactions that routinely take place in our cells require high concentrations of enzymes, substrates, and other structural components to proceed efficiently and typically require chemical environments that can inhibit other reactions in their immediate vicinity. Eukaryotic cells solve these problems by restricting such reactions into diffusion-restricted compartments within the cell called organelles that can be separated from their environment by a lipid membrane, or into membrane-less compartments that form through liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). One of the most easily noticeable and the earliest discovered organelle is the nucleus, which harbors the genetic material in cells where transcription by RNA polymerases produces most of the messenger RNAs and a plethora of noncoding RNAs, which in turn are required for translation of mRNAs in the cytoplasm. The interior of the nucleus is not a uniform soup of biomolecules and rather consists of a variety of membrane-less bodies, such as the nucleolus, nuclear speckles (NS), paraspeckles, Cajal bodies, histone locus bodies, and more. In this review, we will focus on NS with an emphasis on recent developments including our own findings about the formation of NS by two large IDR-rich proteins SON and SRRM2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tuğçe Aktaş
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Faber GP, Nadav-Eliyahu S, Shav-Tal Y. Nuclear speckles - a driving force in gene expression. J Cell Sci 2022; 135:275909. [PMID: 35788677 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles are dynamic membraneless bodies located in the cell nucleus. They harbor RNAs and proteins, many of which are splicing factors, that together display complex biophysical properties dictating nuclear speckle formation and maintenance. Although these nuclear bodies were discovered decades ago, only recently has in-depth genomic analysis begun to unravel their essential functions in modulation of gene activity. Major advancements in genomic mapping techniques combined with microscopy approaches have enabled insights into the roles nuclear speckles may play in enhancing gene expression, and how gene positioning to specific nuclear landmarks can regulate gene expression and RNA processing. Some studies have drawn a link between nuclear speckles and disease. Certain maladies either involve nuclear speckles directly or dictate the localization and reorganization of many nuclear speckle factors. This is most striking during viral infection, as viruses alter the entire nuclear architecture and highjack host machinery. As discussed in this Review, nuclear speckles represent a fascinating target of study not only to reveal the links between gene positioning, genome subcompartments and gene activity, but also as a potential target for therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel P Faber
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.,Institute of Nanotechnology , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Shani Nadav-Eliyahu
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.,Institute of Nanotechnology , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| | - Yaron Shav-Tal
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel.,Institute of Nanotechnology , Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 5290002, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Belmont AS. Nuclear Compartments: An Incomplete Primer to Nuclear Compartments, Bodies, and Genome Organization Relative to Nuclear Architecture. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2022; 14:a041268. [PMID: 34400557 PMCID: PMC9248822 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This work reviews nuclear compartments, defined broadly to include distinct nuclear structures, bodies, and chromosome domains. It first summarizes original cytological observations before comparing concepts of nuclear compartments emerging from microscopy versus genomic approaches and then introducing new multiplexed imaging approaches that promise in the future to meld both approaches. I discuss how previous models of radial distribution of chromosomes or the binary division of the genome into A and B compartments are now being refined by the recognition of more complex nuclear compartmentalization. The poorly understood question of how these nuclear compartments are established and maintained is then discussed, including through the modern perspective of phase separation, before moving on to address possible functions of nuclear compartments, using the possible role of nuclear speckles in modulating gene expression as an example. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of future questions for this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
The Association of MEG3 lncRNA with Nuclear Speckles in Living Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11121942. [PMID: 35741072 PMCID: PMC9221825 DOI: 10.3390/cells11121942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear speckles are nuclear bodies containing RNA-binding proteins as well as RNAs including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a nuclear retained lncRNA found to associate with nuclear speckles. To understand the association dynamics of MEG3 lncRNA with nuclear speckles in living cells, we generated a fluorescently tagged MEG3 transcript that could be detected in real time. Under regular conditions, transient association of MEG3 with nuclear speckles was observed, including a nucleoplasmic fraction. Transcription or splicing inactivation conditions, known to affect nuclear speckle structure, showed prominent and increased association of MEG3 lncRNA with the nuclear speckles, specifically forming a ring-like structure around the nuclear speckles. This contrasted with metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma (MALAT1) lncRNA that is normally highly associated with nuclear speckles, which was released and dispersed in the nucleoplasm. Under normal conditions, MEG3 dynamically associated with the periphery of the nuclear speckles, but under transcription or splicing inhibition, MEG3 could also enter the center of the nuclear speckle. Altogether, using live-cell imaging approaches, we find that MEG3 lncRNA is a transient resident of nuclear speckles and that its association with this nuclear body is modulated by the levels of transcription and splicing activities in the cell.
Collapse
|
21
|
Decker CJ, Burke JM, Mulvaney PK, Parker R. RNA is required for the integrity of multiple nuclear and cytoplasmic membrane-less RNP granules. EMBO J 2022; 41:e110137. [PMID: 35355287 PMCID: PMC9058542 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021110137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous membrane‐less organelles, composed of a combination of RNA and proteins, are observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. These RNP granules include stress granules (SGs), processing bodies (PBs), Cajal bodies, and nuclear speckles. An unresolved question is how frequently RNA molecules are required for the integrity of RNP granules in either the nucleus or cytosol. To address this issue, we degraded intracellular RNA in either the cytosol or the nucleus by the activation of RNase L and examined the impact of RNA loss on several RNP granules. We find the majority of RNP granules, including SGs, Cajal bodies, nuclear speckles, and the nucleolus, are altered by the degradation of their RNA components. In contrast, PBs and super‐enhancer complexes were largely not affected by RNA degradation in their respective compartments. RNA degradation overall led to the apparent dissolution of some membrane‐less organelles, whereas others reorganized into structures with altered morphology. These findings highlight a critical and widespread role of RNA in the organization of several RNP granules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn J Decker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - James M Burke
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Patrick K Mulvaney
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Roy Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Systematic mapping of nuclear domain-associated transcripts reveals speckles and lamina as hubs of functionally distinct retained introns. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1035-1052.e9. [PMID: 35182477 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus is highly compartmentalized through the formation of distinct classes of membraneless domains. However, the composition and function of many of these structures are not well understood. Using APEX2-mediated proximity labeling and RNA sequencing, we surveyed human transcripts associated with nuclear speckles, several additional domains, and the lamina. Remarkably, speckles and lamina are associated with distinct classes of retained introns enriched in genes that function in RNA processing, translation, and the cell cycle, among other processes. In contrast to the lamina-proximal introns, retained introns associated with speckles are relatively short, GC-rich, and enriched for functional sites of RNA-binding proteins that are concentrated in these domains. They are also highly differentially regulated across diverse cellular contexts, including the cell cycle. Thus, our study provides a resource of nuclear domain-associated transcripts and further reveals speckles and lamina as hubs of distinct populations of retained introns linked to gene regulation and cell cycle progression.
Collapse
|
23
|
Zhang D, Xue J, Peng F. The regulatory activities of MALAT1 in the development of bone and cartilage diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1054827. [PMID: 36452326 PMCID: PMC9701821 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1054827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been comprehensively implicated in various cellular functions by mediating transcriptional or post-transcriptional activities. MALAT1 is involved in the differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis of multiple cell lines, including BMSCs, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes. Interestingly, MALAT1 may interact with RNAs or proteins, regulating cellular processes. Recently, MALAT1 has been reported to be associated with the development of bone and cartilage diseases by orchestrating the signaling network. The involvement of MALAT1 in the pathological development of bone and cartilage diseases makes it available to be a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis or prognosis. Although the potential mechanisms of MALAT1 in mediating the cellular processes of bone and cartilage diseases are still needed for further elucidation, MALAT1 shows great promise for drug development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Xue
- School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Fang Peng
- Department of Pathology, Ganzhou People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fang Peng,
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Measuring Cytological Proximity of Chromosomal Loci to Defined Nuclear Compartments with TSA-seq. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2532:145-186. [PMID: 35867249 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2497-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Distinct nuclear structures and bodies are involved in genome intranuclear positioning. Measuring proximity and relative distances of genomic loci to these nuclear compartments, and correlating this chromosome intranuclear positioning with epigenetic marks and functional readouts genome-wide, will be required to appreciate the true extent to which this nuclear compartmentalization contributes to regulation of genome functions. Here we present detailed protocols for TSA-seq, the first sequencing-based method for estimation of cytological proximity of chromosomal loci to spatially discrete nuclear structures, such as nuclear bodies or the nuclear lamina. TSA-seq uses Tyramide Signal Amplification (TSA) of immunostained cells to create a concentration gradient of tyramide-biotin free radicals which decays exponentially as a function of distance from a point-source target. Reaction of these free radicals with DNA deposits tyramide-biotin onto DNA as a function of distance from the point source. The relative enrichment of this tyramide-labeled DNA versus input DNA, revealed by DNA sequencing, can then be used as a "cytological ruler" to infer relative, or even absolute, mean chromosomal distances from immunostained nuclear compartments. TSA-seq mapping is highly reproducible and largely independent of the target protein or antibody choice for labeling a particular nuclear compartment. Our protocols include variations in TSA labeling conditions to provide varying spatial resolution as well as enhanced sensitivity. Our most streamlined protocol produces TSA-seq spatial mapping over a distance range of ~1 micron from major nuclear compartments using ~10-20 million cells.
Collapse
|
25
|
Nedelsky NB, Taylor JP. Pathological phase transitions in ALS-FTD impair dynamic RNA-protein granules. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 28:97-113. [PMID: 34706979 PMCID: PMC8675280 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079001.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The genetics of human disease serves as a robust and unbiased source of insight into human biology, both revealing fundamental cellular processes and exposing the vulnerabilities associated with their dysfunction. Over the last decade, the genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) have epitomized this concept, as studies of ALS-FTD-causing mutations have yielded fundamental discoveries regarding the role of biomolecular condensation in organizing cellular contents while implicating disturbances in condensate dynamics as central drivers of neurodegeneration. Here we review this genetic evidence, highlight its intersection with patient pathology, and discuss how studies in model systems have revealed a role for aberrant condensation in neuronal dysfunction and death. We detail how multiple, distinct types of disease-causing mutations promote pathological phase transitions that disturb the dynamics and function of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules. Dysfunction of RNP granules causes pleiotropic defects in RNA metabolism and can drive the evolution of these structures to end-stage pathological inclusions characteristic of ALS-FTD. We propose that aberrant phase transitions of these complex condensates in cells provide a parsimonious explanation for the widespread cellular abnormalities observed in ALS as well as certain histopathological features that characterize late-stage disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia B Nedelsky
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - J Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Kolpa HJ, Creamer KM, Hall LL, Lawrence JB. SAF-A mutants disrupt chromatin structure through dominant negative effects on RNAs associated with chromatin. Mamm Genome 2021; 33:366-381. [PMID: 34859278 PMCID: PMC9114059 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-021-09935-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Here we provide a brief review of relevant background before presenting results of our investigation into the interplay between scaffold attachment factor A (SAF-A), chromatin-associated RNAs, and DNA condensation. SAF-A, also termed heterogenous nuclear protein U (hnRNP U), is a ubiquitous nuclear scaffold protein that was implicated in XIST RNA localization to the inactive X-chromosome (Xi) but also reported to maintain open DNA packaging in euchromatin. Here we use several means to perturb SAF-A and examine potential impacts on the broad association of RNAs on euchromatin, and on chromatin compaction. SAF-A has an N-terminal DNA binding domain and C-terminal RNA binding domain, and a prominent model has been that the protein provides a single-molecule bridge between XIST RNA and chromatin. Here analysis of the impact of SAF-A on broad RNA-chromatin interactions indicate greater biological complexity. We focus on SAF-A's role with repeat-rich C0T-1 hnRNA (repeat-rich heterogeneous nuclear RNA), shown recently to comprise mostly intronic sequences of pre-mRNAs and diverse long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Our results show that SAF-A mutants cause dramatic changes to cytological chromatin condensation through dominant negative effects on C0T-1 RNA's association with euchromatin, and likely other nuclear scaffold factors. In contrast, depletion of SAF-A by RNA interference (RNAi) had no discernible impact on C0T-1 RNA, nor did it cause similarly marked chromatin changes as did three different SAF-A mutations. Overall results support the concept that repeat-rich, chromatin-associated RNAs interact with multiple RNA binding proteins (RBPs) in a complex dynamic meshwork that is integral to larger-scale chromatin architecture and collectively influences cytological-scale DNA condensation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heather J Kolpa
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.,Ashfield MedComms, Lyndhurst, NJ, 07071, USA
| | - Kevin M Creamer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Lisa L Hall
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| | - Jeanne B Lawrence
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Rivera C, Verbel-Vergara D, Arancibia D, Lappala A, González M, Guzmán F, Merello G, Lee JT, Andrés ME. Revealing RCOR2 as a regulatory component of nuclear speckles. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:51. [PMID: 34819154 PMCID: PMC8611983 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-021-00425-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nuclear processes such as transcription and RNA maturation can be impacted by subnuclear compartmentalization in condensates and nuclear bodies. Here, we characterize the nature of nuclear granules formed by REST corepressor 2 (RCOR2), a nuclear protein essential for pluripotency maintenance and central nervous system development. Results Using biochemical approaches and high-resolution microscopy, we reveal that RCOR2 is localized in nuclear speckles across multiple cell types, including neurons in the brain. RCOR2 forms complexes with nuclear speckle components such as SON, SRSF7, and SRRM2. When cells are exposed to chemical stress, RCOR2 behaves as a core component of the nuclear speckle and is stabilized by RNA. In turn, nuclear speckle morphology appears to depend on RCOR2. Specifically, RCOR2 knockdown results larger nuclear speckles, whereas overexpressing RCOR2 leads to smaller and rounder nuclear speckles. Conclusion Our study suggests that RCOR2 is a regulatory component of the nuclear speckle bodies, setting this co-repressor protein as a factor that controls nuclear speckles behavior. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13072-021-00425-4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Rivera
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile.,Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 6624, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Genetics, The Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Verbel-Vergara
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Duxan Arancibia
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Anna Lappala
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 6624, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Genetics, The Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Marcela González
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabián Guzmán
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gianluca Merello
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, CPZN 6624, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Genetics, The Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - María Estela Andrés
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Avenida Del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, 8320000, Santiago, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Selyutina A, Persaud M, Lee K, KewalRamani V, Diaz-Griffero F. Nuclear Import of the HIV-1 Core Precedes Reverse Transcription and Uncoating. Cell Rep 2021; 32:108201. [PMID: 32997983 PMCID: PMC7871456 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 reverse transcription (RT) occurs before or during uncoating, but the cellular compartment where RT and uncoating occurs is unknown. Using imaging and biochemical assays to track HIV-1 capsids in the nucleus during infection, we demonstrated that higher-order capsid complexes and/or complete cores containing the viral genome are imported into the nucleus. Inhibition of RT does not prevent capsid nuclear import; thus, RT may occur in nuclear compartments. Cytosolic and nuclear fractions of infected cells reveal that most RT intermediates are enriched in nuclear fractions, suggesting that HIV-1 RT occurs in the nucleus alongside uncoating. In agreement, we find that capsid in the nucleus induces recruitment of cleavage and polyadenylation specific factor 6 (CPSF6) to SC35 nuclear speckles, which are highly active transcription sites, suggesting that CPSF6 through capsid is recruiting viral complexes to SC35 speckles for the occurrence of RT. Thus, nuclear import precedes RT and uncoating, which fundamentally changes our understanding of HIV-1 infection. Selyutina et al. show that HIV-1 cores containing the viral genome are imported into the nucleus for reverse transcription and uncoating. HIV-1 cores in the nucleus are recruited by CPSF6 to SC35 highly active transcription domains for viral reverse transcription, integration, and/or expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirjana Persaud
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Einstein, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kyeongeun Lee
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Vineet KewalRamani
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD 21702-1201, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu S, Wang T, Shi Y, Bai L, Wang S, Guo D, Zhang Y, Qi Y, Chen C, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Liu Q, Yang Q, Wang Y, Liu H. USP42 drives nuclear speckle mRNA splicing via directing dynamic phase separation to promote tumorigenesis. Cell Death Differ 2021; 28:2482-2498. [PMID: 33731873 PMCID: PMC8329168 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00763-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation is considered a generic approach to organize membrane-less compartments, enabling the dynamic regulation of phase-separated assemblies to be investigated and pivotal roles of protein posttranslational modifications to be demonstrated. By surveying the subcellular localizations of human deubiquitylases, USP42 was identified to form nuclear punctate structures that are associated with phase separation properties. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that the USP42 C-terminal sequence was intrinsically disordered, which was further experimentally confirmed to confer phase separation features. USP42 is distributed to SC35-positive nuclear speckles in a positively charged C-terminal residue- and enzymatic activity-dependent manner. Notably, USP42 directs the integration of the spliceosome component PLRG1 into nuclear speckles, and its depletion interferes with the conformation of SC35 foci. Functionally, USP42 downregulation deregulates multiple mRNA splicing events and leads to deterred cancer cell growth, which is consistent with the impact of PLRG1 repression. Finally, USP42 expression is strongly correlated with that of PLRG1 in non-small-cell lung cancer samples and predicts adverse prognosis in overall survival. As a deubiquitylase capable of dynamically guiding nuclear speckle phase separation and mRNA splicing, USP42 inhibition presents a novel anticancer strategy by targeting phase separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Liu
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Taishu Wang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Yulin Shi
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Lu Bai
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Dong Guo
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Yang Zhang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Yangfan Qi
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Chaoqun Chen
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Jinrui Zhang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Yingqiu Zhang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Quentin Liu
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Qingkai Yang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Yang Wang
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| | - Han Liu
- grid.411971.b0000 0000 9558 1426The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
Immediately following the discovery of the structure of DNA and the semi-conservative replication of the parental DNA sequence into two new DNA strands, it became apparent that DNA replication is organized in a temporal and spatial fashion during the S phase of the cell cycle, correlated with the large-scale organization of chromatin in the nucleus. After many decades of limited progress, technological advances in genomics, genome engineering, and imaging have finally positioned the field to tackle mechanisms underpinning the temporal and spatial regulation of DNA replication and the causal relationships between DNA replication and other features of large-scale chromosome structure and function. In this review, we discuss these major recent discoveries as well as expectations for the coming decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios E Vouzas
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA
| | - David M Gilbert
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Fare CM, Villani A, Drake LE, Shorter J. Higher-order organization of biomolecular condensates. Open Biol 2021; 11:210137. [PMID: 34129784 PMCID: PMC8205532 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A guiding principle of biology is that biochemical reactions must be organized in space and time. One way this spatio-temporal organization is achieved is through liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), which generates biomolecular condensates. These condensates are dynamic and reactive, and often contain a complex mixture of proteins and nucleic acids. In this review, we discuss how underlying physical and chemical processes generate internal condensate architectures. We then outline the diverse condensate architectures that are observed in biological systems. Finally, we discuss how specific condensate organization is critical for specific biological functions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte M Fare
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | - James Shorter
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and.,Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Thankachan S, Bhardwaj BK, Venkatesh T, Suresh PS. Long Non-coding RNA NEAT1 as an Emerging Biomarker in Breast and Gynecologic Cancers: a Systematic Overview. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2436-2447. [PMID: 33569749 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00481-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging regulators of cellular pathways, especially in cancer development. Among the lncRNAs, nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) forms a scaffold for a nuclear body; the paraspeckle and aberrant expression of NEAT1 have been reported in breast and gynecologic cancers (ovarian, cervical, endometrial, and vulvar). Abundantly expressed NEAT1 in breast and gynecologic cancers generally contribute to tumor development by sponging its corresponding tumor-suppressive microRNAs or interacting with various regulatory proteins. The distinct expression of NEAT1 and its contribution to tumorigenic pathways make it a promising therapeutic target in breast and gynecologic cancers. Herein, we summarize the functions and molecular mechanisms of NEAT1 in human breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial, and vulvar cancers. Furthermore, we emphasize its critical role in the formation of paraspeckle development and its functions. Conclusively, NEAT1 is a considerable biomarker with a bright prospect and can be therapeutically targeted to manage breast and gynecologic cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanu Thankachan
- School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India
| | | | - Thejaswini Venkatesh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Central University of Kerala, Kasargod, Kerala, 671316, India
| | - Padmanaban S Suresh
- School of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, Kerala, 673601, India.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Liao SE, Regev O. Splicing at the phase-separated nuclear speckle interface: a model. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:636-645. [PMID: 33337476 PMCID: PMC7826271 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phase-separated membraneless bodies play important roles in nucleic acid biology. While current models for the roles of phase separation largely focus on the compartmentalization of constituent proteins, we reason that other properties of phase separation may play functional roles. Specifically, we propose that interfaces of phase-separated membraneless bodies could have functional roles in spatially organizing biochemical reactions. Here we propose such a model for the nuclear speckle, a membraneless body implicated in RNA splicing. In our model, sequence-dependent RNA positioning along the nuclear speckle interface coordinates RNA splicing. Our model asserts that exons are preferentially sequestered into nuclear speckles through binding by SR proteins, while introns are excluded through binding by nucleoplasmic hnRNP proteins. As a result, splice sites at exon-intron boundaries are preferentially positioned at nuclear speckle interfaces. This positioning exposes splice sites to interface-localized spliceosomes, enabling the subsequent splicing reaction. Our model provides a simple mechanism that seamlessly explains much of the complex logic of splicing. This logic includes experimental results such as the antagonistic duality between splicing factors, the position dependence of splicing sequence motifs, and the collective contribution of many motifs to splicing decisions. Similar functional roles for phase-separated interfaces may exist for other membraneless bodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Liao
- Computer Science Department, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oded Regev
- Computer Science Department, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Zhang L, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Gholamalamdari O, Wang Y, Ma J, Belmont AS. TSA-seq reveals a largely conserved genome organization relative to nuclear speckles with small position changes tightly correlated with gene expression changes. Genome Res 2021; 31:251-264. [PMID: 33355299 PMCID: PMC7849416 DOI: 10.1101/gr.266239.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
TSA-seq mapping suggests that gene distance to nuclear speckles is more deterministic and predictive of gene expression levels than gene radial positioning. Gene expression correlates inversely with distance to nuclear speckles, with chromosome regions of unusually high expression located at the apex of chromosome loops protruding from the nuclear periphery into the interior. Genomic distances to the nearest lamina-associated domain are larger for loop apexes mapping closest to nuclear speckles, suggesting the possibility of conservation of speckle-associated regions. To facilitate comparison of genome organization by TSA-seq, we reduced required cell numbers 10- to 20-fold for TSA-seq by deliberately saturating protein-labeling while preserving distance mapping by the still unsaturated DNA-labeling. Only ∼10% of the genome shows statistically significant shifts in relative nuclear speckle distances in pair-wise comparisons between human cell lines (H1, HFF, HCT116, K562); however, these moderate shifts in nuclear speckle distances tightly correlate with changes in cell type-specific gene expression. Similarly, half of heat shock-induced gene loci already preposition very close to nuclear speckles, with the remaining positioned near or at intermediate distance (HSPH1) to nuclear speckles but shifting even closer with transcriptional induction. Speckle association together with chromatin decondensation correlates with expression amplification upon HSPH1 activation. Our results demonstrate a largely "hardwired" genome organization with specific genes moving small mean distances relative to speckles during cell differentiation or a physiological transition, suggesting an important role of nuclear speckles in gene expression regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Zhang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Omid Gholamalamdari
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Jian Ma
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA
| | - Andrew S Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hoboth P, Sztacho M, Šebesta O, Schätz M, Castano E, Hozák P. Nanoscale mapping of nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphate landscape by dual-color dSTORM. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158890. [PMID: 33513445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Current models of gene expression, which are based on single-molecule localization microscopy, acknowledge protein clustering and the formation of transcriptional condensates as a driving force of gene expression. However, these models largely omit the role of nuclear lipids and amongst them nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates (PIPs) in particular. Moreover, the precise distribution of nuclear PIPs in the functional sub-nuclear domains remains elusive. The direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) provides an unprecedented resolution in biological imaging. Therefore, its use for imaging in the densely crowded cell nucleus is desired but also challenging. Here we present a dual-color dSTORM imaging and image analysis of nuclear PI(4,5)P2, PI(3,4)P2 and PI(4)P distribution while preserving the context of nuclear architecture. In the nucleoplasm, PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4)P2 co-pattern in close proximity with the subset of RNA polymerase II foci. PI(4,5)P2 is surrounded by fibrillarin in the nucleoli and all three PIPs are dispersed within the matrix formed by the nuclear speckle protein SON. PI(4,5)P2 is the most abundant nuclear PIP, while PI(4)P is a precursor for the biosynthesis of PI(4,5)P2 and PI(3,4)P2. Therefore, our data are relevant for the understanding the roles of nuclear PIPs and provide further evidence for the model in which nuclear PIPs represent a localization signal for the formation of lipo-ribonucleoprotein hubs in the nucleus. The discussed experimental pipeline is applicable for further functional studies on the role of other nuclear PIPs in the regulation of gene expression and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Hoboth
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Sztacho
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Šebesta
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Schätz
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Enrique Castano
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; Biochemistry and Molecular Plant Biology Department, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C. Calle 43 No. 130, Colonia Chuburná de Hidalgo, Mérida C.P. 97200, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Pavel Hozák
- Department of Biology of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; Department of Epigenetics of the Cell Nucleus, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, division BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 20 Vestec, Czech Republic; Microscopy Centre, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bhadouriya SL, Mehrotra S, Basantani MK, Loake GJ, Mehrotra R. Role of Chromatin Architecture in Plant Stress Responses: An Update. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 11:603380. [PMID: 33510748 PMCID: PMC7835326 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.603380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Sessile plants possess an assembly of signaling pathways that perceive and transmit environmental signals, ultimately resulting in transcriptional reprogramming. Histone is a key feature of chromatin structure. Numerous histone-modifying proteins act under different environmental stress conditions to help modulate gene expression. DNA methylation and histone modification are crucial for genome reprogramming for tissue-specific gene expression and global gene silencing. Different classes of chromatin remodelers including SWI/SNF, ISWI, INO80, and CHD are reported to act upon chromatin in different organisms, under diverse stresses, to convert chromatin from a transcriptionally inactive to a transcriptionally active state. The architecture of chromatin at a given promoter is crucial for determining the transcriptional readout. Further, the connection between somatic memory and chromatin modifications may suggest a mechanistic basis for a stress memory. Studies have suggested that there is a functional connection between changes in nuclear organization and stress conditions. In this review, we discuss the role of chromatin architecture in different stress responses and the current evidence on somatic, intergenerational, and transgenerational stress memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Lata Bhadouriya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Sancoale, India
| | - Sandhya Mehrotra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Sancoale, India
| | - Mahesh K. Basantani
- Institute of Bioscience and Technology, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Lucknow, India
| | - Gary J. Loake
- School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, University of Edinburg, Edinburg, United Kingdom
| | - Rajesh Mehrotra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, Sancoale, India
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abdrabou A, Wang Z. Regulation of the nuclear speckle localization and function of Rac1. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21235. [PMID: 33417283 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001694r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Despite significant evidence that Rac1 is localized to the nucleus, little is known regarding the function and biological significance of nuclear Rac1. Here, we showed that in response to EGF Rac1 was translocated to nuclear speckles and co-localized with the nuclear speckle marker Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2) in Cos-7 cells. We also showed that the nuclear speckle localization of Rac1 was dependent on its T108 phosphorylation and facilitated by Rac1 polybasic region (PBR) that contains a nuclear localization signal and Rac1 GTPase activity. To gain insight into the function of Rac1 in nuclear speckles, we searched for Rac1 binding proteins in the nucleus. We isolated nuclear fraction of HEK 293 cells and incubated with GST-Rac1 and the phosphomimetic GST-Rac1T108E. We identified 463 proteins that were associated with GST-Rac1T108E, but not with GST-Rac1 by LC-MS/MS. Three notable groups of these proteins are: the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), and SRSFs, all of which are involved in pre-mRNA splicing and associated with nuclear speckles. We further showed by co-immunoprecipitation that Rac1 interacts with SRSF2, hnRNPA1, and U2A' in response to EGF. The interaction is dependent on T108 phosphorylation and facilitated by Rac1 PBR and GTPase activity. We showed that hnRNPA1 translocated in and out of nucleus in response to EGF in a similar pattern to Rac1. Rac1 only partially colocalized with U2A' that localizes to the actual splicing sites adjacent to nuclear speckle. Finally, we showed that Rac1 regulated EGF-induced pre-mRNA splicing and this is mediated by T108 phosphorylation. We conclude that in response to EGF, T108 phosphorylated Rac1 is targeted to nuclear speckles, interacts with multiple groups of proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing, and regulates EGF-induced pre-mRNA splicing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla Abdrabou
- Department of Medical Genetics and Signal, Transduction Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Zhixiang Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Signal, Transduction Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Arva A, Kasu YAT, Duncan J, Alkhatatbeh MA, Brower CS. The Ligand of Ate1 is intrinsically disordered and participates in nucleolar phase separation regulated by Jumonji Domain Containing 6. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2015887118. [PMID: 33443146 PMCID: PMC7817205 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015887118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ligand of Ate1 (Liat1) is a protein of unknown function that was originally discovered through its interaction with arginyl-tRNA protein transferase 1 (Ate1), a component of the Arg/N-degron pathway of protein degradation. Here, we characterized the functional domains of mouse Liat1 and found that its N-terminal half comprises an intrinsically disordered region (IDR) that facilitates its liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in the nucleolus. Using bimolecular fluorescence complementation and immunocytochemistry, we found that Liat1 is targeted to the nucleolus by a low-complexity poly-K region within its IDR. We also found that the lysyl-hydroxylase activity of Jumonji Domain Containing 6 (Jmjd6) modifies Liat1, in a manner that requires the Liat1 poly-K region, and inhibits its nucleolar targeting and potential functions. In sum, this study reveals that Liat1 participates in nucleolar LLPS regulated by Jmjd6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Arva
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204
| | | | - Jennifer Duncan
- Department of Biology, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX 76204
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Razin SV, Ulianov SV. Divide and Rule: Phase Separation in Eukaryotic Genome Functioning. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112480. [PMID: 33203115 PMCID: PMC7696541 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The functioning of a cell at various organizational levels is determined by the interactions between macromolecules that promote cellular organelle formation and orchestrate metabolic pathways via the control of enzymatic activities. Although highly specific and relatively stable protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-RNA interactions are traditionally suggested as the drivers for cellular function realization, recent advances in the discovery of weak multivalent interactions have uncovered the role of so-called macromolecule condensates. These structures, which are highly divergent in size, composition, function, and cellular localization are predominantly formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS): a physical-chemical process where an initially homogenous solution turns into two distinct phases, one of which contains the major portion of the dissolved macromolecules and the other one containing the solvent. In a living cell, LLPS drives the formation of membrane-less organelles such as the nucleolus, nuclear bodies, and viral replication factories and facilitates the assembly of complex macromolecule aggregates possessing regulatory, structural, and enzymatic functions. Here, we discuss the role of LLPS in the spatial organization of eukaryotic chromatin and regulation of gene expression in normal and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergey V. Razin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017 Moscow, Russia;
- Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119017 Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Ulianov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119017 Moscow, Russia;
- Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119017 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-499-135-9787
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Alkalay E, Gam Ze Letova Refael C, Shoval I, Kinor N, Sarid R, Shav-Tal Y. The Sub-Nuclear Localization of RNA-Binding Proteins in KSHV-Infected Cells. Cells 2020; 9:cells9091958. [PMID: 32854341 PMCID: PMC7564026 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins, particularly splicing factors, localize to sub-nuclear domains termed nuclear speckles. During certain viral infections, as the nucleus fills up with replicating virus compartments, host cell chromatin distribution changes, ending up condensed at the nuclear periphery. In this study we wished to determine the fate of nucleoplasmic RNA-binding proteins and nuclear speckles during the lytic cycle of the Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV). We found that nuclear speckles became fewer and dramatically larger, localizing at the nuclear periphery, adjacent to the marginalized chromatin. Enlarged nuclear speckles contained splicing factors, whereas other proteins were nucleoplasmically dispersed. Polyadenylated RNA, typically found in nuclear speckles under regular conditions, was also found in foci separated from nuclear speckles in infected cells. Poly(A) foci did not contain lncRNAs known to colocalize with nuclear speckles but contained the poly(A)-binding protein PABPN1. Examination of the localization of spliced viral RNAs revealed that some spliced transcripts could be detected within the nuclear speckles. Since splicing is required for the maturation of certain KSHV transcripts, we suggest that the infected cell does not dismantle nuclear speckles but rearranges their components at the nuclear periphery to possibly serve in splicing and transport of viral RNAs into the cytoplasm.
Collapse
|
41
|
Santos AP, Gaudin V, Mozgová I, Pontvianne F, Schubert D, Tek AL, Dvořáčková M, Liu C, Fransz P, Rosa S, Farrona S. Tidying-up the plant nuclear space: domains, functions, and dynamics. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5160-5178. [PMID: 32556244 PMCID: PMC8604271 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the packaging of chromatin in the nucleus is regulated and organized to guide complex cellular and developmental programmes, as well as responses to environmental cues is a major question in biology. Technological advances have allowed remarkable progress within this field over the last years. However, we still know very little about how the 3D genome organization within the cell nucleus contributes to the regulation of gene expression. The nuclear space is compartmentalized in several domains such as the nucleolus, chromocentres, telomeres, protein bodies, and the nuclear periphery without the presence of a membrane around these domains. The role of these domains and their possible impact on nuclear activities is currently under intense investigation. In this review, we discuss new data from research in plants that clarify functional links between the organization of different nuclear domains and plant genome function with an emphasis on the potential of this organization for gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Santos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova
de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Valérie Gaudin
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université
Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Iva Mozgová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České
Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České
Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Frédéric Pontvianne
- CNRS, Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes (LGDP), Université de
Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Daniel Schubert
- Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmet L Tek
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Department, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir
University, Niğde, Turkey
| | | | - Chang Liu
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of
Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart,
Germany
| | - Paul Fransz
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Rosa
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Farrona
- Plant and AgriBiosciences Centre, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway,
Galway, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hasenson SE, Shav‐Tal Y. Speculating on the Roles of Nuclear Speckles: How RNA‐Protein Nuclear Assemblies Affect Gene Expression. Bioessays 2020; 42:e2000104. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Hasenson
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Bar‐Ilan University Ramat Gan 4481400 Israel
| | - Yaron Shav‐Tal
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Bar‐Ilan University Ramat Gan 4481400 Israel
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Kim J, Venkata NC, Hernandez Gonzalez GA, Khanna N, Belmont AS. Gene expression amplification by nuclear speckle association. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:jcb.201904046. [PMID: 31757787 PMCID: PMC7039209 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201904046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Many active genes reproducibly position near nuclear speckles, but the functional significance of this positioning is unknown. Here we show that HSPA1B BAC transgenes and endogenous Hsp70 genes turn on 2-4 min after heat shock (HS), irrespective of their distance to speckles. However, both total HSPA1B mRNA counts and nascent transcript levels measured adjacent to the transgene are approximately twofold higher for speckle-associated alleles 15 min after HS. Nascent transcript level fold-increases for speckle-associated alleles are 12-56-fold and 3-7-fold higher 1-2 h after HS for HSPA1B transgenes and endogenous genes, respectively. Severalfold higher nascent transcript levels for several Hsp70 flanking genes also correlate with speckle association at 37°C. Live-cell imaging reveals that HSPA1B nascent transcript levels increase/decrease with speckle association/disassociation. Initial investigation reveals that increased nascent transcript levels accompanying speckle association correlate with reduced exosome RNA degradation and larger Ser2p CTD-modified RNA polymerase II foci. Our results demonstrate stochastic gene expression dependent on positioning relative to a liquid-droplet nuclear compartment through "gene expression amplification."
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiah Kim
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Neha Chivukula Venkata
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | | | - Nimish Khanna
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Andrew S Belmont
- Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Matsui M, Sakasai R, Abe M, Kimura Y, Kajita S, Torii W, Katsuki Y, Ishiai M, Iwabuchi K, Takata M, Nishi R. USP42 enhances homologous recombination repair by promoting R-loop resolution with a DNA-RNA helicase DHX9. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:60. [PMID: 32541651 PMCID: PMC7296013 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00244-4] [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: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus of mammalian cells is compartmentalized by nuclear bodies such as nuclear speckles, however, involvement of nuclear bodies, especially nuclear speckles, in DNA repair has not been actively investigated. Here, our focused screen for nuclear speckle factors involved in homologous recombination (HR), which is a faithful DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair mechanism, identified transcription-related nuclear speckle factors as potential HR regulators. Among the top hits, we provide evidence showing that USP42, which is a hitherto unidentified nuclear speckles protein, promotes HR by facilitating BRCA1 recruitment to DSB sites and DNA-end resection. We further showed that USP42 localization to nuclear speckles is required for efficient HR. Furthermore, we established that USP42 interacts with DHX9, which possesses DNA-RNA helicase activity, and is required for efficient resolution of DSB-induced R-loop. In conclusion, our data propose a model in which USP42 facilitates BRCA1 loading to DSB sites, resolution of DSB-induced R-loop and preferential DSB repair by HR, indicating the importance of nuclear speckle-mediated regulation of DSB repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misaki Matsui
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Ryo Sakasai
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Masako Abe
- Department of Late Effects Studies, Radiation Biology Centre, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yusuke Kimura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Shoki Kajita
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Wakana Torii
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan
| | - Yoko Katsuki
- Department of Late Effects Studies, Radiation Biology Centre, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Masamichi Ishiai
- Central Radioisotope Division, National Cancer Centre Research Institute, Chuoku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kuniyoshi Iwabuchi
- Department of Biochemistry I, Kanazawa Medical University, Kahoku, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Minoru Takata
- Department of Late Effects Studies, Radiation Biology Centre, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ryotaro Nishi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, 525-8577, Japan. .,School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0982, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Smith KP, Hall LL, Lawrence JB. Nuclear hubs built on RNAs and clustered organization of the genome. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 64:67-76. [PMID: 32259767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RNAs play diverse roles in formation and function of subnuclear compartments, most of which are associated with active genes. NEAT1 and NEAT2/MALAT1 exemplify long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) known to function in nuclear bodies; however, we suggest that RNA biogenesis itself may underpin much nuclear compartmentalization. Recent studies show that active genes cluster with nuclear speckles on a genome-wide scale, significantly advancing earlier cytological evidence that speckles (aka SC-35 domains) are hubs of concentrated pre-mRNA metabolism. We propose the 'karyotype to hub' hypothesis to explain this organization: clustering of genes in the human karyotype may have evolved to facilitate the formation of efficient nuclear hubs, driven in part by the propensity of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) to form large-scale condensates. The special capacity of highly repetitive RNAs to impact architecture is highlighted by recent findings that human satellite II RNA sequesters factors into abnormal nuclear bodies in disease, potentially co-opting a normal developmental mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly P Smith
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Lisa L Hall
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Jeanne B Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave. North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation plays an important role in cellular organization. Many subcellular condensed bodies are hierarchically organized into multiple coexisting domains or layers. However, our molecular understanding of the assembly and internal organization of these multicomponent droplets is still incomplete, and rules for the coexistence of condensed phases are lacking. Here, we show that the formation of hierarchically organized multiphase droplets with up to three coexisting layers is a generic phenomenon in mixtures of complex coacervates, which serve as models of charge-driven liquid-liquid phase separated systems. We present simple theoretical guidelines to explain both the hierarchical arrangement and the demixing transition in multiphase droplets using the interfacial tensions and critical salt concentration as inputs. Multiple coacervates can coexist if they differ sufficiently in macromolecular density, and we show that the associated differences in critical salt concentration can be used to predict multiphase droplet formation. We also show that the coexisting coacervates present distinct chemical environments that can concentrate guest molecules to different extents. Our findings suggest that condensate immiscibility may be a very general feature in biological systems, which could be exploited to design self-organized synthetic compartments to control biomolecular processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiemei Lu
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evan Spruijt
- Institute for Molecules and
Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Hochberg-Laufer H, Neufeld N, Brody Y, Nadav-Eliyahu S, Ben-Yishay R, Shav-Tal Y. Availability of splicing factors in the nucleoplasm can regulate the release of mRNA from the gene after transcription. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008459. [PMID: 31765392 PMCID: PMC6901260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene expression dynamics can be measured in single living cells. Using a detectable transcriptionally active gene in living cells, we previously found that an mRNA undergoing several splicing events was retained at this gene after transcription until completion of mRNA processing. To determine the reason for this delay in release and whether mRNA retention on the gene might depend on splicing factor availability, we modulated the levels of splicing factors in the nucleus. Increasing the abundance of the diffusing fraction of splicing factors by their overexpression or by Clk1 kinase overexpression to disassemble nuclear speckles, led to a reduction in splicing factor residence times on the active gene, and the retained mRNA was rapidly released from the gene. Other treatments such as overexpression of a mutant inactive Clk1, the downregulation of MALAT1 lncRNA or of the Son protein, or the overexpression of the splicing factor import factor TNPO3, did not affect the dynamics of mRNA release from the gene. We found that the faster release of the mRNA from the gene mediated by increased availability of splicing factors, was dependent on the RS domain of the splicing factors and its phosphorylation state. We propose that the relative abundancies of splicing factors in the nucleoplasm can affect their availability for the splicing events taking place, and regulate the kinetics of mRNA release from the gene after processing. Genetic information is contained in the cell nucleus and encodes proteins. However, protein production takes place in the cytoplasm, and so a molecule is needed to connect between the nucleus and cytoplasm. This messenger molecule is called messenger RNA (mRNA). It is produced and copied from the DNA, and after some processing will travel to the cytoplasm to encode proteins. This study focuses on the timing of mRNA release from the gene after it is copied from the DNA. Processing of mRNA includes the removal of some of its pieces and the stitching back of the remaining parts. This is called splicing. We found that mRNAs undergoing many splicing events are retained on the gene until splicing has completed, and examined what is the cause for this delay. We found that the factors performing the splicing might be limiting the process if their levels are not high enough at the gene locus. By increasing splicing factor levels in the nucleus we show that their abundance increases the rate at which mRNA is released. This means that the cell can regulate gene expression rates by limiting the availability of splicing factors that are free to take part in the processing of mRNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hodaya Hochberg-Laufer
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Noa Neufeld
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yehuda Brody
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shani Nadav-Eliyahu
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Rakefet Ben-Yishay
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Yaron Shav-Tal
- The Mina & Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences & Institute of Nanotechnology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Maita H, Nakagawa S. What is the switch for coupling transcription and splicing? RNA Polymerase II C‐terminal domain phosphorylation, phase separation and beyond. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-RNA 2019; 11:e1574. [DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Maita
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Hokkaido University Sapporo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Tasan I, Sustackova G, Zhang L, Kim J, Sivaguru M, HamediRad M, Wang Y, Genova J, Ma J, Belmont AS, Zhao H. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of an optimized TetO repeat for live cell imaging of endogenous loci. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e100. [PMID: 29912475 PMCID: PMC6158506 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky501] [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: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear organization has an important role in determining genome function; however, it is not clear how spatiotemporal organization of the genome relates to functionality. To elucidate this relationship, a method for tracking any locus of interest is desirable. Recently clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) or transcription activator-like effectors were adapted for imaging endogenous loci; however, they are mostly limited to visualization of repetitive regions. Here, we report an efficient and scalable method named SHACKTeR (Short Homology and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Knock-in of a TetO Repeat) for live cell imaging of specific chromosomal regions without the need for a pre-existing repetitive sequence. SHACKTeR requires only two modifications to the genome: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of an optimized TetO repeat and its visualization by TetR-EGFP expression. Our simplified knock-in protocol, utilizing short homology arms integrated by polymerase chain reaction, was successful at labeling 10 different loci in HCT116 cells. We also showed the feasibility of knock-in into lamina-associated, heterochromatin regions, demonstrating that these regions prefer non-homologous end joining for knock-in. Using SHACKTeR, we were able to observe DNA replication at a specific locus by long-term live cell imaging. We anticipate the general applicability and scalability of our method will enhance causative analyses between gene function and compartmentalization in a high-throughput manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ipek Tasan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Gabriela Sustackova
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Liguo Zhang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jiah Kim
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mayandi Sivaguru
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Mohammad HamediRad
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Justin Genova
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Jian Ma
- Computational Biology Department, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Andrew S Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Huimin Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Chen Y, Belmont AS. Genome organization around nuclear speckles. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2019; 55:91-99. [PMID: 31394307 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2019.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Higher eukaryotic cell nuclei are highly compartmentalized into bodies and structural assemblies of specialized functions. Nuclear speckles/IGCs are one of the most prominent nuclear bodies, yet their functional significance remains largely unknown. Recent advances in sequence-based mapping of nuclear genome organization now provide genome-wide analysis of chromosome organization relative to nuclear speckles. Here we review older microscopy-based studies on a small number of genes with the new genomic mapping data suggesting a significant fraction of the genome is almost deterministically positioned near nuclear speckles. Both microscopy and genomic-based approaches support the concept of the nuclear speckle periphery as a major active chromosomal compartment which may play an important role in fine-tuning gene regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences, CIRM Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Andrew S Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, B107 CLSL, 601 S. Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| |
Collapse
|