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Su Z, Dong Y, Sun J, Wu Y, Wei Q, Liang Y, Lin Z, Li Y, Shen L, Xi C, Wu L, Xu Y, Liu Y, Yin J, Wang H, Shi K, Le R, Gao S, Xu X. RNA m 6A modification regulates cell fate transition between pluripotent stem cells and 2-cell-like cells. Cell Prolif 2024:e13696. [PMID: 38952035 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) exerts essential roles in early embryos, especially in the maternal-to-zygotic transition stage. However, the landscape and roles of RNA m6A modification during the transition between pluripotent stem cells and 2-cell-like (2C-like) cells remain elusive. Here, we utilised ultralow-input RNA m6A immunoprecipitation to depict the dynamic picture of transcriptome-wide m6A modifications during 2C-like transitions. We found that RNA m6A modification was preferentially enriched in zygotic genome activation (ZGA) transcripts and MERVL with high expression levels in 2C-like cells. During the exit of the 2C-like state, m6A facilitated the silencing of ZGA genes and MERVL. Notably, inhibition of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and m6A reader protein IGF2BP2 is capable of significantly delaying 2C-like state exit and expanding 2C-like cells population. Together, our study reveals the critical roles of RNA m6A modification in the transition between 2C-like and pluripotent states, facilitating the study of totipotency and cell fate decision in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqu Su
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiatong Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyi Lin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujun Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxiang Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiliang Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingdong Liu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kerong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaocui Xu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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2
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Delaney K, Weiss N, Almouzni G. The cell-cycle choreography of H3 variants shapes the genome. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3773-3786. [PMID: 37734377 PMCID: PMC10621666 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Histone variants provide versatility in the basic unit of chromatin, helping to define dynamic landscapes and cell fates. Maintaining genome integrity is paramount for the cell, and it is intimately linked with chromatin dynamics, assembly, and disassembly during DNA transactions such as replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. In this review, we focus on the family of H3 variants and their dynamics in space and time during the cell cycle. We review the distinct H3 variants' specific features along with their escort partners, the histone chaperones, compiled across different species to discuss their distinct importance considering evolution. We place H3 dynamics at different times during the cell cycle with the possible consequences for genome stability. Finally, we examine how their mutation and alteration impact disease. The emerging picture stresses key parameters in H3 dynamics to reflect on how when they are perturbed, they become a source of stress for genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Delaney
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nicole Weiss
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Geneviève Almouzni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
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3
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Li H, Sun J, Dong Y, Huang Y, Wu L, Xi C, Su Z, Xiao Y, Zhang C, Liang Y, Li Y, Lin Z, Shen L, Zuo Y, Abudureheman A, Yin J, Wang H, Kong X, Le R, Gao S, Zhang Y. Remodeling of H3K9me3 during the pluripotent to totipotent-like state transition. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:449-462. [PMID: 36638787 PMCID: PMC9968986 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple chromatin modifiers associated with H3K9me3 play important roles in the transition from embryonic stem cells to 2-cell (2C)-like cells. However, it remains elusive how H3K9me3 is remodeled and its association with totipotency. Here, we integrated transcriptome and H3K9me3 profiles to conduct a detailed comparison of 2C embryos and 2C-like cells. Globally, H3K9me3 is highly preserved and H3K9me3 dynamics within the gene locus is not associated with gene expression change during 2C-like transition. Promoter-deposited H3K9me3 plays non-repressive roles in the activation of genes during 2C-like transition. In contrast, transposable elements, residing in the nearby regions of up-regulated genes, undergo extensive elimination of H3K9me3 and are tended to be induced in 2C-like transitions. Furthermore, a large fraction of trophoblast stem cell-specific enhancers undergo loss of H3K9me3 exclusively in MERVL+/Zscan4+ cells. Our study therefore reveals the unique H3K9me3 profiles of 2C-like cells, facilitating the further exploration of totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China
| | - Jiatong Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixin Huang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Li Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chenxiang Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhongqu Su
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Yihan Xiao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chuyu Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yujun Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhiyi Lin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixing Zuo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Abuduwaili Abudureheman
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiangyin Kong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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scm 6A-seq reveals single-cell landscapes of the dynamic m 6A during oocyte maturation and early embryonic development. Nat Commun 2023; 14:315. [PMID: 36658155 PMCID: PMC9852475 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-35958-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been demonstrated to regulate RNA metabolism and various biological processes, including gametogenesis and embryogenesis. However, the landscape and function of m6A at single cell resolution have not been extensively studied in mammalian oocytes or during pre-implantation. In this study, we developed a single-cell m6A sequencing (scm6A-seq) method to simultaneously profile the m6A methylome and transcriptome in single oocytes/blastomeres of cleavage-stage embryos. We found that m6A deficiency leads to aberrant RNA clearance and consequent low quality of Mettl3Gdf9 conditional knockout (cKO) oocytes. We further revealed that m6A regulates the translation and stability of modified RNAs in metaphase II (MII) oocytes and during oocyte-to-embryo transition, respectively. Moreover, we observed m6A-dependent asymmetries in the epi-transcriptome between the blastomeres of two-cell embryo. scm6A-seq thus allows in-depth investigation into m6A characteristics and functions, and the findings provide invaluable single-cell resolution resources for delineating the underlying mechanism for gametogenesis and early embryonic development.
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Xu H, Liang H. The regulation of totipotency transcription: Perspective from in vitro and in vivo totipotency. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1024093. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1024093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Totipotency represents the highest developmental potency. By definition, totipotent stem cells are capable of giving rise to all embryonic and extraembryonic cell types. In mammalian embryos, totipotency occurs around the zygotic genome activation period, which is around the 2-cell stage in mouse embryo or the 4-to 8-cell stage in human embryo. Currently, with the development of in vitro totipotent-like models and the advances in small-scale genomic methods, an in-depth mechanistic understanding of the totipotency state and regulation was enabled. In this review, we explored and summarized the current views about totipotency from various angles, including genetic and epigenetic aspects. This will hopefully formulate a panoramic view of totipotency from the available research works until now. It can also help delineate the scaffold and formulate new hypotheses on totipotency for future research works.
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Wen X, Lin Z, Wu H, Cao L, Fu X. Zfp281 Inhibits the Pluripotent-to-Totipotent State Transition in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:879428. [PMID: 35669510 PMCID: PMC9163740 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.879428] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The cell-fate transition between pluripotent and totipotent states determines embryonic development and the first cell-lineage segregation. However, limited by the scarcity of totipotent embryos, regulators on this transition remain largely elusive. A novel model to study the transition has been recently established, named the 2-cell-like (2C-like) model. The 2C-like cells are rare totipotent-like cells in the mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) culture. Pluripotent mESCs can spontaneously transit into and out of the 2C-like state. We previously dissected the transcriptional roadmap of the transition. In this study, we revealed that Zfp281 is a novel regulator for the pluripotent-to-totipotent transition in mESCs. Zfp281 is a transcriptional factor involved in the cell-fate transition. Our study shows that Zfp281 represses transcripts upregulated during the 2C-like transition via Tet1 and consequentially inhibits mESCs from transiting into the 2C-like state. Interestingly, we found that the inhibitory effect of Zfp281 on the 2C-like transition leads to an impaired 2C-like-transition ability in primed-state mESCs. Altogether, our study reveals a novel mediator for the pluripotent-to-totipotent state transition in mESCs and provides insights into the dynamic transcriptional control of the transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinpeng Wen
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zesong Lin
- Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lanrui Cao
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xudong Fu
- Center of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Zhejiang Laboratory for Systems and Precision Medicine, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China.,Institute of Hematology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Li D, Yang J, Huang X, Zhou H, Wang J. eIF4A2 targets developmental potency and histone H3.3 transcripts for translational control of stem cell pluripotency. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm0478. [PMID: 35353581 PMCID: PMC8967233 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm0478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Translational control has emerged as a fundamental regulatory layer of proteome complexity that governs cellular identity and functions. As initiation is the rate-limiting step of translation, we carried out an RNA interference screen for key translation initiation factors required to maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. We identified eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A2 (eIF4A2) and defined its mechanistic action through ribosomal protein S26-independent and -dependent ribosomes in translation initiation activation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding pluripotency factors and the histone variant H3.3 with demonstrated roles in maintaining stem cell pluripotency. eIF4A2 also mediates translation initiation activation of Ddx6, which acts together with eIF4A2 to restrict the totipotent two-cell transcription program in ESCs through Zscan4 mRNA degradation and translation repression. Accordingly, knockdown of eIF4A2 disrupts ESC proteome, causing the loss of ESC identity. Collectively, we establish a translational paradigm of the protein synthesis of pluripotency transcription factors and epigenetic regulators imposed on their established roles in controlling pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jihong Yang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jianlong Wang
- Department of Medicine, Columbia Center for Human Development, Columbia Stem Cell Initiative, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
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Zhang M, Zhao X, Feng X, Hu X, Zhao X, Lu W, Lu X. Histone chaperone HIRA complex regulates retrotransposons in embryonic stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:137. [PMID: 35365225 PMCID: PMC8973876 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-02814-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histone cell cycle regulator (HIRA) complex is an important histone chaperone that mediates the deposition of the H3.3 histone variant onto chromatin independently from DNA synthesis. However, it is still unknown whether it participates in the expression control of retrotransposons and cell fate determination. METHODS We screened the role of HIRA complex members in repressing the expression of retrotransposons by shRNA depletion in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) followed by RT-qPCR. RNA-seq was used to study the expression profiles after depletion of individual HIRA member. RT-qPCR and western blot were used to determine overexpression of HIRA complex members. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR was used to find the binding of H3.3, HIRA members to chromatin. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to identify the interaction between Hira mutant and Ubn2. ChIP-qPCR was used to identify H3.3 deposition change and western blot of chromatin extract was used to validate the epigenetic change. Bioinformatics analysis was applied for the analysis of available ChIP-seq data. RESULTS We revealed that Hira, Ubn2, and Ubn1 were the main repressors of 2-cell marker retrotransposon MERVL among HIRA complex members. Surprisingly, Ubn2 and Hira targeted different groups of retrotransposons and retrotransposon-derived long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), despite that they partially shared target genes. Furthermore, Ubn2 prevented ESCs to gain a 2-cell like state or activate trophectodermal genes upon differentiation. Mechanistically, Ubn2 and Hira suppressed retrotransposons by regulating the deposition of histone H3.3. Decreased H3.3 deposition, that was associated with the loss of Ubn2 or Hira, caused the reduction of H3K9me2 and H3K9me3, which are known repressive marks of retrotransposons. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings shed light on the distinct roles of HIRA complex members in controlling retrotransposons and cell fate conversion in ESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Xuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China
| | - Wange Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Ren W, Gao L, Mou Y, Deng W, Hua J, Yang F. DUX: One Transcription Factor Controls 2-Cell-like Fate. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042067. [PMID: 35216182 PMCID: PMC8877164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The double homeobox (Dux) gene, encoding a double homeobox transcription factor, is one of the key drivers of totipotency in mice. Recent studies showed Dux was temporally expressed at the 2-cell stage and acted as a transcriptional activator during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in embryos. A similar activation occurs in mouse embryonic stem cells, giving rise to 2-cell-like cells (2CLCs). Though the molecular mechanism underlying this expanded 2CLC potency caused by Dux activation has been partially revealed, the regulation mechanisms controlling Dux expression remain elusive. Here, we discuss the latest advancements in the multiple levels of regulation of Dux expression, as well as Dux function in 2CLCs transition, aiming to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the mechanisms that regulate totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ren
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- College of Innovation and Experiment, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Leilei Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Yaling Mou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Wen Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Correspondence: (W.D.); (F.Y.)
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China; (W.R.); (L.G.); (Y.M.); (J.H.)
- Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
- Correspondence: (W.D.); (F.Y.)
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10
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Wang X, Wang L, Dou J, Yu T, Cao P, Fan N, Borjigin U, Nashun B. Distinct role of histone chaperone Asf1a and Asf1b during fertilization and pre-implantation embryonic development in mice. Epigenetics Chromatin 2021; 14:55. [PMID: 34906203 PMCID: PMC8670131 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-021-00430-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Asf1 is a well-conserved histone chaperone that regulates multiple cellular processes in different species. Two paralogous genes, Asf1a and Asf1b exist in mammals, but their role during fertilization and early embryogenesis remains to be investigated further. Methods We analyzed the dynamics of histone chaperone Asf1a and Asf1b in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos in mice by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative PCR, and further investigated the role of Asf1a and Asf1b during fertilization and pre-implantation development by specific Morpholino oligos-mediated knock down approach. Results Immunofluorescence with specific antibodies revealed that both Asf1a and Asf1b were deposited in the nuclei of fully grown oocytes, accumulated abundantly in zygote and 2-cell embryonic nuclei, but turned low at 4-cell stage embryos. In contrast to the weak but definite nuclear deposition of Asf1a, Asf1b disappeared from embryonic nuclei at morula and blastocyst stages. The knockdown of Asf1a and Asf1b by specific Morpholino oligos revealed that Asf1a but not Asf1b was required for the histone H3.3 assembly in paternal pronucleus. However, knockdown of either Asf1a or Asf1b expression decreased developmental potential of pre-implantation embryos. Furthermore, while Asf1a KD severely reduced H3K56 acetylation level and the expression of Oct4 in blastocyst stage embryos, Asf1b KD almost eliminated nuclear accumulation of proliferating cell marker-PCNA in morula stage embryos. These results suggested that histone chaperone Asf1a and Asf1b play distinct roles during fertilization and pre-implantation development in mice. Conclusions Our data suggested that both Asf1a and Asf1b are required for pre-implantation embryonic development. Asf1a regulates H3K56ac levels and Oct4 expression, while Asf1b safeguards pre-implantation embryo development by regulating cell proliferation. We also showed that Asf1a, but not Asf1b, was necessary for the assembly of histone H3.3 in paternal pronuclei after fertilization. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13072-021-00430-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Jie Dou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Tianjiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Pengbo Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Na Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Uyunbilig Borjigin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Buhe Nashun
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, 24 Zhaojun Road, Yuquan District, Hohhot, 010070, Inner Mongolia, China.
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Sun KY, Guo SM, Cheng GP, Yin Y, He X, Zhou LQ. Cleavage-embryo genes and transposable elements are regulated by histone variant H2A.X. J Reprod Dev 2021; 67:307-312. [PMID: 34393157 PMCID: PMC8568613 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
During mammalian preimplantation development, stimulation of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and transposable elements (TEs) shapes totipotency profiling. A rare mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) subpopulation is capable of transiently entering a state resembling 2-cell stage embryos, with subtypes of TEs expressed and ZGA genes transiently activated. In this study, we found that deletion of H2A.X in mESCs led to a significant upregulation of ZGA genes and misregulated TEs. ChIP-seq analysis indicated a direct association of H2A.X at the Dux locus for silencing the Dux gene and its downstream ZGA genes in mESCs. We also demonstrated that histone variant H2A.X is highly enriched in human cleavage embryos when ZGA genes and TEs are active. Therefore, we propose that H2A.X plays an important role in regulating ZGA genes and TEs to establish totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Yi Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Shi-Meng Guo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Gui-Ping Cheng
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Ying Yin
- School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Ximiao He
- School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Li-Quan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hubei 430030, China
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12
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Huang X, Hu X, Jiang Q, Cao Q, Wu Y, Lei L. Functional study of distinct domains of dux in improving mouse SCNT embryonic development. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1089-1103. [PMID: 34296246 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
2-cell-like (2C-like) embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a small group of ESCs that spontaneously express zygotic genomic activation (ZGA) genes and repeats, such as Zscan4 and MERVL, and are specifically expressed in 2-cell-stage mouse embryos. Although numerous types of treatment and agents elevate the transition of ESCs to 2C-like ESCs, Dux serves as a critical factor in this transition by increasing the expression of Zscan4 and MERVL directly. However, the loss of Dux did not impair the birth of mice, suggesting that Dux may not be the primary transitioning factor in fertilized embryos. It has been reported that for 2-cell embryos derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and whose expression of ZGA genes and repeats was aberrant, Dux improved the reprogramming efficiency by correcting aberrant H3K9ac modification via its C-terminal domain. We confirmed that overexpression of full-length Dux mRNA in SCNT embryos improved the efficiency of preimplantation development (62.16% vs. 41.26% with respect to controls) and also increased the expression of Zscan4 and MERVL. Furthermore, we found that the N-terminal double homeodomains of Dux were indispensable for Dux localization and function. The intermediate region was essential for MERVL and Zscan4 activation, and the C-terminal domain was important for elevating level of H3K27ac. Mutant Dux mRNA containing N-terminal double homeodomains with the intermediate region or the C-terminal domain also improved the preimplantation development of SCNT embryos. This is the first report focusing on distinguishing functional domains of Dux in embryos derived from SCNT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwei Huang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
| | - Xinglin Hu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
| | - Qianzi Cao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
| | - Yanshuang Wu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. 150081
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Abstract
Nucleosome dynamics and properties are central to all forms of genomic activities. Among the core histones, H3 variants play a pivotal role in modulating nucleosome structure and function. Here, we focus on the impact of H3 variants on various facets of development. The deposition of the replicative H3 variant following DNA replication is essential for the transmission of the epigenomic information encoded in posttranscriptional modifications. Through this process, replicative H3 maintains cell fate while, in contrast, the replacement H3.3 variant opposes cell differentiation during early embryogenesis. In later steps of development, H3.3 and specialized H3 variants are emerging as new, important regulators of terminal cell differentiation, including neurons and gametes. The specific pathways that regulate the dynamics of the deposition of H3.3 are paramount during reprogramming events that drive zygotic activation and the initiation of a new cycle of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biologie et de Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR 5239, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, F-69007 Lyon, France;
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria;
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Epigenetic regulation of mouse preimplantation embryo development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 64:13-20. [PMID: 32563750 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
After fertilization, mouse embryos go through preimplantation development to give rise to blastocyst. Two key molecular events, zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and the first cell lineage specification, are essential for the process. Recent advances in low-input epigenomics profiling techniques allow the analysis of these events at a molecular level, which revealed a critical role of epigenetic and chromatin reprogramming in ZGA and the first cell lineage specification. Additionally, the establishment of an in vitro embryonic stem cell (ESC) to two-cell embryo-like conversion system have also contributed to the molecular understanding of preimplantation development. In this review, we summarize recent advances in epigenetic regulation of mouse preimplantation development, point out the remaining questions, and propose strategies to tackle these questions.
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Le R, Huang Y, Zhao A, Gao S. Lessons from expanded potential of embryonic stem cells: Moving toward totipotency. J Genet Genomics 2020; 47:123-130. [PMID: 32305172 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Embryonic stem cells possess fascinating capacity of self-renewal and developmental potential, leading to significant progress in understanding the molecular basis of pluripotency, disease modeling, and reprogramming technology. Recently, 2-cell-like embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and expanded potential stem cells or extended pluripotent stem cells (EPSCs) generated from early-cleavage embryos display some features of totipotent embryos. These cell lines provide valuable in vitro models to study underlying principles of totipotency, cell plasticity, and lineage segregation. In this review, we summarize the current progress in this filed and highlight the application potentials of these cells in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yixin Huang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Anqi Zhao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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