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Di Nardo M, Musio A. Cohesin - bridging the gap among gene transcription, genome stability, and human diseases. FEBS Lett 2024. [PMID: 38852996 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14949] [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: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The intricate landscape of cellular processes governing gene transcription, chromatin organization, and genome stability is a fascinating field of study. A key player in maintaining this delicate equilibrium is the cohesin complex, a molecular machine with multifaceted roles. This review presents an in-depth exploration of these intricate connections and their significant impact on various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maddalena Di Nardo
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Musio
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
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Chea S, Kreger J, Lopez-Burks ME, MacLean AL, Lander AD, Calof AL. Gastrulation-stage gene expression in Nipbl +/- mouse embryos foreshadows the development of syndromic birth defects. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.16.558465. [PMID: 37905011 PMCID: PMC10614802 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.16.558465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
In animal models, Nipbl-deficiency phenocopies gene expression changes and birth defects seen in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), the most common cause of which is Nipbl-haploinsufficiency. Previous studies in Nipbl+/- mice suggested that heart development is abnormal as soon as cardiogenic tissue is formed. To investigate this, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing on wildtype (WT) and Nipbl+/- mouse embryos at gastrulation and early cardiac crescent stages. Nipbl+/- embryos had fewer mesoderm cells than WT and altered proportions of mesodermal cell subpopulations. These findings were associated with underexpression of genes implicated in driving specific mesodermal lineages. In addition, Nanog was found to be overexpressed in all germ layers, and many gene expression changes observed in Nipbl+/- embryos could be attributed to Nanog overexpression. These findings establish a link between Nipbl-deficiency, Nanog overexpression, and gene expression dysregulation/lineage misallocation, which ultimately manifest as birth defects in Nipbl+/- animals and CdLS. Teaser Gene expression changes during gastrulation of Nipbl-deficient mice shed light on early origins of structural birth defects.
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Chen J, Floyd EN, Dawson DS, Rankin S. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome mutations in SMC1A cause cohesion defects in yeast. Genetics 2023; 225:iyad159. [PMID: 37650609 PMCID: PMC10550314 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad159] [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: 05/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a developmental disorder characterized by limb truncations, craniofacial abnormalities, and cognitive delays. CdLS is caused mainly by mutations in genes encoding subunits or regulators of the cohesin complex. Cohesin plays 2 distinct roles in chromosome dynamics as follows: it promotes looping, organization, and compaction of individual chromosomes, and it holds newly replicated sister chromatids together until cell division. CdLS-associated mutations result in altered gene expression likely by affecting chromosome architecture. Whether CdLS mutations cause phenotypes through impact on sister chromatid cohesion is less clear. Here, we show that CdLS-associated mutations introduced into the SMC1A gene of budding yeast had measurable impacts on sister chromatid cohesion, mitotic progression, and DNA damage sensitivity. These data suggest that sister chromatid cohesion-related defects may contribute to phenotypes seen in CdLS affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Chen
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Erin N Floyd
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Dean S Dawson
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
| | - Susannah Rankin
- Program in Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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Conti B, Rinaldi B, Rimoldi M, Villa R, Iascone M, Gangi S, Porro M, Ajmone PF, Colli AM, Mosca F, Bedeschi MF. Chung-Jansen syndrome can mimic Cornelia de Lange syndrome: Another player among chromatinopathies? Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:1586-1592. [PMID: 36843271 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63164] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare multisystem congenital neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) characterized by distinctive facial anomalies, short stature, developmental delay, hirsutism, gastrointestinal abnormalities and upper limb reduction defects. CdLS syndrome is associated with causative variants in genes encoding for the cohesin complex, a cellular machinery involved in chromatid pairing, DNA repair and gene-expression regulation. In this report, we describe a familial case of a syndromic presentation in a 4-year-old patient (P1) and in his mother (P2). Trio-based Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) performed on P1 was first negative. Since his phenotypic evolution during the follow-up was reminiscent of the CdLS spectrum, a reanalysis of WES data, focused on CdLS-related genes, was requested. Although no alterations in those genes was detected, we identified the likely pathogenetic variant c.40G > A (p.Glu14Lys) in the PHIP gene, in the meanwhile associated with Chung-Jansen syndrome. Reverse phenotyping carried out in both patients confirmed the molecular diagnosis. CHUJANS belongs to NDDs, featuring developmental delay, mild-to-moderate intellectual disability, behavioral problems, obesity and facial dysmorphisms. Moreover, as here described, CHUJANS shows a significant overlap with the CdLS spectrum, with specific regard to facial gestalt. On the basis of our findings, we suggest to include PHIP among genes routinely analyzed in patients belonging to the CdLS spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Conti
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Berardo Rinaldi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Rimoldi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Villa
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Iascone
- Laboratorio di Genetica Medica, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Silvana Gangi
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Porro
- Pediatric Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Francesca Ajmone
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatric Service (UONPIA), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Colli
- Cardiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Mosca
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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Eigenhuis KN, Somsen HB, van den Berg DLC. Transcription Pause and Escape in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:846272. [PMID: 35615272 PMCID: PMC9125161 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.846272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription pause-release is an important, highly regulated step in the control of gene expression. Modulated by various factors, it enables signal integration and fine-tuning of transcriptional responses. Mutations in regulators of pause-release have been identified in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that have several common features affecting multiple organ systems. This review summarizes current knowledge on this novel subclass of disorders, including an overview of clinical features, mechanistic details, and insight into the relevant neurodevelopmental processes.
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Carvalhal S, Bader I, Rooimans MA, Oostra AB, Balk JA, Feichtinger RG, Beichler C, Speicher MR, van Hagen JM, Waisfisz Q, van Haelst M, Bruijn M, Tavares A, Mayr JA, Wolthuis RMF, Oliveira RA, de Lange J. Biallelic BUB1 mutations cause microcephaly, developmental delay, and variable effects on cohesion and chromosome segregation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk0114. [PMID: 35044816 PMCID: PMC8769543 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles (BUB1) contributes to multiple mitotic processes. Here, we describe the first two patients with biallelic BUB1 germline mutations, who both display microcephaly, intellectual disability, and several patient-specific features. The identified mutations cause variable degrees of reduced total protein level and kinase activity, leading to distinct mitotic defects. Both patients’ cells show prolonged mitosis duration, chromosome segregation errors, and an overall functional spindle assembly checkpoint. However, while BUB1 levels mostly affect BUBR1 kinetochore recruitment, impaired kinase activity prohibits centromeric recruitment of Aurora B, SGO1, and TOP2A, correlating with anaphase bridges, aneuploidy, and defective sister chromatid cohesion. We do not observe accelerated cohesion fatigue. We hypothesize that unresolved DNA catenanes increase cohesion strength, with concomitant increase in anaphase bridges. In conclusion, BUB1 mutations cause a neurodevelopmental disorder, with clinical and cellular phenotypes that partially resemble previously described syndromes, including autosomal recessive primary microcephaly, mosaic variegated aneuploidy, and cohesinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Carvalhal
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centre for Biomedical Research, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Ingrid Bader
- Unit of Clinical Genetics, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin A. Rooimans
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Oncogenetics Section, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anneke B. Oostra
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Oncogenetics Section, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jesper A. Balk
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Oncogenetics Section, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - René G. Feichtinger
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Christine Beichler
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael R. Speicher
- Institute of Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Johanna M. van Hagen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Quinten Waisfisz
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mieke van Haelst
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martijn Bruijn
- Northwest Clinics, Wilhelminalaan 12, 1815 JD Alkmaar, Netherlands
| | - Alexandra Tavares
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Johannes A. Mayr
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Rob M. F. Wolthuis
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Oncogenetics Section, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Raquel A. Oliveira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
- Corresponding author. (R.A.O.); (J.d.L.)
| | - Job de Lange
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Oncogenetics Section, De Boelelaan 1118, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Corresponding author. (R.A.O.); (J.d.L.)
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Shangguan H, Chen R. Phenotypes of Cornelia de Lange syndrome caused by non-cohesion genes: Novel variants and literature review. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:940294. [PMID: 35935361 PMCID: PMC9355708 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.940294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetic disorder caused by variants in cohesion genes including NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and HDAC8. According to the 2018 consensus statement, a patient with clinical scored ≥ 11 points could be diagnosed as CdLS. However, some variants in non-cohesion genes rather than cohesion genes can manifest as phenotypes of CdLS. OBJECTIVES This study describes six variants of non-cohesion genes (KDM6A, KMT2D, KMT2A ANKRD11, and UBE2A), and assesses the reliability of 11-points scale criteria in the clinical diagnosis of CdLS. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on six patients with features of CdLS. Phenotypic and genotypic spectra of 40 previously reported patients with features of CdLS caused by non-cohesion genes variants and 34 previously reported patients with NIPBL variants were summarized. Clinical score comparison among patients with NIPBL variants versus those with variants in non-cohesin genes was performed. RESULTS Variants in non-cohesion genes were found in six patients [KMT2A (n = 2), KMT2D, ANKRD11, KDM6A, and UBE2A]. Of them, four variants (KMT2A c.7789C > T, ANKRD11 c.1757_1776del, KDM6A c.655-1G > A, and UBE2A c.439C > T) were novel. Combining with previously reported cases, 46 patients with phenotypes of CdLS caused by variants in 20 non-cohesion genes are now reported. From this total cohort, the average clinical score of patients in ANKRD11 cohort, SETD5 cohort, and AFF4 cohort was statistically lower than those in NIPBL cohort (8.92 ± 1.77 vs. 12.23 ± 2.58, 7.33 ± 2.52 vs. 12.23 ± 2.58, 5.33 ± 1.53 vs. 12.23 ± 2.58; p < 0.05). The average clinical score of KMT2A cohort, EP300 cohort, and NIPBL cohort had not significantly different from (11 ± 2.19 vs. 12.23 ± 2.58, 10 ± 4.58 vs. 12.23 ± 2.58; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION We described 4 novel variants of non-cohesion genes in six Chinese patients with phenotypes of CdLS. Of note, three genes (KMT2D, KDM6A, and UBE2A) causing features of CdLS have never been reported. The proposed clinical criteria for CdLS needed to be updated and refined, insofar as WES was necessary to confirm the diagnosis of CdLS. Our study expanded the spectra of non-cohesion genetic variations in patients with features of CdLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huakun Shangguan
- Department of Endocrinology, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ruimin Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Fuzhou Children's Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Parenti I, Kaiser FJ. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome as Paradigm of Chromatinopathies. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:774950. [PMID: 34803598 PMCID: PMC8603810 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.774950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatinopathies can be defined as a class of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by mutations affecting proteins responsible for chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation. The resulting dysregulation of gene expression favors the onset of a series of clinical features such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism, and behavioral disturbances. Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a prime example of a chromatinopathy. It is caused by mutations affecting subunits or regulators of the cohesin complex, a multisubunit protein complex involved in various molecular mechanisms such as sister chromatid cohesion, transcriptional regulation and formation of topologically associated domains. However, disease-causing variants in non-cohesin genes with overlapping functions have also been described in association with CdLS. Notably, the majority of these genes had been previously found responsible for distinct neurodevelopmental disorders that also fall within the category of chromatinopathies and are frequently considered as differential diagnosis for CdLS. In this review, we provide a systematic overview of the current literature to summarize all mutations in non-cohesin genes identified in association with CdLS phenotypes and discuss about the interconnection of proteins belonging to the chromatinopathies network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Parenti
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank J Kaiser
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Essener Zentrum für Seltene Erkrankungen (EZSE), Universitätsklinikum Essen, Essen, Germany
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García-Gutiérrez P, García-Domínguez M. BETting on a Transcriptional Deficit as the Main Cause for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:709232. [PMID: 34386522 PMCID: PMC8353280 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.709232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a human developmental syndrome with complex multisystem phenotypic features. It has been traditionally considered a cohesinopathy together with other phenotypically related diseases because of their association with mutations in subunits of the cohesin complex. Despite some overlap, the clinical manifestations of cohesinopathies vary considerably and, although their precise molecular mechanisms are not well defined yet, the potential pathomechanisms underlying these diverse developmental defects have been theoretically linked to alterations of the cohesin complex function. The cohesin complex plays a critical role in sister chromatid cohesion, but this function is not affected in CdLS. In the last decades, a non-cohesion-related function of this complex on transcriptional regulation has been well established and CdLS pathoetiology has been recently associated to gene expression deregulation. Up to 70% of CdLS cases are linked to mutations in the cohesin-loading factor NIPBL, which has been shown to play a prominent function on chromatin architecture and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, it has been suggested that CdLS can be considered a transcriptomopathy. Actually, CdLS-like phenotypes have been associated to mutations in chromatin-associated proteins, as KMT2A, AFF4, EP300, TAF6, SETD5, SMARCB1, MAU2, ZMYND11, MED13L, PHIP, ARID1B, NAA10, BRD4 or ANKRD11, most of which have no known direct association with cohesin. In the case of BRD4, a critical highly investigated transcriptional coregulator, an interaction with NIPBL has been recently revealed, providing evidence on their cooperation in transcriptional regulation of developmentally important genes. This new finding reinforces the notion of an altered gene expression program during development as the major etiological basis for CdLS. In this review, we intend to integrate the recent available evidence on the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations of CdLS, highlighting data that favors a transcription-centered framework, which support the idea that CdLS could be conceptualized as a transcriptomopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Gutiérrez
- Andalusian Centre for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Mario García-Domínguez
- Andalusian Centre for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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Selicorni A, Mariani M, Lettieri A, Massa V. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome: From a Disease to a Broader Spectrum. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:1075. [PMID: 34356091 PMCID: PMC8307173 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a genetic disease that exemplifies the evolution of knowledge in the field of rare genetic disorders. Originally described as a unique pattern of major and minor anomalies, over time this syndrome has been shown to be characterized by a significant variability of clinical expression. By increasing the number of patients described, knowledge of the natural history of the condition has been enriched with the demonstration of the relative frequency of various potential comorbidities. Since 2006, the discovery of CdLS's molecular basis has shown an equally vast genetic heterogeneity linked to the presence of variants in genes encoding for the cohesin complex pathway. The most recent clinical-genetic data led to the classification of the "original syndrome" into a "clinical spectrum" that foresees the presence of classic patients, of non-classic forms, and of conditions that show a modest phenotypic overlapping with the original disease. Finally, the knowledge of the molecular basis of the disease has allowed the development of basic research projects that could lay the foundations for the development of possible innovative pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Selicorni
- Mariani Foundation Center for Fragile Child, Pediatric Unit ASST Lariana, 22100 Como, Italy;
| | - Milena Mariani
- Mariani Foundation Center for Fragile Child, Pediatric Unit ASST Lariana, 22100 Como, Italy;
| | - Antonella Lettieri
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy; (A.L.); (V.M.)
- CRC Aldo Ravelli for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Massa
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy; (A.L.); (V.M.)
- CRC Aldo Ravelli for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20142 Milano, Italy
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Cornelia de Lange syndrome-associated mutations cause a DNA damage signalling and repair defect. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3127. [PMID: 34035299 PMCID: PMC8149872 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23500-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a multisystem developmental disorder typically caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cohesin loader NIPBL. The associated phenotype is generally assumed to be the consequence of aberrant transcriptional regulation. Recently, we identified a missense mutation in BRD4 associated with a Cornelia de Lange-like syndrome that reduces BRD4 binding to acetylated histones. Here we show that, although this mutation reduces BRD4-occupancy at enhancers it does not affect transcription of the pluripotency network in mouse embryonic stem cells. Rather, it delays the cell cycle, increases DNA damage signalling, and perturbs regulation of DNA repair in mutant cells. This uncovers a role for BRD4 in DNA repair pathway choice. Furthermore, we find evidence of a similar increase in DNA damage signalling in cells derived from NIPBL-deficient individuals, suggesting that defective DNA damage signalling and repair is also a feature of typical Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a developmental disorder typically caused by mutations in the gene encoding the cohesin loader NIPBL. The authors, here, by analysing previously identified mutations in BRD4 associated with the disease, reveal that a BRD4 mutation affects DNA damage signalling, and perturbs regulation of DNA repair in mutant cells.
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Regulation and dysregulation of spatial chromatin structure in the central nervous system. Anat Sci Int 2021; 96:179-186. [PMID: 33392926 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-020-00567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin exists as a non-linear, "three-dimensional" structure in the nuclear space. The dynamic alteration of the chromatin structure leads to transcriptional changes during the formation of the neuronal network. Several studies providing evidence for the link between the dysregulation of spatial chromatin architecture and developmental disorders have accumulated. Therefore, we studied and reviewed the regulation and dysregulation of 3D genome organization in the central nervous system, with a special focus on the cohesin complex that is crucial for the formation of the chromatin loop structure. This review summarizes the function and mechanisms of spatial chromatin architecture during the development of the central nervous system. We discuss the link between the disturbances in the 3D chromatin structure and the diseases of the central nervous system. Finally, we discuss how the knowledge of 3D genome organization may lead to further advances in diagnosis and therapy for the diseases of the central nervous system.
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Abstract
Mutations of the cohesin complex in human cancer were first discovered ~10 years ago. Since then, researchers worldwide have demonstrated that cohesin is among the most commonly mutated protein complexes in cancer. Inactivating mutations in genes encoding cohesin subunits are common in bladder cancers, paediatric sarcomas, leukaemias, brain tumours and other cancer types. Also in those 10 years, the prevailing view of the functions of cohesin in cell biology has undergone a revolutionary transformation. Initially, the predominant view of cohesin was as a ring that encircled and cohered replicated chromosomes until its cleavage triggered the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. As such, early studies focused on the role of tumour-derived cohesin mutations in the fidelity of chromosome segregation and aneuploidy. However, over the past 5 years the cohesin field has shifted dramatically, and research now focuses on the primary role of cohesin in generating, maintaining and regulating the intra-chromosomal DNA looping events that modulate 3D genome organization and gene expression. This Review focuses on recent discoveries in the cohesin field that provide insight into the role of cohesin inactivation in cancer pathogenesis, and opportunities for exploiting these findings for the clinical benefit of patients with cohesin-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Waldman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
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Abstract
Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMCs) are part of a large family of ring complexes that participates in a number of DNA transactions. Among SMCs, SMC1A gene is unique. It encodes a subunit of the cohesin-core complex that tethers sister chromatids together to ensure correct chromosome segregation in both mitosis and meiosis. As a member of the cohesin ring, SMC1A takes part in gene transcription regulation and genome organization; and it participates in the DNA Damage Repair (DDR) pathway, being phosphorylated by Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) and Ataxia Telangiectasia and Rad3 Related (ATR) threonine/serine kinases. It is also a component of the Recombination protein complex (RC-1) involved in DNA repair by recombination. SMC1A pathogenic variants have been described in Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a human rare disease, and recently SMC1A variants have been associated with epilepsy or resembling Rett syndrome phenotype. Finally, SMC1A variants have been identified in several human cancers. In this review, our current knowledge of the SMC1A gene has been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Musio
- Institute for Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy.
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Cucco F, Sarogni P, Rossato S, Alpa M, Patimo A, Latorre A, Magnani C, Puisac B, Ramos FJ, Pié J, Musio A. Pathogenic variants in EP300 and ANKRD11 in patients with phenotypes overlapping Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 182:1690-1696. [PMID: 32476269 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61611] [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: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS), and KBG syndrome are three distinct developmental human disorders. Variants in seven genes belonging to the cohesin pathway, NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, HDAC8, RAD21, ANKRD11, and BRD4, were identified in about 80% of patients with CdLS, suggesting that additional causative genes remain to be discovered. Two genes, CREBBP and EP300, have been associated with RSTS, whereas KBG results from variants in ANKRD11. By exome sequencing, a genetic cause was elucidated in two patients with clinical diagnosis of CdLS but without variants in known CdLS genes. In particular, genetic variants in EP300 and ANKRD11 were identified in the two patients with CdLS. EP300 and ANKRD11 pathogenic variants caused the reduction of the respective proteins suggesting that their low levels contribute to CdLS-like phenotype. These findings highlight the clinical overlap between CdLS, RSTS, and KBG and support the notion that these rare disorders are linked to abnormal chromatin remodeling, which in turn affects the transcriptional machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Cucco
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Patrizia Sarogni
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Rossato
- U.O.C. Pediatria, Ospedale San Bortolo, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Mirella Alpa
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases, Coordinating Center of the Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Patimo
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ana Latorre
- Departamento de Farmacología-Fisiología y Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, ISS-Aragon and CIBERER-GCV02, Unidad de Genética Clínica y Genómica Funcional, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Cinzia Magnani
- Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternal and Child Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Beatriz Puisac
- Departamento de Farmacología-Fisiología y Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, ISS-Aragon and CIBERER-GCV02, Unidad de Genética Clínica y Genómica Funcional, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Feliciano J Ramos
- Departamento de Farmacología-Fisiología y Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, ISS-Aragon and CIBERER-GCV02, Unidad de Genética Clínica y Genómica Funcional, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan Pié
- Departamento de Farmacología-Fisiología y Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario "Lozano Blesa", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza, ISS-Aragon and CIBERER-GCV02, Unidad de Genética Clínica y Genómica Funcional, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonio Musio
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Sarogni P, Pallotta MM, Musio A. Cornelia de Lange syndrome: from molecular diagnosis to therapeutic approach. J Med Genet 2020; 57:289-295. [PMID: 31704779 PMCID: PMC7231464 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a severe genetic disorder characterised by multisystemic malformations. CdLS is due to pathogenetic variants in NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21 and HDAC8 genes which belong to the cohesin pathway. Cohesin plays a pivotal role in chromatid cohesion, gene expression, and DNA repair. In this review, we will discuss how perturbations in those biological processes contribute to CdLS phenotype and will emphasise the state-of-art of CdLS therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Sarogni
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria M Pallotta
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonio Musio
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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17
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Benedict B, van Schie JJM, Oostra AB, Balk JA, Wolthuis RMF, Riele HT, de Lange J. WAPL-Dependent Repair of Damaged DNA Replication Forks Underlies Oncogene-Induced Loss of Sister Chromatid Cohesion. Dev Cell 2020; 52:683-698.e7. [PMID: 32084359 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Premature loss of sister chromatid cohesion at metaphase is a diagnostic marker for different cohesinopathies. Here, we report that metaphase spreads of many cancer cell lines also show premature loss of sister chromatid cohesion. Cohesion loss occurs independently of mutations in cohesion factors including SA2, a cohesin subunit frequently inactivated in cancer. In untransformed cells, induction of DNA replication stress by activation of oncogenes or inhibition of DNA replication is sufficient to trigger sister chromatid cohesion loss. Importantly, cell growth under conditions of replication stress requires the cohesin remover WAPL. WAPL promotes rapid RAD51-dependent repair and restart of broken replication forks. We propose that active removal of cohesin allows cancer cells to overcome DNA replication stress. This leads to oncogene-induced cohesion loss from newly synthesized sister chromatids that may contribute to genomic instability and likely represents a targetable cancer cell vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente Benedict
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janne J M van Schie
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke B Oostra
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jesper A Balk
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob M F Wolthuis
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Hein Te Riele
- Netherlands Cancer Institute, Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Job de Lange
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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18
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Faramarz A, Balk JA, van Schie JJM, Oostra AB, Ghandour CA, Rooimans MA, Wolthuis RMF, de Lange J. Non-redundant roles in sister chromatid cohesion of the DNA helicase DDX11 and the SMC3 acetyl transferases ESCO1 and ESCO2. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0220348. [PMID: 31935221 PMCID: PMC6959578 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In a process linked to DNA replication, duplicated chromosomes are entrapped in large, circular cohesin complexes and functional sister chromatid cohesion (SCC) is established by acetylation of the SMC3 cohesin subunit. Roberts Syndrome (RBS) and Warsaw Breakage Syndrome (WABS) are rare human developmental syndromes that are characterized by defective SCC. RBS is caused by mutations in the SMC3 acetyltransferase ESCO2, whereas mutations in the DNA helicase DDX11 lead to WABS. We found that WABS-derived cells predominantly rely on ESCO2, not ESCO1, for residual SCC, growth and survival. Reciprocally, RBS-derived cells depend on DDX11 to maintain low levels of SCC. Synthetic lethality between DDX11 and ESCO2 correlated with a prolonged delay in mitosis, and was rescued by knockdown of the cohesin remover WAPL. Rescue experiments using human or mouse cDNAs revealed that DDX11, ESCO1 and ESCO2 act on different but related aspects of SCC establishment. Furthermore, a DNA binding DDX11 mutant failed to correct SCC in WABS cells and DDX11 deficiency reduced replication fork speed. We propose that DDX11, ESCO1 and ESCO2 control different fractions of cohesin that are spatially and mechanistically separated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiq Faramarz
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jesper A. Balk
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janne J. M. van Schie
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anneke B. Oostra
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Cherien A. Ghandour
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martin A. Rooimans
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Rob M. F. Wolthuis
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Job de Lange
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Clinical Genetics, section Oncogenetics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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19
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Avagliano L, Parenti I, Grazioli P, Di Fede E, Parodi C, Mariani M, Kaiser FJ, Selicorni A, Gervasini C, Massa V. Chromatinopathies: A focus on Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Clin Genet 2020; 97:3-11. [PMID: 31721174 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many genes have been associated with chromatinopathies classified as "Cornelia de Lange Syndrome-like." It is known that the phenotype of these patients becomes less recognizable, overlapping to features characteristic of other syndromes caused by genetic variants affecting different regulators of chromatin structure and function. Therefore, Cornelia de Lange syndrome diagnosis might be arduous due to the seldom discordance between unexpected molecular diagnosis and clinical evaluation. Here, we review the molecular features of Cornelia de Lange syndrome, supporting the hypothesis that "CdLS-like syndromes" are part of a larger "rare disease family" sharing multiple clinical features and common disrupted molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Avagliano
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilaria Parenti
- Section for Functional Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Paolo Grazioli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Fede
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Parodi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Frank J Kaiser
- Section for Functional Genetics, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK e.V. (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Institut für Humangenetik, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Cristina Gervasini
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Massa
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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20
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Newkirk DA, Chen YY, Chien R, Zeng W, Biesinger J, Flowers E, Kawauchi S, Santos R, Calof AL, Lander AD, Xie X, Yokomori K. The effect of Nipped-B-like (Nipbl) haploinsufficiency on genome-wide cohesin binding and target gene expression: modeling Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Clin Epigenetics 2017; 9:89. [PMID: 28855971 PMCID: PMC5574093 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-017-0391-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a multisystem developmental disorder frequently associated with heterozygous loss-of-function mutations of Nipped-B-like (NIPBL), the human homolog of Drosophila Nipped-B. NIPBL loads cohesin onto chromatin. Cohesin mediates sister chromatid cohesion important for mitosis but is also increasingly recognized as a regulator of gene expression. In CdLS patient cells and animal models, expression changes of multiple genes with little or no sister chromatid cohesion defect suggests that disruption of gene regulation underlies this disorder. However, the effect of NIPBL haploinsufficiency on cohesin binding, and how this relates to the clinical presentation of CdLS, has not been fully investigated. Nipbl haploinsufficiency causes CdLS-like phenotype in mice. We examined genome-wide cohesin binding and its relationship to gene expression using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from Nipbl+/- mice that recapitulate the CdLS phenotype. RESULTS We found a global decrease in cohesin binding, including at CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding sites and repeat regions. Cohesin-bound genes were found to be enriched for histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) at their promoters; were disproportionately downregulated in Nipbl mutant MEFs; and displayed evidence of reduced promoter-enhancer interaction. The results suggest that gene activation is the primary cohesin function sensitive to Nipbl reduction. Over 50% of significantly dysregulated transcripts in mutant MEFs come from cohesin target genes, including genes involved in adipogenesis that have been implicated in contributing to the CdLS phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Decreased cohesin binding at the gene regions is directly linked to disease-specific expression changes. Taken together, our Nipbl haploinsufficiency model allows us to analyze the dosage effect of cohesin loading on CdLS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A. Newkirk
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Yen-Yun Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- Current address: ResearchDx Inc., 5 Mason, Irvine, CA 92618 USA
| | - Richard Chien
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- Current address: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 180 Oyster Point Blvd South, San Francisco, CA 94080 USA
| | - Weihua Zeng
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- Current address: Department of Developmental & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Jacob Biesinger
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- Current address: Verily Life Scienceds, 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA
| | - Ebony Flowers
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
- California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840 USA
- Current address: UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, NA8.124, Dallas, TX 75390 USA
| | - Shimako Kawauchi
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Rosaysela Santos
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Anne L. Calof
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Arthur D. Lander
- Department of Developmental & Cell Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Xiaohui Xie
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
| | - Kyoko Yokomori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 USA
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21
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Connected Gene Communities Underlie Transcriptional Changes in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Genetics 2017; 207:139-151. [PMID: 28679547 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.117.202291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a complex multisystem developmental disorder caused by mutations in cohesin subunits and regulators. While its precise molecular mechanisms are not well defined, they point toward a global deregulation of the transcriptional gene expression program. Cohesin is associated with the boundaries of chromosome domains and with enhancer and promoter regions connecting the three-dimensional genome organization with transcriptional regulation. Here, we show that connected gene communities, structures emerging from the interactions of noncoding regulatory elements and genes in the three-dimensional chromosomal space, provide a molecular explanation for the pathoetiology of CdLS associated with mutations in the cohesin-loading factor NIPBL and the cohesin subunit SMC1A NIPBL and cohesin are important constituents of connected gene communities that are centrally positioned at noncoding regulatory elements. Accordingly, genes deregulated in CdLS are positioned within reach of NIPBL- and cohesin-occupied regions through promoter-promoter interactions. Our findings suggest a dynamic model where NIPBL loads cohesin to connect genes in communities, offering an explanation for the gene expression deregulation in the CdLS.
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22
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Fisher JB, Peterson J, Reimer M, Stelloh C, Pulakanti K, Gerbec ZJ, Abel AM, Strouse JM, Strouse C, McNulty M, Malarkannan S, Crispino JD, Milanovich S, Rao S. The cohesin subunit Rad21 is a negative regulator of hematopoietic self-renewal through epigenetic repression of Hoxa7 and Hoxa9. Leukemia 2017; 31:712-719. [PMID: 27554164 PMCID: PMC5332284 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2016.240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a high-risk hematopoietic malignancy caused by a variety of mutations, including genes encoding the cohesin complex. Recent studies have demonstrated that reduction in cohesin complex levels leads to enhanced self-renewal in hematopoietic stem and progenitors (HSPCs). We sought to delineate the molecular mechanisms by which cohesin mutations promote enhanced HSPC self-renewal as this represents a critical initial step during leukemic transformation. We verified that RNAi against the cohesin subunit Rad21 causes enhanced self-renewal of HSPCs in vitro through derepression of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) target genes, including Hoxa7 and Hoxa9. Importantly, knockdown of either Hoxa7 or Hoxa9 suppressed self-renewal, implying that both are critical downstream effectors of reduced cohesin levels. We further demonstrate that the cohesin and PRC2 complexes interact and are bound in close proximity to Hoxa7 and Hoxa9. Rad21 depletion resulted in decreased levels of H3K27me3 at the Hoxa7 and Hoxa9 promoters, consistent with Rad21 being critical to proper gene silencing by recruiting the PRC2 complex. Our data demonstrates that the cohesin complex regulates PRC2 targeting to silence Hoxa7 and Hoxa9 and negatively regulate self-renewal. Our studies identify a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying leukemogenesis in AML patients with cohesin mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B. Fisher
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Michael Reimer
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Cary Stelloh
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Kirthi Pulakanti
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Zachary J. Gerbec
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Alex M. Abel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | | | - Maureen McNulty
- Northwestern University Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chicago, IL
| | - Subramaniam Malarkannan
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - John D. Crispino
- Northwestern University Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chicago, IL
| | - Samuel Milanovich
- Sanford Research Center and University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD
| | - Sridhar Rao
- Blood Research Institute, BloodCenter of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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23
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Mutations in chromatin regulators functionally link Cornelia de Lange syndrome and clinically overlapping phenotypes. Hum Genet 2017; 136:307-320. [PMID: 28120103 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-017-1758-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The coordinated tissue-specific regulation of gene expression is essential for the proper development of all organisms. Mutations in multiple transcriptional regulators cause a group of neurodevelopmental disorders termed "transcriptomopathies" that share core phenotypical features including growth retardation, developmental delay, intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism. Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) belongs to this class of disorders and is caused by mutations in different subunits or regulators of the cohesin complex. Herein, we report on the clinical and molecular characterization of seven patients with features overlapping with CdLS who were found to carry mutations in chromatin regulators previously associated to other neurodevelopmental disorders that are frequently considered in the differential diagnosis of CdLS. The identified mutations affect the methyltransferase-encoding genes KMT2A and SETD5 and different subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. Complementary to this, a patient with Coffin-Siris syndrome was found to carry a missense substitution in NIPBL. Our findings indicate that mutations in a variety of chromatin-associated factors result in overlapping clinical phenotypes, underscoring the genetic heterogeneity that should be considered when assessing the clinical and molecular diagnosis of neurodevelopmental syndromes. It is clear that emerging molecular mechanisms of chromatin dysregulation are central to understanding the pathogenesis of these clinically overlapping genetic disorders.
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24
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van den Berg DLC, Azzarelli R, Oishi K, Martynoga B, Urbán N, Dekkers DHW, Demmers JA, Guillemot F. Nipbl Interacts with Zfp609 and the Integrator Complex to Regulate Cortical Neuron Migration. Neuron 2017; 93:348-361. [PMID: 28041881 PMCID: PMC5263256 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in NIPBL are the most frequent cause of Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a developmental disorder encompassing several neurological defects, including intellectual disability and seizures. How NIPBL mutations affect brain development is not understood. Here we identify Nipbl as a functional interaction partner of the neural transcription factor Zfp609 in brain development. Depletion of Zfp609 or Nipbl from cortical neural progenitors in vivo is detrimental to neuronal migration. Zfp609 and Nipbl overlap at genomic binding sites independently of cohesin and regulate genes that control cortical neuron migration. We find that Zfp609 and Nipbl interact with the Integrator complex, which functions in RNA polymerase 2 pause release. Indeed, Zfp609 and Nipbl co-localize at gene promoters containing paused RNA polymerase 2, and Integrator similarly regulates neuronal migration. Our data provide a rationale and mechanistic insights for the role of Nipbl in the neurological defects associated with CdLS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberta Azzarelli
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Koji Oishi
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Ben Martynoga
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Noelia Urbán
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK
| | - Dick H W Dekkers
- Center for Proteomics, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen A Demmers
- Center for Proteomics, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - François Guillemot
- The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, The Ridgeway, London NW7 1AA, UK.
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25
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Abstract
The cohesin protein complex regulates multiple cellular events including sister chromatid cohesion and gene expression. Several distinct human diseases called cohesinopathies have been associated with genetic mutations in cohesin subunit genes or genes encoding regulators of cohesin function. Studies in different model systems, from yeast to mouse have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of cohesin/cohesin regulators and their implications in the pathogenesis of cohesinopathies. The zebrafish has unique advantages for embryonic analyses and quantitative gene knockdown with morpholinos during the first few days of development, in contrast to knockouts of cohesin regulators in flies or mammals, which are either lethal as homozygotes or dramatically compensated for in heterozygotes. This has been particularly informative for Rad21, where a role in gene expression was first shown in zebrafish, and Nipbl, where the fish work revealed tissue-specific functions in heart, gut, and limbs, and long-range enhancer-promoter interactions that control Hox gene expression in vivo. Here we discuss the utility of the zebrafish in studying the developmental and pathogenic roles of cohesin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Muto
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8526, Japan.
| | - Thomas F Schilling
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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26
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Izumi K. Disorders of Transcriptional Regulation: An Emerging Category of Multiple Malformation Syndromes. Mol Syndromol 2016; 7:262-273. [PMID: 27867341 DOI: 10.1159/000448747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Some genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding components of the transcriptional machinery as well as proteins involved in epigenetic modification of the genome share many overlapping features, such as facial dysmorphisms, growth problems and developmental delay/intellectual disability. As a basis for some shared phenotypic characteristics in these syndromes, a similar transcriptome disturbance, characterized by global transcriptional dysregulation, is believed to play a major role. In this review article, a general overview of gene transcription is provided, and the current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying some disorders of transcriptional regulation, such as Rubinstein- Taybi, Coffin-Siris, Cornelia de Lange, and CHOPS syndromes, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kosuke Izumi
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa., USA
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27
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Cucco F, Musio A. Genome stability: What we have learned from cohesinopathies. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2016; 172:171-8. [PMID: 27091086 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Cohesin is a multiprotein complex involved in many DNA-related processes such as proper chromosome segregation, replication, transcription, and repair. Mutations in cohesin gene pathways are responsible for human diseases, collectively referred to as cohesinopathies. In addition, both cohesin gene expression dysregulation and mutations have been identified in cancer. Cohesinopathy cells are characterized by genome instability (GIN) visualized by a constellation of markers such as chromosome aneuploidies, chromosome aberrations, precocious sister chromatid separation, premature centromere separation, micronuclei formation, and sensitivity to genotoxic drugs. The emerging picture suggests that GIN observed in cohesinopathies may result from the synergistic effects of the multiple cohesin dysfunctions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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28
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Mannini L, Cucco F, Quarantotti V, Amato C, Tinti M, Tana L, Frattini A, Delia D, Krantz ID, Jessberger R, Musio A. SMC1B is present in mammalian somatic cells and interacts with mitotic cohesin proteins. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18472. [PMID: 26673124 PMCID: PMC4682075 DOI: 10.1038/srep18472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cohesin is an evolutionarily conserved protein complex that plays a role in many biological processes: it ensures faithful chromosome segregation, regulates gene expression and preserves genome stability. In mammalian cells, the mitotic cohesin complex consists of two structural maintenance of chromosome proteins, SMC1A and SMC3, the kleisin protein RAD21 and a fourth subunit either STAG1 or STAG2. Meiotic paralogs in mammals were reported for SMC1A, RAD21 and STAG1/STAG2 and are called SMC1B, REC8 and STAG3 respectively. It is believed that SMC1B is only a meiotic-specific cohesin member, required for sister chromatid pairing and for preventing telomere shortening. Here we show that SMC1B is also expressed in somatic mammalian cells and is a member of a mitotic cohesin complex. In addition, SMC1B safeguards genome stability following irradiation whereas its ablation has no effect on chromosome segregation. Finally, unexpectedly SMC1B depletion impairs gene transcription, particularly at genes mapping to clusters such as HOX and PCDHB. Genome-wide analyses show that cluster genes changing in expression are enriched for cohesin-SMC1B binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Mannini
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Cucco
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Quarantotti
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clelia Amato
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mara Tinti
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Tana
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, U.O. Fisica Sanitaria, Pisa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Frattini
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Milan, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Domenico Delia
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Department of Experimental Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Ian D. Krantz
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Rolf Jessberger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antonio Musio
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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29
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Banerji R, Eble DM, Iovine MK, Skibbens RV. Esco2 regulates cx43 expression during skeletal regeneration in the zebrafish fin. Dev Dyn 2015; 245:7-21. [PMID: 26434741 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Roberts syndrome (RBS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by craniofacial abnormalities, limb malformation, and often severe mental retardation. RBS arises from mutations in ESCO2 that encodes an acetyltransferase and modifies the cohesin subunit SMC3. Mutations in SCC2/NIPBL (encodes a cohesin loader), SMC3 or other cohesin genes (SMC1, RAD21/MCD1) give rise to a related developmental malady termed Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). RBS and CdLS exhibit overlapping phenotypes, but RBS is thought to arise through mitotic failure and limited progenitor cell proliferation while CdLS arises through transcriptional dysregulation. Here, we use the zebrafish regenerating fin model to test the mechanism through which RBS-type phenotypes arise. RESULTS esco2 is up-regulated during fin regeneration and specifically within the blastema. esco2 knockdown adversely affects both tissue and bone growth in regenerating fins-consistent with a role in skeletal morphogenesis. esco2-knockdown significantly diminishes cx43/gja1 expression which encodes the gap junction connexin subunit required for cell-cell communication. cx43 mutations cause the short fin (sof(b123) ) phenotype in zebrafish and oculodentodigital dysplasia (ODDD) in humans. Importantly, miR-133-dependent cx43 overexpression rescues esco2-dependent growth defects. CONCLUSIONS These results conceptually link ODDD to cohesinopathies and provide evidence that ESCO2 may play a transcriptional role critical for human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeswari Banerji
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Diane M Eble
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - M Kathryn Iovine
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert V Skibbens
- Department of Biological Science, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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30
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Mannini L, C Lamaze F, Cucco F, Amato C, Quarantotti V, Rizzo IM, Krantz ID, Bilodeau S, Musio A. Mutant cohesin affects RNA polymerase II regulation in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16803. [PMID: 26581180 PMCID: PMC4652179 DOI: 10.1038/srep16803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to its role in sister chromatid cohesion, genome stability and integrity, the cohesin complex is involved in gene transcription. Mutations in core cohesin subunits SMC1A, SMC3 and RAD21, or their regulators NIPBL and HDAC8, cause Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). Recent evidence reveals that gene expression dysregulation could be the underlying mechanism for CdLS. These findings raise intriguing questions regarding the potential role of cohesin-mediated transcriptional control and pathogenesis. Here, we identified numerous dysregulated genes occupied by cohesin by combining the transcriptome of CdLS cell lines carrying mutations in SMC1A gene and ChIP-Seq data. Genome-wide analyses show that genes changing in expression are enriched for cohesin-binding. In addition, our results indicate that mutant cohesin impairs both RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription initiation at promoters and elongation in the gene body. These findings highlight the pivotal role of cohesin in transcriptional regulation and provide an explanation for the typical gene dysregulation observed in CdLS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Mannini
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabien C Lamaze
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôtel-Dieu de Québec), Québec, Canada
| | - Francesco Cucco
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Clelia Amato
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Quarantotti
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria M Rizzo
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ian D Krantz
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Steve Bilodeau
- Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôtel-Dieu de Québec), Québec, Canada.,Département de biologie moléculaire, biochimie médicale et pathologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Antonio Musio
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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31
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Solomon DA, Kim JS, Waldman T. Cohesin gene mutations in tumorigenesis: from discovery to clinical significance. BMB Rep 2014; 47:299-310. [PMID: 24856830 PMCID: PMC4163871 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2014.47.6.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cohesin is a multi-protein complex composed of four core subunits (SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and either STAG1 or STAG2) that is responsible for the cohesion of sister chromatids following DNA replication until its cleavage during mitosis thereby enabling faithful segregation of sister chromatids into two daughter cells. Recent cancer genomics analyses have discovered a high frequency of somatic mutations in the genes encoding the core cohesin subunits as well as cohesin regulatory factors (e.g. NIPBL, PDS5B, ESPL1) in a select subset of human tumors including glioblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, urothelial carcinoma, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. Herein we review these studies including discussion of the functional significance of cohesin inactivation in tumorigenesis and potential therapeutic mechanisms to selectively target cancers harboring cohesin mutations.
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MESH Headings
- Carcinogenesis
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/genetics
- Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone/metabolism
- Humans
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mutation
- Neoplasms/genetics
- Neoplasms/metabolism
- Neoplasms/pathology
- Protein Subunits/genetics
- Protein Subunits/metabolism
- Urologic Neoplasms/genetics
- Urologic Neoplasms/metabolism
- Urologic Neoplasms/pathology
- Cohesins
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Solomon
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, United States
| | - Jung-Sik Kim
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, United States
| | - Todd Waldman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, United States
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32
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Ball AR, Chen YY, Yokomori K. Mechanisms of cohesin-mediated gene regulation and lessons learned from cohesinopathies. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2014; 1839:191-202. [PMID: 24269489 PMCID: PMC3951616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2013] [Revised: 11/09/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cohesins are conserved and essential Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) protein-containing complexes that physically interact with chromatin and modulate higher-order chromatin organization. Cohesins mediate sister chromatid cohesion and cellular long-distance chromatin interactions affecting genome maintenance and gene expression. Discoveries of mutations in cohesin's subunits and its regulator proteins in human developmental disorders, so-called "cohesinopathies," reveal crucial roles for cohesins in development and cellular growth and differentiation. In this review, we discuss the latest findings concerning cohesin's functions in higher-order chromatin architecture organization and gene regulation and new insight gained from studies of cohesinopathies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin and epigenetic regulation of animal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Ball
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Yen-Yun Chen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA
| | - Kyoko Yokomori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-1700, USA.
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33
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Zuin J, Franke V, van IJcken WFJ, van der Sloot A, Krantz ID, van der Reijden MIJA, Nakato R, Lenhard B, Wendt KS. A cohesin-independent role for NIPBL at promoters provides insights in CdLS. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004153. [PMID: 24550742 PMCID: PMC3923681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The cohesin complex is crucial for chromosome segregation during mitosis and has recently also been implicated in transcriptional regulation and chromatin architecture. The NIPBL protein is required for the loading of cohesin onto chromatin, but how and where cohesin is loaded in vertebrate cells is unclear. Heterozygous mutations of NIPBL were found in 50% of the cases of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS), a human developmental syndrome with a complex phenotype. However, no defects in the mitotic function of cohesin have been observed so far and the links between NIPBL mutations and the observed developmental defects are unclear. We show that NIPBL binds to chromatin in somatic cells with a different timing than cohesin. Further, we observe that high-affinity NIPBL binding sites localize to different regions than cohesin and almost exclusively to the promoters of active genes. NIPBL or cohesin knockdown reduce transcription of these genes differently, suggesting a cohesin-independent role of NIPBL for transcription. Motif analysis and comparison to published data show that NIPBL co-localizes with a specific set of other transcription factors. In cells derived from CdLS patients NIPBL binding levels are reduced and several of the NIPBL-bound genes have previously been observed to be mis-expressed in CdLS. In summary, our observations indicate that NIPBL mutations might cause developmental defects in different ways. First, defects of NIPBL might lead to cohesin-loading defects and thereby alter gene expression and second, NIPBL deficiency might affect genes directly via its role at the respective promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Zuin
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vedran Franke
- Computational Biology Unit, Uni Computing, Uni Research AS, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Ian D. Krantz
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Laboratory of Genome Structure and Function, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Boris Lenhard
- Computational Biology Unit, Uni Computing, Uni Research AS, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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34
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Skibbens RV, Colquhoun JM, Green MJ, Molnar CA, Sin DN, Sullivan BJ, Tanzosh EE. Cohesinopathies of a feather flock together. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1004036. [PMID: 24367282 PMCID: PMC3868590 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Roberts Syndrome (RBS) and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) are severe developmental maladies that present with nearly an identical suite of multi-spectrum birth defects. Not surprisingly, RBS and CdLS arise from mutations within a single pathway--here involving cohesion. Sister chromatid tethering reactions that comprise cohesion are required for high fidelity chromosome segregation, but cohesin tethers also regulate gene transcription, promote DNA repair, and impact DNA replication. Currently, RBS is thought to arise from elevated levels of apoptosis, mitotic failure, and limited progenitor cell proliferation, while CdLS is thought to arise, instead, from transcription dysregulation. Here, we review new information that implicates RBS gene mutations in altered transcription profiles. We propose that cohesin-dependent transcription dysregulation may extend to other developmental maladies; the diagnoses of which are complicated through multi-functional proteins that manifest a sliding scale of diverse and severe phenotypes. We further review evidence that cohesinopathies are more common than currently posited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert V. Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Colquhoun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Megan J. Green
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Merck, Sharp & Dohme, West Point, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Cody A. Molnar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Danielle N. Sin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Brian J. Sullivan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Eden E. Tanzosh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Janssen R&D, LLC, Raritan, New Jersey, United States of America
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35
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Mannini L, Cucco F, Quarantotti V, Krantz ID, Musio A. Mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlation in Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Hum Mutat 2013; 34:1589-96. [PMID: 24038889 PMCID: PMC3880228 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous developmental disorder. Clinical features include growth retardation, intellectual disability, limb defects, typical facial dysmorphism, and other systemic involvement. The increased understanding of the genetic basis of CdLS has led to diagnostic improvement and expansion of the phenotype. Mutations in five genes (NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21, and HDAC8), all regulators or structural components of cohesin, have been identified. Approximately 60% of CdLS cases are due to NIPBL mutations, 5% caused by mutations in SMC1A, RAD21, and HDAC8 and one proband was found to carry a mutation in SMC3. To date, 311 CdLS-causing mutations are known including missense, nonsense, small deletions and insertions, splice site mutations, and genomic rearrangements. Phenotypic variability is seen both intra- and intergenically. This article reviews the spectrum of CdLS mutations with a particular emphasis on their correlation to the clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Mannini
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Cucco
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Quarantotti
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ian D. Krantz
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Antonio Musio
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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36
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Nolen LD, Boyle S, Ansari M, Pritchard E, Bickmore WA. Regional chromatin decompaction in Cornelia de Lange syndrome associated with NIPBL disruption can be uncoupled from cohesin and CTCF. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 22:4180-93. [PMID: 23760082 PMCID: PMC3781641 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a developmental disorder caused by mutations in NIPBL, a protein which has functionally been associated with the cohesin complex. Mutations in core cohesin complex components have also been reported in individuals with CdLS-like phenotypes. In addition to its role in sister chromatid cohesion, cohesin is thought to play a role in regulating gene expression during development. The mechanism of this gene regulation remains unclear, but NIPBL and cohesin have been reported to affect long-range chromosomal interactions, both independently and through interactions with CTCF. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization to investigate whether the disruption of NIPBL affects chromosome architecture. We show that cells from CdLS patients exhibit visible chromatin decompaction, that is most pronounced across gene-rich regions of the genome. Cells carrying mutations predicted to have a more severe effect on NIPBL function show more extensive chromatin decompaction than those carrying milder mutations. This cellular phenotype was reproduced in normal cells depleted for NIPBL with siRNA, but was not seen following the knockdown of either the cohesin component SMC3, or CTCF. We conclude that NIPBL has a function in modulating chromatin architecture, particularly for gene-rich areas of the chromosome, that is not dependent on SMC3/cohesin or CTCF, raising the possibility that the aetiology of disorders associated with the mutation of core cohesin components is distinct from that associated with the disruption of NIPBL itself in classical CdLS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Wendy A. Bickmore
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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37
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Rudra S, Skibbens RV. Cohesin codes - interpreting chromatin architecture and the many facets of cohesin function. J Cell Sci 2013; 126:31-41. [PMID: 23516328 PMCID: PMC3603509 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.116566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sister chromatid tethering is maintained by cohesin complexes that minimally contain Smc1, Smc3, Mcd1 and Scc3. During S-phase, chromatin-associated cohesins are modified by the Eco1/Ctf7 family of acetyltransferases. Eco1 proteins function during S phase in the context of replicated sister chromatids to convert chromatin-bound cohesins to a tethering-competent state, but also during G2 and M phases in response to double-stranded breaks to promote error-free DNA repair. Cohesins regulate transcription and are essential for ribosome biogenesis and complete chromosome condensation. Little is known, however, regarding the mechanisms through which cohesin functions are directed. Recent findings reveal that Eco1-mediated acetylation of different lysine residues in Smc3 during S phase promote either cohesion or condensation. Phosphorylation and SUMOylation additionally impact cohesin functions. Here, we posit the existence of a cohesin code, analogous to the histone code introduced over a decade ago, and speculate that there is a symphony of post-translational modifications that direct cohesins to function across a myriad of cellular processes. We also discuss evidence that outdate the notion that cohesion defects are singularly responsible for cohesion-mutant-cell inviability. We conclude by proposing that cohesion establishment is linked to chromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert V. Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, 111 Research Drive, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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38
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Remeseiro S, Cuadrado A, Gómez-López G, Pisano DG, Losada A. A unique role of cohesin-SA1 in gene regulation and development. EMBO J 2012; 31:2090-102. [PMID: 22415368 PMCID: PMC3343463 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2012.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrates have two cohesin complexes that consist of Smc1, Smc3, Rad21/Scc1 and either SA1 or SA2, but their functional specificity is unclear. Mouse embryos lacking SA1 show developmental delay and die before birth. Comparison of the genome-wide distribution of cohesin in wild-type and SA1-null cells reveals that SA1 is largely responsible for cohesin accumulation at promoters and at sites bound by the insulator protein CTCF. As a consequence, ablation of SA1 alters transcription of genes involved in biological processes related to Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS), a genetic disorder linked to dysfunction of cohesin. We show that the presence of cohesin-SA1 at the promoter of myc and of protocadherin genes positively regulates their expression, a task that cannot be assumed by cohesin-SA2. Lack of SA1 also alters cohesin-binding pattern along some gene clusters and leads to dysregulation of genes within. We hypothesize that impaired cohesin-SA1 function in gene expression underlies the molecular aetiology of CdLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Remeseiro
- Chromosome Dynamics Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Cuadrado
- Chromosome Dynamics Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Gómez-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - David G Pisano
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Losada
- Chromosome Dynamics Group, Molecular Oncology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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39
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Mannini L, Menga S, Tonelli A, Zanotti S, Bassi MT, Magnani C, Musio A. SMC1A codon 496 mutations affect the cellular response to genotoxic treatments. Am J Med Genet A 2012; 158A:224-8. [PMID: 22140011 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.34384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome is a pleiotropic developmental syndrome characterized by growth and cognitive impairment, facial dysmorphic features, limb anomalies, and other malformations. Mutations in core cohesin genes SMC1A and SMC3, and the cohesin regulatory gene, NIPBL, have been identified in Cornelia de Lange syndrome probands. Patients with NIPBL mutations have more severe phenotypes when compared to those with mutations in SMC1A or SMC3. To date, 26 distinct SMC1A mutations have been identified in patients with Cornelia de Lange syndrome. Here, we describe a 3-year-old girl with psychomotor and cognitive impairment, mild facial dysmorphic features but no limb anomaly, heterozygous for a c.1487G>A mutation in SMC1A which predicts p.Arg496His. We show that this mutation leads to an impairment of the cellular response to genotoxic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Mannini
- Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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Chien R, Zeng W, Ball AR, Yokomori K. Cohesin: a critical chromatin organizer in mammalian gene regulation. Biochem Cell Biol 2011; 89:445-58. [PMID: 21851156 PMCID: PMC4056987 DOI: 10.1139/o11-039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cohesins are evolutionarily conserved essential multi-protein complexes that are important for higher-order chromatin organization. They play pivotal roles in the maintenance of genome integrity through mitotic chromosome regulation, DNA repair and replication, as well as gene regulation critical for proper development and cellular differentiation. In this review, we will discuss the multifaceted functions of mammalian cohesins and their apparent functional hierarchy in the cell, with particular focus on their actions in gene regulation and their relevance to human developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Chien
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Weihua Zeng
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Alexander R. Ball
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
| | - Kyoko Yokomori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-1700, USA
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Muto A, Calof AL, Lander AD, Schilling TF. Multifactorial origins of heart and gut defects in nipbl-deficient zebrafish, a model of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. PLoS Biol 2011; 9:e1001181. [PMID: 22039349 PMCID: PMC3201921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Accepted: 09/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is the founding member of a class of multi-organ system birth defect syndromes termed cohesinopathies, named for the chromatin-associated protein complex cohesin, which mediates sister chromatid cohesion. Most cases of CdLS are caused by haploinsufficiency for Nipped-B-like (Nipbl), a highly conserved protein that facilitates cohesin loading. Consistent with recent evidence implicating cohesin and Nipbl in transcriptional regulation, both CdLS cell lines and tissues of Nipbl-deficient mice show changes in the expression of hundreds of genes. Nearly all such changes are modest, however--usually less than 1.5-fold--raising the intriguing possibility that, in CdLS, severe developmental defects result from the collective action of many otherwise innocuous perturbations. As a step toward testing this hypothesis, we developed a model of nipbl-deficiency in zebrafish, an organism in which we can quantitatively investigate the combinatorial effects of gene expression changes. After characterizing the structure and embryonic expression of the two zebrafish nipbl genes, we showed that morpholino knockdown of these genes produces a spectrum of specific heart and gut/visceral organ defects with similarities to those in CdLS. Analysis of nipbl morphants further revealed that, as early as gastrulation, expression of genes involved in endodermal differentiation (sox32, sox17, foxa2, and gata5) and left-right patterning (spaw, lefty2, and dnah9) is altered. Experimental manipulation of the levels of several such genes--using RNA injection or morpholino knockdown--implicated both additive and synergistic interactions in causing observed developmental defects. These findings support the view that birth defects in CdLS arise from collective effects of quantitative changes in gene expression. Interestingly, both the phenotypes and gene expression changes in nipbl morphants differed from those in mutants or morphants for genes encoding cohesin subunits, suggesting that the transcriptional functions of Nipbl cannot be ascribed simply to its role in cohesin loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Muto
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Anne L. Calof
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Arthur D. Lander
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas F. Schilling
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, California, United States of America
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Isolated NIBPL missense mutations that cause Cornelia de Lange syndrome alter MAU2 interaction. Eur J Hum Genet 2011; 20:271-6. [PMID: 21934712 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2011.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS; or Brachmann-de Lange syndrome) is a dominantly inherited congenital malformation disorder with features that include characteristic facies, cognitive delays, growth retardation and limb anomalies. Mutations in nearly 60% of CdLS patients have been identified in NIPBL, which encodes a regulator of the sister chromatid cohesion complex. NIPBL, also known as delangin, is a homolog of yeast and amphibian Scc2 and C. elegans PQN-85. Although the exact mechanism of NIPBL function in sister chromatid cohesion is unclear, in vivo yeast and C. elegans experiments and in vitro vertebrate cell experiments have demonstrated that NIPBL/Scc2 functionally interacts with the MAU2/Scc4 protein to initiate loading of cohesin onto chromatin. To test the significance of this model in the clinical setting of CdLS, we fine-mapped the NIBPL-MAU2 interaction domain and tested the functional significance of missense mutations and variants in NIPBL and MAU2 identified in these minimal domains in a cohort of patients with CdLS. We demonstrate that specific novel mutations at the N-terminus of the MAU2-interacting domain of NIBPL result in markedly reduced MAU2 binding, although we appreciate no consistent clinical difference in the small group of patients with these mutations. These data suggest that factors in addition to MAU2 are essential in determining the clinical features and severity of CdLS.
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Mannini L, Menga S, Musio A. The expanding universe of cohesin functions: a new genome stability caretaker involved in human disease and cancer. Hum Mutat 2010; 31:623-30. [PMID: 20513141 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cohesin is responsible for sister chromatid cohesion, ensuring the correct chromosome segregation. Beyond this role, cohesin and regulatory cohesin genes seem to play a role in preserving genome stability and gene transcription regulation. DNA damage is thought to be a major culprit for many human diseases, including cancer. Our present knowledge of the molecular basis underlying genome instability is extremely limited. Mutations in cohesin genes cause human diseases such as Cornelia de Lange syndrome and Roberts syndrome/SC phocomelia, and all the cell lines derived from affected patients show genome instability. Cohesin mutations have also been identified in colorectal cancer. Here, we will discuss the human disorders caused by alterations of cohesin function, with emphasis on the emerging role of cohesin as a genome stability caretaker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Mannini
- Istituto di Tecnologie Biomediche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Pisa, Italy
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Heidinger-Pauli JM, Mert O, Davenport C, Guacci V, Koshland D. Systematic reduction of cohesin differentially affects chromosome segregation, condensation, and DNA repair. Curr Biol 2010; 20:957-63. [PMID: 20451387 PMCID: PMC2892909 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2010] [Revised: 03/29/2010] [Accepted: 04/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cohesin's complex distribution on chromosomes and its implication in numerous cellular processes makes it an excellent paradigm for studying the relationship between the in vivo concentration of a protein and its in vivo function. Here, we report a method to generate systematic quantized reductions (QR) in the in vivo concentration of any yeast protein. With QR, we generate strains with 13% and 30% of wild-type levels of the limiting subunit of cohesin, Mcd1p/Scc1p/Rad21p. Reducing cohesin levels reveals a preferential binding of cohesin to pericentric regions over cohesin-associated regions (CAR) on chromosome arms. Chromosome condensation, repetitive DNA stability, and DNA repair are compromised by decreasing cohesin levels to 30% of wild-type levels. In contrast, sister-chromatid cohesion and chromosome segregation are unaffected even when cohesin levels are reduced to 13% of wild-type levels. The requirement for different in vivo cohesin concentrations to achieve distinct cohesin functions provides an explanation for how cohesin mutations can specifically lead to adult disorders such as Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and Roberts Syndrome without compromising the cell divisions needed for development and maturation. Our successful application of QR to cohesin suggests that QR is a powerful tool to study other proteins/pathways with multiple functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M. Heidinger-Pauli
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Carnegie Institution, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218 USA
| | - Ozlem Mert
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Carnegie Institution, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Carol Davenport
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Carnegie Institution, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Vincent Guacci
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Carnegie Institution, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Douglas Koshland
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Carnegie Institution, 3520 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are organized into chromosomes. In order to maintain genomic stability during cell proliferation, a series of elaborate processes is employed to ensure that chromosomes are duplicated and segregated equally into daughter cells. Sister chromatid cohesion, a tight association of duplicated sister chromatids, allows their attachment to the opposite centrosomes. Sister chromatid cohesion depends on the cohesin complex, a proteinaceous ring that entraps the chromatids together. At the metaphase-to-anaphase transition, a protease called separase is activated and completely dissolves the cohesion by cleaving SCC1, a subunit of the cohesin complex. As one of the key executors of anaphase, separase is regulated temporally and spatially by often redundant mechanisms. A recent study revealed that chromosomal DNA is required as a cofactor for the cleavage of cohesin to occur. This DNA dependence is the underlying biochemical mechanism that allows separase to selectively cleave only the chromosome-associated cohesin. We propose that the chromosomal DNA dependent cohesin cleavage by separase is a component of a regulatory pathway that cells utilize to protect the bulk of cohesin. This intact cohesin becomes immediately available in G(1) to resume its other function-regulation of gene transcription by means of chromatin insulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Kucej
- Department of Molecular Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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