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Yano N, Fedulov AV. Targeted DNA Demethylation: Vectors, Effectors and Perspectives. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051334. [PMID: 37239005 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051334] [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: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA hypermethylation at regulatory cis-elements of particular genes is seen in a plethora of pathological conditions including cardiovascular, neurological, immunological, gastrointestinal and renal diseases, as well as in cancer, diabetes and others. Thus, approaches for experimental and therapeutic DNA demethylation have a great potential to demonstrate mechanistic importance, and even causality of epigenetic alterations, and may open novel avenues to epigenetic cures. However, existing methods based on DNA methyltransferase inhibitors that elicit genome-wide demethylation are not suitable for treatment of diseases with specific epimutations and provide a limited experimental value. Therefore, gene-specific epigenetic editing is a critical approach for epigenetic re-activation of silenced genes. Site-specific demethylation can be achieved by utilizing sequence-dependent DNA-binding molecules such as zinc finger protein array (ZFA), transcription activator-like effector (TALE) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated dead Cas9 (CRISPR/dCas9). Synthetic proteins, where these DNA-binding domains are fused with the DNA demethylases such as ten-eleven translocation (Tet) and thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG) enzymes, successfully induced or enhanced transcriptional responsiveness at targeted loci. However, a number of challenges, including the dependence on transgenesis for delivery of the fusion constructs, remain issues to be solved. In this review, we detail current and potential approaches to gene-specific DNA demethylation as a novel epigenetic editing-based therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiro Yano
- Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Alexey V Fedulov
- Department of Surgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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2
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Silva R, Glennon K, Metoudi M, Moran B, Salta S, Slattery K, Treacy A, Martin T, Shaw J, Doran P, Lynch L, Jeronimo C, Perry AS, Brennan DJ. Unveiling the epigenomic mechanisms of acquired platinum-resistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Int J Cancer 2023; 153:120-132. [PMID: 36883413 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34496] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is the major cause of death from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). We hypothesise that detection of specific DNA methylation changes may predict platinum resistance in HGSOC. Using a publicly available "discovery" dataset we examined epigenomic and transcriptomic alterations between primary platinum-sensitive (n = 32) and recurrent acquired drug resistant HGSOC (n = 28) and identified several genes involved in immune and chemoresistance-related pathways. Validation via high-resolution melt analysis of these findings, in cell lines and HGSOC tumours, demonstrated the most consistent changes were observed in three of the genes: APOBEC3A, NKAPL and PDCD1. Plasma samples from an independent HGSOC cohort (n = 17) were analysed using droplet digital PCR. Hypermethylation of NKAPL was detected in 46% and hypomethylation of APOBEC3A in 69% of plasma samples taken from women with relapsed HGSOC (n = 13), with no alterations identified in disease-free patients (n = 4). Following these results, and using a CRISPR-Cas9 approach, we were also able to demonstrate that in vitro NKAPL promoter demethylation increased platinum sensitivity by 15%. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of aberrant methylation, especially of the NKAPL gene, in acquired platinum resistance in HGSOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Silva
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kate Glennon
- UCD Gynaecological Oncology Group, UCD School of Medicine Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael Metoudi
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bruce Moran
- Department of Pathology, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sofia Salta
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto /Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Karen Slattery
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ann Treacy
- Department of Pathology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Terri Martin
- Clinical Research Centre, UCD School of Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jacqui Shaw
- Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Peter Doran
- Clinical Research Centre, UCD School of Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lydia Lynch
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carmen Jeronimo
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto /Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Antoinette S Perry
- Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Donal J Brennan
- Systems Biology Ireland, UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- UCD Gynaecological Oncology Group, UCD School of Medicine Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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3
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Horii T, Morita S, Hatada I. Generation of Epigenetic Disease Model Mice by Targeted Demethylation of the Epigenome. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:255-268. [PMID: 36173579 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms play an important role in gene silencing and genome stability; therefore, epigenetic mutations cause a variety of diseases. Analysis of the epigenome by next-generation sequencers has revealed many epigenetic mutations in various diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes, autism, allergies, immune diseases, and imprinting diseases. Unfortunately, it has been difficult to identify the causative epigenetic mutations because there has been no method to generate animals with target-specific epigenetic mutations. However, it has become possible to generate such animals due to the recent development of epigenome editing technology. Here, we introduce the generation of epigenome-edited mice by target-specific DNA demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuro Horii
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
| | - Sumiyo Morita
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
| | - Izuho Hatada
- Laboratory of Genome Science, Biosignal Genome Resource Center, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan.
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4
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Hashimoto K, Hanzawa N. In Vivo Tissue-Specific DNA Demethylation in Mouse Liver Through a Hydrodynamic Tail Vein Injection. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:269-277. [PMID: 36173580 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_19] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A new technique called the dCas9-SunTag and scFv-TET1CD epigenome editing system has recently been developed to edit the DNA methylation status of specific genes. The transfection of an all-in-one vector containing this system into cells is feasible and induces the DNA demethylation of specific genes; however, due to the large size of the vector, difficulties are associated with its introduction into mice. We herein used a hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVi) to introduce the all-in-one vector into mice for in vivo epigenome editing. HTVi needs to be considered for inducing the targeted DNA demethylation of particular genes in the mouse liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koshi Hashimoto
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Hematology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, Koshigaya, Saitama, Japan.
| | - Nozomi Hanzawa
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, National Disaster Medical Center, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan
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5
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Singh K, Rustagi Y, Abouhashem AS, Tabasum S, Verma P, Hernandez E, Pal D, Khona DK, Mohanty SK, Kumar M, Srivastava R, Guda PR, Verma SS, Mahajan S, Killian JA, Walker LA, Ghatak S, Mathew-Steiner SS, Wanczyk K, Liu S, Wan J, Yan P, Bundschuh R, Khanna S, Gordillo GM, Murphy MP, Roy S, Sen CK. Genome-wide DNA hypermethylation opposes healing in chronic wound patients by impairing epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:157279. [PMID: 35819852 PMCID: PMC9433101 DOI: 10.1172/jci157279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An extreme chronic wound tissue microenvironment causes epigenetic gene silencing. An unbiased whole-genome methylome was studied in the wound-edge tissue of patients with chronic wounds. A total of 4,689 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were identified in chronic wound-edge skin compared with unwounded human skin. Hypermethylation was more frequently observed (3,661 DMRs) in the chronic wound-edge tissue compared with hypomethylation (1,028 DMRs). Twenty-six hypermethylated DMRs were involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Bisulfite sequencing validated hypermethylation of a predicted specific upstream regulator TP53. RNA-Seq analysis was performed to qualify findings from methylome analysis. Analysis of the downregulated genes identified the TP53 signaling pathway as being significantly silenced. Direct comparison of hypermethylation and downregulated genes identified 4 genes, ADAM17, NOTCH, TWIST1, and SMURF1, that functionally represent the EMT pathway. Single-cell RNA-Seq studies revealed that these effects on gene expression were limited to the keratinocyte cell compartment. Experimental murine studies established that tissue ischemia potently induces wound-edge gene methylation and that 5′-azacytidine, inhibitor of methylation, improved wound closure. To specifically address the significance of TP53 methylation, keratinocyte-specific editing of TP53 methylation at the wound edge was achieved by a tissue nanotransfection-based CRISPR/dCas9 approach. This work identified that reversal of methylation-dependent keratinocyte gene silencing represents a productive therapeutic strategy to improve wound closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanhaiya Singh
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Yashika Rustagi
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Ahmed S Abouhashem
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Saba Tabasum
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Priyanka Verma
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Edward Hernandez
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Durba Pal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Ropar, India
| | - Dolly K Khona
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Sujit K Mohanty
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Manishekhar Kumar
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Rajneesh Srivastava
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Poornachander R Guda
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Sumit S Verma
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Sanskruti Mahajan
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Jackson A Killian
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Logan A Walker
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Subhadip Ghatak
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Shomita S Mathew-Steiner
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Kristen Wanczyk
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Sheng Liu
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Jun Wan
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Pearlly Yan
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Ralf Bundschuh
- Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, United States of America
| | - Savita Khanna
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Gayle M Gordillo
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Michael P Murphy
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Sashwati Roy
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
| | - Chandan K Sen
- Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States of America
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Pei WD, Zhang Y, Yin TL, Yu Y. Epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 in clinical settings: possibilities and challenges. Brief Funct Genomics 2021; 19:215-228. [PMID: 31819946 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elz035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing is a promising approach for both basic research and clinical application. With the convergence of techniques from different fields, regulating gene expression artificially becomes possible. From a clinical point of view, targeted epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 of disease-related genes offers novel therapeutic avenues for many diseases. In this review, we summarize the EpiEffectors used in epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9, current applications of epigenome editing and progress made in this field. Moreover, application challenges such as off-target effects, inefficient delivery, stability and immunogenicity are discussed. In conclusion, epigenome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 has broad prospects in the clinic, and future work will promote the application of this technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Di Pei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, PR China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China.,Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191 China
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7
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Navarro-Martín L, Martyniuk CJ, Mennigen JA. Comparative epigenetics in animal physiology: An emerging frontier. COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY D-GENOMICS & PROTEOMICS 2020; 36:100745. [PMID: 33126028 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbd.2020.100745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The unprecedented access to annotated genomes now facilitates the investigation of the molecular basis of epigenetic phenomena in phenotypically diverse animals. In this critical review, we describe the roles of molecular epigenetic mechanisms in regulating mitotically and meiotically stable spatiotemporal gene expression, phenomena that provide the molecular foundation for the intra-, inter-, and trans-generational emergence of physiological phenotypes. By focusing principally on emerging comparative epigenetic roles of DNA-level and transcriptome-level epigenetic mark dynamics in the emergence of phenotypes, we highlight the relationship between evolutionary conservation and innovation of specific epigenetic pathways, and their interplay as a priority for future study. This comparative approach is expected to significantly advance our understanding of epigenetic phenomena, as animals show a diverse array of strategies to epigenetically modify physiological responses. Additionally, we review recent technological advances in the field of molecular epigenetics (single-cell epigenomics and transcriptomics and editing of epigenetic marks) in order to (1) investigate environmental and endogenous factor dependent epigenetic mark dynamics in an integrative manner; (2) functionally test the contribution of specific epigenetic marks for animal phenotypes via genome and transcript-editing tools. Finally, we describe advantages and limitations of emerging animal models, which under the Krogh principle, may be particularly useful in the advancement of comparative epigenomics and its potential translational applications in animal science, ecotoxicology, ecophysiology, climate change science and wild-life conservation, as well as organismal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laia Navarro-Martín
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalunya 08034, Spain.
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences and Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jan A Mennigen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N6N5, Canada
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8
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DNA Hypermethylation and Unstable Repeat Diseases: A Paradigm of Transcriptional Silencing to Decipher the Basis of Pathogenic Mechanisms. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060684. [PMID: 32580525 PMCID: PMC7348995 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unstable repeat disorders comprise a variable group of incurable human neurological and neuromuscular diseases caused by an increase in the copy number of tandem repeats located in various regions of their resident genes. It has become clear that dense DNA methylation in hyperexpanded non-coding repeats induces transcriptional silencing and, subsequently, insufficient protein synthesis. However, the ramifications of this paradigm reveal a far more profound role in disease pathogenesis. This review will summarize the significant progress made in a subset of non-coding repeat diseases demonstrating the role of dense landscapes of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) as a common disease modifier. However, the emerging findings suggest context-dependent models of 5mC-mediated silencing with distinct effects of excessive DNA methylation. An in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this peculiar group of human diseases constitutes a prerequisite that could help to discover novel pathogenic repeat loci, as well as to determine potential therapeutic targets. In this regard, we report on a brief description of advanced strategies in DNA methylation profiling for the identification of unstable Guanine-Cytosine (GC)-rich regions and on promising examples of molecular targeted therapies for Fragile X disease (FXS) and Friedrich ataxia (FRDA) that could pave the way for the application of this technique in other hypermethylated expansion disorders.
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9
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Repurposing type I-F CRISPR-Cas system as a transcriptional activation tool in human cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3136. [PMID: 32561716 PMCID: PMC7305327 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16880-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Class 2 CRISPR–Cas proteins have been widely developed as genome editing and transcriptional regulating tools. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas constitutes ~60% of all the CRISPR–Cas systems. However, only type I–B and I–E systems have been used to control mammalian gene expression and for genome editing. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using type I–F system to regulate human gene expression. By fusing transcription activation domain to Pseudomonas aeruginosa type I–F Cas proteins, we activate gene transcription in human cells. In most cases, type I–F system is more efficient than other CRISPR-based systems. Transcription activation is enhanced by elongating the crRNA. In addition, we achieve multiplexed gene activation with a crRNA array. Furthermore, type I–F system activates target genes specifically without off-target transcription activation. These data demonstrate the robustness and programmability of type I–F CRISPR–Cas in human cells. Class 1 type I CRISPR–Cas systems have not been as extensively developed for genome engineering as Class 2 systems. Here the authors modify the Type I–F CRISPR–Cas system for transcriptional activation of gene expression.
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Dai X, Blancafort P, Wang P, Sgro A, Thompson EW, Ostrikov K(K. Innovative Precision Gene-Editing Tools in Personalized Cancer Medicine. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2020; 7:1902552. [PMID: 32596104 PMCID: PMC7312441 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201902552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) has spurred a successive wave of genome-engineering following zinc finger nucleases and transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and made gene-editing a promising strategy in the prevention and treatment of genetic diseases. However, gene-editing is not widely adopted in clinics due to some technical issues that challenge its safety and efficacy, and the lack of appropriate clinical regulations allowing them to advance toward improved human health without impinging on human ethics. By systematically examining the oncological applications of gene-editing tools and critical factors challenging their medical translation, genome-editing has substantial contributions to cancer driver gene discovery, tumor cell epigenome normalization, targeted delivery, cancer animal model establishment, and cancer immunotherapy and prevention in clinics. Gene-editing tools, epitomized by CRISPR, are predicted to represent a promising strategy toward the precise control of cancer initiation and development. However, some technical problems and ethical concerns are serious issues that need to be appropriately addressed before CRISPR can be incorporated into the next generation of molecular precision medicine. In this light, new technical developments to limit off-target effects are discussed herein, and the use of gene-editing approaches for treating otherwise incurable cancers is brought into focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Dai
- Wuxi School of MedicineJiangnan UniversityWuxi214122China
| | - Pilar Blancafort
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical ResearchNedlandsWestern Australia6009Australia
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaNedlandsWestern Australia6009Australia
- The Greehey Children's Cancer Research InstituteThe University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTX78229USA
| | - Peiyu Wang
- Institute of Health and Biomedical InnovationQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueensland4059Australia
- School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueensland4059Australia
- Translational Research InstituteWoolloongabbaQueensland4102Australia
| | - Agustin Sgro
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical ResearchNedlandsWestern Australia6009Australia
- School of Human SciencesThe University of Western AustraliaNedlandsWestern Australia6009Australia
| | - Erik W. Thompson
- Institute of Health and Biomedical InnovationQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueensland4059Australia
- School of Biomedical SciencesQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueensland4059Australia
- Translational Research InstituteWoolloongabbaQueensland4102Australia
| | - Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
- Translational Research InstituteWoolloongabbaQueensland4102Australia
- School of Chemistry and PhysicsQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueensland4000Australia
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11
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Targeted DNA demethylation of the Fgf21 promoter by CRISPR/dCas9-mediated epigenome editing. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5181. [PMID: 32198422 PMCID: PMC7083849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62035-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, we reported PPARα-dependent DNA demethylation of the Fgf21 promoter in the postnatal mouse liver, where reduced DNA methylation is associated with enhanced gene expression after PPARα activation. However, there is no direct evidence for the effect of site-specific DNA methylation on gene expression. We employed the dCas9-SunTag and single-chain variable fragment (scFv)-TET1 catalytic domain (TET1CD) system to induce targeted DNA methylation of the Fgf21 promoter both in vitro and in vivo. We succeeded in targeted DNA demethylation of the Fgf 21 promoter both in Hepa1-6 cells and PPARα-deficient mice, with increased gene expression response to PPARα synthetic ligand administration and fasting, respectively. This study provides direct evidence that the DNA methylation status of a particular gene may determine the magnitude of the gene expression response to activation cues.
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12
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Hossain MA, Wu C, Yanagisawa H, Miyajima T, Akiyama K, Eto Y. Future clinical and biochemical predictions of Fabry disease in females by methylation studies of the GLA gene. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2019; 20:100497. [PMID: 31372342 PMCID: PMC6661284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2019.100497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of α-galactosidase A (α-gal A). The clinical variability of the phenotypes of Fabry disease in females is still poorly understood. The degree of aberrant methylation of non-mutated alleles is thought to have significant effects on X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). We previously reported that one heterozygous Fabry female showing classical phenotypes had complete methylation of the non-mutated allele of the GLA gene. In this report, we summarized 36 heterozygous females with a clinical severity score based on the FAbry STabilization indEX (FASTEX). We measured their α-gal A activity and plasma/ serum globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) accumulation and performed electron microscopy of skin biopsies. We analyzed the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme sites throughout the GLA gene, including the 5’UTR, and found a single SacII site and multiple HhaI and HpaII sites aggregated in exon 1 and the 5’UTR. One HpaII sequence in exon 7 was also detected as a methylation-sensitive site. With methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, methylated and non-methylated alleles could be separated, and the ratio of the methylation was quantified. We found a clear correlation between the severity of the phenotype and lyso-Gb3 accumulation for heterozygous Fabry disease in females. Methylation of the non-mutated allele was also proportionately correlated to the clinical severity score measured by FASTEX. We summarized 36 heterozygous Japanese Fabry females with their clinical severity score. We had detected methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme sites in exon 7 along with exon 1 and 5`UTR. A clear correlation of patients’ FASTEX scores, sphingolipids accumulations and dysmethylation of the GLA gene was detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Arif Hossain
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.,Department of Gene Therapy, Institute for DNA Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chen Wu
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroko Yanagisawa
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyajima
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Keiko Akiyama
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshikatsu Eto
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.,Department of Gene Therapy, Institute for DNA Medicine, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Wang X, Hill D, Tillitt DE, Bhandari RK. Bisphenol A and 17α-ethinylestradiol-induced transgenerational differences in expression of osmoregulatory genes in the gill of medaka (Oryzias latipes). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 211:227-234. [PMID: 31048106 PMCID: PMC6626660 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) exposure can have far reaching health effects in fish, including adult onset transgenerational reproductive abnormalities, anxiety, and cardiac disorders. It is unknown whether these two environmental estrogens can induce transgenerational abnormalities in the gill. The present study examined transgenerational effects of BPA or EE2 exposure on genes that are critical for osmoregulation in fish. Medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos were exposed to either BPA (100 μg/L) or EE2 (0.05 μg/L) for the first 7 days of embryonic development and never thereafter for the remainder of that generation (F0) and in subsequent generations of this study (F1, F2, and F3). Expression of osmoregulatory genes (NKAα1a, NKAα1b, NKAα1c, NKAα3a, NKAα3b, NKCC1a, and CFTR) were examined in gills of the first-generation (F0) adults which were directly exposed as embryo and in the fourth-generation adults (F3), which were never exposed to either of these environmental estrogens. Significant alterations in expression of osmoregulatory genes were observed in both F0 and F3 generations. Within the F0 generation, a sex-specific expression pattern was observed with a downregulation of osmoregulatory genes in males and an upregulation of osmoregulatory genes in females. At the F3 generation, this pattern reversed with the majority of the osmoregulatory genes upregulated in males and downregulated in females, suggesting that exposure to BPA and EE2 during embryonic development induced transgenerational impairment in molecular events associated with osmoregulatory functions in subsequent generations. These adverse outcomes may have impacts on physiological functions related to osmoregulation of fish inhabiting contaminated aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuegeng Wang
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, United States
| | - Diamond Hill
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, United States
| | - Donald E Tillitt
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO 65201, United States
| | - Ramji K Bhandari
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, United States.
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Yanagisawa H, Hossain MA, Miyajima T, Nagao K, Miyashita T, Eto Y. Dysregulated DNA methylation of GLA gene was associated with dysfunction of autophagy. Mol Genet Metab 2019; 126:460-465. [PMID: 30871880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomes are an essential organ for cellular metabolism and play an important role in autophagy. We examined the association between methylation and autophagy in a severely affected female patient with Fabry disease, which is caused by mutation of the GLA gene on the X chromosome, and her two sisters, who had few symptoms. We confirmed autophagic flux by LC3 turnover assay using fibroblasts from each sister. In the severe female patient, autophagic flux showed abnormal while her two sisters with few symptoms had normal autophagic flux, revealing the direct relationship between symptoms and autophagic flux. Furthermore, we observed the levels of p62, which is a substrate for autophagy, and lysosome morphology. In the severe patient of this family, lysosomes were enlarged and p62 was accumulated. The methylated allele of the GLA gene in the severe patient had a high proportion of wild alleles; conversely, the sisters' methylated allele had a high proportion of mutant alleles. Therefore, we examined the mRNA expression level of the mutant allele by allele-specific PCR. It was high in the severe patient and low in the siblings with few symptoms. That is, the correlation between the mRNA expression level of the mutant allele and disease severity was confirmed. We showed a correlation between severe symptoms, dysfunction of autophagy and methylation of wild alleles in Fabry disease. It was suggested that allele-specific PCR may lead to a diagnosis and help to determine the prognosis of female patients with Fabry disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Yanagisawa
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute for Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Japan.
| | - Mohammad Arif Hossain
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute for Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Takashi Miyajima
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute for Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Nagao
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Miyashita
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Yoshikatsu Eto
- Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute for Neurological Disorders, Kawasaki, Japan.
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