1
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Danac JMC, Matthews RE, Gungi A, Qin C, Parsons H, Antrobus R, Timms RT, Tchasovnikarova IA. Competition between two HUSH complexes orchestrates the immune response to retroelement invasion. Mol Cell 2024; 84:2870-2881.e5. [PMID: 39013473 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
The human silencing hub (HUSH) preserves genome integrity through the epigenetic repression of invasive genetic elements. However, despite our understanding of HUSH as an obligate complex of three subunits, only loss of MPP8 or Periphilin, but not TASOR, triggers interferon signaling following derepression of endogenous retroelements. Here, we resolve this paradox by characterizing a second HUSH complex that shares MPP8 and Periphilin but assembles around TASOR2, an uncharacterized paralog of TASOR. Whereas HUSH represses LINE-1 retroelements marked by the repressive histone modification H3K9me3, HUSH2 is recruited by the transcription factor IRF2 to repress interferon-stimulated genes. Mechanistically, HUSH-mediated retroelement silencing sequesters the limited pool of the shared subunits MPP8 and Periphilin, preventing TASOR2 from forming HUSH2 complexes and hence relieving the HUSH2-mediated repression of interferon-stimulated genes. Thus, competition between two HUSH complexes intertwines retroelement silencing with the induction of an immune response, coupling epigenetic and immune aspects of genome defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Miguel C Danac
- The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Rachael E Matthews
- The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Akhila Gungi
- The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Chuyan Qin
- The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Harriet Parsons
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Robin Antrobus
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Richard T Timms
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Iva A Tchasovnikarova
- The Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.
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2
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Kozłowska-Masłoń J, Ciomborowska-Basheer J, Kubiak MR, Makałowska I. Evolution of retrocopies in the context of HUSH silencing. Biol Direct 2024; 19:60. [PMID: 39095906 PMCID: PMC11295320 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-024-00507-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Retrotransposition is one of the main factors responsible for gene duplication and thus genome evolution. However, the sequences that undergo this process are not only an excellent source of biological diversity, but in certain cases also pose a threat to the integrity of the DNA. One of the mechanisms that protects against the incorporation of mobile elements is the HUSH complex, which is responsible for silencing long, intronless, transcriptionally active transposed sequences that are rich in adenine on the sense strand. In this study, broad sets of human and porcine retrocopies were analysed with respect to the above factors, taking into account evolution of these molecules. Analysis of expression pattern, genomic structure, transcript length, and nucleotide substitution frequency showed the strong relationship between the expression level and exon length as well as the protective nature of introns. The results of the studies also showed that there is no direct correlation between the expression level and adenine content. However, protein-coding retrocopies, which have a lower adenine content, have a significantly higher expression level than the adenine-rich non-coding but expressed retrocopies. Therefore, although the mechanism of HUSH silencing may be an important part of the regulation of retrocopy expression, it is one component of a more complex molecular network that remains to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kozłowska-Masłoń
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, Poland
- Laboratory of Cancer Genetics, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, Poznań, Poland
| | - Joanna Ciomborowska-Basheer
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, Poland
- Laboratory of Nature Education and Conservation, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Regina Kubiak
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Makałowska
- Institute of Human Biology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, Poland.
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3
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Tilliole P, Fix S, Godin JD. hnRNPs: roles in neurodevelopment and implication for brain disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1411639. [PMID: 39086926 PMCID: PMC11288931 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1411639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) constitute a family of multifunctional RNA-binding proteins able to process nuclear pre-mRNAs into mature mRNAs and regulate gene expression in multiple ways. They comprise at least 20 different members in mammals, named from A (HNRNP A1) to U (HNRNP U). Many of these proteins are components of the spliceosome complex and can modulate alternative splicing in a tissue-specific manner. Notably, while genes encoding hnRNPs exhibit ubiquitous expression, increasing evidence associate these proteins to various neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, microcephaly, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or dementias, highlighting their crucial role in the central nervous system. This review explores the evolution of the hnRNPs family, highlighting the emergence of numerous new members within this family, and sheds light on their implications for brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Tilliole
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Simon Fix
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Juliette D. Godin
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, IGBMC, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CNRS, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, INSERM, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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4
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Rodríguez TC, Yurkovetskiy L, Nagalekshmi K, Lam CHO, Jazbec E, Maitland SA, Wolfe SA, Sontheimer EJ, Luban J. PRC1.6 localizes on chromatin with the human silencing hub (HUSH) complex for promoter-specific silencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.12.603173. [PMID: 39026796 PMCID: PMC11257501 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.12.603173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
An obligate step in the life cycle of HIV-1 and other retroviruses is the establishment of the provirus in target cell chromosomes. Transcriptional regulation of proviruses is complex, and understanding the mechanisms underlying this regulation has ramifications for fundamental biology, human health, and gene therapy implementation. The three core components of the Human Silencing Hub (HUSH) complex, TASOR, MPHOSPH8 (MPP8), and PPHLN1 (Periphilin 1), were identified in forward genetic screens for host genes that repress provirus expression. Subsequent loss-of-function screens revealed accessory proteins that collaborate with the HUSH complex to silence proviruses in particular contexts. To identify proteins associated with a HUSH complex-repressed provirus in human cells, we developed a technique, Provirus Proximal Proteomics, based on proximity labeling with C-BERST (dCas9-APEX2 biotinylation at genomic elements by restricted spatial tagging). Our screen exploited a lentiviral reporter that is silenced by the HUSH complex in a manner that is independent of the integration site in chromatin. Our data reveal that proviruses silenced by the HUSH complex are associated with DNA repair, mRNA processing, and transcriptional silencing proteins, including L3MBTL2, a member of the non-canonical polycomb repressive complex 1.6 (PRC1.6). A forward genetic screen confirmed that PRC1.6 components L3MBTL2 and MGA contribute to HUSH complex-mediated silencing. PRC1.6 was then shown to silence HUSH-sensitive proviruses in a promoter-specific manner. Genome wide profiling showed striking colocalization of the PRC1.6 and HUSH complexes on chromatin, primarily at sites of active promoters. Finally, PRC1.6 binding at a subset of genes that are silenced by the HUSH complex was dependent on the core HUSH complex component MPP8. These studies offer new tools with great potential for studying the transcriptional regulation of proviruses and reveal crosstalk between the HUSH complex and PRC1.6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomás C. Rodríguez
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Leonid Yurkovetskiy
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Karthika Nagalekshmi
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Chin Hung Oscar Lam
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Eva Jazbec
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Stacy A. Maitland
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Scot A. Wolfe
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Erik J. Sontheimer
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jeremy Luban
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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5
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Ma R, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zhang P, Liu Z, Fan Y, Wang HT, Zhang Z, Zhu B. Targeting pericentric non-consecutive motifs for heterochromatin initiation. Nature 2024; 631:678-685. [PMID: 38961301 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07640-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Pericentric heterochromatin is a critical component of chromosomes marked by histone H3 K9 (H3K9) methylation1-3. However, what recruits H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases to pericentric regions in vertebrates remains unclear4, as does why pericentric regions in different species share the same H3K9 methylation mark despite lacking highly conserved DNA sequences2,5. Here we show that zinc-finger proteins ZNF512 and ZNF512B specifically localize at pericentric regions through direct DNA binding. Notably, both ZNF512 and ZNF512B are sufficient to initiate de novo heterochromatin formation at ectopically targeted repetitive regions and pericentric regions, as they directly recruit SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 (SUV39H) to catalyse H3K9 methylation. SUV39H2 makes a greater contribution to H3K9 trimethylation, whereas SUV39H1 seems to contribute more to silencing, probably owing to its preferential association with HP1 proteins. ZNF512 and ZNF512B from different species can specifically target pericentric regions of other vertebrates, because the atypical long linker residues between the zinc-fingers of ZNF512 and ZNF512B offer flexibility in recognition of non-consecutively organized three-nucleotide triplets targeted by each zinc-finger. This study addresses two long-standing questions: how constitutive heterochromatin is initiated and how seemingly variable pericentric sequences are targeted by the same set of conserved machinery in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pinqi Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeqi Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution/Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zhuqiang Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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6
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Chung HY, Lee GS, Nam SH, Lee JH, Han JP, Song S, Kim GD, Jung C, Hyeon DY, Hwang D, Choi BO, Yeom SC. Morc2a variants cause hydroxyl radical-mediated neuropathy and are rescued by restoring GHKL ATPase. Brain 2024; 147:2114-2127. [PMID: 38227798 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae017] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Microrchidia CW-type zinc finger 2 (MORC2) GHKL ATPase module cause a broad range of neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z; however, the aetiology and therapeutic strategy are not fully understood. Previously, we reported that the Morc2a p.S87L mouse model exhibited neuropathy and muscular dysfunction through DNA damage accumulation. In the present study, we analysed the gene expression of Morc2a p.S87L mice and designated the primary causing factor. We investigated the pathological pathway using Morc2a p.S87L mouse embryonic fibroblasts and human fibroblasts harbouring MORC2 p.R252W. We subsequently assessed the therapeutic effect of gene therapy administered to Morc2a p.S87L mice. This study revealed that Morc2a p.S87L causes a protein synthesis defect, resulting in the loss of function of Morc2a and high cellular apoptosis induced by high hydroxyl radical levels. We considered the Morc2a GHKL ATPase domain as a therapeutic target because it simultaneously complements hydroxyl radical scavenging and ATPase activity. We used the adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PHP.eB serotype, which has a high CNS transduction efficiency, to express Morc2a or Morc2a GHKL ATPase domain protein in vivo. Notably, AAV gene therapy ameliorated neuropathy and muscular dysfunction with a single treatment. Loss-of-function characteristics due to protein synthesis defects in Morc2a p.S87L were also noted in human MORC2 p.S87L or p.R252W variants, indicating the correlation between mouse and human pathogenesis. In summary, CMT2Z is known as an incurable genetic disorder, but the present study demonstrated its mechanisms and treatments based on established animal models. This study demonstrates that the Morc2a p.S87L variant causes hydroxyl radical-mediated neuropathy, which can be rescued through AAV-based gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Yoon Chung
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Geon Seong Lee
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Nam
- Samsung Medical Center, Cell & Gene Therapy Institute, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Jeong Hyeon Lee
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Jeong Pil Han
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Sumin Song
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Gap-Don Kim
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Choonkyun Jung
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
| | - Do Young Hyeon
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehee Hwang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Bioinformatics Institute, Bio-MAX, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Ok Choi
- Samsung Medical Center, Cell & Gene Therapy Institute, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Seoul 06351, Korea
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea
| | - Su Cheong Yeom
- Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology and Institute of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Kangwon 25354, Korea
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, WCU Biomodulation Major, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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7
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Armani-Tourret M, Bone B, Tan TS, Sun W, Bellefroid M, Struyve T, Louella M, Yu XG, Lichterfeld M. Immune targeting of HIV-1 reservoir cells: a path to elimination strategies and cure. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:328-344. [PMID: 38337034 PMCID: PMC11131351 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-024-01010-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Successful approaches for eradication or cure of HIV-1 infection are likely to include immunological mechanisms, but remarkably little is known about how human immune responses can recognize and interact with the few HIV-1-infected cells that harbour genome-intact viral DNA, persist long term despite antiretroviral therapy and represent the main barrier to a cure. For a long time regarded as being completely shielded from host immune responses due to viral latency, these cells do, on closer examination with single-cell analytic techniques, display discrete footprints of immune selection, implying that human immune responses may be able to effectively engage and target at least some of these cells. The failure to eliminate rebound-competent virally infected cells in the majority of persons likely reflects the evolution of a highly selected pool of reservoir cells that are effectively camouflaged from immune recognition or rely on sophisticated approaches for resisting immune-mediated killing. Understanding the fine-tuned interplay between host immune responses and viral reservoir cells will help to design improved interventions that exploit the immunological vulnerabilities of HIV-1 reservoir cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Armani-Tourret
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Bone
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Toong Seng Tan
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Weiwei Sun
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maxime Bellefroid
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tine Struyve
- HIV Cure Research Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michael Louella
- Community Advisory Board, Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE), San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Xu G Yu
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mathias Lichterfeld
- Infectious Disease Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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8
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Radrizzani S, Kudla G, Izsvák Z, Hurst LD. Selection on synonymous sites: the unwanted transcript hypothesis. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:431-448. [PMID: 38297070 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00686-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Although translational selection to favour codons that match the most abundant tRNAs is not readily observed in humans, there is nonetheless selection in humans on synonymous mutations. We hypothesize that much of this synonymous site selection can be explained in terms of protection against unwanted RNAs - spurious transcripts, mis-spliced forms or RNAs derived from transposable elements or viruses. We propose not only that selection on synonymous sites functions to reduce the rate of creation of unwanted transcripts (for example, through selection on exonic splice enhancers and cryptic splice sites) but also that high-GC content (but low-CpG content), together with intron presence and position, is both particular to functional native mRNAs and used to recognize transcripts as native. In support of this hypothesis, transcription, nuclear export, liquid phase condensation and RNA degradation have all recently been shown to promote GC-rich transcripts and suppress AU/CpG-rich ones. With such 'traps' being set against AU/CpG-rich transcripts, the codon usage of native genes has, in turn, evolved to avoid such suppression. That parallel filters against AU/CpG-rich transcripts also affect the endosomal import of RNAs further supports the unwanted transcript hypothesis of synonymous site selection and explains the similar design rules that have enabled the successful use of transgenes and RNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Radrizzani
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Milner Therapeutics Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Grzegorz Kudla
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute for Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laurence D Hurst
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
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9
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Eddy SR. Mammalian cells repress random DNA that yeast transcribes. Nature 2024; 628:271-273. [PMID: 38448526 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-024-00575-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
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10
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Vanegas-Torres CA, Schindler M. HIV-1 Vpr Functions in Primary CD4 + T Cells. Viruses 2024; 16:420. [PMID: 38543785 PMCID: PMC10975730 DOI: 10.3390/v16030420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 encodes four accesory proteins in addition to its structural and regulatory genes. Uniquely amongst them, Vpr is abundantly present within virions, meaning it is poised to exert various biological effects on the host cell upon delivery. In this way, Vpr contributes towards the establishment of a successful infection, as evidenced by the extent to which HIV-1 depends on this factor to achieve full pathogenicity in vivo. Although HIV infects various cell types in the host organism, CD4+ T cells are preferentially targeted since they are highly permissive towards productive infection, concomitantly bringing about the hallmark immune dysfunction that accompanies HIV-1 spread. The last several decades have seen unprecedented progress in unraveling the activities Vpr possesses in the host cell at the molecular scale, increasingly underscoring the importance of this viral component. Nevertheless, it remains controversial whether some of these advances bear in vivo relevance, since commonly employed cellular models significantly differ from primary T lymphocytes. One prominent example is the "established" ability of Vpr to induce G2 cell cycle arrest, with enigmatic physiological relevance in infected primary T lymphocytes. The objective of this review is to present these discoveries in their biological context to illustrate the mechanisms whereby Vpr supports HIV-1 infection in CD4+ T cells, whilst identifying findings that require validation in physiologically relevant models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Schindler
- Institute for Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
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11
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Kim SH, Park JH, Shin S, Shin S, Chun D, Kim YG, Yoo J, You WK, Lee JS, Lee GM. Genome-Wide CRISPR/Cas9 Screening Unveils a Novel Target ATF7IP-SETDB1 Complex for Enhancing Difficult-to-Express Protein Production. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:634-647. [PMID: 38240694 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
With the emerging novel biotherapeutics that are typically difficult-to-express (DTE), improvement is required for high-yield production. To identify novel targets that can enhance DTE protein production, we performed genome-wide fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) knockout screening in bispecific antibody (bsAb)-producing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The screen identified the two highest-scoring genes, Atf7ip and Setdb1, which are the binding partners for H3K9me3-mediated transcriptional repression. The ATF7IP-SETDB1 complex knockout in bsAb-producing CHO cells suppressed cell growth but enhanced productivity by up to 2.7-fold. Decreased H3K9me3 levels and an increased transcriptional expression level of the transgene were also observed. Furthermore, perturbation of the ATF7IP-SETDB1 complex in monoclonal antibody (mAb)-producing CHO cells led to substantial improvements in mAb production, increasing the productivity by up to 3.9-fold without affecting the product quality. Taken together, the genome-wide FACS-based CRISPR screen identified promising targets associated with histone methylation, whose perturbation enhanced the productivity by unlocking the transgene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Ho Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungwook Shin
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyeon Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Dahyun Chun
- Department of R&D, ABL Bio Inc, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Gu Kim
- Biotherapeutics Translational Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioprocess Engineering, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, UST, , Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiseon Yoo
- Department of R&D, ABL Bio Inc, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Weon-Kyoo You
- Department of R&D, ABL Bio Inc, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Seong Lee
- Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyun Min Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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12
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Mantovani F, Kitsou K, Magiorkinis G. HERVs: Expression Control Mechanisms and Interactions in Diseases and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:192. [PMID: 38397182 PMCID: PMC10888493 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are the result of retroviral infections acquired millions of years ago; nowadays, they compose around 8% of human DNA. Multiple mechanisms have been employed for endogenous retroviral deactivation, rendering replication and retrotransposition defective, while some of them have been co-opted to serve host evolutionary advantages. A pleiad of mechanisms retains the delicate balance of HERV expression in modern humans. Thus, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA and histone methylation, acetylation, deamination, chromatin remodeling, and even post-transcriptional control are recruited. In this review, we aim to summarize the main HERV silencing pathways, revisit paradigms of human disease with a HERV component, and emphasize the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HERV interactions during HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (F.M.); (K.K.)
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13
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Roy A, Ghosh A. Epigenetic Restriction Factors (eRFs) in Virus Infection. Viruses 2024; 16:183. [PMID: 38399958 PMCID: PMC10892949 DOI: 10.3390/v16020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The ongoing arms race between viruses and their hosts is constantly evolving. One of the ways in which cells defend themselves against invading viruses is by using restriction factors (RFs), which are cell-intrinsic antiviral mechanisms that block viral replication and transcription. Recent research has identified a specific group of RFs that belong to the cellular epigenetic machinery and are able to restrict the gene expression of certain viruses. These RFs can be referred to as epigenetic restriction factors or eRFs. In this review, eRFs have been classified into two categories. The first category includes eRFs that target viral chromatin. So far, the identified eRFs in this category include the PML-NBs, the KRAB/KAP1 complex, IFI16, and the HUSH complex. The second category includes eRFs that target viral RNA or, more specifically, the viral epitranscriptome. These epitranscriptomic eRFs have been further classified into two types: those that edit RNA bases-adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR) and pseudouridine synthases (PUS), and those that covalently modify viral RNA-the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) writers, readers, and erasers. We delve into the molecular machinery of eRFs, their role in limiting various viruses, and the mechanisms by which viruses have evolved to counteract them. We also examine the crosstalk between different eRFs, including the common effectors that connect them. Finally, we explore the potential for new discoveries in the realm of epigenetic networks that restrict viral gene expression, as well as the future research directions in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunava Roy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
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14
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Palazzo AF, Qiu Y, Kang YM. mRNA nuclear export: how mRNA identity features distinguish functional RNAs from junk transcripts. RNA Biol 2024; 21:1-12. [PMID: 38091265 PMCID: PMC10732640 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2023.2293339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The division of the cellular space into nucleoplasm and cytoplasm promotes quality control mechanisms that prevent misprocessed mRNAs and junk RNAs from gaining access to the translational machinery. Here, we explore how properly processed mRNAs are distinguished from both misprocessed mRNAs and junk RNAs by the presence or absence of various 'identity features'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yi Qiu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yoon Mo Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Mendez-Dorantes C, Burns KH. LINE-1 retrotransposition and its deregulation in cancers: implications for therapeutic opportunities. Genes Dev 2023; 37:948-967. [PMID: 38092519 PMCID: PMC10760644 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351051.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Long interspersed element 1 (LINE-1) is the only protein-coding transposon that is active in humans. LINE-1 propagates in the genome using RNA intermediates via retrotransposition. This activity has resulted in LINE-1 sequences occupying approximately one-fifth of our genome. Although most copies of LINE-1 are immobile, ∼100 copies are retrotransposition-competent. Retrotransposition is normally limited via epigenetic silencing, DNA repair, and other host defense mechanisms. In contrast, LINE-1 overexpression and retrotransposition are hallmarks of cancers. Here, we review mechanisms of LINE-1 regulation and how LINE-1 may promote genetic heterogeneity in tumors. Finally, we discuss therapeutic strategies to exploit LINE-1 biology in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mendez-Dorantes
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Kathleen H Burns
- Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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16
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Jackson-Jones KA, McKnight Á, Sloan RD. The innate immune factor RPRD2/REAF and its role in the Lv2 restriction of HIV. mBio 2023; 14:e0257221. [PMID: 37882563 PMCID: PMC10746242 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02572-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular innate immunity involves co-evolved antiviral restriction factors that specifically inhibit infecting viruses. Studying these restrictions has increased our understanding of viral replication, host-pathogen interactions, and pathogenesis, and represent potential targets for novel antiviral therapies. Lentiviral restriction 2 (Lv2) was identified as an unmapped early-phase restriction of HIV-2 and later shown to also restrict HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus. The viral determinants of Lv2 susceptibility have been mapped to the envelope and capsid proteins in both HIV-1 and HIV-2, and also viral protein R (Vpr) in HIV-1, and appears dependent on cellular entry mechanism. A genome-wide screen identified several likely contributing host factors including members of the polymerase-associated factor 1 (PAF1) and human silencing hub (HUSH) complexes, and the newly characterized regulation of nuclear pre-mRNA domain containing 2 (RPRD2). Subsequently, RPRD2 (or RNA-associated early-stage antiviral factor) has been shown to be upregulated upon T cell activation, is highly expressed in myeloid cells, binds viral reverse transcripts, and potently restricts HIV-1 infection. RPRD2 is also bound by HIV-1 Vpr and targeted for degradation by the proteasome upon reverse transcription, suggesting RPRD2 impedes reverse transcription and Vpr targeting overcomes this block. RPRD2 is mainly localized to the nucleus and binds RNA, DNA, and DNA:RNA hybrids. More recently, RPRD2 has been shown to negatively regulate genome-wide transcription and interact with the HUSH and PAF1 complexes which repress HIV transcription and are implicated in maintenance of HIV latency. In this review, we examine Lv2 restriction and the antiviral role of RPRD2 and consider potential mechanism(s) of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. Jackson-Jones
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases & Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Áine McKnight
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D. Sloan
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Institute of Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- ZJU-UoE Institute, Zhejiang University, Haining, China
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17
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Li Z, Duan S, Hua X, Xu X, Li Y, Menolfi D, Zhou H, Lu C, Zha S, Goff SP, Zhang Z. Asymmetric distribution of parental H3K9me3 in S phase silences L1 elements. Nature 2023; 623:643-651. [PMID: 37938774 PMCID: PMC11034792 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06711-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, repetitive DNA sequences are transcriptionally silenced through histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). Loss of silencing of the repeat elements leads to genome instability and human diseases, including cancer and ageing1-3. Although the role of H3K9me3 in the establishment and maintenance of heterochromatin silencing has been extensively studied4-6, the pattern and mechanism that underlie the partitioning of parental H3K9me3 at replicating DNA strands are unknown. Here we report that H3K9me3 is preferentially transferred onto the leading strands of replication forks, which occurs predominantly at long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) retrotransposons (also known as LINE-1s or L1s) that are theoretically transcribed in the head-on direction with replication fork movement. Mechanistically, the human silencing hub (HUSH) complex interacts with the leading-strand DNA polymerase Pol ε and contributes to the asymmetric segregation of H3K9me3. Cells deficient in Pol ε subunits (POLE3 and POLE4) or the HUSH complex (MPP8 and TASOR) show compromised H3K9me3 asymmetry and increased LINE expression. Similar results were obtained in cells expressing a MPP8 mutant defective in H3K9me3 binding and in TASOR mutants with reduced interactions with Pol ε. These results reveal an unexpected mechanism whereby the HUSH complex functions with Pol ε to promote asymmetric H3K9me3 distribution at head-on LINEs to suppress their expression in S phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiming Li
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shoufu Duan
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xu Hua
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaowei Xu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yinglu Li
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Demis Menolfi
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hui Zhou
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Chao Lu
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shan Zha
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen P Goff
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Dragoni F, Kwaa AK, Traut CC, Veenhuis RT, Woldemeskel BA, Camilo-Contreras A, Raymond HE, Dykema AG, Scully EP, Rosecrans AM, Smith KN, Bushman FD, Simonetti FR, Blankson JN. Proviral location affects cognate peptide-induced virus production and immune recognition of HIV-1-infected T cell clones. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e171097. [PMID: 37698927 PMCID: PMC10617777 DOI: 10.1172/jci171097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDHIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells contribute to latent reservoir persistence by proliferating while avoiding immune recognition. Integration features of intact proviruses in elite controllers (ECs) and people on long-term therapy suggest that proviruses in specific chromosomal locations can evade immune surveillance. However, direct evidence of this mechanism is missing.METHODSIn this case report, we characterized integration sites and full genome sequences of expanded T cell clones in an EC before and after chemoradiation. We identified the cognate peptide of infected clones to investigate cell proliferation and virus production induced by T cell activation, and susceptibility to autologous CD8+ T cells.RESULTSThe proviral landscape was dominated by 2 large clones with replication-competent proviruses integrated into zinc finger (ZNF) genes (ZNF470 and ZNF721) in locations previously associated with deeper latency. A third nearly intact provirus, with a stop codon in Pol, was integrated into an intergenic site. Upon stimulation with cognate Gag peptides, infected clones proliferated extensively and produced virus, but the provirus in ZNF721 was 200-fold less inducible. While autologous CD8+ T cells decreased the proliferation of cells carrying the intergenic provirus, they had no effect on cells with the provirus in the ZNF721 gene.CONCLUSIONSWe provide direct evidence that upon activation of infected clones by cognate antigen, the lower inducibility of intact proviruses in ZNF genes can result in immune evasion and persistence.FUNDINGOffice of the NIH Director and National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research; NIAID, NIH; Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rebecca T. Veenhuis
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, and
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Hayley E. Raymond
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arbor G. Dykema
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Kellie N. Smith
- Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, and
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Joel N. Blankson
- Department of Medicine
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, and
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19
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Carotti E, Carducci F, Barucca M, Canapa A, Biscotti MA. Transposable Elements: Epigenetic Silencing Mechanisms or Modulating Tools for Vertebrate Adaptations? Two Sides of the Same Coin. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11591. [PMID: 37511347 PMCID: PMC10380595 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements constitute one of the main components of eukaryotic genomes. In vertebrates, they differ in content, typology, and family diversity and played a crucial role in the evolution of this taxon. However, due to their transposition ability, TEs can be responsible for genome instability, and thus silencing mechanisms were evolved to allow the coexistence between TEs and eukaryotic host-coding genes. Several papers are highlighting in TEs the presence of regulatory elements involved in regulating nearby genes in a tissue-specific fashion. This suggests that TEs are not sequences merely to silence; rather, they can be domesticated for the regulation of host-coding gene expression, permitting species adaptation and resilience as well as ensuring human health. This review presents the main silencing mechanisms acting in vertebrates and the importance of exploiting these mechanisms for TE control to rewire gene expression networks, challenging the general view of TEs as threatening elements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Carducci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (E.C.); (M.B.); (A.C.); (M.A.B.)
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20
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Esteller-Cucala P, Palmada-Flores M, Kuderna LFK, Fontsere C, Serres-Armero A, Dabad M, Torralvo M, Faella A, Ferrández-Peral L, Llovera L, Fornas O, Julià E, Ramírez E, González I, Hecht J, Lizano E, Juan D, Marquès-Bonet T. Y chromosome sequence and epigenomic reconstruction across human populations. Commun Biol 2023; 6:623. [PMID: 37296226 PMCID: PMC10256797 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in long-read sequencing technologies have allowed the generation and curation of more complete genome assemblies, enabling the analysis of traditionally neglected chromosomes, such as the human Y chromosome (chrY). Native DNA was sequenced on a MinION Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing device to generate genome assemblies for seven major chrY human haplogroups. We analyzed and compared the chrY enrichment of sequencing data obtained using two different selective sequencing approaches: adaptive sampling and flow cytometry chromosome sorting. We show that adaptive sampling can produce data to create assemblies comparable to chromosome sorting while being a less expensive and time-consuming technique. We also assessed haplogroup-specific structural variants, which would be otherwise difficult to study using short-read sequencing data only. Finally, we took advantage of this technology to detect and profile epigenetic modifications among the considered haplogroups. Altogether, we provide a framework to study complex genomic regions with a simple, fast, and affordable methodology that could be applied to larger population genomics datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Esteller-Cucala
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Marc Palmada-Flores
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lukas F K Kuderna
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claudia Fontsere
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitor Serres-Armero
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Dabad
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri i Reixac 4, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Torralvo
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Armida Faella
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Ferrández-Peral
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laia Llovera
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Fornas
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Julià
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Erika Ramírez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene González
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jochen Hecht
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esther Lizano
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - David Juan
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomàs Marquès-Bonet
- Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain.
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri i Reixac 4, Barcelona, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Doctor Aiguader 88, Barcelona, Spain.
- Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Edifici ICTA-ICP, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
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