1
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D’Ambrosio A, Bressan D, Ferracci E, Carbone F, Mulè P, Rossi F, Barbieri C, Sorrenti E, Fiaccadori G, Detone T, Vezzoli E, Bianchi S, Sartori C, Corso S, Fukuda A, Bertalot G, Falqui A, Barbareschi M, Romanel A, Pasini D, Chiacchiera F. Increased genomic instability and reshaping of tissue microenvironment underlie oncogenic properties of Arid1a mutations. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadh4435. [PMID: 38489371 PMCID: PMC10942108 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh4435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations accumulating in many chromatin-associated proteins have been identified in different tumor types. With a mutation rate from 10 to 57%, ARID1A has been widely considered a tumor suppressor gene. However, whether this role is mainly due to its transcriptional-related activities or its ability to preserve genome integrity is still a matter of intense debate. Here, we show that ARID1A is largely dispensable for preserving enhancer-dependent transcriptional regulation, being ARID1B sufficient and required to compensate for ARID1A loss. We provide in vivo evidence that ARID1A is mainly required to preserve genomic integrity in adult tissues. ARID1A loss primarily results in DNA damage accumulation, interferon type I response activation, and chronic inflammation leading to tumor formation. Our data suggest that in healthy tissues, the increased genomic instability that follows ARID1A mutations and the selective pressure imposed by the microenvironment might result in the emergence of aggressive, possibly immune-resistant, tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro D’Ambrosio
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
- SEMM, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Bressan
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferracci
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Carbone
- Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, APSS, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Patrizia Mulè
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Rossi
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Barbieri
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Sorrenti
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Gaia Fiaccadori
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Thomas Detone
- Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, APSS, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Elena Vezzoli
- Department of Biomedical sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Bianchi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Sartori
- Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, APSS, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Simona Corso
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, 10060 Candiolo, Italy
| | - Akihisa Fukuda
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Giovanni Bertalot
- Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, APSS, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Centre for Medical Sciences–CISMed, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Andrea Falqui
- Department of Physics, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Barbareschi
- Unità Operativa Multizonale di Anatomia Patologica, APSS, 38122 Trento, Italy
- Centre for Medical Sciences–CISMed, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romanel
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Diego Pasini
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), IRCCS, 20139 Milan, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Fulvio Chiacchiera
- Laboratory of stem cells and cancer genomics, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
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2
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Katsuda T, Sussman JH, Ito K, Katznelson A, Yuan S, Takenaka N, Li J, Merrell AJ, Cure H, Li Q, Rasool RU, Asangani IA, Zaret KS, Stanger BZ. Cellular reprogramming in vivo initiated by SOX4 pioneer factor activity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1761. [PMID: 38409161 PMCID: PMC10897393 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45939-z] [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: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue damage elicits cell fate switching through a process called metaplasia, but how the starting cell fate is silenced and the new cell fate is activated has not been investigated in animals. In cell culture, pioneer transcription factors mediate "reprogramming" by opening new chromatin sites for expression that can attract transcription factors from the starting cell's enhancers. Here we report that SOX4 is sufficient to initiate hepatobiliary metaplasia in the adult mouse liver, closely mimicking metaplasia initiated by toxic damage to the liver. In lineage-traced cells, we assessed the timing of SOX4-mediated opening of enhancer chromatin versus enhancer decommissioning. Initially, SOX4 directly binds to and closes hepatocyte regulatory sequences via an overlapping motif with HNF4A, a hepatocyte master regulatory transcription factor. Subsequently, SOX4 exerts pioneer factor activity to open biliary regulatory sequences. The results delineate a hierarchy by which gene networks become reprogrammed under physiological conditions, providing deeper insight into the basis for cell fate transitions in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Katsuda
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Chemical System Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jonathan H Sussman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Graduate Group in Genomics and Computational Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenji Ito
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew Katznelson
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Salina Yuan
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Naomi Takenaka
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Allyson J Merrell
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hector Cure
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qinglan Li
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Reyaz Ur Rasool
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Irfan A Asangani
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Zaret
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Ben Z Stanger
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Li L, Lai F, Hu X, Liu B, Lu X, Lin Z, Liu L, Xiang Y, Frum T, Halbisen MA, Chen F, Fan Q, Ralston A, Xie W. Multifaceted SOX2-chromatin interaction underpins pluripotency progression in early embryos. Science 2023; 382:eadi5516. [PMID: 38096290 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi5516] [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: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Pioneer transcription factors (TFs), such as OCT4 and SOX2, play crucial roles in pluripotency regulation. However, the master TF-governed pluripotency regulatory circuitry was largely inferred from cultured cells. In this work, we investigated SOX2 binding from embryonic day 3.5 (E3.5) to E7.5 in the mouse. In E3.5 inner cell mass (ICM), SOX2 regulates the ICM-trophectoderm program but is dispensable for opening global enhancers. Instead, SOX2 occupies preaccessible enhancers in part opened by early-stage expressing TFs TFAP2C and NR5A2. SOX2 then widely redistributes when cells adopt naive and formative pluripotency by opening enhancers or poising them for rapid future activation. Hence, multifaceted pioneer TF-enhancer interaction underpins pluripotency progression in embryos, including a distinctive state in E3.5 ICM that bridges totipotency and pluripotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijia Li
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Fangnong Lai
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bofeng Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zili Lin
- College of Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yunlong Xiang
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tristan Frum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael A Halbisen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Fengling Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Amy Ralston
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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4
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Chowdhary K, Benoist C. A variegated model of transcription factor function in the immune system. Trends Immunol 2023; 44:530-541. [PMID: 37258360 PMCID: PMC10332489 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.05.001] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Specific combinations of transcription factors (TFs) control the gene expression programs that underlie specialized immune responses. Previous models of TF function in immunocytes had restricted each TF to a single functional categorization [e.g., lineage-defining (LDTFs) vs. signal-dependent TFs (SDTFs)] within one cell type. Synthesizing recent results, we instead propose a variegated model of immunological TF function, whereby many TFs have flexible and different roles across distinct cell states, contributing to cell phenotypic diversity. We discuss evidence in support of this variegated model, describe contextual inputs that enable TF diversification, and look to the future to imagine warranted experimental and computational tools to build quantitative and predictive models of immunocyte gene regulatory networks.
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5
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Wang S, Chen S, Sun J, Han P, Xu B, Li X, Zhong Y, Xu Z, Zhang P, Mi P, Zhang C, Li L, Zhang H, Xia Y, Li S, Heikenwalder M, Yuan D. m 6A modification-tuned sphingolipid metabolism regulates postnatal liver development in male mice. Nat Metab 2023; 5:842-860. [PMID: 37188818 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-023-00808-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Different organs undergo distinct transcriptional, epigenetic and physiological alterations that guarantee their functional maturation after birth. However, the roles of epitranscriptomic machineries in these processes have remained elusive. Here we demonstrate that expression of RNA methyltransferase enzymes Mettl3 and Mettl14 gradually declines during postnatal liver development in male mice. Liver-specific Mettl3 deficiency causes hepatocyte hypertrophy, liver injury and growth retardation. Transcriptomic and N6-methyl-adenosine (m6A) profiling identify the neutral sphingomyelinase, Smpd3, as a target of Mettl3. Decreased decay of Smpd3 transcripts due to Mettl3 deficiency results in sphingolipid metabolism rewiring, characterized by toxic ceramide accumulation and leading to mitochondrial damage and elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress. Pharmacological Smpd3 inhibition, Smpd3 knockdown or Sgms1 overexpression that counteracts Smpd3 can ameliorate the abnormality of Mettl3-deficent liver. Our findings demonstrate that Mettl3-N6-methyl-adenosine fine-tunes sphingolipid metabolism, highlighting the pivotal role of an epitranscriptomic machinery in coordination of organ growth and the timing of functional maturation during postnatal liver development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiguan Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shanze Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianfeng Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Pan Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bowen Xu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinying Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Youquan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zaichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Mi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cuijuan Zhang
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lixiang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuchen Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory, Institute of Medical Virology, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, TaiKang Medical School, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Shiyang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Mathias Heikenwalder
- Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany.
- The M3 Research Institute, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Detian Yuan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Digestive Disease, Jinan, China.
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6
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Katsuda T, Sussman J, Ito K, Katznelson A, Yuan S, Li J, Merrell AJ, Takenaka N, Cure H, Li Q, Rasool RU, Asangani IA, Zaret KS, Stanger BZ. Physiological reprogramming in vivo mediated by Sox4 pioneer factor activity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.14.528556. [PMID: 36824858 PMCID: PMC9948957 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.14.528556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Tissue damage elicits cell fate switching through a process called metaplasia, but how the starting cell fate is silenced and the new cell fate is activated has not been investigated in animals. In cell culture, pioneer transcription factors mediate "reprogramming" by opening new chromatin sites for expression that can attract transcription factors from the starting cell's enhancers. Here we report that Sox4 is sufficient to initiate hepatobiliary metaplasia in the adult liver. In lineage-traced cells, we assessed the timing of Sox4-mediated opening of enhancer chromatin versus enhancer decommissioning. Initially, Sox4 directly binds to and closes hepatocyte regulatory sequences via a motif it overlaps with Hnf4a, a hepatocyte master regulator. Subsequently, Sox4 exerts pioneer factor activity to open biliary regulatory sequences. The results delineate a hierarchy by which gene networks become reprogrammed under physiological conditions, providing deeper insight into the basis for cell fate transitions in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Katsuda
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jonathan Sussman
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kenji Ito
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
| | - Andrew Katznelson
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
| | - Salina Yuan
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jinyang Li
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Allyson J. Merrell
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Naomi Takenaka
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hector Cure
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Qinglan Li
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
| | - Reyaz Ur Rasool
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Irfan A. Asangani
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Kenneth S. Zaret
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ben Z. Stanger
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- The Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
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7
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Berasain C, Arechederra M, Argemí J, Fernández-Barrena MG, Avila MA. Loss of liver function in chronic liver disease: An identity crisis. J Hepatol 2023; 78:401-414. [PMID: 36115636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Adult hepatocyte identity is constructed throughout embryonic development and fine-tuned after birth. A multinodular network of transcription factors, along with pre-mRNA splicing regulators, define the transcriptome, which encodes the proteins needed to perform the complex metabolic and secretory functions of the mature liver. Transient hepatocellular dedifferentiation can occur as part of the regenerative mechanisms triggered in response to acute liver injury. However, persistent downregulation of key identity genes is now accepted as a strong determinant of organ dysfunction in chronic liver disease, a major global health burden. Therefore, the identification of core transcription factors and splicing regulators that preserve hepatocellular phenotype, and a thorough understanding of how these networks become disrupted in diseased hepatocytes, is of high clinical relevance. In this context, we review the key players in liver differentiation and discuss in detail critical factors, such as HNF4α, whose impairment mediates the breakdown of liver function. Moreover, we present compelling experimental evidence demonstrating that restoration of core transcription factor expression in a chronically injured liver can reset hepatocellular identity, improve function and ameliorate structural abnormalities. The possibility of correcting the phenotype of severely damaged and malfunctional livers may reveal new therapeutic opportunities for individuals with cirrhosis and advanced liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Berasain
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Maria Arechederra
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Josepmaria Argemí
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain; Liver Unit, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Maite G Fernández-Barrena
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Avila
- Program of Hepatology, CIMA, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, CIBERehd, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias de Navarra, IdiSNA, Pamplona, Spain.
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8
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Tokunaga Y, Otsuyama KI, Kakuta S, Hayashida N. Heat Shock Transcription Factor 2 Is Significantly Involved in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cancer, Male Infertility, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Novel Mechanisms of Several Severe Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213763. [PMID: 36430241 PMCID: PMC9691173 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
HSF (heat shock transcription factor or heat shock factor) was discovered as a transcription factor indispensable for heat shock response. Although four classical HSFs were discovered in mammals and two major HSFs, HSF1 and HSF2, were cloned in the same year of 1991, only HSF1 was intensively studied because HSF1 can give rise to heat shock response through the induction of various HSPs' expression. On the other hand, HSF2 was not well studied for some time, which was probably due to an underestimate of HSF2 itself. Since the beginning of the 21st century, HSF2 research has progressed and many biologically significant functions of HSF2 have been revealed. For example, the roles of HSF2 in nervous system protection, inflammation, maintenance of mitosis and meiosis, and cancer cell survival and death have been gradually unveiled. However, we feel that the fact HSF2 has a relationship with various factors is not yet widely recognized; therefore, the biological significance of HSF2 has been underestimated. We strongly hope to widely communicate the significance of HSF2 to researchers and readers in broad research fields through this review. In addition, we also hope that many readers will have great interest in the molecular mechanism in which HSF2 acts as an active transcription factor and gene bookmarking mechanism of HSF2 during cell cycle progression, as is summarized in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Tokunaga
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
- Institute of Gene Research, Yamaguchi University Science Research Center, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichiro Otsuyama
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Shigeru Kakuta
- Laboratory of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Naoki Hayashida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-836-22-2359
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9
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Harnessing conserved signaling and metabolic pathways to enhance the maturation of functional engineered tissues. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:44. [PMID: 36057642 PMCID: PMC9440900 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00246-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell types offers promise for basic science, drug testing, disease modeling, personalized medicine, and translatable cell therapies across many tissue types. However, in practice many iPSC-derived cells have presented as immature in physiological function, and despite efforts to recapitulate adult maturity, most have yet to meet the necessary benchmarks for the intended tissues. Here, we summarize the available state of knowledge surrounding the physiological mechanisms underlying cell maturation in several key tissues. Common signaling consolidators, as well as potential synergies between critical signaling pathways are explored. Finally, current practices in physiologically relevant tissue engineering and experimental design are critically examined, with the goal of integrating greater decision paradigms and frameworks towards achieving efficient maturation strategies, which in turn may produce higher-valued iPSC-derived tissues.
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10
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Chen L, Li J, Yuan R, Wang Y, Zhang J, Lin Y, Wang L, Zhu X, Zhu W, Bai J, Kong F, Zeng B, Lu L, Ma J, Long K, Jin L, Huang Z, Huo J, Gu Y, Wang D, Mo D, Li D, Tang Q, Li X, Wu J, Chen Y, Li M. Dynamic 3D genome reorganization during development and metabolic stress of the porcine liver. Cell Discov 2022; 8:56. [PMID: 35701393 PMCID: PMC9197842 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver development is a complex process that is regulated by a series of signaling pathways. Three-dimensional (3D) chromatin architecture plays an important role in transcriptional regulation; nonetheless, its dynamics and role in the rapid transition of core liver functions during development and obesity-induced metabolic stress remain largely unexplored. To investigate the dynamic chromatin architecture during liver development and under metabolic stress, we generated high-resolution maps of chromatin architecture for porcine livers across six major developmental stages (from embryonic day 38 to the adult stage) and under a high-fat diet-induced obesity. The characteristically loose chromatin architecture supports a highly plastic genome organization during early liver development, which fundamentally contributes to the rapid functional transitions in the liver after birth. We reveal the multi-scale reorganization of chromatin architecture and its influence on transcriptional regulation of critical signaling processes during liver development, and show its close association with transition in hepatic functions (i.e., from hematopoiesis in the fetus to metabolism and immunity after birth). The limited changes in chromatin structure help explain the observed metabolic adaptation to excessive energy intake in pigs. These results provide a global overview of chromatin architecture dynamics associated with the transition of physiological liver functions between prenatal development and postnatal maturation, and a foundational resource that allows for future in-depth functional characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luxi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Li
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Renqiang Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaman Zhang
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.,Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xingxing Zhu
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingyi Bai
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fanli Kong
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Zeng
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jideng Ma
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Keren Long
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Long Jin
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhiqing Huang
- Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jinlong Huo
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yiren Gu
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Animal Science Academy, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Danyang Wang
- Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and China National Center for Bioinformation, Beijing, China
| | - Delin Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Diyan Li
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianzi Tang
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuewei Li
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiangwei Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yaosheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Mingzhou Li
- Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
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11
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Hunter AL, Poolman TM, Kim D, Gonzalez FJ, Bechtold DA, Loudon ASI, Iqbal M, Ray DW. HNF4A modulates glucocorticoid action in the liver. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110697. [PMID: 35443180 PMCID: PMC9380254 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a nuclear receptor critical to the regulation of energy metabolism and inflammation. The actions of GR are dependent on cell type and context. Here, we demonstrate the role of liver lineage-determining factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A) in defining liver specificity of GR action. In mouse liver, the HNF4A motif lies adjacent to the glucocorticoid response element (GRE) at GR binding sites within regions of open chromatin. In the absence of HNF4A, the liver GR cistrome is remodeled, with loss and gain of GR recruitment evident. Loss of chromatin accessibility at HNF4A-marked sites associates with loss of GR binding at weak GRE motifs. GR binding and chromatin accessibility are gained at sites characterized by strong GRE motifs, which show GR recruitment in non-liver tissues. The functional importance of these HNF4A-regulated GR sites is indicated by an altered transcriptional response to glucocorticoid treatment in the Hnf4a-null liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Louise Hunter
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Toryn M Poolman
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Frank J Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Metabolism, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David A Bechtold
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew S I Loudon
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Mudassar Iqbal
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - David W Ray
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LE, UK; NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
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12
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Tokunaga Y, Otsuyama KI, Hayashida N. Cell Cycle Regulation by Heat Shock Transcription Factors. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020203. [PMID: 35053319 PMCID: PMC8773920 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell division and cell cycle mechanism has been studied for 70 years. This research has revealed that the cell cycle is regulated by many factors, including cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) have been noted as critical proteins for cell survival against various stresses; however, recent studies suggest that HSFs also have important roles in cell cycle regulation-independent cell-protective functions. During cell cycle progression, HSF1, and HSF2 bind to condensed chromatin to provide immediate precise gene expression after cell division. This review focuses on the function of these HSFs in cell cycle progression, cell cycle arrest, gene bookmarking, mitosis and meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Tokunaga
- Division of Molecular Gerontology and Anti-Ageing Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube 7558505, Japan;
| | - Ken-Ichiro Otsuyama
- Department of Laboratory Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube 7558505, Japan;
| | - Naoki Hayashida
- Division of Molecular Gerontology and Anti-Ageing Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Ube 7558505, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-836-22-2359
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13
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Hansen JL, Loell KJ, Cohen BA. A test of the pioneer factor hypothesis using ectopic liver gene activation. eLife 2022; 11:73358. [PMID: 34984978 PMCID: PMC8849321 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pioneer factor hypothesis (PFH) states that pioneer factors (PFs) are a subclass of transcription factors (TFs) that bind to and open inaccessible sites and then recruit non-pioneer factors (non-PFs) that activate batteries of silent genes. The PFH predicts that ectopic gene activation requires the sequential activity of qualitatively different TFs. We tested the PFH by expressing the endodermal PF FOXA1 and non-PF HNF4A in K562 lymphoblast cells. While co-expression of FOXA1 and HNF4A activated a burst of endoderm-specific gene expression, we found no evidence for a functional distinction between these two TFs. When expressed independently, both TFs bound and opened inaccessible sites, activated endodermal genes, and ‘pioneered’ for each other, although FOXA1 required fewer copies of its motif for binding. A subset of targets required both TFs, but the predominant mode of action at these targets did not conform to the sequential activity predicted by the PFH. From these results, we hypothesize an alternative to the PFH where ‘pioneer activity’ depends not on categorically different TFs but rather on the affinity of interaction between TF and DNA. Cells only use a fraction of their genetic information to make the proteins they need. The rest is carefully packaged away and tightly bundled in structures called nucleosomes. This physically shields the DNA from being accessed by transcription factors – the molecular actors that can read genes and kickstart the protein production process. Effectively, the genetic sequences inside nucleosomes are being silenced. However, during development, transcription factors must overcome this nucleosome barrier and activate silent genes to program cells. The pioneer factor hypothesis describes how this may be possible: first, ‘pioneer’ transcription factors can bind to and ‘open up’ nucleosomes to make target genes accessible. Then, non-pioneer factors can access the genetic sequence and recruit cofactors that begin copying the now-exposed genetic information. The widely accepted theory is based on studies of two proteins – FOXA1, an archetypal pioneer factor, and HNF4A, a non-pioneer factor – but the predictions of the pioneer factor hypothesis have yet to be explicitly tested. To do so, Hansen et al. expressed FOXA1 and HNF4A, separately and together, in cells which do not usually make these proteins. They then assessed how the proteins could bind to DNA and impact gene accessibility and transcription. The experiments demonstrate that FOXA1 and HNF4A do not necessarily follow the two-step activation predicted by the pioneer factor hypothesis. When expressed independently, both transcription factors bound and opened inaccessible sites, activated target genes, and ‘pioneered’ for each other. Similar patterns were observed across the genome. The only notable distinction between the two factors was that FOXA1, the archetypal pioneering factor, required fewer copies of its target sequence to bind DNA than HNF4A. These findings led Hansen et al. to propose an alternative theory to the pioneer factor hypothesis which eliminates the categorical distinction between pioneer and non-pioneer factors. Overall, this work has implications for how biologists understand the way that transcription factors activate silent genes during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Hansen
- Edison Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States
| | - Kaiser J Loell
- Edison Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States
| | - Barak A Cohen
- Edison Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States.,Department of Genetics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, United States
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14
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Genomic Insights into Non-steroidal Nuclear Receptors in Prostate and Breast Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1390:227-239. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11836-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Combining Multiple RNA-Seq Data Analysis Algorithms Using Machine Learning Improves Differential Isoform Expression Analysis. Methods Protoc 2021; 4:mps4040068. [PMID: 34698224 PMCID: PMC8544431 DOI: 10.3390/mps4040068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA sequencing has become the standard technique for high resolution genome-wide monitoring of gene expression. As such, it often comprises the first step towards understanding complex molecular mechanisms driving various phenotypes, spanning organ development to disease genesis, monitoring and progression. An advantage of RNA sequencing is its ability to capture complex transcriptomic events such as alternative splicing which results in alternate isoform abundance. At the same time, this advantage remains algorithmically and computationally challenging, especially with the emergence of even higher resolution technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing. Although several algorithms have been proposed for the effective detection of differential isoform expression from RNA-Seq data, no widely accepted golden standards have been established. This fact is further compounded by the significant differences in the output of different algorithms when applied on the same data. In addition, many of the proposed algorithms remain scarce and poorly maintained. Driven by these challenges, we developed a novel integrative approach that effectively combines the most widely used algorithms for differential transcript and isoform analysis using state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. We demonstrate its usability by applying it on simulated data based on several organisms, and using several performance metrics; we conclude that our strategy outperforms the application of the individual algorithms. Finally, our approach is implemented as an R Shiny application, with the underlying data analysis pipelines also available as docker containers.
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16
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Campbell SA, Stephan TL, Lotto J, Cullum R, Drissler S, Hoodless PA. Signalling pathways and transcriptional regulators orchestrating liver development and cancer. Development 2021; 148:272023. [PMID: 34478514 DOI: 10.1242/dev.199814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Liver development is controlled by key signals and transcription factors that drive cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and functional maturation. In the adult liver, cell maturity can be perturbed by genetic and environmental factors that disrupt hepatic identity and function. Developmental signals and fetal genetic programmes are often dysregulated or reactivated, leading to dedifferentiation and disease. Here, we highlight signalling pathways and transcriptional regulators that drive liver cell development and primary liver cancers. We also discuss emerging models derived from pluripotent stem cells, 3D organoids and bioengineering for improved studies of signalling pathways in liver cancer and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tabea L Stephan
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jeremy Lotto
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Rebecca Cullum
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Sibyl Drissler
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Pamela A Hoodless
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada.,Program in Cell and Developmental Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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17
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Tachmatzidi EC, Galanopoulou O, Talianidis I. Transcription Control of Liver Development. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082026. [PMID: 34440795 PMCID: PMC8391549 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During liver organogenesis, cellular transcriptional profiles are constantly reshaped by the action of hepatic transcriptional regulators, including FoxA1-3, GATA4/6, HNF1α/β, HNF4α, HNF6, OC-2, C/EBPα/β, Hex, and Prox1. These factors are crucial for the activation of hepatic genes that, in the context of compact chromatin, cannot access their targets. The initial opening of highly condensed chromatin is executed by a special class of transcription factors known as pioneer factors. They bind and destabilize highly condensed chromatin and facilitate access to other "non-pioneer" factors. The association of target genes with pioneer and non-pioneer transcription factors takes place long before gene activation. In this way, the underlying gene regulatory regions are marked for future activation. The process is called "bookmarking", which confers transcriptional competence on target genes. Developmental bookmarking is accompanied by a dynamic maturation process, which prepares the genomic loci for stable and efficient transcription. Stable hepatic expression profiles are maintained during development and adulthood by the constant availability of the main regulators. This is achieved by a self-sustaining regulatory network that is established by complex cross-regulatory interactions between the major regulators. This network gradually grows during liver development and provides an epigenetic memory mechanism for safeguarding the optimal expression of the regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia C. Tachmatzidi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, 70013 Herakleion, Crete, Greece; (E.C.T.); (O.G.)
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Herakleion, Crete, Greece
| | - Ourania Galanopoulou
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, 70013 Herakleion, Crete, Greece; (E.C.T.); (O.G.)
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, 70013 Herakleion, Crete, Greece
| | - Iannis Talianidis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH, 70013 Herakleion, Crete, Greece; (E.C.T.); (O.G.)
- Correspondence:
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18
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Lattke M, Goldstone R, Ellis JK, Boeing S, Jurado-Arjona J, Marichal N, MacRae JI, Berninger B, Guillemot F. Extensive transcriptional and chromatin changes underlie astrocyte maturation in vivo and in culture. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4335. [PMID: 34267208 PMCID: PMC8282848 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24624-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes have essential functions in brain homeostasis that are established late in differentiation, but the mechanisms underlying the functional maturation of astrocytes are not well understood. Here we identify extensive transcriptional changes that occur during murine astrocyte maturation in vivo that are accompanied by chromatin remodelling at enhancer elements. Investigating astrocyte maturation in a cell culture model revealed that in vitro-differentiated astrocytes lack expression of many mature astrocyte-specific genes, including genes for the transcription factors Rorb, Dbx2, Lhx2 and Fezf2. Forced expression of these factors in vitro induces distinct sets of mature astrocyte-specific transcripts. Culturing astrocytes in a three-dimensional matrix containing FGF2 induces expression of Rorb, Dbx2 and Lhx2 and improves astrocyte maturity based on transcriptional and chromatin profiles. Therefore, extrinsic signals orchestrate the expression of multiple intrinsic regulators, which in turn induce in a modular manner the transcriptional and chromatin changes underlying astrocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lattke
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Robert Goldstone
- Advanced Sequencing Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - James K Ellis
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Stefan Boeing
- Software Development & Machine Learning Team, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Bioinformatics & Biostatistics, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Jerónimo Jurado-Arjona
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolás Marichal
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
| | - James I MacRae
- Metabolomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Benedikt Berninger
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Francois Guillemot
- Neural Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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19
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Targeting Smyd3 by next-generation antisense oligonucleotides suppresses liver tumor growth. iScience 2021; 24:102473. [PMID: 34113819 PMCID: PMC8169948 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The oncogenic function of suppressor of variegation, enhancer of zeste and MYeloid-Nervy-DEAF1-domain family methyltransferase Smyd3 has been implicated in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we show that targeting Smyd3 by next-generation antisense oligonucleotides (Smyd3-ASO) is an efficient approach to modulate its mRNA levels in vivo and to halt the growth of already initiated liver tumors. Smyd3-ASO treatment dramatically decreased tumor burden in a mouse model of chemically induced HCC and negatively affected the growth rates, migration, oncosphere formation, and xenograft growth capacity of a panel of human hepatic cancer cell lines. Smyd3-ASOs prevented the activation of oncofetal genes and the development of cancer-specific gene expression program. The results point to a mechanism by which Smyd3-ASO treatment blocks cellular de-differentiation, a hallmark feature of HCC development, and, as a result, it inhibits the expansion of hepatic cancer stem cells, a population that has been presumed to resist chemotherapy.
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20
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recoup: flexible and versatile signal visualization from next generation sequencing. BMC Bioinformatics 2021; 22:2. [PMID: 33407065 PMCID: PMC7789646 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03902-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The relentless continuing emergence of new genomic sequencing protocols and the resulting generation of ever larger datasets continue to challenge the meaningful summarization and visualization of the underlying signal generated to answer important qualitative and quantitative biological questions. As a result, the need for novel software able to reliably produce quick, comprehensive, and easily repeatable genomic signal visualizations in a user-friendly manner is rapidly re-emerging.
Results recoup is a Bioconductor package for quick, flexible, versatile, and accurate visualization of genomic coverage profiles generated from Next Generation Sequencing data. Coupled with a database of precalculated genomic regions for multiple organisms, recoup offers processing mechanisms for quick, efficient, and multi-level data interrogation with minimal effort, while at the same time creating publication-quality visualizations. Special focus is given on plot reusability, reproducibility, and real-time exploration and formatting options, operations rarely supported in similar visualization tools in a profound way. recoup was assessed using several qualitative user metrics and found to balance the tradeoff between important package features, including speed, visualization quality, overall friendliness, and the reusability of the results with minimal additional calculations.
Conclusion While some existing solutions for the comprehensive visualization of NGS data signal offer satisfying results, they are often compromised regarding issues such as effortless tracking of processing and preparation steps under a common computational environment, visualization quality and user friendliness. recoup is a unique package presenting a balanced tradeoff for a combination of assessment criteria while remaining fast and friendly.
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Control of Cell Identity by the Nuclear Receptor HNF4 in Organ Pathophysiology. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102185. [PMID: 32998360 PMCID: PMC7600215 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 (HNF4) is a transcription factor (TF) belonging to the nuclear receptor family whose expression and activities are restricted to a limited number of organs including the liver and gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we present robust evidence pointing to HNF4 as a master regulator of cellular differentiation during development and a safekeeper of acquired cell identity in adult organs. Importantly, we discuss that transient loss of HNF4 may represent a protective mechanism upon acute organ injury, while prolonged impairment of HNF4 activities could contribute to organ dysfunction. In this context, we describe in detail mechanisms involved in the pathophysiological control of cell identity by HNF4, including how HNF4 works as part of cell-specific TF networks and how its expression/activities are disrupted in injured organs.
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Konstantinou E, Zagoriti Z, Pyriochou A, Poulas K. Microcurrent Stimulation Triggers MAPK Signaling and TGF-β1 Release in Fibroblast and Osteoblast-Like Cell Lines. Cells 2020; 9:E1924. [PMID: 32825091 PMCID: PMC7564311 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wound healing constitutes an essential process for all organisms and involves a sequence of three phases. The disruption or elongation of any of these phases can lead to a chronic or non-healing wound. Electrical stimulation accelerates wound healing by mimicking the current that is generated in the skin after any injury. Here, we sought to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the healing process following in vitro microcurrent stimulation-a type of electrotherapy. Our results concluded that microcurrents promote cell proliferation and migration in an ERK 1/2- or p38-dependent way. Furthermore, microcurrents induce the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) in fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis uncovered that microcurrents enhance the transcriptional activation of genes implicated in Hedgehog, TGF-β1 and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, our results demonstrate that microcurrents may enhance wound closure through a combination of signal transductions, via MAPK's phosphorylation, and the transcriptional activation of specific genes involved in the healing process. These mechanisms should be further examined in vivo, in order to verify the beneficial effects of microcurrents in wound or fracture healing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Konstantinos Poulas
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece; (E.K.); (Z.Z.); (A.P.)
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Strehle M, Guttman M. Xist drives spatial compartmentalization of DNA and protein to orchestrate initiation and maintenance of X inactivation. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 64:139-147. [PMID: 32535328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the process whereby one of the X chromosomes in female mammalian cells is silenced to equalize X-linked gene expression with males. XCI depends on the long noncoding RNA Xist, which coats the inactive X chromosome in cis and triggers a cascade of events that ultimately lead to chromosome-wide transcriptional silencing that is stable for the lifetime of an organism. In recent years, the discovery of proteins that interact with Xist have led to new insights into how the initiation of XCI occurs. Nevertheless, there are still various unknowns about the mechanisms by which Xist orchestrates and maintains stable X-linked silencing. Here, we review recent work elucidating the role of Xist and its protein partners in mediating chromosome-wide transcriptional repression, as well as discuss a model by which Xist may compartmentalize proteins across the inactive X chromosome to enable both the initiation and maintenance of XCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mackenzie Strehle
- 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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