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Espinosa-Martínez M, Alcázar-Fabra M, Landeira D. The molecular basis of cell memory in mammals: The epigenetic cycle. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl3188. [PMID: 38416817 PMCID: PMC10901381 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Cell memory refers to the capacity of cells to maintain their gene expression program once the initiating environmental signal has ceased. This exceptional feature is key during the formation of mammalian organisms, and it is believed to be in part mediated by epigenetic factors that can endorse cells with the landmarks required to maintain transcriptional programs upon cell duplication. Here, we review current literature analyzing the molecular basis of epigenetic memory in mammals, with a focus on the mechanisms by which transcriptionally repressive chromatin modifications such as methylation of DNA and histone H3 are propagated through mitotic cell divisions. The emerging picture suggests that cellular memory is supported by an epigenetic cycle in which reversible activities carried out by epigenetic regulators in coordination with cell cycle transition create a multiphasic system that can accommodate both maintenance of cell identity and cell differentiation in proliferating stem cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mencía Espinosa-Martínez
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenue de la Ilustración 114, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - María Alcázar-Fabra
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenue de la Ilustración 114, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - David Landeira
- Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research (GENYO), Avenue de la Ilustración 114, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
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2
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Hui B, Pan S, Che S, Sun Y, Yan Y, Guo J, Gong T, Ren J, Zhang X. Silencing UHRF1 Enhances Radiosensitivity of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:4841-4852. [PMID: 34188537 PMCID: PMC8232844 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s311192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Resistance to radiotherapy results in a high treatment failure rate for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and ring-finger domains 1 (UHRF1), is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC. The present study aims to characterize the effect of UHRF1 silencing on the radiosensitivity of ESCC and its potential mechanism. Methods Both in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to observe the effects of UHRF1 silencing on the radiosensitivity of ESCC. The effects of UHRF1 silencing on the apoptosis of ESCC cells were assessed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptosis-related factors (caspase-3 and Bcl-2), PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway-related factors (PTEN, p-Akt and Akt, p-mTOR and mTOR), and DNMT1 were measured via Western blot, and the status of PTEN methylation was detected by methylation-specific PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of PTEN, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in xenograft tumor tissues. Results In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that UHRF1 knock-down inhibited ESCC cell growth and enhanced their radiosensitivity. shUHRF1 combined with radiation significantly increased ESCC cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, it activated the expression of caspase-3 and inhibited the expression of Bcl-2. shUHRF1 inhibited the expression of DNMT1 and reduced the methylation of PTEN, and then upregulated the expression of PTEN to inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. On the contrary, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway can be activated by upregulation of UHRF1. Conclusion Our findings provide a theoretical basis for UHRF1 as a target to improve the radiosensitivity of ESCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beina Hui
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Shupei Pan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaomin Che
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuchen Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanli Yan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Guo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Tuotuo Gong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Ren
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaozhi Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, 710061, People's Republic of China
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3
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Li Q, Chu Z, Geng S. UHRF1 Knockdown Attenuates Cell Growth, Migration, and Invasion in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Invest 2020; 39:84-97. [PMID: 33058714 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2020.1837152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) contributes to the progression of many cancers. Here, we firstly observed UHRF1 was elevated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and related to the differentiation stages. Knockdown of UHRF1 in A431 and Scl-1 attenuated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Through a mouse xenograft model, we found UHRF1 deficiency ameliorated tumor growth. These results may be associated with destruction of multiple signal pathways. In summary, our results suggest UHRF1 is involved in the pathogenesis of cSCC and may be a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyan Li
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zhaowei Chu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Songmei Geng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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4
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Ren W, Gao L, Song J. Structural Basis of DNMT1 and DNMT3A-Mediated DNA Methylation. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9120620. [PMID: 30544982 PMCID: PMC6316889 DOI: 10.3390/genes9120620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, one of the major epigenetic mechanisms, plays critical roles in regulating gene expression, genomic stability and cell lineage commitment. The establishment and maintenance of DNA methylation in mammals is achieved by two groups of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs): DNMT3A and DNMT3B, which are responsible for installing DNA methylation patterns during gametogenesis and early embryogenesis, and DNMT1, which is essential for propagating DNA methylation patterns during replication. Both groups of DNMTs are multi-domain proteins, containing a large N-terminal regulatory region in addition to the C-terminal methyltransferase domain. Recent structure-function investigations of the individual domains or large fragments of DNMT1 and DNMT3A have revealed the molecular basis for their substrate recognition and specificity, intramolecular domain-domain interactions, as well as their crosstalk with other epigenetic mechanisms. These studies highlight a multifaceted regulation for both DNMT1 and DNMT3A/3B, which is essential for the precise establishment and maintenance of lineage-specific DNA methylation patterns in cells. This review summarizes current understanding of the structure and mechanism of DNMT1 and DNMT3A-mediated DNA methylation, with emphasis on the functional cooperation between the methyltransferase and regulatory domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendan Ren
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Linfeng Gao
- Environmental Toxicology Program, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Jikui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
- Environmental Toxicology Program, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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Seiler CL, Fernandez J, Koerperich Z, Andersen MP, Kotandeniya D, Nguyen ME, Sham YY, Tretyakova NY. Maintenance DNA Methyltransferase Activity in the Presence of Oxidized Forms of 5-Methylcytosine: Structural Basis for Ten Eleven Translocation-Mediated DNA Demethylation. Biochemistry 2018; 57:6061-6069. [PMID: 30230311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A precise balance of DNA methylation and demethylation is required for epigenetic control of cell identity, development, and growth. DNA methylation marks are introduced by de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3a/b and are maintained throughout cell divisions by DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), which adds methyl groups to hemimethylated CpG dinucleotides generated during DNA replication. Ten eleven translocation (TET) dioxygenases oxidize 5-methylcytosine (mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC), 5-formylcytosine (fC), and 5-carboxylcytosine (caC), a process known to induce DNA demethylation and gene reactivation. In this study, we investigated the catalytic activity of human DNMT1 in the presence of oxidized forms of mC. A mass spectrometry-based assay was employed to study the kinetics of DNMT1-mediated cytosine methylation in CG dinucleotides containing C, mC, hmC, fC, or caC across from the target cytosine. Homology modeling, coupled with molecular dynamics simulations, was used to explore the structural consequences of mC oxidation with regard to the geometry of protein-DNA complexes. The DNMT1 enzymatic activity was strongly affected by the oxidation status of mC, with the catalytic efficiency decreasing in the following order: mC > hmC > fC > caC. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that DNMT1 forms an unproductive complex with DNA duplexes containing oxidized forms of mC as a consequence of altered interactions of the target recognition domain of the protein with the C-5 substituent on cytosine. Our results provide new structural and mechanistic insight into TET-mediated DNA demethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Seiler
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Jenna Fernandez
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Zoe Koerperich
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Molly P Andersen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Delshanee Kotandeniya
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Megin E Nguyen
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program , University of Minnesota-Rochester , Rochester , Minnesota 55904 , United States
| | - Yuk Y Sham
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology and University of Minnesota Informatics Institute , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States.,Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program , University of Minnesota-Rochester , Rochester , Minnesota 55904 , United States
| | - Natalia Y Tretyakova
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Masonic Cancer Center , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
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6
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Transcriptional and epigenetic control in mouse pluripotency: lessons from in vivo and in vitro studies. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 46:114-122. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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7
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Klein C. Targeting sequence domain: a captain at the helm precisely steering DNMT1 through maintenance methylation? Epigenomics 2016; 8:737-40. [PMID: 27286477 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Klein
- Department of Neurology, Peripheral Nerve Division, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.,Department of Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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8
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Patel A, Hashimoto H, Zhang X, Cheng X. Characterization of How DNA Modifications Affect DNA Binding by C2H2 Zinc Finger Proteins. Methods Enzymol 2016; 573:387-401. [PMID: 27372763 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2016.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Much is known about vertebrate DNA methylation and oxidation; however, much less is known about how modified cytosine residues within particular sequences are recognized. Among the known methylated DNA-binding domains, the Cys2-His2 zinc finger (ZnF) protein superfamily is the largest with hundreds of members, each containing tandem ZnFs ranging from 3 to >30 fingers. We have begun to biochemically and structurally characterize these ZnFs not only on their sequence specificity but also on their sensitivity to various DNA modifications. Rather than following published methods of refolding insoluble ZnF arrays, we have expressed and purified soluble forms of ZnFs, ranging in size from a tandem array of two to six ZnFs, from seven different proteins. We also describe a fluorescence polarization assay to measure ZnFs affinity with oligonucleotides containing various modifications and our approaches for cocrystallization of ZnFs with oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Patel
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - H Hashimoto
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - X Zhang
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
| | - X Cheng
- Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.
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9
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Abu-Alainin W, Gana T, Liloglou T, Olayanju A, Barrera LN, Ferguson R, Campbell F, Andrews T, Goldring C, Kitteringham N, Park BK, Nedjadi T, Schmid MC, Slupsky JR, Greenhalf W, Neoptolemos JP, Costello E. UHRF1 regulation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway in pancreatic cancer contributes to oncogenesis. J Pathol 2016; 238:423-33. [PMID: 26497117 PMCID: PMC4738372 DOI: 10.1002/path.4665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The cellular defence protein Nrf2 is a mediator of oncogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and other cancers. However, the control of Nrf2 expression and activity in cancer is not fully understood. We previously reported the absence of Keap1, a pivotal regulator of Nrf2, in ∼70% of PDAC cases. Here we describe a novel mechanism whereby the epigenetic regulator UHRF1 suppresses Keap1 protein levels. UHRF1 expression was observed in 20% (5 of 25) of benign pancreatic ducts compared to 86% (114 of 132) of pancreatic tumours, and an inverse relationship between UHRF1 and Keap1 levels in PDAC tumours (n = 124) was apparent (p = 0.002). We also provide evidence that UHRF1-mediated regulation of the Nrf2 pathway contributes to the aggressive behaviour of PDAC. Depletion of UHRF1 from PDAC cells decreased growth and enhanced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. UHRF1 depletion also led to reduced levels of Nrf2-regulated downstream proteins and was accompanied by heightened oxidative stress, in the form of lower glutathione levels and increased reactive oxygen species. Concomitant depletion of Keap1 and UHRF1 restored Nrf2 levels and reversed cell cycle arrest and the increase in reactive oxygen species. Mechanistically, depletion of UHRF1 reduced global and tumour suppressor promoter methylation in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and KEAP1 gene promoter methylation was reduced in one of three cell lines examined. Thus, methylation of the KEAP1 gene promoter may contribute to the suppression of Keap1 protein levels by UHRF1, although our data suggest that additional mechanisms need to be explored. Finally, we demonstrate that K-Ras drives UHRF1 expression, establishing a novel link between this oncogene and Nrf2-mediated cellular protection. Since UHRF1 over-expression occurs in other cancers, its ability to regulate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway may be critically important to the malignant behaviour of these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Abu-Alainin
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Thompson Gana
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Triantafillos Liloglou
- Roy Castle Lung Cancer Research Programme, Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Adedamola Olayanju
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Lawrence N Barrera
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert Ferguson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Fiona Campbell
- Department of Pathology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK
| | - Timothy Andrews
- Department of Pathology, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK
| | | | - Neil Kitteringham
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Brian K Park
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Taoufik Nedjadi
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Michael C Schmid
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Joseph R Slupsky
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - William Greenhalf
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - John P Neoptolemos
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Eithne Costello
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK
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10
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Tauber M, Fischle W. Conserved linker regions and their regulation determine multiple chromatin-binding modes of UHRF1. Nucleus 2016; 6:123-32. [PMID: 25891992 PMCID: PMC4615792 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2015.1026022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING Finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is an important nuclear protein that is mutated and aberrantly expressed in many tumors. The protein integrates different chromatin modifications and is essential for their maintenance throughout the cell cycle. Separate chromatin-binding modules of UHRF1 have been studied on a functional and structural level. The unmodified N-terminus of histone H3 is recognized by a PHD domain, while a TTD domain specifically interacts with histone H3 Lysine 9 trimethylation. A SRA region binds hemimethylatd DNA. Emerging evidence indicates that the modules of UHRF1 do not act independently of each other but establish complex modes of interaction with patterns of chromatin modifications. This multivalent readout is regulated by allosteric binding of phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate to a region outside the PHD, TTD and SRA domains as well as by phosphorylation of one of the linker regions connecting these modules. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on UHRF1 chromatin interaction and introduce a novel model of conformational transitions of the protein that are directed by the flexible and highly charged linker regions. We propose that these are essential in setting up defined structural states of the protein where different domains or combinations thereof are available for binding chromatin modifications or are prevented from doing so. Lastly, we suggest that controlled tuning of intramolecular linker interactions by ligands and posttranslational modifications establishes a rational framework for comprehending UHRF1 regulation and putatively the working mode of other chromatin factors in different physiological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tauber
- a Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry ; Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry ; Göttingen , Germany
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11
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Moreno SP, Gambus A. Regulation of Unperturbed DNA Replication by Ubiquitylation. Genes (Basel) 2015; 6:451-68. [PMID: 26121093 PMCID: PMC4584310 DOI: 10.3390/genes6030451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modification of proteins by means of attachment of a small globular protein ubiquitin (i.e., ubiquitylation) represents one of the most abundant and versatile mechanisms of protein regulation employed by eukaryotic cells. Ubiquitylation influences almost every cellular process and its key role in coordination of the DNA damage response is well established. In this review we focus, however, on the ways ubiquitylation controls the process of unperturbed DNA replication. We summarise the accumulated knowledge showing the leading role of ubiquitin driven protein degradation in setting up conditions favourable for replication origin licensing and S-phase entry. Importantly, we also present the emerging major role of ubiquitylation in coordination of the active DNA replication process: preventing re-replication, regulating the progression of DNA replication forks, chromatin re-establishment and disassembly of the replisome at the termination of replication forks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Priego Moreno
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Agnieszka Gambus
- School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Vincent Drive, B15 2TT, Birmingham, UK.
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12
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Meng H, Cao Y, Qin J, Song X, Zhang Q, Shi Y, Cao L. DNA methylation, its mediators and genome integrity. Int J Biol Sci 2015; 11:604-17. [PMID: 25892967 PMCID: PMC4400391 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.11218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation regulates many cellular processes, including embryonic development, transcription, chromatin structure, X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting and chromosome stability. DNA methyltransferases establish and maintain the presence of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), and ten-eleven translocation cytosine dioxygenases (TETs) oxidise 5mC to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC) and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC), which can be removed by base excision repair (BER) proteins. Multiple forms of DNA methylation are recognised by methyl-CpG binding proteins (MeCPs), which play vital roles in chromatin-based transcriptional regulation, DNA repair and replication. Accordingly, defects in DNA methylation and its mediators may cause silencing of tumour suppressor genes and misregulation of multiple cell cycles, DNA repair and chromosome stability genes, and hence contribute to genome instability in various human diseases, including cancer. Thus, understanding functional genetic mutations and aberrant expression of these DNA methylation mediators is critical to deciphering the crosstalk between concurrent genetic and epigenetic alterations in specific cancer types and to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Meng
- 1. Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China; ; 2. MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Ying Cao
- 2. MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Jinzhong Qin
- 2. MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Xiaoyu Song
- 1. Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- 2. MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Yun Shi
- 2. MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animal for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing Biomedical Research Institute, Nanjing University, China
| | - Liu Cao
- 1. Key Laboratory of Medical Cell Biology, Ministry of Education, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
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13
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Kawashima T, Berger F. Epigenetic reprogramming in plant sexual reproduction. Nat Rev Genet 2014; 15:613-24. [DOI: 10.1038/nrg3685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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14
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Gelato KA, Tauber M, Ong MS, Winter S, Hiragami-Hamada K, Sindlinger J, Lemak A, Bultsma Y, Houliston S, Schwarzer D, Divecha N, Arrowsmith CH, Fischle W. Accessibility of different histone H3-binding domains of UHRF1 is allosterically regulated by phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate. Mol Cell 2014; 54:905-919. [PMID: 24813945 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2014.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Revised: 03/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
UHRF1 is a multidomain protein crucially linking histone H3 modification states and DNA methylation. While the interaction properties of its specific domains are well characterized, little is known about the regulation of these functionalities. We show that UHRF1 exists in distinct active states, binding either unmodified H3 or the H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) modification. A polybasic region (PBR) in the C terminus blocks interaction of a tandem tudor domain (TTD) with H3K9me3 by occupying an essential peptide-binding groove. In this state the plant homeodomain (PHD) mediates interaction with the extreme N terminus of the unmodified H3 tail. Binding of the phosphatidylinositol phosphate PI5P to the PBR of UHRF1 results in a conformational rearrangement of the domains, allowing the TTD to bind H3K9me3. Our results define an allosteric mechanism controlling heterochromatin association of an essential regulatory protein of epigenetic states and identify a functional role for enigmatic nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy A Gelato
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maria Tauber
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Michelle S Ong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Stefan Winter
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kyoko Hiragami-Hamada
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Julia Sindlinger
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Lemak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Center, TMDT, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Yvette Bultsma
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Scott Houliston
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, TMDT, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Dirk Schwarzer
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Strasse 4, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nullin Divecha
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada; Princess Margaret Cancer Center, TMDT, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Fischle
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
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15
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Horton JR, Nugent RL, Li A, Mabuchi MY, Fomenkov A, Cohen-Karni D, Griggs RM, Zhang X, Wilson GG, Zheng Y, Xu SY, Cheng X. Structure and mutagenesis of the DNA modification-dependent restriction endonuclease AspBHI. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4246. [PMID: 24604015 PMCID: PMC3946040 DOI: 10.1038/srep04246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The modification-dependent restriction endonuclease AspBHI recognizes 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in the double-strand DNA sequence context of (C/T)(C/G)(5mC)N(C/G) (N = any nucleotide) and cleaves the two strands a fixed distance (N12/N16) 3′ to the modified cytosine. We determined the crystal structure of the homo-tetrameric AspBHI. Each subunit of the protein comprises two domains: an N-terminal DNA-recognition domain and a C-terminal DNA cleavage domain. The N-terminal domain is structurally similar to the eukaryotic SET and RING-associated (SRA) domain, which is known to bind to a hemi-methylated CpG dinucleotide. The C-terminal domain is structurally similar to classic Type II restriction enzymes and contains the endonuclease catalytic-site motif of DX20EAK. To understand how specific amino acids affect AspBHI recognition preference, we generated a homology model of the AspBHI-DNA complex, and probed the importance of individual amino acids by mutagenesis. Ser41 and Arg42 are predicted to be located in the DNA minor groove 5′ to the modified cytosine. Substitution of Ser41 with alanine (S41A) and cysteine (S41C) resulted in mutants with altered cleavage activity. All 19 Arg42 variants resulted in loss of endonuclease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Horton
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Rebecca L Nugent
- 1] New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA [2]
| | - Andrew Li
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | | | - Alexey Fomenkov
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | | | - Rose M Griggs
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | | | - Yu Zheng
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Shuang-yong Xu
- New England Biolabs, 240 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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16
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Liu Y, Olanrewaju YO, Zhang X, Cheng X. DNA recognition of 5-carboxylcytosine by a Zfp57 mutant at an atomic resolution of 0.97 Å. Biochemistry 2013; 52:9310-7. [PMID: 24236546 DOI: 10.1021/bi401360n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Zfp57 gene encodes a KRAB (Krüppel-associated box) domain-containing C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor that is expressed in early development. Zfp57 protein recognizes methylated CpG dinucleotide within GCGGCA elements at multiple imprinting control regions. In the previously determined structure of the mouse Zfp57 DNA-binding domain in complex with DNA containing 5-methylcytosine (5mC), the side chains of Arg178 and Glu182 contact the methyl group via hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions. We examined the role of Glu182 in recognition of 5mC by mutagenesis. The majority of mutants examined lose selectivity of methylated (5mC) over unmodified (C) and oxidative derivatives, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC), suggesting that the side chain of Glu182 (the size and the charge) is dispensable for methyl group recognition but negatively impacts the binding of unmodified cytosine as well as oxidized derivatives of 5mC to achieve 5mC selectivity. Substitution of Glu182 with its corresponding amide (E182Q) had no effect on methylated DNA binding but gained significant binding affinity for 5caC DNA, resulting in a binding affinity for 5caC DNA comparable to that of the wild-type protein for 5mC. We show structurally that the uncharged amide group of E182Q interacts favorably with the carboxylate group of 5caC. Furthermore, introducing a positively charged arginine at position 182 resulted in a mutant (E182R) having higher selectivity for the negatively charged 5caC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine , 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
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17
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Abstract
The 1952 observation of host-induced non-hereditary variation in bacteriophages by Salvador Luria and Mary Human led to the discovery in the 1960s of modifying enzymes that glucosylate hydroxymethylcytosine in T-even phages and of genes encoding corresponding host activities that restrict non-glucosylated phage DNA: rglA and rglB (restricts glucoseless phage). In the 1980’s, appreciation of the biological scope of these activities was dramatically expanded with the demonstration that plant and animal DNA was also sensitive to restriction in cloning experiments. The rgl genes were renamed mcrA and mcrBC (modified cytosine restriction). The new class of modification-dependent restriction enzymes was named Type IV, as distinct from the familiar modification-blocked Types I–III. A third Escherichia coli enzyme, mrr (modified DNA rejection and restriction) recognizes both methylcytosine and methyladenine. In recent years, the universe of modification-dependent enzymes has expanded greatly. Technical advances allow use of Type IV enzymes to study epigenetic mechanisms in mammals and plants. Type IV enzymes recognize modified DNA with low sequence selectivity and have emerged many times independently during evolution. Here, we review biochemical and structural data on these proteins, the resurgent interest in Type IV enzymes as tools for epigenetic research and the evolutionary pressures on these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wil A M Loenen
- Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands and New England Biolabs Inc., 240 County Road Ipswich, MA 01938-2723, USA
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18
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Brocato J, Costa M. Basic mechanics of DNA methylation and the unique landscape of the DNA methylome in metal-induced carcinogenesis. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013; 43:493-514. [PMID: 23844698 PMCID: PMC3871623 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2013.794769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays an intricate role in the regulation of gene expression and events that compromise the integrity of the methylome may potentially contribute to disease development. DNA methylation is a reversible and regulatory modification that elicits a cascade of events leading to chromatin condensation and gene silencing. In general, normal cells are characterized by gene-specific hypomethylation and global hypermethylation, while cancer cells portray a reverse profile to this norm. The unique methylome displayed in cancer cells is induced after exposure to carcinogenic metals such as nickel, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium (VI). These metals alter the DNA methylation profile by provoking both hyper- and hypo-methylation events. The metal-stimulated deviations to the methylome are possible mechanisms for metal-induced carcinogenesis and may provide potential biomarkers for cancer detection. Development of therapies based on the cancer methylome requires further research including human studies that supply results with larger impact and higher human relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Brocato
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 57 Old Forge Road, NY 10987, USA
| | - Max Costa
- Nelson Institute of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 57 Old Forge Road, NY 10987, USA
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19
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Bergman Y, Cedar H. DNA methylation dynamics in health and disease. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2013; 20:274-81. [PMID: 23463312 DOI: 10.1038/nsmb.2518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 396] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that is erased in the early embryo and then re-established at the time of implantation. In this Review, dynamics of DNA methylation during normal development in vivo are discussed, starting from fertilization through embryogenesis and postnatal growth, as well as abnormal methylation changes that occur in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehudit Bergman
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
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20
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Liu Y, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. A common mode of recognition for methylated CpG. Trends Biochem Sci 2013; 38:177-83. [PMID: 23352388 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2012] [Revised: 12/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Much is known about vertebrate DNA methylation, however it is not known how methylated CpG within particular sequences is recognized. Two recent structures of C2H2 zinc finger (ZnF) proteins in complex with methylated DNA reveal a common recognition mode for 5-methylcytosine (5mC) that involves a 5mC-Arg-G triad. In the two ZnF proteins, an arginine that precedes the first Zn-binding histidine (RH motif) can interact with a 5mCpG or TpG dinucleotide. Among a family of >300 human Krüppel-associated box (KRAB) domain containing ZnF proteins examined, two-thirds contained at least one ZnF that included an RH motif. We propose that the RH-ZnF motifs provide specificity for 5mCpG, whereas the neighboring Zn fingers recognize the surrounding DNA sequence context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwei Liu
- Departments of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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21
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Strogantsev R, Ferguson-Smith AC. Proteins involved in establishment and maintenance of imprinted methylation marks. Brief Funct Genomics 2012; 11:227-39. [PMID: 22760206 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/els018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic phenomena are being increasingly recognized to play key roles in normal mammalian development and disease. This is exemplified by the process of genomic imprinting whereby despite identical DNA sequence, the two parental chromosomes are not equivalent and show either maternal- or paternal-specific expression at a subset of genes in the genome. These patterns are set up by differential DNA methylation marking at the imprinting control regions in male and female germ line. In this review, we discuss the specific mechanisms by which these methyl marks are established and then selectively maintained throughout pre-implantation development. Specifically, we discuss the recent findings of a critical role played by a KRAB zinc-finger protein ZFP57 and its co-factor KAP1/TRIM28 in mediating both processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Strogantsev
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
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22
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DNA methylation inhibitors in cancer: recent and future approaches. Biochimie 2012; 94:2280-96. [PMID: 22967704 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review presents the different human DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), their biological roles, their mechanisms of action and their role in cancer. The description of assays for detecting DNMT inhibitors (DNMTi) follows. The different known DNMTi are reported along with their advantages, drawbacks and clinical trials. A discussion on the features of the future DNMT inhibitors will conclude this review.
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23
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Abstract
DNA methylation represents a form of genome annotation that mediates gene repression by serving as a maintainable mark that can be used to reconstruct silent chromatin following each round of replication. During development, germline DNA methylation is erased in the blastocyst, and a bimodal pattern is established anew at the time of implantation when the entire genome gets methylated while CpG islands are protected. This brings about global repression and allows housekeeping genes to be expressed in all cells of the body. Postimplantation development is characterized by stage- and tissue-specific changes in methylation that ultimately mold the epigenetic patterns that define each individual cell type. This is directed by sequence information in DNA and represents a secondary event that provides long-term expression stability. Abnormal methylation changes play a role in diseases, such as cancer or fragile X syndrome, and may also occur as a function of aging or as a result of environmental influences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard Cedar
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Hebrew University Medical School, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.
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