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Gao C, Gao X, Gao F, Du X, Wu S. A CRISPR/Cas9 screen in embryonic stem cells reveals that Mdm2 regulates totipotency exit. Commun Biol 2024; 7:809. [PMID: 38961268 PMCID: PMC11222520 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06507-9] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
During early embryonic development, the transition from totipotency to pluripotency is a fundamental and critical process for proper development. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing this transition remain elusive. Here, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen to investigate the 2-cell-like cells (2CLCs) phenotype in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). This effort led to the identification of ten regulators that play a pivotal role in determining cell fate during this transition. Notably, our study revealed Mdm2 as a significant negative regulator of 2CLCs, as perturbation of Mdm2 resulted in a higher proportion of 2CLCs. Mdm2 appears to influence cell fate through its impact on cell cycle progression and H3K27me3 epigenetic modifications. In summary, the results of our CRISPR/Cas9 screen have uncovered several genes with distinct functions in regulating totipotency and pluripotency at various levels, offering a valuable resource for potential targets in future molecular studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xin Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Fei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Xuguang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China.
| | - Sen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Sanya Institute of China Agricultural University, Sanya, 572025, China.
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2
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Su Z, Dong Y, Sun J, Wu Y, Wei Q, Liang Y, Lin Z, Li Y, Shen L, Xi C, Wu L, Xu Y, Liu Y, Yin J, Wang H, Shi K, Le R, Gao S, Xu X. RNA m 6A modification regulates cell fate transition between pluripotent stem cells and 2-cell-like cells. Cell Prolif 2024:e13696. [PMID: 38952035 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) exerts essential roles in early embryos, especially in the maternal-to-zygotic transition stage. However, the landscape and roles of RNA m6A modification during the transition between pluripotent stem cells and 2-cell-like (2C-like) cells remain elusive. Here, we utilised ultralow-input RNA m6A immunoprecipitation to depict the dynamic picture of transcriptome-wide m6A modifications during 2C-like transitions. We found that RNA m6A modification was preferentially enriched in zygotic genome activation (ZGA) transcripts and MERVL with high expression levels in 2C-like cells. During the exit of the 2C-like state, m6A facilitated the silencing of ZGA genes and MERVL. Notably, inhibition of m6A methyltransferase METTL3 and m6A reader protein IGF2BP2 is capable of significantly delaying 2C-like state exit and expanding 2C-like cells population. Together, our study reveals the critical roles of RNA m6A modification in the transition between 2C-like and pluripotent states, facilitating the study of totipotency and cell fate decision in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqu Su
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiatong Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingqing Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyi Lin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujun Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxiang Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiliang Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingdong Liu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kerong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaocui Xu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Abumsimir B, Al-Qaisi T, Zein S. Molecular mechanisms of Y chromosome loss and UTY gene activity. Future Sci OA 2024; 10:2340838. [PMID: 38817386 PMCID: PMC11137763 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2024-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Berjas Abumsimir
- Molecular Medicine Team, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
| | - Talal Al-Qaisi
- Molecular Medicine Team, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
| | - Sima Zein
- Molecular Medicine Team, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Jordan
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Han Q, Ma R, Liu N. Epigenetic reprogramming in the transition from pluripotency to totipotency. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31222. [PMID: 38375873 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31222] [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: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian development commences with the zygote, which can differentiate into both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues, a capability known as totipotency. Only the zygote and embryos around zygotic genome activation (ZGA) (two-cell embryo stage in mice and eight-cell embryo in humans) are totipotent cells. Epigenetic modifications undergo extremely extensive changes during the acquisition of totipotency and subsequent development of differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Recently, the discovery of mouse two-cell embryo-like cells, human eight-cell embryo-like cells, extended pluripotent stem cells and totipotent-like stem cells with extra-embryonic developmental potential has greatly expanded our understanding of totipotency. Experiments with these in vitro models have led to insights into epigenetic changes in the reprogramming of pluri-to-totipotency, which have informed the exploration of preimplantation development. In this review, we highlight the recent findings in understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic remodeling during totipotency capture, including RNA splicing, DNA methylation, chromatin configuration, histone modifications, and nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsheng Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ru Ma
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Zhang J, Wu Q, Hu X, Wang Y, Lu J, Chakraborty R, Martin KA, Guo S. Serum Response Factor Reduces Gene Expression Noise and Confers Cell State Stability. Stem Cells 2023; 41:907-915. [PMID: 37386941 PMCID: PMC11009695 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxad051] [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: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The role of serum response factor (Srf), a central mediator of actin dynamics and mechanical signaling, in cell identity regulation is debated to be either a stabilizer or a destabilizer. We investigated the role of Srf in cell fate stability using mouse pluripotent stem cells. Despite the fact that serum-containing cultures yield heterogeneous gene expression, deletion of Srf in mouse pluripotent stem cells leads to further exacerbated cell state heterogeneity. The exaggerated heterogeneity is detectible not only as increased lineage priming but also as the developmentally earlier 2C-like cell state. Thus, pluripotent cells explore more variety of cellular states in both directions of development surrounding naïve pluripotency, a behavior that is constrained by Srf. These results support that Srf functions as a cell state stabilizer, providing rationale for its functional modulation in cell fate intervention and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Qiao Wu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Xiao Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yadong Wang
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jun Lu
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raja Chakraborty
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kathleen A Martin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shangqin Guo
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Detraux D, Caruso M, Feller L, Fransolet M, Meurant S, Mathieu J, Arnould T, Renard P. A critical role for heme synthesis and succinate in the regulation of pluripotent states transitions. eLife 2023; 12:e78546. [PMID: 37428012 PMCID: PMC10425175 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78546] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Using embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in regenerative medicine or in disease modeling requires a complete understanding of these cells. Two main distinct developmental states of ESCs have been stabilized in vitro, a naïve pre-implantation stage and a primed post-implantation stage. Based on two recently published CRISPR-Cas9 knockout functional screens, we show here that the exit of the naïve state is impaired upon heme biosynthesis pathway blockade, linked in mESCs to the incapacity to activate MAPK- and TGFβ-dependent signaling pathways after succinate accumulation. In addition, heme synthesis inhibition promotes the acquisition of 2 cell-like cells in a heme-independent manner caused by a mitochondrial succinate accumulation and leakage out of the cell. We further demonstrate that extracellular succinate acts as a paracrine/autocrine signal, able to trigger the 2C-like reprogramming through the activation of its plasma membrane receptor, SUCNR1. Overall, this study unveils a new mechanism underlying the maintenance of pluripotency under the control of heme synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Detraux
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Marino Caruso
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
| | - Louise Feller
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
| | - Maude Fransolet
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
| | - Sébastien Meurant
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
| | - Julie Mathieu
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Thierry Arnould
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
| | - Patricia Renard
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (URBC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (UNamur), Namur, BelgiumNamurBelgium
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Guo SM, Zhang YR, Ma BX, Zhou LQ, Yin Y. Regulation of cleavage embryo genes upon DRP1 inhibition in mouse embryonic stem cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1191797. [PMID: 37255603 PMCID: PMC10225531 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1191797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic-related protein 1 (DRP1) is a key protein of mitochondrial fission. In this study, we found that inhibition of activity of DRP1 led to increased levels of cleavage embryo genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), which might reflect a transient totipotency status derived from pluripotency. This result indicates that DRP1 inhibition in mESCs leads to a tendency to obtain a new expression profile similar to that of the 2C-like state. Meanwhile, we also noticed that the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway and its related enzymes were significantly downregulated, and the key glycolytic enzymes were also downregulated in various 2C-like cells. Moreover, when DRP1 activity was inhibited from the late zygote when cleavage embryo genes started to express, development of early embryos was inhibited, and these cleavage embryo genes failed to be efficiently silenced at the late 2-cell (2C) stage. Taken together, our result shows that DRP1 plays an important role in silencing cleavage embryo genes for totipotency-to-pluripotency transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Meng Guo
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Ran Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bing-Xin Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Quan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Yin
- School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Center for Genomics and Proteomics Research, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Drug Target Research and Pharmacodynamic Evaluation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Liu S, Zhao S, Zhang C, Tian C, Wang D, Yu H, Li Z, Liu L, Liu N. Dppa3 Improves the Germline Competence of Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10552-y. [PMID: 37171679 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10552-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimera formation and germline competence are critical features of mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). However, the factors that contribute to germline competence in the chimeras remain to be understood. METHODS To determine the role of Dppa3 in PSCs, we first constructed Dppa3 knockout (Dppa3 KO) and Dppa3 overexpression (Dppa3 OE) PSCs, respectively. Using Dppa3 KO and Dppa3 OE PSCs, we then investigated the role of Dppa3 in PSCs by evaluating the chimera generation, DNA methylation, and pluripotent state conversion. RESULTS We show that Dppa3 plays an important role in chimera formation and germline competence of mouse PSCs. PSC lines with high expression of Dppa3 show high germline competence. In contrast, Dppa3 deficiency reduces chimera formation and abrogates the germline transmission capacity of PSCs. Molecularly, Dppa3 facilitates establishing global DNA hypomethylation in PSCs. High levels of Dppa3 in PSCs reduce the expression of Dnmt3a/b and impede Uhrf1-Dnmt1 complex binding to DNA replication forks, maintaining DNA hypomethylation. Additionally, Dppa3 facilitates two-cell-stage (2C) genes expression and promotes conversion to a 2C-like state. CONCLUSION These data show that Dppa3 is involved in maintaining DNA hypomethylation homeostasis and is required for high chimera formation and germline competence of PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chuanyu Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chenglei Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Huaxin Yu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Zongjin Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Na Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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Li H, Long C, Hong Y, Luo L, Zuo Y. Characterizing Cellular Differentiation Potency and Waddington Landscape via Energy Indicator. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0118. [PMID: 37223479 PMCID: PMC10202187 DOI: 10.34133/research.0118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The precise characterization of cellular differentiation potency remains an open question, which is fundamentally important for deciphering the dynamics mechanism related to cell fate transition. We quantitatively evaluated the differentiation potency of different stem cells based on the Hopfield neural network (HNN). The results emphasized that cellular differentiation potency can be approximated by Hopfield energy values. We then profiled the Waddington energy landscape of embryogenesis and cell reprogramming processes. The energy landscape at single-cell resolution further confirmed that cell fate decision is progressively specified in a continuous process. Moreover, the transition of cells from one steady state to another in embryogenesis and cell reprogramming processes was dynamically simulated on the energy ladder. These two processes can be metaphorized as the motion of descending and ascending ladders, respectively. We further deciphered the dynamics of the gene regulatory network (GRN) for driving cell fate transition. Our study proposes a new energy indicator to quantitatively characterize cellular differentiation potency without prior knowledge, facilitating the further exploration of the potential mechanism of cellular plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshuang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences,
Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Chunshen Long
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences,
Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yan Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences,
Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Liaofu Luo
- Department of Physics,
Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
| | - Yongchun Zuo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, College of Life Sciences,
Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, China
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10
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Li H, Sun J, Dong Y, Huang Y, Wu L, Xi C, Su Z, Xiao Y, Zhang C, Liang Y, Li Y, Lin Z, Shen L, Zuo Y, Abudureheman A, Yin J, Wang H, Kong X, Le R, Gao S, Zhang Y. Remodeling of H3K9me3 during the pluripotent to totipotent-like state transition. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:449-462. [PMID: 36638787 PMCID: PMC9968986 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple chromatin modifiers associated with H3K9me3 play important roles in the transition from embryonic stem cells to 2-cell (2C)-like cells. However, it remains elusive how H3K9me3 is remodeled and its association with totipotency. Here, we integrated transcriptome and H3K9me3 profiles to conduct a detailed comparison of 2C embryos and 2C-like cells. Globally, H3K9me3 is highly preserved and H3K9me3 dynamics within the gene locus is not associated with gene expression change during 2C-like transition. Promoter-deposited H3K9me3 plays non-repressive roles in the activation of genes during 2C-like transition. In contrast, transposable elements, residing in the nearby regions of up-regulated genes, undergo extensive elimination of H3K9me3 and are tended to be induced in 2C-like transitions. Furthermore, a large fraction of trophoblast stem cell-specific enhancers undergo loss of H3K9me3 exclusively in MERVL+/Zscan4+ cells. Our study therefore reveals the unique H3K9me3 profiles of 2C-like cells, facilitating the further exploration of totipotency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; School of Life Sciences and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, China
| | - Jiatong Sun
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixin Huang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Li Wu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chenxiang Xi
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhongqu Su
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Key Laboratory of Animal Bioengineering and Disease Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China
| | - Yihan Xiao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chuyu Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuwei Liang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yujun Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Zhiyi Lin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yixing Zuo
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Abuduwaili Abudureheman
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiqing Yin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiangyin Kong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Rongrong Le
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yanping Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
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11
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Xu H, Liang H. The regulation of totipotency transcription: Perspective from in vitro and in vivo totipotency. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1024093. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1024093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Totipotency represents the highest developmental potency. By definition, totipotent stem cells are capable of giving rise to all embryonic and extraembryonic cell types. In mammalian embryos, totipotency occurs around the zygotic genome activation period, which is around the 2-cell stage in mouse embryo or the 4-to 8-cell stage in human embryo. Currently, with the development of in vitro totipotent-like models and the advances in small-scale genomic methods, an in-depth mechanistic understanding of the totipotency state and regulation was enabled. In this review, we explored and summarized the current views about totipotency from various angles, including genetic and epigenetic aspects. This will hopefully formulate a panoramic view of totipotency from the available research works until now. It can also help delineate the scaffold and formulate new hypotheses on totipotency for future research works.
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12
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Zhang C, Wen H, Liu S, Fu E, Yu L, Chen S, Han Q, Li Z, Liu N. Maternal Factor Dppa3 Activates 2C-Like Genes and Depresses DNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:882671. [PMID: 35721479 PMCID: PMC9203971 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.882671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) contain a rare cell population of “two-cell embryonic like” cells (2CLCs) that display similar features to those found in the two-cell (2C) embryo and thus represent an in vitro model for studying the progress of zygotic genome activation (ZGA). However, the positive regulator determinants of the 2CLCs’ conversion and ZGA have not been completely elucidated. Here, we identify a new regulator promoting 2CLCs and ZGA transcripts. Through a combination of overexpression (OE), knockdown (KD), together with transcriptional analysis and methylome analysis, we find that Dppa3 regulates the 2CLC-associated transcripts, DNA methylation, and 2CLC population in ESCs. The differentially methylated regions (DMRs) analysis identified 6,920 (98.2%) hypomethylated, whilst only 129 (1.8%) hypermethylated, regions in Dppa3 OE ESCs, suggesting that Dppa3 facilitates 2CLCs reprogramming. The conversion to 2CLCs by overexpression of Dppa3 is also associated with DNA damage response. Dppa3 knockdown manifest impairs transition into the 2C-like state. Global DNA methylome and chromatin state analysis of Dppa3 OE ESCs reveal that Dppa3 facilitates the chromatin configuration to 2CLCs reversion. Our finding for the first time elucidates a novel role of Dppa3 in mediating the 2CLC conversion, and suggests that Dppa3 is a new regulator for ZGA progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanyu Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hang Wen
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Siying Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Enze Fu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lu Yu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shang Chen
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingsheng Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zongjin Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Zongjin Li, ; Na Liu,
| | - Na Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Zongjin Li, ; Na Liu,
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13
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Chen C, Gao Y, Liu W, Gao S. Epigenetic regulation of cell fate transition: learning from early embryo development and somatic cell reprogramming. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:183-195. [PMID: 35526125 PMCID: PMC9310515 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulations play a central role in governing the embryo development and somatic cell reprogramming. Taking advantage of recent advances in low-input sequencing techniques, researchers have uncovered a comprehensive view of the epigenetic landscape during rapid transcriptome transitions involved in the cell fate commitment. The well-organized epigenetic reprogramming also highlights the essential roles of specific epigenetic regulators to support efficient regulation of transcription activity and chromatin remodeling. This review briefly introduces the recent progress in the molecular dynamics and regulation mechanisms implicated in mouse early embryo development and somatic cell reprograming, as well as the multi-omics regulatory mechanisms of totipotency mediated by several key factors, which provide valuable resources for further investigations on the complicated regulatory network in essential biological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Chen
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Wenqiang Liu
- Clinical and Translation Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaorong Gao
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.,Clinical and Translation Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity & Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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14
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Cai J, Chen H, Xie S, Hu Z, Bai Y. Research Progress of Totipotent Stem Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2022; 31:335-345. [PMID: 35502477 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2022.0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Totipotent stem cells (TSCs), can develop into complete organisms, used in biological fields such as regenerative medicine, mammalian breeding, and conservation. However, cells from early-stage embryos cultured are hard to self-renew and maintain developmental totipotency, which becomes a key factor limiting the research of TSCs. Fortunately, a break-through in the study of induced pluripotent stem cells returning to their totipotent state has been made, resulting in the establishment of multiple TSCs and igniting a new wave of stem cell research. Furthermore, the blastocyst-like structures can be generated by the established TSCs, which lays a foundation for synthetic embryos in vitro. In this review, we summarize the totipotent stage of the early embryos, the establishment and cultivation of TSCs, and the developmental ability exploration of TSCs to promote further research of TSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Cai
- Foshan University School of Life Science and Engineering, 118208, Foshan, China, 528000;
| | - Huifang Chen
- Foshan University School of Life Science and Engineering, 118208, Foshan, China;
| | - Shiting Xie
- Foshan University School of Life Science and Engineering, 118208, Foshan, China;
| | - Zhichao Hu
- Foshan University School of Life Science and Engineering, 118208, Foshan, China;
| | - Yinshan Bai
- Foshan University School of Life Science and Engineering, 118208, Foshan, China;
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15
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Nakatani T, Lin J, Ji F, Ettinger A, Pontabry J, Tokoro M, Altamirano-Pacheco L, Fiorentino J, Mahammadov E, Hatano Y, Van Rechem C, Chakraborty D, Ruiz-Morales ER, Arguello Pascualli PY, Scialdone A, Yamagata K, Whetstine JR, Sadreyev RI, Torres-Padilla ME. DNA replication fork speed underlies cell fate changes and promotes reprogramming. Nat Genet 2022; 54:318-327. [PMID: 35256805 PMCID: PMC8920892 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01023-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Totipotency emerges in early embryogenesis, but its molecular underpinnings remain poorly characterized. In the present study, we employed DNA fiber analysis to investigate how pluripotent stem cells are reprogrammed into totipotent-like 2-cell-like cells (2CLCs). We show that totipotent cells of the early mouse embryo have slow DNA replication fork speed and that 2CLCs recapitulate this feature, suggesting that fork speed underlies the transition to a totipotent-like state. 2CLCs emerge concomitant with DNA replication and display changes in replication timing (RT), particularly during the early S-phase. RT changes occur prior to 2CLC emergence, suggesting that RT may predispose to gene expression changes and consequent reprogramming of cell fate. Slowing down replication fork speed experimentally induces 2CLCs. In vivo, slowing fork speed improves the reprogramming efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer. Our data suggest that fork speed regulates cellular plasticity and that remodeling of replication features leads to changes in cell fate and reprogramming. Totipotent cells in mouse embryos and 2-cell-like cells have slow DNA replication fork speed. Perturbations that slow replication fork speed promote 2-cell-like cell emergence and improve somatic cell nuclear transfer reprogramming and formation of induced pluripotent stem cell colonies.
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16
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Yuan H, Suzuki S, Terui H, Hirata-Tsuchiya S, Nemoto E, Yamasaki K, Saito M, Shiba H, Aiba S, Yamada S. Loss of IκBζ Drives Dentin Formation via Altered H3K4me3 Status. J Dent Res 2022; 101:951-961. [PMID: 35193410 DOI: 10.1177/00220345221075968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Enforced enrichment of the active promoter marks trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) by inhibiting histone demethylases and deacetylases is positively associated with hard tissue formation through the induction of osteo/odontogenic differentiation. However, the key endogenous epigenetic modulator of odontoblasts to regulate the expression of genes coding dentin extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins has not been identified. We focused on nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor ζ (IκBζ), which was originally identified as the transcriptional regulator of NF-κB and recently regarded as the NF-κB-independent epigenetic modulator, and found that IκBζ null mice exhibit a thicker dentin width and narrower pulp chamber, with aged mice having more marked phenotypes. At 6 mo of age, dentin fluorescent labeling revealed significantly accelerated dentin synthesis in the incisors of IκBζ null mice. In the molars of IκBζ null mice, marked tertiary dentin formation adjacent to the pulp horn was observed. Mechanistically, the expression of COL1A2 and COL1A1 collagen genes increased more in the odontoblast-rich fraction of IκBζ null mice than in wild type in vivo, similar to human odontoblast-like cells transfected with small interfering RNA for IκBζ compared with cells transfected with control siRNA in vitro. Furthermore, the direct binding of IκBζ to the COL1A2 promoter suppressed COL1A2 expression and the local active chromatin status marked by H3K4me3. Based on whole-genome identification of H3K4me3 enrichment, ECM and ECM organization-related gene loci were selectively activated by the knockdown of IκBζ, which consistently resulted in the upregulation of these genes. Collectively, this study suggested that IκBζ is the key negative regulator of dentin formation in odontoblasts by inhibiting dentin ECM- and ECM organization-related gene expression through an altered local chromatin status marked by H3K4me3. Therefore, IκBζ is a potential target for epigenetically improving the clinical outcomes of dentin regeneration therapies such as pulp capping.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Yuan
- Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
| | - S Suzuki
- Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
| | - H Terui
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - S Hirata-Tsuchiya
- Department of Biological Endodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - E Nemoto
- Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
| | - K Yamasaki
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - M Saito
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
| | - H Shiba
- Department of Biological Endodontics, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - S Aiba
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - S Yamada
- Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan
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17
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Özdemir I, Steiner FA. Transmission of chromatin states across generations in C. elegans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:133-141. [PMID: 34823984 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of phenotypes across generations without affecting the genomic DNA sequence. Even though it has been documented in many species in fungi, animals and plants, the mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance are not fully uncovered. Epialleles, the heritable units of epigenetic information, can take the form of several biomolecules, including histones and their post-translational modifications (PTMs). Here, we review the recent advances in the understanding of the transmission of histone variants and histone PTM patterns across generations in C. elegans. We provide a general overview of the intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance of histone PTMs and their modifiers and discuss the interplay among different histone PTMs. We also evaluate soma-germ line communication and its impact on the inheritance of epigenetic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Özdemir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian A Steiner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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