1
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King MR, Ruff KM, Pappu RV. Emergent microenvironments of nucleoli. Nucleus 2024; 15:2319957. [PMID: 38443761 PMCID: PMC10936679 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2319957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In higher eukaryotes, the nucleolus harbors at least three sub-phases that facilitate multiple functionalities including ribosome biogenesis. The three prominent coexisting sub-phases are the fibrillar center (FC), the dense fibrillar component (DFC), and the granular component (GC). Here, we review recent efforts in profiling sub-phase compositions that shed light on the types of physicochemical properties that emerge from compositional biases and territorial organization of specific types of macromolecules. We highlight roles played by molecular grammars which refers to protein sequence features including the substrate binding domains, the sequence features of intrinsically disordered regions, and the multivalence of these distinct types of domains / regions. We introduce the concept of a barcode of emergent physicochemical properties of nucleoli. Although our knowledge of the full barcode remains incomplete, we hope that the concept prompts investigations into undiscovered emergent properties and engenders an appreciation for how and why unique microenvironments control biochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R. King
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
| | - Kiersten M. Ruff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
| | - Rohit V. Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biomolecular Condensates, Washington University in St. Louis, Campus, MO, USA
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2
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Nickerson JA, Momen-Heravi F. Long non-coding RNAs: roles in cellular stress responses and epigenetic mechanisms regulating chromatin. Nucleus 2024; 15:2350180. [PMID: 38773934 PMCID: PMC11123517 DOI: 10.1080/19491034.2024.2350180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Most of the genome is transcribed into RNA but only 2% of the sequence codes for proteins. Non-coding RNA transcripts include a very large number of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). A growing number of identified lncRNAs operate in cellular stress responses, for example in response to hypoxia, genotoxic stress, and oxidative stress. Additionally, lncRNA plays important roles in epigenetic mechanisms operating at chromatin and in maintaining chromatin architecture. Here, we address three lncRNA topics that have had significant recent advances. The first is an emerging role for many lncRNAs in cellular stress responses. The second is the development of high throughput screening assays to develop causal relationships between lncRNAs across the genome with cellular functions. Finally, we turn to recent advances in understanding the role of lncRNAs in regulating chromatin architecture and epigenetics, advances that build on some of the earliest work linking RNA to chromatin architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Nickerson
- Division of Genes & Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Fatemeh Momen-Heravi
- College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Mondal M, Gao YQ. Atomistic Insights into Sequence-Mediated Spontaneous Association of Short RNA Chains. Biochemistry 2024. [PMID: 39377398 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.4c00293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
RNA-RNA association and phase separation appear to be essential for the assembly of stress granules and underlie RNA foci formation in repeat expansion disorders. RNA molecules are found to play a significant role in gene-regulatory functions via condensate formation among themselves or with RNA-binding proteins. The interplay between driven versus spontaneous processes is likely to be an important factor for controlling the formation of RNA-mediated biomolecular condensate. However, the sequence-specific interactions and molecular mechanisms that drive the spontaneous RNA-RNA association and help to form RNA-mediated phase-separated condensate remain unclear. With microseconds-long atomistic molecular simulations here, we report how essential aspects of RNA chains, namely, base composition, metal ion binding, and hydration properties, contribute to the association of the series of simplest biologically relevant homopolymeric and heteropolymeric short RNA chains. We show that spontaneous processes make the key contributions governed by the sequence-intrinsic properties of RNA chains, where the definite roles of base-specific hydrogen bonding and stacking interactions are prominent in the association of the RNA chains. Purine versus pyrimidine contents of RNA chains can directly influence the association properties of RNA chains by modulating hydrogen bonding and base stacking interactions. This study determines the impact of ionic environment in sequence-specific spontaneous association of short RNA chains, hydration features, and base-specific interactions of Na+, K+, and Mg2+ ions with RNA chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manas Mondal
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, 518107 Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Qin Gao
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, 518107 Shenzhen, China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Peking University, 100871 Beijing, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102200, China
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4
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Wu YW, Deng ZQ, Rong Y, Bu GW, Wu YK, Wu X, Cheng H, Fan HY. RNA surveillance by the RNA helicase MTR4 determines volume of mouse oocytes. Dev Cell 2024:S1534-5807(24)00537-9. [PMID: 39378876 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Oocytes are the largest cell type in multicellular animals. Here, we show that mRNA transporter 4 (MTR4) is indispensable for oocyte growth and functions as part of the RNA surveillance mechanism, which is responsible for nuclear waste RNA clearance. MTR4 ensures the normal post-transcriptional processing of maternal RNAs, their nuclear export to the cytoplasm, and the accumulation of properly processed transcripts. Oocytes with Mtr4 knockout fail to accumulate sufficient and normal transcripts in the cytoplasm and cannot grow to normal sizes. MTR4-dependent RNA surveillance has a previously unrecognized function in maintaining a stable nuclear environment for the establishment of non-canonical histone H3 lysine-4 trimethylation and chromatin reorganization, which is necessary to form a nucleolus-like structure in oocytes. In conclusion, MTR4-dependent RNA surveillance activity is a checkpoint that allows oocytes to grow to a normal size, undergo nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, and acquire developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Wen Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zuo-Qi Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yan Rong
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Precise Protection and Promotion of Fertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Guo-Wei Bu
- Center for Biomedical Research, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Yu-Ke Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- MOE Key Laboratory for Biosystems Homeostasis and Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Precise Protection and Promotion of Fertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China; Center for Biomedical Research, Shaoxing Institute, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing 312000, China.
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5
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Deforzh E, Kharel P, Zhang Y, Karelin A, El Khayari A, Ivanov P, Krichevsky AM. HOXDeRNA activates a cancerous transcription program and super enhancers via genome-wide binding. Mol Cell 2024:S1097-2765(24)00775-5. [PMID: 39383879 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
The role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in malignant cell transformation remains elusive. We previously identified an enhancer-associated lncRNA, LINC01116 (named HOXDeRNA), as a transformative factor converting human astrocytes into glioma-like cells. Employing a combination of CRISPR editing, chromatin isolation by RNA purification coupled with sequencing (ChIRP-seq), in situ mapping RNA-genome interactions (iMARGI), chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), HiC, and RNA/DNA FISH, we found that HOXDeRNA directly binds to CpG islands within the promoters of 35 glioma-specific transcription factors (TFs) distributed throughout the genome, including key stem cell TFs SOX2, OLIG2, POU3F2, and ASCL1, liberating them from PRC2 repression. This process requires a distinct RNA quadruplex structure and other segments of HOXDeRNA, interacting with EZH2 and CpGs, respectively. Subsequent transformation activates multiple oncogenes (e.g., EGFR, miR-21, and WEE1), driven by the SOX2- and OLIG2-dependent glioma-specific super enhancers. These results help reconstruct the sequence of events underlying the process of astrocyte transformation, highlighting HOXDeRNA's central genome-wide activity and suggesting a shared RNA-dependent mechanism in otherwise heterogeneous and multifactorial gliomagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny Deforzh
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Prakash Kharel
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yanhong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anton Karelin
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Abdellatif El Khayari
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Institute of Biological Sciences (ISSB-P), UM6P Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben-Guerir 43150, Morocco
| | - Pavel Ivanov
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anna M Krichevsky
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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6
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Ye R, Zhao H, Wang X, Xue Y. Technological advancements in deciphering RNA-RNA interactions. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3722-3736. [PMID: 39047724 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.036] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
RNA-RNA interactions (RRIs) can dictate RNA molecules to form intricate higher-order structures and bind their RNA substrates in diverse biological processes. To elucidate the function, binding specificity, and regulatory mechanisms of various RNA molecules, especially the vast repertoire of non-coding RNAs, advanced technologies and methods that globally map RRIs are extremely valuable. In the past decades, many state-of-the-art technologies have been developed for this purpose. This review focuses on those high-throughput technologies for the global mapping of RRIs. We summarize the key concepts and the pros and cons of different technologies. In addition, we highlight the novel biological insights uncovered by these RRI mapping methods and discuss the future challenges for appreciating the crucial roles of RRIs in gene regulation across bacteria, viruses, archaea, and mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Ye
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hailian Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yuanchao Xue
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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7
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Wadsworth GM, Srinivasan S, Lai LB, Datta M, Gopalan V, Banerjee PR. RNA-driven phase transitions in biomolecular condensates. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3692-3705. [PMID: 39366355 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.09.005] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
RNAs and RNA-binding proteins can undergo spontaneous or active condensation into phase-separated liquid-like droplets. These condensates are cellular hubs for various physiological processes, and their dysregulation leads to diseases. Although RNAs are core components of many cellular condensates, the underlying molecular determinants for the formation, regulation, and function of ribonucleoprotein condensates have largely been studied from a protein-centric perspective. Here, we highlight recent developments in ribonucleoprotein condensate biology with a particular emphasis on RNA-driven phase transitions. We also present emerging future directions that might shed light on the role of RNA condensates in spatiotemporal regulation of cellular processes and inspire bioengineering of RNA-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gable M Wadsworth
- Department of Physics, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Sukanya Srinivasan
- Department of Physics, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Lien B Lai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Moulisubhro Datta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Venkat Gopalan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Priya R Banerjee
- Department of Physics, The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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8
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Ren J, Luo S, Shi H, Wang X. Spatial omics advances for in situ RNA biology. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3737-3757. [PMID: 39270643 PMCID: PMC11455602 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Spatial regulation of RNA plays a critical role in gene expression regulation and cellular function. Understanding spatially resolved RNA dynamics and translation is vital for bringing new insights into biological processes such as embryonic development, neurobiology, and disease pathology. This review explores past studies in subcellular, cellular, and tissue-level spatial RNA biology driven by diverse methodologies, ranging from cell fractionation, in situ and proximity labeling, imaging, spatially indexed next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches, and spatially informed computational modeling. Particularly, recent advances have been made for near-genome-scale profiling of RNA and multimodal biomolecules at high spatial resolution. These methods enabled new discoveries into RNA's spatiotemporal kinetics, RNA processing, translation status, and RNA-protein interactions in cells and tissues. The evolving landscape of experimental and computational strategies reveals the complexity and heterogeneity of spatial RNA biology with subcellular resolution, heralding new avenues for RNA biology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Ren
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shuchen Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hailing Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Xiao Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Henninger JE, Young RA. An RNA-centric view of transcription and genome organization. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3627-3643. [PMID: 39366351 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.08.021] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Foundational models of transcriptional regulation involve the assembly of protein complexes at DNA elements associated with specific genes. These assemblies, which can include transcription factors, cofactors, RNA polymerase, and various chromatin regulators, form dynamic spatial compartments that contribute to both gene regulation and local genome architecture. This DNA-protein-centric view has been modified with recent evidence that RNA molecules have important roles to play in gene regulation and genome structure. Here, we discuss evidence that gene regulation by RNA occurs at multiple levels that include assembly of transcriptional complexes and genome compartments, feedback regulation of active genes, silencing of genes, and control of protein kinases. We thus provide an RNA-centric view of transcriptional regulation that must reside alongside the more traditional DNA-protein-centric perspectives on gene regulation and genome architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Henninger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Richard A Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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10
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Guo JK, Blanco MR, Guttman M. PRC2-RNA interactions: Viewpoint from Jimmy K. Guo, Mario R. Blanco, and Mitchell Guttman. Mol Cell 2024; 84:3578-3585. [PMID: 39366346 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/06/2024]
Abstract
Many reported PRC2-RNA interactions have been shown to be functionally dispensable, raising questions about whether they occur in vivo. Here, we lay out technical issues with existing evidence for direct binding and argue that there is currently a lack of biochemical or functional evidence for direct PRC2-RNA binding in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy K Guo
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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11
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Pedrotti S, Castiglioni I, Perez-Estrada C, Zhao L, Chen JP, Crosetto N, Bienko M. Emerging methods and applications in 3D genomics. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 90:102409. [PMID: 39178735 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Since the advent of Hi-C in 2009, a plethora of high-throughput sequencing methods have emerged to profile the three-dimensional (3D) organization of eukaryotic genomes, igniting the era of 3D genomics. In recent years, the genomic resolution achievable by these approaches has dramatically increased and several single-cell versions of Hi-C have been developed. Moreover, a new repertoire of tools not based on proximity ligation of digested chromatin has emerged, enabling the investigation of the higher-order organization of chromatin in the nucleus. In this review, we summarize the expanding portfolio of 3D genomic technologies, highlighting recent developments and applications from the past three years. Lastly, we present an outlook of where this technology-driven field might be headed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pedrotti
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Cynthia Perez-Estrada
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, 17165, Sweden
| | - Linxuan Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, 17165, Sweden
| | - Jinxin Phaedo Chen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, 17165, Sweden
| | - Nicola Crosetto
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, 17165, Sweden.
| | - Magda Bienko
- Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, 20157, Milan, Italy; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17165, Sweden; Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, 17165, Sweden.
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12
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Chaturvedi P, Belmont AS. Nuclear speckle biology: At the cross-roads of discovery and functional analysis. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2024; 91:102438. [PMID: 39340981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2024.102438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Chaturvedi
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Andrew S Belmont
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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13
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Han TW, Portz B, Young RA, Boija A, Klein IA. RNA and condensates: Disease implications and therapeutic opportunities. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1593-1609. [PMID: 39303698 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.08.009] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are dynamic membraneless organelles that compartmentalize proteins and RNA molecules to regulate key cellular processes. Diverse RNA species exert their effects on the cell by their roles in condensate formation and function. RNA abnormalities such as overexpression, modification, and mislocalization can lead to pathological condensate behaviors that drive various diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and infections. Here, we review RNA's role in condensate biology, describe the mechanisms of RNA-induced condensate dysregulation, note the implications for disease pathogenesis, and discuss novel therapeutic strategies. Emerging approaches to targeting RNA within condensates, including small molecules and RNA-based therapies that leverage the unique properties of condensates, may revolutionize treatment for complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Richard A Young
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ann Boija
- Dewpoint Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Song S, Ivanov T, Yuan D, Wang J, da Silva LC, Xie J, Cao S. Peptide-Based Biomimetic Condensates via Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation as Biomedical Delivery Vehicles. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:5468-5488. [PMID: 39178343 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2024]
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are dynamic liquid droplets through intracellular liquid-liquid phase separation that function as membraneless organelles, which are highly involved in various complex cellular processes and functions. Artificial analogs formed via similar pathways that can be integrated with biological complexity and advanced functions have received tremendous research interest in the field of synthetic biology. The coacervate droplet-based compartments can partition and concentrate a wide range of solutes, which are regarded as attractive candidates for mimicking phase-separation behaviors and biophysical features of biomolecular condensates. The use of peptide-based materials as phase-separating components has advantages such as the diversity of amino acid residues and customized sequence design, which allows for programming their phase-separation behaviors and the physicochemical properties of the resulting compartments. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent advancements in the design and construction of biomimicry condensates from synthetic peptides relevant to intracellular phase-separating protein, with specific reference to their molecular design, self-assembly via phase separation, and biorelated applications, to envisage the use of peptide-based droplets as emerging biomedical delivery vehicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Song
- Life-Like Materials and Systems, Department of Chemistry, University of Mainz, Mainz 55128, Germany
| | | | - Dandan Yuan
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jianqiang Wang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | | | - Jing Xie
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shoupeng Cao
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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15
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Kumar A, Schrader AW, Aggarwal B, Boroojeny AE, Asadian M, Lee J, Song YJ, Zhao SD, Han HS, Sinha S. Intracellular spatial transcriptomic analysis toolkit (InSTAnT). Nat Commun 2024; 15:7794. [PMID: 39242579 PMCID: PMC11379969 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49457-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Imaging-based spatial transcriptomics technologies such as Multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization (MERFISH) can capture cellular processes in unparalleled detail. However, rigorous and robust analytical tools are needed to unlock their full potential for discovering subcellular biological patterns. We present Intracellular Spatial Transcriptomic Analysis Toolkit (InSTAnT), a computational toolkit for extracting molecular relationships from spatial transcriptomics data at single molecule resolution. InSTAnT employs specialized statistical tests and algorithms to detect gene pairs and modules exhibiting intriguing patterns of co-localization, both within individual cells and across the cellular landscape. We showcase the toolkit on five different datasets representing two different cell lines, two brain structures, two species, and three different technologies. We perform rigorous statistical assessment of discovered co-localization patterns, find supporting evidence from databases and RNA interactions, and identify associated subcellular domains. We uncover several cell type and region-specific gene co-localizations within the brain. Intra-cellular spatial patterns discovered by InSTAnT mirror diverse molecular relationships, including RNA interactions and shared sub-cellular localization or function, providing a rich compendium of testable hypotheses regarding molecular functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anurendra Kumar
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Alex W Schrader
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Bhavay Aggarwal
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | | | - Marisa Asadian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - JuYeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - You Jin Song
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Sihai Dave Zhao
- Department of Statistics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61820, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Hee-Sun Han
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - Saurabh Sinha
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA.
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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16
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Fosseprez O, Cuvier O. Uncovering the functions and mechanisms of regulatory elements-associated non-coding RNAs. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195059. [PMID: 39226990 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) produced by RNA Pol II have been revealed as meaningful players in various essential cellular functions. In particular, thousands of ncRNAs are produced at transcriptional regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters, where they may exert multiple functions to regulate proper development, cellular programming, transcription or genomic stability. Here, we review the mechanisms involving these regulatory element-associated ncRNAs, and particularly enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) and PROMoter uPstream Transcripts (PROMPTs). We contextualize the mechanisms described to the processing and degradation of these short lived RNAs. We summarize recent findings explaining how ncRNAs operate locally at promoters and enhancers, or further away, either shortly after their production by RNA Pol II, or through post-transcriptional stabilization. Such discoveries lead to a converging model accounting for how ncRNAs influence cellular fate, by acting on transcription and chromatin structure, which may further involve factors participating to 3D nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Fosseprez
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team; Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD/UMR5077) Center of Integrative Biology (CBI-CNRS), Université de Toulouse (UPS), F-31000, France.
| | - Olivier Cuvier
- Chromatin Dynamics and Cell Proliferation team; Center of Integrative Biology (CBI), Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD/UMR5077) Center of Integrative Biology (CBI-CNRS), Université de Toulouse (UPS), F-31000, France.
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17
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Stocks J, Gilbert N. Nuclear RNA: a transcription-dependent regulator of chromatin structure. Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:1605-1615. [PMID: 39082979 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230787] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Although the majority of RNAs are retained in the nucleus, their significance is often overlooked. However, it is now becoming clear that nuclear RNA forms a dynamic structure through interacting with various proteins that can influence the three-dimensional structure of chromatin. We review the emerging evidence for a nuclear RNA mesh or gel, highlighting the interplay between DNA, RNA and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and assessing the critical role of protein and RNA in governing chromatin architecture. We also discuss a proposed role for the formation and regulation of the nuclear gel in transcriptional control. We suggest that it may concentrate the transcriptional machinery either by direct binding or inducing RBPs to form microphase condensates, nanometre sized membraneless structures with distinct properties to the surrounding medium and an enrichment of particular macromolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Stocks
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
| | - Nick Gilbert
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K
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18
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Yilmaz Sukranli Z, Korkmaz Bayram K, Taheri S, Cuzin F, Ozkul Y, Rassoulzadegan M. Experimentally altering microRNA levels in embryos alters adult phenotypes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19014. [PMID: 39152124 PMCID: PMC11329699 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63692-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously identified a unique genetic feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in human patients and established mouse models, a low to very low level of six microRNAs, miR-19a-3p, miR-361-5p, miR-3613-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-126-3p and miR-499a-5p. We attempted to interfere experimentally in mice with two of them, miR19a-3p and miR499a-5p by microinjecting into zygote pronuclei either the complementary sequence or an excess of the microRNA. Both resulted in low levels in the tissues and sperm of the targeted microRNAs and their pri and pre precursors. This method stably modify predetermined levels of miRNAs and identify miRNA alterations that cause changes in autistic behavior and predispose the individual to an inherited disease. Excess miRNA results in single-stranded miRNA variations in both free and DNA-bound RNA (R-loop) fractions in mouse models thus appearing to affect their own transcription. Analysis of miRNAs fractions in human patients blood samples confirm low level of six microRNAs also in R-loop fractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Yilmaz Sukranli
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Keziban Korkmaz Bayram
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Serpil Taheri
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | | | - Yusuf Ozkul
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Betul-Ziya Eren Genome and Stem Cell Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
- INSERM-CNRS, Université de Nice, Nice, France.
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19
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Masuda A, Okamoto T, Kawachi T, Takeda JI, Hamaguchi T, Ohno K. Blending and separating dynamics of RNA-binding proteins develop architectural splicing networks spreading throughout the nucleus. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2949-2965.e10. [PMID: 39053456 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The eukaryotic nucleus has a highly organized structure. Although the spatiotemporal arrangement of spliceosomes on nascent RNA drives splicing, the nuclear architecture that directly supports this process remains unclear. Here, we show that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) assembled on RNA form meshworks in human and mouse cells. Core and accessory RBPs in RNA splicing make two distinct meshworks adjacently but distinctly distributed throughout the nucleus. This is achieved by mutual exclusion dynamics between the charged and uncharged intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of RBPs. These two types of meshworks compete for spatial occupancy on pre-mRNA to regulate splicing. Furthermore, the optogenetic enhancement of the RBP meshwork causes aberrant splicing, particularly of genes involved in neurodegeneration. Genetic mutations associated with neurodegenerative diseases are often found in the IDRs of RBPs, and cells harboring these mutations exhibit impaired meshwork formation. Our results uncovered the spatial organization of RBP networks to drive RNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Masuda
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Okamoto
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Kawachi
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Takeda
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomonari Hamaguchi
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kinji Ohno
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan; Graduate School of Nutritional Sciences, Nagoya University of Arts and Sciences, Nisshin, Japan
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20
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Yun H, Zoller J, Zhou F, Rohde C, Liu Y, Blank MF, Göllner S, Müller-Tidow C. The landscape of RNA-chromatin interaction reveals small non-coding RNAs as essential mediators of leukemia maintenance. Leukemia 2024; 38:1688-1698. [PMID: 38942785 PMCID: PMC11286530 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
RNA constitutes a large fraction of chromatin. Spatial distribution and functional relevance of most of RNA-chromatin interactions remain unknown. We established a landscape analysis of RNA-chromatin interactions in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In total more than 50 million interactions were captured in an AML cell line. Protein-coding mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs exhibited a substantial number of interactions with chromatin in cis suggesting transcriptional activity. In contrast, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) and small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) associated with chromatin predominantly in trans suggesting chromatin specific functions. Of note, snoRNA-chromatin interaction was associated with chromatin modifications and occurred independently of the classical snoRNA-RNP complex. Two C/D box snoRNAs, namely SNORD118 and SNORD3A, displayed high frequency of trans-association with chromatin. The transcription of SNORD118 and SNORD3A was increased upon leukemia transformation and enriched in leukemia stem cells, but decreased during myeloid differentiation. Suppression of SNORD118 and SNORD3A impaired leukemia cell proliferation and colony forming capacity in AML cell lines and primary patient samples. Notably, this effect was leukemia specific with less impact on healthy CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. These findings highlight the functional importance of chromatin-associated RNAs overall and in particular of SNORD118 and SNORD3A in maintaining leukemia propagation.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Chromatin/metabolism
- Chromatin/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- RNA, Small Nucleolar/genetics
- RNA, Small Nucleolar/metabolism
- Cell Line, Tumor
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Yun
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- The Robert Bosch Center for Tumor Diseases, Stuttgart, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Julian Zoller
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fengbiao Zhou
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christian Rohde
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Felix Blank
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division Proteomics of Stem Cells and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Göllner
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Müller-Tidow
- Department of Medicine V, Hematology, Oncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, European Molecule Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Heidelberg, Germany.
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany.
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21
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Dror I, Tan T, Plath K. A critical role for X-chromosome architecture in mammalian X-chromosome dosage compensation. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 87:102235. [PMID: 39053028 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
To regulate gene expression, the macromolecular components of the mammalian interphase nucleus are spatially organized into a myriad of functional compartments. Over the past decade, increasingly sophisticated genomics, microscopy, and functional approaches have probed this organization in unprecedented detail. These investigations have linked chromatin-associated noncoding RNAs to specific nuclear compartments and uncovered mechanisms by which these RNAs establish such domains. In this review, we focus on the long non-coding RNA Xist and summarize new evidence demonstrating the significance of chromatin reconfiguration in creating the inactive X-chromosome compartment. Differences in chromatin compaction correlate with distinct levels of gene repression on the X-chromosome, potentially explaining how human XIST can induce chromosome-wide dampening and silencing of gene expression at different stages of human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Dror
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tiao Tan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Brain Research Institute, Graduate Program in the Biosciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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22
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Pepin AS, Schneider R. Emerging toolkits for decoding the co-occurrence of modified histones and chromatin proteins. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:3202-3220. [PMID: 39095610 PMCID: PMC11316037 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00199-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, DNA is packaged into chromatin with the help of highly conserved histone proteins. Together with DNA-binding proteins, posttranslational modifications (PTMs) on these histones play crucial roles in regulating genome function, cell fate determination, inheritance of acquired traits, cellular states, and diseases. While most studies have focused on individual DNA-binding proteins, chromatin proteins, or histone PTMs in bulk cell populations, such chromatin features co-occur and potentially act cooperatively to accomplish specific functions in a given cell. This review discusses state-of-the-art techniques for the simultaneous profiling of multiple chromatin features in low-input samples and single cells, focusing on histone PTMs, DNA-binding, and chromatin proteins. We cover the origins of the currently available toolkits, compare and contrast their characteristic features, and discuss challenges and perspectives for future applications. Studying the co-occurrence of histone PTMs, DNA-binding proteins, and chromatin proteins in single cells will be central for a better understanding of the biological relevance of combinatorial chromatin features, their impact on genomic output, and cellular heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Pepin
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Robert Schneider
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
- Faculty of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
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23
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Pessoa J, Carvalho C. Human RNA Polymerase II Segregates from Genes and Nascent RNA and Transcribes in the Presence of DNA-Bound dCas9. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8411. [PMID: 39125980 PMCID: PMC11312690 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (Pol II) dysfunction is frequently implied in human disease. Understanding its functional mechanism is essential for designing innovative therapeutic strategies. To visualize its supra-molecular interactions with genes and nascent RNA, we generated a human cell line carrying ~335 consecutive copies of a recombinant β-globin gene. Confocal microscopy showed that Pol II was not homogeneously concentrated around these identical gene copies. Moreover, Pol II signals partially overlapped with the genes and their nascent RNA, revealing extensive compartmentalization. Using a cell line carrying a single copy of the β-globin gene, we also tested if the binding of catalytically dead CRISPR-associated system 9 (dCas9) to different gene regions affected Pol II transcriptional activity. We assessed Pol II localization and nascent RNA levels using chromatin immunoprecipitation and droplet digital reverse transcription PCR, respectively. Some enrichment of transcriptionally paused Pol II accumulated in the promoter region was detected in a strand-specific way of gRNA binding, and there was no decrease in nascent RNA levels. Pol II preserved its transcriptional activity in the presence of DNA-bound dCas9. Our findings contribute further insight into the complex mechanism of mRNA transcription in human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pessoa
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Célia Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal;
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24
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Dong P, Zhang S, Gandin V, Xie L, Wang L, Lemire AL, Li W, Otsuna H, Kawase T, Lander AD, Chang HY, Liu ZJ. Cohesin prevents cross-domain gene coactivation. Nat Genet 2024; 56:1654-1664. [PMID: 39048795 PMCID: PMC11319207 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-024-01852-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The contrast between the disruption of genome topology after cohesin loss and the lack of downstream gene expression changes instigates intense debates regarding the structure-function relationship between genome and gene regulation. Here, by analyzing transcriptome and chromatin accessibility at the single-cell level, we discover that, instead of dictating population-wide gene expression levels, cohesin supplies a general function to neutralize stochastic coexpression tendencies of cis-linked genes in single cells. Notably, cohesin loss induces widespread gene coactivation and chromatin co-opening tens of million bases apart in cis. Spatial genome and protein imaging reveals that cohesin prevents gene co-bursting along the chromosome and blocks spatial mixing of transcriptional hubs. Single-molecule imaging shows that cohesin confines the exploration of diverse enhancer and core promoter binding transcriptional regulators. Together, these results support that cohesin arranges nuclear topology to control gene coexpression in single cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Dong
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Shu Zhang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Valentina Gandin
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Liangqi Xie
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
- Cancer Biology and Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Andrew L Lemire
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Wenhong Li
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Hideo Otsuna
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Takashi Kawase
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Arthur D Lander
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zhe J Liu
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA.
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25
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Kuang S, Pollard KS. Exploring the roles of RNAs in chromatin architecture using deep learning. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6373. [PMID: 39075082 PMCID: PMC11286850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50573-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the impact of both transcription and transcripts on 3D genome organization, particularly its dynamics. Here, we propose a deep learning framework, called AkitaR, that leverages both genome sequences and genome-wide RNA-DNA interactions to investigate the roles of chromatin-associated RNAs (caRNAs) on genome folding in HFFc6 cells. In order to disentangle the cis- and trans-regulatory roles of caRNAs, we have compared models with nascent transcripts, trans-located caRNAs, open chromatin data, or DNA sequence alone. Both nascent transcripts and trans-located caRNAs improve the models' predictions, especially at cell-type-specific genomic regions. Analyses of feature importance scores reveal the contribution of caRNAs at TAD boundaries, chromatin loops and nuclear sub-structures such as nuclear speckles and nucleoli to the models' predictions. Furthermore, we identify non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) known to regulate chromatin structures, such as MALAT1 and NEAT1, as well as several new RNAs, RNY5, RPPH1, POLG-DT and THBS1-IT1, that might modulate chromatin architecture through trans-interactions in HFFc6. Our modeling also suggests that transcripts from Alus and other repetitive elements may facilitate chromatin interactions through trans R-loop formation. Our findings provide insights and generate testable hypotheses about the roles of caRNAs in shaping chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuzhen Kuang
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Katherine S Pollard
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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26
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Tian SZ, Yang Y, Ning D, Fang K, Jing K, Huang G, Xu Y, Yin P, Huang H, Chen G, Deng Y, Zhang S, Zhang Z, Chen Z, Gao T, Chen W, Li G, Tian R, Ruan Y, Li Y, Zheng M. 3D chromatin structures associated with ncRNA roX2 for hyperactivation and coactivation across the entire X chromosome. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado5716. [PMID: 39058769 PMCID: PMC11277285 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado5716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) organization of chromatin within the nucleus is crucial for gene regulation. However, the 3D architectural features that coordinate the activation of an entire chromosome remain largely unknown. We introduce an omics method, RNA-associated chromatin DNA-DNA interactions, that integrates RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-mediated regulome with stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy to investigate the landscape of noncoding RNA roX2-associated chromatin topology for gene equalization to achieve dosage compensation. Our findings reveal that roX2 anchors to the target gene transcription end sites (TESs) and spreads in a distinctive boot-shaped configuration, promoting a more open chromatin state for hyperactivation. Furthermore, roX2 arches TES to transcription start sites to enhance transcriptional loops, potentially facilitating RNAPII convoying and connecting proximal promoter-promoter transcriptional hubs for synergistic gene regulation. These TESs cluster as roX2 compartments, surrounded by inactive domains for coactivation of multiple genes within the roX2 territory. In addition, roX2 structures gradually form and scaffold for stepwise coactivation in dosage compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Zhongyuan Tian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Duo Ning
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Ke Fang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Kai Jing
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Guangyu Huang
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yewen Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Pengfei Yin
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Haibo Huang
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518000, China
| | - Gengzhan Chen
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yuqing Deng
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Shaohong Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Zhimin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Zhenxia Chen
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Life Science and Technology, College of Biomedicine and Health, Interdisciplinary Sciences Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Tong Gao
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Guoliang Li
- Agricultural Bioinformatics Key Laboratory of Hubei Province, Hubei Engineering Technology Research Center of Agricultural Big Data, 3D Genomics Research Center, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China
| | - Ruilin Tian
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Key University Laboratory of Metabolism and Health of Guangdong, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Yijun Ruan
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Meizhen Zheng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
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27
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Gholamalamdari O, van Schaik T, Wang Y, Kumar P, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Gonzalez GAH, Vouzas AE, Zhao PA, Gilbert DM, Ma J, van Steensel B, Belmont AS. Beyond A and B Compartments: how major nuclear locales define nuclear genome organization and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.23.590809. [PMID: 38712201 PMCID: PMC11071382 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.23.590809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Models of nuclear genome organization often propose a binary division into active versus inactive compartments, yet they overlook nuclear bodies. Here we integrated analysis of sequencing and image-based data to compare genome organization in four human cell types relative to three different nuclear locales: the nuclear lamina, nuclear speckles, and nucleoli. Whereas gene expression correlates mostly with nuclear speckle proximity, DNA replication timing correlates with proximity to multiple nuclear locales. Speckle attachment regions emerge as DNA replication initiation zones whose replication timing and gene composition vary with their attachment frequency. Most facultative LADs retain a partially repressed state as iLADs, despite their positioning in the nuclear interior. Knock out of two lamina proteins, Lamin A and LBR, causes a shift of H3K9me3-enriched LADs from lamina to nucleolus, and a reciprocal relocation of H3K27me3-enriched partially repressed iLADs from nucleolus to lamina. Thus, these partially repressed iLADs appear to compete with LADs for nuclear lamina attachment with consequences for replication timing. The nuclear organization in adherent cells is polarized with nuclear bodies and genomic regions segregating both radially and relative to the equatorial plane. Together, our results underscore the importance of considering genome organization relative to nuclear locales for a more complete understanding of the spatial and functional organization of the human genome.
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28
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Shan L, Li P, Yu H, Chen LL. Emerging roles of nuclear bodies in genome spatial organization. Trends Cell Biol 2024; 34:595-605. [PMID: 37993310 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear bodies (NBs) are biomolecular condensates that participate in various cellular processes and respond to cellular stimuli in the nucleus. The assembly and function of these protein- and RNA-rich bodies, such as nucleoli, nuclear speckles, and promyelocytic leukemia (PML) NBs, contribute to the spatial organization of the nucleus, regulating chromatin activities locally and globally. Recent technological advancements, including spatial multiomics approaches, have revealed novel roles of nucleoli in modulating ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and adjacent non-rDNA chromatin activity, nuclear speckles in scaffolding active genome architecture, and PML NBs in maintaining genome stability during stress conditions. In this review, we summarize emerging functions of these important NBs in the spatial organization of the genome, aided by recently developed spatial multiomics approaches toward this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Shan
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pan Li
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Department of Cardiology, Changhai Hospital, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongtao Yu
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ling-Ling Chen
- Key Laboratory of RNA Science and Engineering, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.
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29
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Bhattacharya A, Wang K, Penailillo J, Chan CN, Fushimi A, Yamashita N, Daimon T, Haratake N, Ozawa H, Nakashoji A, Shigeta K, Morimoto Y, Miyo M, Kufe DW. MUC1-C regulates NEAT1 lncRNA expression and paraspeckle formation in cancer progression. Oncogene 2024; 43:2199-2214. [PMID: 38802648 PMCID: PMC11226401 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The MUC1 gene evolved in mammals for adaptation of barrier tissues in response to infections and damage. Paraspeckles are nuclear bodies formed on the NEAT1 lncRNA in response to loss of homeostasis. There is no known intersection of MUC1 with NEAT1 or paraspeckles. Here, we demonstrate that the MUC1-C subunit plays an essential role in regulating NEAT1 expression. MUC1-C activates the NEAT1 gene with induction of the NEAT1_1 and NEAT1_2 isoforms by NF-κB- and MYC-mediated mechanisms. MUC1-C/MYC signaling also induces expression of the SFPQ, NONO and FUS RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that associate with NEAT1_2 and are necessary for paraspeckle formation. MUC1-C integrates activation of NEAT1 and RBP-encoding genes by recruiting the PBAF chromatin remodeling complex and increasing chromatin accessibility of their respective regulatory regions. We further demonstrate that MUC1-C and NEAT1 form an auto-inductive pathway that drives common sets of genes conferring responses to inflammation and loss of homeostasis. Of functional significance, we find that the MUC1-C/NEAT1 pathway is of importance for the cancer stem cell (CSC) state and anti-cancer drug resistance. These findings identify a previously unrecognized role for MUC1-C in the regulation of NEAT1, RBPs, and paraspeckles that has been co-opted in promoting cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Keyi Wang
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Johany Penailillo
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chi Ngai Chan
- Tissue Technologies Unit, Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Atsushi Fushimi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nami Yamashita
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Breast Oncology Center, The Cancer Institute Hospital of the JFCR, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Daimon
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Naoki Haratake
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hiroki Ozawa
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayako Nakashoji
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keisuke Shigeta
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Morimoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyo
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Donald W Kufe
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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30
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Liu S, Athreya A, Lao Z, Zhang B. From Nucleosomes to Compartments: Physicochemical Interactions Underlying Chromatin Organization. Annu Rev Biophys 2024; 53:221-245. [PMID: 38346246 PMCID: PMC11369498 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biophys-030822-032650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin organization plays a critical role in cellular function by regulating access to genetic information. However, understanding chromatin folding is challenging due to its complex, multiscale nature. Significant progress has been made in studying in vitro systems, uncovering the structure of individual nucleosomes and their arrays, and elucidating the role of physicochemical forces in stabilizing these structures. Additionally, remarkable advancements have been achieved in characterizing chromatin organization in vivo, particularly at the whole-chromosome level, revealing important features such as chromatin loops, topologically associating domains, and nuclear compartments. However, bridging the gap between in vitro and in vivo studies remains challenging. The resemblance between in vitro and in vivo chromatin conformations and the relevance of internucleosomal interactions for chromatin folding in vivo are subjects of debate. This article reviews experimental and computational studies conducted at various length scales, highlighting the significance of intrinsic interactions between nucleosomes and their roles in chromatin folding in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuming Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Advait Athreya
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Zhuohan Lao
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA;
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31
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Palihati M, Saitoh N. RNA in chromatin organization and nuclear architecture. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 86:102176. [PMID: 38490161 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
In the cell nucleus, genomic DNA is surrounded by nonmembranous nuclear bodies. This might result from specific regions of the genome being transcribed into long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which tend to remain at the sites of their own transcription. The lncRNAs seed the nuclear bodies by recruiting and concentrating proteins and RNAs, which undergo liquid-liquid-phase separation, and form molecular condensates, the so-called nuclear bodies. These nuclear bodies may provide appropriate environments for gene activation or repression. Notably, lncRNAs also contribute to three-dimensional genome structure by mediating long-range chromatin interactions. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate gene expression through shaping chromatin and nuclear architectures. We also explore lncRNAs' potential as a therapeutic target for cancer, because lncRNAs are often expressed in a disease-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maierdan Palihati
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan
| | - Noriko Saitoh
- Division of Cancer Biology, The Cancer Institute of JFCR, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan.
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32
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Mylarshchikov D, Nikolskaya A, Bogomaz O, Zharikova A, Mironov A. BaRDIC: robust peak calling for RNA-DNA interaction data. NAR Genom Bioinform 2024; 6:lqae054. [PMID: 38774512 PMCID: PMC11106031 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqae054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromatin-associated non-coding RNAs play important roles in various cellular processes by targeting genomic loci. Two types of genome-wide NGS experiments exist to detect such targets: 'one-to-al', which focuses on targets of a single RNA, and 'all-to-al', which captures targets of all RNAs in a sample. As with many NGS experiments, they are prone to biases and noise, so it becomes essential to detect 'peaks'-specific interactions of an RNA with genomic targets. Here, we present BaRDIC-Binomial RNA-DNA Interaction Caller-a tailored method to detect peaks in both types of RNA-DNA interaction data. BaRDIC is the first tool to simultaneously take into account the two most prominent biases in the data: chromatin heterogeneity and distance-dependent decay of interaction frequency. Since RNAs differ in their interaction preferences, BaRDIC adapts peak sizes according to the abundances and contact patterns of individual RNAs. These features enable BaRDIC to make more robust predictions than currently applied peak-calling algorithms and better handle the characteristic sparsity of all-to-all data. The BaRDIC package is freely available at https://github.com/dmitrymyl/BaRDIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry E Mylarshchikov
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Arina I Nikolskaya
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Olesja D Bogomaz
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Anastasia A Zharikova
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow 127051, Russia
| | - Andrey A Mironov
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskiye Gory, Moscow 119234, Russia
- Kharkevich Institute for Information Transmission Problems RAS, Bolshoy Karetny per., Moscow 127051, Russia
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33
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Le DJ, Hafner A, Gaddam S, Wang KC, Boettiger AN. Super-enhancer interactomes from single cells link clustering and transcription. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.08.593251. [PMID: 38766104 PMCID: PMC11100725 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.08.593251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression hinges on the interplay between enhancers and promoters, traditionally explored through pairwise analyses. Recent advancements in mapping genome folding, like GAM, SPRITE, and multi-contact Hi-C, have uncovered multi-way interactions among super-enhancers (SEs), spanning megabases, yet have not measured their frequency in single cells or the relationship between clustering and transcription. To close this gap, here we used multiplexed imaging to map the 3D positions of 376 SEs across thousands of mammalian nuclei. Notably, our single-cell images reveal that while SE-SE contacts are rare, SEs often form looser associations we termed "communities". These communities, averaging 4-5 SEs, assemble cooperatively under the combined effects of genomic tethers, Pol2 clustering, and nuclear compartmentalization. Larger communities are associated with more frequent and larger transcriptional bursts. Our work provides insights about the SE interactome in single cells that challenge existing hypotheses on SE clustering in the context of transcriptional regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek J. Le
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Antonina Hafner
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Sadhana Gaddam
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kevin C. Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Alistair N. Boettiger
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Lead contact
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34
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Choudhury R, Venkateswaran Venkatasubramani A, Hua J, Borsò M, Franconi C, Kinkley S, Forné I, Imhof A. The role of RNA in the maintenance of chromatin domains as revealed by antibody-mediated proximity labelling coupled to mass spectrometry. eLife 2024; 13:e95718. [PMID: 38717135 PMCID: PMC11147508 DOI: 10.7554/elife.95718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromatin is organized into functional domains, that are characterized by distinct proteomic compositions and specific nuclear positions. In contrast to cellular organelles surrounded by lipid membranes, the composition of distinct chromatin domains is rather ill described and highly dynamic. To gain molecular insight into these domains and explore their composition, we developed an antibody-based proximity biotinylation method targeting the RNA and proteins constituents. The method that we termed antibody-mediated proximity labelling coupled to mass spectrometry (AMPL-MS) does not require the expression of fusion proteins and therefore constitutes a versatile and very sensitive method to characterize the composition of chromatin domains based on specific signature proteins or histone modifications. To demonstrate the utility of our approach we used AMPL-MS to characterize the molecular features of the chromocenter as well as the chromosome territory containing the hyperactive X chromosome in Drosophila. This analysis identified a number of known RNA-binding proteins in proximity of the hyperactive X and the centromere, supporting the accuracy of our method. In addition, it enabled us to characterize the role of RNA in the formation of these nuclear bodies. Furthermore, our method identified a new set of RNA molecules associated with the Drosophila centromere. Characterization of these novel molecules suggested the formation of R-loops in centromeres, which we validated using a novel probe for R-loops in Drosophila. Taken together, AMPL-MS improves the selectivity and specificity of proximity ligation allowing for novel discoveries of weak protein-RNA interactions in biologically diverse domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupam Choudhury
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
| | - Anuroop Venkateswaran Venkatasubramani
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
- Graduate School of Quantitative Biosciences (QBM), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Jie Hua
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
| | - Marco Borsò
- Protein Analysis Unit, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians, University (LMU) MunichPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
| | - Celeste Franconi
- Chromatin Structure and Function group, Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsBerlinGermany
| | - Sarah Kinkley
- Chromatin Structure and Function group, Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular GeneticsBerlinGermany
| | - Ignasi Forné
- Protein Analysis Unit, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians, University (LMU) MunichPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
| | - Axel Imhof
- Department of Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians UniversityPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
- Protein Analysis Unit, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians, University (LMU) MunichPlanegg-MartinsriedGermany
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35
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Tomikawa J. Potential roles of inter-chromosomal interactions in cell fate determination. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1397807. [PMID: 38774644 PMCID: PMC11106443 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1397807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian genomic DNA is packed in a small nucleus, and its folding and organization in the nucleus are critical for gene regulation and cell fate determination. In interphase, chromosomes are compartmentalized into certain nuclear spaces and territories that are considered incompatible with each other. The regulation of gene expression is influenced by the epigenetic characteristics of topologically associated domains and A/B compartments within chromosomes (intrachromosomal). Previously, interactions among chromosomes detected via chromosome conformation capture-based methods were considered noise or artificial errors. However, recent studies based on newly developed ligation-independent methods have shown that inter-chromosomal interactions play important roles in gene regulation. This review summarizes the recent understanding of spatial genomic organization in mammalian interphase nuclei and discusses the potential mechanisms that determine cell identity. In addition, this review highlights the potential role of inter-chromosomal interactions in early mouse development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Tomikawa
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Biology, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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36
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Agrawal S, Buyan A, Severin J, Koido M, Alam T, Abugessaisa I, Chang HY, Dostie J, Itoh M, Kere J, Kondo N, Li Y, Makeev VJ, Mendez M, Okazaki Y, Ramilowski JA, Sigorskikh AI, Strug LJ, Yagi K, Yasuzawa K, Yip CW, Hon CC, Hoffman MM, Terao C, Kulakovskiy IV, Kasukawa T, Shin JW, Carninci P, de Hoon MJL. Annotation of nuclear lncRNAs based on chromatin interactions. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295971. [PMID: 38709794 PMCID: PMC11073715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The human genome is pervasively transcribed and produces a wide variety of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), constituting the majority of transcripts across human cell types. Some specific nuclear lncRNAs have been shown to be important regulatory components acting locally. As RNA-chromatin interaction and Hi-C chromatin conformation data showed that chromatin interactions of nuclear lncRNAs are determined by the local chromatin 3D conformation, we used Hi-C data to identify potential target genes of lncRNAs. RNA-protein interaction data suggested that nuclear lncRNAs act as scaffolds to recruit regulatory proteins to target promoters and enhancers. Nuclear lncRNAs may therefore play a role in directing regulatory factors to locations spatially close to the lncRNA gene. We provide the analysis results through an interactive visualization web portal at https://fantom.gsc.riken.jp/zenbu/reports/#F6_3D_lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Agrawal
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Andrey Buyan
- Autosome.org, Russia
- FANTOM Consortium, Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Jessica Severin
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masaru Koido
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tanvir Alam
- College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Howard Y. Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulome, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Josée Dostie
- Department of Biochemistry, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Masayoshi Itoh
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako, Japan
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki and Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Naoto Kondo
- RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yunjing Li
- Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Mickaël Mendez
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yasushi Okazaki
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jordan A. Ramilowski
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Lisa J. Strug
- Division of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The Centre for Applied Genomics and Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ken Yagi
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kayoko Yasuzawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Chi Wai Yip
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Chung Chau Hon
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Michael M. Hoffman
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Vector Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chikashi Terao
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Takeya Kasukawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Jay W. Shin
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Piero Carninci
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Human Technopole, Milan, Italy
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37
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Lerra L, Panatta M, Bär D, Zanini I, Tan JY, Pisano A, Mungo C, Baroux C, Panse VG, Marques AC, Santoro R. An RNA-dependent and phase-separated active subnuclear compartment safeguards repressive chromatin domains. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1667-1683.e10. [PMID: 38599210 PMCID: PMC11065421 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.03.015] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The nucleus is composed of functionally distinct membraneless compartments that undergo phase separation (PS). However, whether different subnuclear compartments are connected remains elusive. We identified a type of nuclear body with PS features composed of BAZ2A that associates with active chromatin. BAZ2A bodies depend on RNA transcription and BAZ2A non-disordered RNA-binding TAM domain. Although BAZ2A and H3K27me3 occupancies anticorrelate in the linear genome, in the nuclear space, BAZ2A bodies contact H3K27me3 bodies. BAZ2A-body disruption promotes BAZ2A invasion into H3K27me3 domains, causing H3K27me3-body loss and gene upregulation. Weak BAZ2A-RNA interactions, such as with nascent transcripts, promote BAZ2A bodies, whereas the strong binder long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Malat1 impairs them while mediating BAZ2A association to chromatin at nuclear speckles. In addition to unraveling a direct connection between nuclear active and repressive compartments through PS mechanisms, the results also showed that the strength of RNA-protein interactions regulates this process, contributing to nuclear organization and the regulation of chromatin and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Lerra
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; RNA Biology Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Martina Panatta
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; RNA Biology Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Bär
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Isabella Zanini
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Yihong Tan
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Agnese Pisano
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Chiara Mungo
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland; Molecular Life Science Program, Life Science Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Célia Baroux
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology and Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Vikram Govind Panse
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Ana C Marques
- Department of Computational Biology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Raffaella Santoro
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (DMMD), University of Zurich, Zurich 8057, Switzerland.
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38
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Ferrer J, Dimitrova N. Transcription regulation by long non-coding RNAs: mechanisms and disease relevance. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:396-415. [PMID: 38242953 PMCID: PMC11045326 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00694-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) outnumber protein-coding transcripts, but their functions remain largely unknown. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of lncRNAs in the control of gene transcription. Some of the best characterized lncRNAs have essential transcription cis-regulatory functions that cannot be easily accomplished by DNA-interacting transcription factors, such as XIST, which controls X-chromosome inactivation, or imprinted lncRNAs that direct allele-specific repression. A growing number of lncRNA transcription units, including CHASERR, PVT1 and HASTER (also known as HNF1A-AS1) act as transcription-stabilizing elements that fine-tune the activity of dosage-sensitive genes that encode transcription factors. Genetic experiments have shown that defects in such transcription stabilizers often cause severe phenotypes. Other lncRNAs, such as lincRNA-p21 (also known as Trp53cor1) and Maenli (Gm29348) contribute to local activation of gene transcription, whereas distinct lncRNAs influence gene transcription in trans. We discuss findings of lncRNAs that elicit a function through either activation of their transcription, transcript elongation and processing or the lncRNA molecule itself. We also discuss emerging evidence of lncRNA involvement in human diseases, and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ferrer
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Madrid, Spain.
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Nadya Dimitrova
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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39
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Park I, Kim HJ, Shin J, Jung YJ, Lee D, Lim J, Park JM, Park JW, Kim J. AFM Imaging Reveals MicroRNA-132 to be a Positive Regulator of Synaptic Functions. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306630. [PMID: 38493494 PMCID: PMC11077659 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The modification of synaptic and neural connections in adults, including the formation and removal of synapses, depends on activity-dependent synaptic and structural plasticity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating these changes by targeting specific genes and regulating their expression. The fact that somatic and dendritic activity in neurons often occurs asynchronously highlights the need for spatial and dynamic regulation of protein synthesis in specific milieu and cellular loci. MicroRNAs, which can show distinct patterns of enrichment, help to establish the localized distribution of plasticity-related proteins. The recent study using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based nanoscale imaging reveals that the abundance of miRNA(miR)-134 is inversely correlated with the functional activity of dendritic spine structures. However, the miRNAs that are selectively upregulated in potentiated synapses, and which can thereby support prospective changes in synaptic efficacy, remain largely unknown. Using AFM force imaging, significant increases in miR-132 in the dendritic regions abutting functionally-active spines is discovered. This study provides evidence for miR-132 as a novel positive miRNA regulator residing in dendritic shafts, and also suggests that activity-dependent miRNAs localized in distinct sub-compartments of neurons play bi-directional roles in controlling synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikbum Park
- Technical Support Center for Chemical IndustryKorea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)Ulsan44412Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Kim
- Department of Life SciencesPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)Pohang37673Republic of Korea
| | - Juyoung Shin
- Department of Life SciencesPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)Pohang37673Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jin Jung
- Center for Specialty ChemicalsKorea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)Ulsan44412Republic of Korea
| | - Donggyu Lee
- Division of Electronics and Information SystemDaegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)Daegu42988Republic of Korea
| | - Ji‐seon Lim
- Department of ChemistryPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)Pohang37673Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Mok Park
- Technical Support Center for Chemical IndustryKorea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT)Ulsan44412Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Won Park
- Department of ChemistryPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)Pohang37673Republic of Korea
| | - Joung‐Hun Kim
- Department of Life SciencesPohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)Pohang37673Republic of Korea
- Institute of Convergence ScienceYonsei UniversitySeoul03722Republic of Korea
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40
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Bhat P, Chow A, Emert B, Ettlin O, Quinodoz SA, Strehle M, Takei Y, Burr A, Goronzy IN, Chen AW, Huang W, Ferrer JLM, Soehalim E, Goh ST, Chari T, Sullivan DK, Blanco MR, Guttman M. Genome organization around nuclear speckles drives mRNA splicing efficiency. Nature 2024; 629:1165-1173. [PMID: 38720076 PMCID: PMC11164319 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07429-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The nucleus is highly organized, such that factors involved in the transcription and processing of distinct classes of RNA are confined within specific nuclear bodies1,2. One example is the nuclear speckle, which is defined by high concentrations of protein and noncoding RNA regulators of pre-mRNA splicing3. What functional role, if any, speckles might play in the process of mRNA splicing is unclear4,5. Here we show that genes localized near nuclear speckles display higher spliceosome concentrations, increased spliceosome binding to their pre-mRNAs and higher co-transcriptional splicing levels than genes that are located farther from nuclear speckles. Gene organization around nuclear speckles is dynamic between cell types, and changes in speckle proximity lead to differences in splicing efficiency. Finally, directed recruitment of a pre-mRNA to nuclear speckles is sufficient to increase mRNA splicing levels. Together, our results integrate the long-standing observations of nuclear speckles with the biochemistry of mRNA splicing and demonstrate a crucial role for dynamic three-dimensional spatial organization of genomic DNA in driving spliceosome concentrations and controlling the efficiency of mRNA splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Bhat
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amy Chow
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Emert
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Olivia Ettlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Sofia A Quinodoz
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mackenzie Strehle
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Yodai Takei
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Alex Burr
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Isabel N Goronzy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Allen W Chen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Wesley Huang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Jose Lorenzo M Ferrer
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Soehalim
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Say-Tar Goh
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Tara Chari
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Delaney K Sullivan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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41
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Lizana L, Schwartz YB. The scales, mechanisms, and dynamics of the genome architecture. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm8167. [PMID: 38598632 PMCID: PMC11006219 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm8167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Even when split into several chromosomes, DNA molecules that make up our genome are too long to fit into the cell nuclei unless massively folded. Such folding must accommodate the need for timely access to selected parts of the genome by transcription factors, RNA polymerases, and DNA replication machinery. Here, we review our current understanding of the genome folding inside the interphase nuclei. We consider the resulting genome architecture at three scales with a particular focus on the intermediate (meso) scale and summarize the insights gained from recent experimental observations and diverse computational models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludvig Lizana
- Integrated Science Lab, Department of Physics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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42
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Guo JK, Blanco MR, Walkup WG, Bonesteele G, Urbinati CR, Banerjee AK, Chow A, Ettlin O, Strehle M, Peyda P, Amaya E, Trinh V, Guttman M. Denaturing purifications demonstrate that PRC2 and other widely reported chromatin proteins do not appear to bind directly to RNA in vivo. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1271-1289.e12. [PMID: 38387462 PMCID: PMC10997485 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is reported to bind to many RNAs and has become a central player in reports of how long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression. Yet, there is a growing discrepancy between the biochemical evidence supporting specific lncRNA-PRC2 interactions and functional evidence demonstrating that PRC2 is often dispensable for lncRNA function. Here, we revisit the evidence supporting RNA binding by PRC2 and show that many reported interactions may not occur in vivo. Using denaturing purification of in vivo crosslinked RNA-protein complexes in human and mouse cell lines, we observe a loss of detectable RNA binding to PRC2 and chromatin-associated proteins previously reported to bind RNA (CTCF, YY1, and others), despite accurately mapping bona fide RNA-binding sites across others (SPEN, TET2, and others). Taken together, these results argue for a critical re-evaluation of the broad role of RNA binding to orchestrate various chromatin regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy K Guo
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Ward G Walkup
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Grant Bonesteele
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Carl R Urbinati
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | - Abhik K Banerjee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Amy Chow
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Olivia Ettlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mackenzie Strehle
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Parham Peyda
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Enrique Amaya
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Vickie Trinh
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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43
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Han MH, Park J, Park M. Advances in the multimodal analysis of the 3D chromatin structure and gene regulation. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:763-771. [PMID: 38658704 PMCID: PMC11059362 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-024-01246-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that the three-dimensional conformation of the chromatin plays a crucial role in gene regulation, with aberrations potentially leading to various diseases. Advanced methodologies have revealed a link between the chromatin conformation and biological function. This review divides these methodologies into sequencing-based and imaging-based methodologies, tracing their development over time. We particularly highlight innovative techniques that facilitate the simultaneous mapping of RNAs, histone modifications, and proteins within the context of the 3D architecture of chromatin. This multimodal integration substantially improves our ability to establish a robust connection between the spatial arrangement of molecular components in the nucleus and their functional roles. Achieving a comprehensive understanding of gene regulation requires capturing diverse data modalities within individual cells, enabling the direct inference of functional relationships between these components. In this context, imaging-based technologies have emerged as an especially promising approach for gathering spatial information across multiple components in the same cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Hyuk Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihyun Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Minhee Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Engineering Biology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Institute for BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
- KAIST Stem Cell Center, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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44
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Wen X, Luo Z, Zhao W, Calandrelli R, Nguyen TC, Wan X, Charles Richard JL, Zhong S. Single-cell multiplex chromatin and RNA interactions in ageing human brain. Nature 2024; 628:648-656. [PMID: 38538789 PMCID: PMC11023937 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Dynamically organized chromatin complexes often involve multiplex chromatin interactions and sometimes chromatin-associated RNA1-3. Chromatin complex compositions change during cellular differentiation and ageing, and are expected to be highly heterogeneous among terminally differentiated single cells4-7. Here we introduce the multinucleic acid interaction mapping in single cells (MUSIC) technique for concurrent profiling of multiplex chromatin interactions, gene expression and RNA-chromatin associations within individual nuclei. When applied to 14 human frontal cortex samples from older donors, MUSIC delineated diverse cortical cell types and states. We observed that nuclei exhibiting fewer short-range chromatin interactions were correlated with both an 'older' transcriptomic signature and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Furthermore, the cell type exhibiting chromatin contacts between cis expression quantitative trait loci and a promoter tends to be that in which these cis expression quantitative trait loci specifically affect the expression of their target gene. In addition, female cortical cells exhibit highly heterogeneous interactions between XIST non-coding RNA and chromosome X, along with diverse spatial organizations of the X chromosomes. MUSIC presents a potent tool for exploration of chromatin architecture and transcription at cellular resolution in complex tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingzhao Wen
- Program in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhifei Luo
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wenxin Zhao
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Riccardo Calandrelli
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tri C Nguyen
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Xueyi Wan
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Sheng Zhong
- Program in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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45
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Wang G, Lee-Yow Y, Chang HY. Approaches to probe and perturb long noncoding RNA functions in diseases. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102158. [PMID: 38412563 PMCID: PMC10987257 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA molecules exceeding 200 nucleotides in length that lack long open-reading frames. Transcribed predominantly by RNA polymerase II (>500nt), lncRNAs can undergo splicing and are produced from various regions of the genome, including intergenic regions, introns, and in antisense orientation to protein-coding genes. Aberrations in lncRNA expression or function have been associated with a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Despite the growing recognition of select lncRNAs as key players in cellular processes and diseases, several challenges obscure a comprehensive understanding of their functional landscape. Recent technological innovations, such as in sequencing, affinity-based techniques, imaging, and RNA perturbation, have advanced functional characterization and mechanistic understanding of disease-associated lncRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiping Wang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. https://twitter.com/@Guiping_W
| | - Yannick Lee-Yow
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. https://twitter.com/@yooaaooy
| | - Howard Y Chang
- Center for Personal Dynamic Regulomes, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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46
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Valyaeva AA, Sheval EV. Nonspecific Interactions in Transcription Regulation and Organization of Transcriptional Condensates. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:688-700. [PMID: 38831505 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a high degree of compartmentalization of their internal contents, which ensures precise and controlled regulation of intracellular processes. During many processes, including different stages of transcription, dynamic membraneless compartments termed biomolecular condensates are formed. Transcription condensates contain various transcription factors and RNA polymerase and are formed by high- and low-specificity interactions between the proteins, DNA, and nearby RNA. This review discusses recent data demonstrating important role of nonspecific multivalent protein-protein and RNA-protein interactions in organization and regulation of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Valyaeva
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Eugene V Sheval
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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47
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Healy E, Zhang Q, Gail EH, Agius SC, Sun G, Bullen M, Pandey V, Das PP, Polo JM, Davidovich C. The apparent loss of PRC2 chromatin occupancy as an artifact of RNA depletion. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113858. [PMID: 38416645 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113858] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA has been implicated in the recruitment of chromatin modifiers, and previous studies have provided evidence in favor and against this idea. RNase treatment of chromatin is commonly used to study RNA-mediated regulation of chromatin modifiers, but the limitations of this approach remain unclear. RNase A treatment during chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) reduces chromatin occupancy of the H3K27me3 methyltransferase Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). This led to suggestions of an "RNA bridge" between PRC2 and chromatin. Here, we show that RNase A treatment during ChIP causes the apparent loss of all facultative heterochromatin, including both PRC2 and H3K27me3 genome-wide. We track this observation to a gain of DNA from non-targeted chromatin, sequenced at the expense of DNA from facultative heterochromatin, which reduces ChIP signals. Our results emphasize substantial limitations in using RNase A treatment for mapping RNA-dependent chromatin occupancy and invalidate conclusions that were previously established for PRC2 based on this assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Healy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; EMBL-Australia at SAiGENCI, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emma H Gail
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Samuel C Agius
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Guizhi Sun
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Michael Bullen
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Varun Pandey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Partha Pratim Das
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jose M Polo
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics and South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Chen Davidovich
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; EMBL-Australia, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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Eisenhut P, Marx N, Borsi G, Papež M, Ruggeri C, Baumann M, Borth N. Manipulating gene expression levels in mammalian cell factories: An outline of synthetic molecular toolboxes to achieve multiplexed control. N Biotechnol 2024; 79:1-19. [PMID: 38040288 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2023.11.003] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian cells have developed dedicated molecular mechanisms to tightly control expression levels of their genes where the specific transcriptomic signature across all genes eventually determines the cell's phenotype. Modulating cellular phenotypes is of major interest to study their role in disease or to reprogram cells for the manufacturing of recombinant products, such as biopharmaceuticals. Cells of mammalian origin, for example Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells, are most commonly employed to produce therapeutic proteins. Early genetic engineering approaches to alter their phenotype have often been attempted by "uncontrolled" overexpression or knock-down/-out of specific genetic factors. Many studies in the past years, however, highlight that rationally regulating and fine-tuning the strength of overexpression or knock-down to an optimum level, can adjust phenotypic traits with much more precision than such "uncontrolled" approaches. To this end, synthetic biology tools have been generated that enable (fine-)tunable and/or inducible control of gene expression. In this review, we discuss various molecular tools used in mammalian cell lines and group them by their mode of action: transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulation. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools for each cell regulatory layer and with respect to cell line engineering approaches. This review highlights the plethora of synthetic toolboxes that could be employed, alone or in combination, to optimize cellular systems and eventually gain enhanced control over the cellular phenotype to equip mammalian cell factories with the tools required for efficient production of emerging, more difficult-to-express biologics formats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Eisenhut
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicolas Marx
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Giulia Borsi
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maja Papež
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Caterina Ruggeri
- BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Baumann
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Nicole Borth
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib GmbH), Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria; BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Animal Cell Technology and Systems Biology, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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Schmidt MR, Barcons-Simon A, Rabuffo C, Siegel T. Smoother: on-the-fly processing of interactome data using prefix sums. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:e23. [PMID: 38281191 PMCID: PMC10954447 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid interactome data, such as chromosome conformation capture data and RNA-DNA interactome data, are currently analyzed via pipelines that must be rerun for each new parameter set. A more dynamic approach is desirable since the optimal parameter set is commonly unknown ahead of time and rerunning pipelines is a time-consuming process. We have developed an approach fast enough to process interactome data on-the-fly using a sparse prefix sum index. With this index, we created Smoother, a flexible, multifeatured visualization and analysis tool that allows interactive filtering, e.g. by mapping quality, almost instant comparisons between different normalization approaches, e.g. iterative correction, and ploidy correction. Further, Smoother can overlay other sequencing data or genomic annotations, compare different samples, and perform virtual 4C analysis. Smoother permits a novel way to interact with and explore interactome data, fostering comprehensive, high-quality data analysis. Smoother is available at https://github.com/Siegel-Lab/BioSmoother under the MIT license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus R Schmidt
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Barcons-Simon
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudia Rabuffo
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - T Nicolai Siegel
- Division of Experimental Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Division of Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Li S, Eberhard Q, Ni L, Calabrese JM. Improved functions for non-linear sequence comparison using SEEKR. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.10.584286. [PMID: 38496437 PMCID: PMC10942450 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.10.584286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
SEquence Evaluation through k -mer Representation (SEEKR) is a method of sequence comparison that utilizes sequence substrings called k -mers to quantify non-linear similarity between nucleic acid species. We describe the development of new functions within SEEKR that enable end-users to estimate p-values that ascribe statistical significance to SEEKR-derived similarities as well as visualize different aspects of k -mer similarity. We apply the new functions to identify chromatin-enriched long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that harbor XIST -like sequence fragments and show that several of these fragments are bound by XIST -associated proteins. We also highlight the best practice of using RNA-Seq data to evaluate support for lncRNA annotations prior to their in-depth study in cell types of interest.
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