1
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Tsang FH, Stolper RJ, Hanifi M, Cornell LJ, Francis HS, Davies B, Higgs DR, Kassouf MT. The characteristics of CTCF binding sequences contribute to enhancer blocking activity. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae666. [PMID: 39106157 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
While the elements encoding enhancers and promoters have been relatively well studied, the full spectrum of insulator elements which bind the CCCTC binding factor (CTCF), is relatively poorly characterized. This is partly due to the genomic context of CTCF sites greatly influencing their roles and activity. Here we have developed an experimental system to determine the ability of minimal, consistently sized, individual CTCF elements to interpose between enhancers and promoters and thereby reduce gene expression during differentiation. Importantly, each element is tested in the identical location thereby minimising the effect of genomic context. We found no correlation between the ability of CTCF elements to block enhancer-promoter activity with the degree of evolutionary conservation; their resemblance to the consensus core sequences; or the number of CTCF core motifs harboured in the element. Nevertheless, we have shown that the strongest enhancer-promoter blockers include a previously described bound element lying upstream of the CTCF core motif. In addition, we found other uncharacterised DNaseI footprints located close to the core motif that may affect function. We have developed an assay of CTCF sequences which will enable researchers to sub-classify individual CTCF elements in a uniform and unbiased way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felice H Tsang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Rosa J Stolper
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Muhammad Hanifi
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Lucy J Cornell
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Helena S Francis
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
| | - Benjamin Davies
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Douglas R Higgs
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Oxford Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Mira T Kassouf
- MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DS, UK
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2
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Chang LH, Noordermeer D. Permeable TAD boundaries and their impact on genome-associated functions. Bioessays 2024:e2400137. [PMID: 39093600 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400137] [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] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
TAD boundaries are genomic elements that separate biological processes in neighboring domains by blocking DNA loops that are formed through Cohesin-mediated loop extrusion. Most TAD boundaries consist of arrays of binding sites for the CTCF protein, whose interaction with the Cohesin complex blocks loop extrusion. TAD boundaries are not fully impermeable though and allow a limited amount of inter-TAD loop formation. Based on the reanalysis of Nano-C data, a multicontact Chromosome Conformation Capture assay, we propose a model whereby clustered CTCF binding sites promote the successive stalling of Cohesin and subsequent dissociation from the chromatin. A fraction of Cohesin nonetheless achieves boundary read-through. Due to a constant rate of Cohesin dissociation elsewhere in the genome, the maximum length of inter-TAD loops is restricted though. We speculate that the DNA-encoded organization of stalling sites regulates TAD boundary permeability and discuss implications for enhancer-promoter loop formation and other genomic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hsin Chang
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Precision Cellular Therapeutics, National Institute of Health Research, Oxford, UK
| | - Daan Noordermeer
- CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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3
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Yang JH, Hansen AS. Enhancer selectivity in space and time: from enhancer-promoter interactions to promoter activation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:574-591. [PMID: 38413840 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00710-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
The primary regulators of metazoan gene expression are enhancers, originally functionally defined as DNA sequences that can activate transcription at promoters in an orientation-independent and distance-independent manner. Despite being crucial for gene regulation in animals, what mechanisms underlie enhancer selectivity for promoters, and more fundamentally, how enhancers interact with promoters and activate transcription, remain poorly understood. In this Review, we first discuss current models of enhancer-promoter interactions in space and time and how enhancers affect transcription activation. Next, we discuss different mechanisms that mediate enhancer selectivity, including repression, biochemical compatibility and regulation of 3D genome structure. Through 3D polymer simulations, we illustrate how the ability of 3D genome folding mechanisms to mediate enhancer selectivity strongly varies for different enhancer-promoter interaction mechanisms. Finally, we discuss how recent technical advances may provide new insights into mechanisms of enhancer-promoter interactions and how technical biases in methods such as Hi-C and Micro-C and imaging techniques may affect their interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin H Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anders S Hansen
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Gene Regulation Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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4
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Li Y, Tan M, Akkari-Henić A, Zhang L, Kip M, Sun S, Sepers JJ, Xu N, Ariyurek Y, Kloet SL, Davis RP, Mikkers H, Gruber JJ, Snyder MP, Li X, Pang B. Genome-wide Cas9-mediated screening of essential non-coding regulatory elements via libraries of paired single-guide RNAs. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:890-908. [PMID: 38778183 PMCID: PMC11310080 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-024-01204-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The functions of non-coding regulatory elements (NCREs), which constitute a major fraction of the human genome, have not been systematically studied. Here we report a method involving libraries of paired single-guide RNAs targeting both ends of an NCRE as a screening system for the Cas9-mediated deletion of thousands of NCREs genome-wide to study their functions in distinct biological contexts. By using K562 and 293T cell lines and human embryonic stem cells, we show that NCREs can have redundant functions, and that many ultra-conserved elements have silencer activity and play essential roles in cell growth and in cellular responses to drugs (notably, the ultra-conserved element PAX6_Tarzan may be critical for heart development, as removing it from human embryonic stem cells led to defects in cardiomyocyte differentiation). The high-throughput screen, which is compatible with single-cell sequencing, may allow for the identification of druggable NCREs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Li
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Minkang Tan
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Almira Akkari-Henić
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Limin Zhang
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Kip
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Shengnan Sun
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jorian J Sepers
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ningning Xu
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Yavuz Ariyurek
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Susan L Kloet
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Richard P Davis
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Harald Mikkers
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joshua J Gruber
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Xiao Li
- Department of Biochemistry, The Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, Department of Computer and Data Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Baoxu Pang
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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5
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Wulfridge P, Sarma K. Intertwining roles of R-loops and G-quadruplexes in DNA repair, transcription and genome organization. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:1025-1036. [PMID: 38914786 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that are abundant and widespread across the genome and that have important physiological roles in many nuclear processes. Their accumulation is observed in cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies have implicated a function for R-loops and G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which can form on the displaced single strand of R-loops, in three-dimensional genome organization in both physiological and pathological contexts. Here we discuss the interconnected functions of DNA:RNA hybrids and G4s within R-loops, their impact on DNA repair and gene regulatory networks, and their emerging roles in genome organization during development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Wulfridge
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kavitha Sarma
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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6
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Mensah IK, Gowher H. Epigenetic Regulation of Mammalian Cardiomyocyte Development. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:25. [PMID: 39051183 PMCID: PMC11270418 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8030025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The heart is the first organ formed during mammalian development and functions to distribute nutrients and oxygen to other parts of the developing embryo. Cardiomyocytes are the major cell types of the heart and provide both structural support and contractile function to the heart. The successful differentiation of cardiomyocytes during early development is under tight regulation by physical and molecular factors. We have reviewed current studies on epigenetic factors critical for cardiomyocyte differentiation, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodelers, and noncoding RNAs. This review also provides comprehensive details on structural and morphological changes associated with the differentiation of fetal and postnatal cardiomyocytes and highlights their differences. A holistic understanding of all aspects of cardiomyocyte development is critical for the successful in vitro differentiation of cardiomyocytes for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Humaira Gowher
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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7
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Moindrot B, Imaizumi Y, Feil R. Differential 3D genome architecture and imprinted gene expression: cause or consequence? Biochem Soc Trans 2024; 52:973-986. [PMID: 38775198 DOI: 10.1042/bst20230143] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Imprinted genes provide an attractive paradigm to unravel links between transcription and genome architecture. The parental allele-specific expression of these essential genes - which are clustered in chromosomal domains - is mediated by parental methylation imprints at key regulatory DNA sequences. Recent chromatin conformation capture (3C)-based studies show differential organization of topologically associating domains between the parental chromosomes at imprinted domains, in embryonic stem and differentiated cells. At several imprinted domains, differentially methylated regions show allelic binding of the insulator protein CTCF, and linked focal retention of cohesin, at the non-methylated allele only. This generates differential patterns of chromatin looping between the parental chromosomes, already in the early embryo, and thereby facilitates the allelic gene expression. Recent research evokes also the opposite scenario, in which allelic transcription contributes to the differential genome organization, similarly as reported for imprinted X chromosome inactivation. This may occur through epigenetic effects on CTCF binding, through structural effects of RNA Polymerase II, or through imprinted long non-coding RNAs that have chromatin repressive functions. The emerging picture is that epigenetically-controlled differential genome architecture precedes and facilitates imprinted gene expression during development, and that at some domains, conversely, the mono-allelic gene expression also influences genome architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Moindrot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Yui Imaizumi
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Robert Feil
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier (IGMM), University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
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8
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Huber J, Tanasie NL, Zernia S, Stigler J. Single-molecule imaging reveals a direct role of CTCF's zinc fingers in SA interaction and cluster-dependent RNA recruitment. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6490-6506. [PMID: 38742641 PMCID: PMC11194110 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
CTCF is a zinc finger protein associated with transcription regulation that also acts as a barrier factor for topologically associated domains (TADs) generated by cohesin via loop extrusion. These processes require different properties of CTCF-DNA interaction, and it is still unclear how CTCF's structural features may modulate its diverse roles. Here, we employ single-molecule imaging to study both full-length CTCF and truncation mutants. We show that CTCF enriches at CTCF binding sites (CBSs), displaying a longer lifetime than observed previously. We demonstrate that the zinc finger domains mediate CTCF clustering and that clustering enables RNA recruitment, possibly creating a scaffold for interaction with RNA-binding proteins like cohesin's subunit SA. We further reveal a direct recruitment and an increase of SA residence time by CTCF bound at CBSs, suggesting that CTCF-SA interactions are crucial for cohesin stability on chromatin at TAD borders. Furthermore, we establish a single-molecule T7 transcription assay and show that although a transcribing polymerase can remove CTCF from CBSs, transcription is impaired. Our study shows that context-dependent nucleic acid binding determines the multifaceted CTCF roles in genome organization and transcription regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Huber
- Gene Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Sarah Zernia
- Gene Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Stigler
- Gene Center Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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9
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Pederson T. Editorial: Gary Felsenfeld (1929-2024). Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae503. [PMID: 38888123 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thoru Pederson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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10
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Shu J, Jelinek J, Chen H, Zhang Y, Qin T, Li M, Liu L, Issa JPJ. Genome-wide screening and functional validation of methylation barriers near promoters. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4857-4871. [PMID: 38647050 PMCID: PMC11109949 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
CpG islands near promoters are normally unmethylated despite being surrounded by densely methylated regions. Aberrant hypermethylation of these CpG islands has been associated with the development of various human diseases. Although local genetic elements have been speculated to play a role in protecting promoters from methylation, only a limited number of methylation barriers have been identified. In this study, we conducted an integrated computational and experimental investigation of colorectal cancer methylomes. Our study revealed 610 genes with disrupted methylation barriers. Genomic sequences of these barriers shared a common 41-bp sequence motif (MB-41) that displayed homology to the chicken HS4 methylation barrier. Using the CDKN2A (P16) tumor suppressor gene promoter, we validated the protective function of MB-41 and showed that loss of such protection led to aberrant hypermethylation. Our findings highlight a novel sequence signature of cis-acting methylation barriers in the human genome that safeguard promoters from silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingmin Shu
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jaroslav Jelinek
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
| | - Hai Chen
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Yan Zhang
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Taichun Qin
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Ming Li
- Phoenix VA Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Li Liu
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Center for Personalized Diagnostics, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jean-Pierre J Issa
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, NJ 08103, USA
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11
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Ortabozkoyun H, Huang PY, Gonzalez-Buendia E, Cho H, Kim S, Tsirigos A, Mazzoni E, Reinberg D. Members of an array of zinc finger proteins specify distinct Hox chromatin boundaries. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.25.538167. [PMID: 37162865 PMCID: PMC10168243 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.25.538167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The partitioning of repressive from actively transcribed chromatin domains in mammalian cells fosters cell-type specific gene expression patterns. During differentiation, this partitioning is reconstructed, reflecting gene expression profiles appropriate to new cellular identities. Yet, the chromatin occupancy of the key chromatin insulator, CTCF, at the developmentally important Hox clusters remains unchanged during differentiation. Thus, dynamic changes in chromatin boundaries must entail other activities, such as the previously identified MAZ insulator. Given its requirement for chromatin loop formation, we examined cohesin-based chromatin occupancy without the known insulators, CTCF and MAZ, and identified a novel family of zinc finger proteins (ZNFs), some of which exhibit tissue-specific expression. Thus far, two of these novel ZNFs facilitate the formation of chromatin boundaries at the Hox clusters that are distinct from each other and from that of MAZ. PATZ1 was critical to the thoracolumbar boundary of Hox clusters in differentiating motor neurons in vitro , skeletal development in vivo, and to looping interactions within the genome. On the other hand, ZNF263 contributed to cervicothoracic boundaries in motor neurons. We propose that these novel insulating activities act in concert with cohesin, alone or combinatorially, with or without CTCF, to implement precise positional identity and cell fate during development.
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12
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Rekaik H, Duboule D. A CTCF-dependent mechanism underlies the Hox timer: relation to a segmented body plan. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102160. [PMID: 38377879 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102160] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
During gastrulation, Hox genes are activated in a time-sequence that follows the order of the genes along their clusters. This property, which is observed in all animals that develop following a progressive rostral-to-caudal morphogenesis, is associated with changes in the chromatin structure and epigenetic profiles of Hox clusters, suggesting a process at least partly based on sequential gene accessibility. Here, we discuss recent work on this issue, as well as a possible mechanism based on the surprising conservation in both the distribution and orientation of CTCF sites inside vertebrate Hox clusters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hocine Rekaik
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France. https://twitter.com/@hocine_Rekaik
| | - Denis Duboule
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France.
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13
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Wang W, Gao R, Yang D, Ma M, Zang R, Wang X, Chen C, Kou X, Zhao Y, Chen J, Liu X, Lu J, Xu B, Liu J, Huang Y, Chen C, Wang H, Gao S, Zhang Y, Gao Y. ADNP modulates SINE B2-derived CTCF-binding sites during blastocyst formation in mice. Genes Dev 2024; 38:168-188. [PMID: 38479840 PMCID: PMC10982698 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351189.123] [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] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
CTCF is crucial for chromatin structure and transcription regulation in early embryonic development. However, the kinetics of CTCF chromatin occupation in preimplantation embryos have remained unclear. In this study, we used CUT&RUN technology to investigate CTCF occupancy in mouse preimplantation development. Our findings revealed that CTCF begins binding to the genome prior to zygotic genome activation (ZGA), with a preference for CTCF-anchored chromatin loops. Although the majority of CTCF occupancy is consistently maintained, we identified a specific set of binding sites enriched in the mouse-specific short interspersed element (SINE) family B2 that are restricted to the cleavage stages. Notably, we discovered that the neuroprotective protein ADNP counteracts the stable association of CTCF at SINE B2-derived CTCF-binding sites. Knockout of Adnp in the zygote led to impaired CTCF binding signal recovery, failed deposition of H3K9me3, and transcriptional derepression of SINE B2 during the morula-to-blastocyst transition, which further led to unfaithful cell differentiation in embryos around implantation. Our analysis highlights an ADNP-dependent restriction of CTCF binding during cell differentiation in preimplantation embryos. Furthermore, our findings shed light on the functional importance of transposable elements (TEs) in promoting genetic innovation and actively shaping the early embryo developmental process specific to mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Rui Gao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Dongxu Yang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Mingli Ma
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ruge Zang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Xiangxiu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheological and Technology of Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Modern Life Science Experiment Teaching Center at Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Chuan Chen
- Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China
| | - Xiaochen Kou
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Yanhong Zhao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Jiayu Chen
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Xuelian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiaxu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ben Xu
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Juntao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanxin Huang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
| | - Chaoqun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and 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;
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
| | - Yawei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiology and Medical Innovation Center, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
- Shanghai Institute of Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, Shanghai 200120, China
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14
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Wu T, Chen Y, You Q, Jiang Z, Chen X. Targeting bromodomian-containing protein 8 (BRD8): An advanced tool to interrogate BRD8. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 268:116271. [PMID: 38401187 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116271] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play crucial roles in physiological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and death. Bromodomain/Brd-containing proteins (BCPs) regulate abnormal gene expression in various diseases by recognizing the lysine-ε-N-acetylated residues (KAc) or by acting as transcriptional co-activators. Small molecule inhibitors targeting BCPs offer an attractive strategy for modulating aberrant gene expression. Besides the extensive research on the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) domain family proteins, the non-BET proteins have gained increasing attention. Bromodomain containing protein 8 (BRD8), a reader of KAc and co-activator of nuclear receptors (NRs), plays a key role in various cancers. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, disease-related functions, and inhibitor development of BRD8. Opportunities and challenges for future studies targeting BRD8 in disease treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wu
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Qidong You
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Zhengyu Jiang
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Xuetao Chen
- Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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15
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Hollingsworth EW, Liu TA, Jacinto SH, Chen CX, Alcantara JA, Kvon EZ. Rapid and Quantitative Functional Interrogation of Human Enhancer Variant Activity in Live Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.10.570890. [PMID: 38105996 PMCID: PMC10723448 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.10.570890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Functional analysis of non-coding variants associated with human congenital disorders remains challenging due to the lack of efficient in vivo models. Here we introduce dual-enSERT, a robust Cas9-based two-color fluorescent reporter system which enables rapid, quantitative comparison of enhancer allele activities in live mice of any genetic background. We use this new technology to examine and measure the gain- and loss-of-function effects of enhancer variants linked to limb polydactyly, autism, and craniofacial malformation. By combining dual-enSERT with single-cell transcriptomics, we characterize variant enhancer alleles at cellular resolution, thereby implicating candidate molecular pathways in pathogenic enhancer misregulation. We further show that independent, polydactyly-linked enhancer variants lead to ectopic expression in the same cell populations, indicating shared genetic mechanisms underlying non-coding variant pathogenesis. Finally, we streamline dual-enSERT for analysis in F0 animals by placing both reporters on the same transgene separated by a synthetic insulator. Dual-enSERT allows researchers to go from identifying candidate enhancer variants to analysis of comparative enhancer activity in live embryos in under two weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan W. Hollingsworth
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Taryn A. Liu
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Sandra H. Jacinto
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Cindy X. Chen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Joshua A. Alcantara
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Evgeny Z. Kvon
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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16
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Bose S, Saha S, Goswami H, Shanmugam G, Sarkar K. Involvement of CCCTC-binding factor in epigenetic regulation of cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10383-10398. [PMID: 37840067 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08879-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
A major global health burden continues to be borne by the complex and multifaceted disease of cancer. Epigenetic changes, which are essential for the emergence and spread of cancer, have drawn a huge amount of attention recently. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), which takes part in a wide range of cellular processes including genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, 3D chromatin architecture, local modifications of histone, and RNA polymerase II-mediated gene transcription, stands out among the diverse array of epigenetic regulators. CTCF not only functions as an architectural protein but also modulates DNA methylation and histone modifications. Epigenetic regulation of cancer has already been the focus of plenty of studies. Understanding the role of CTCF in the cancer epigenetic landscape may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer. CTCF has already earned its status as a tumor suppressor gene by acting like a homeostatic regulator of genome integrity and function. Moreover, CTCF has a direct effect on many important transcriptional regulators that control the cell cycle, apoptosis, senescence, and differentiation. As we learn more about CTCF-mediated epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulations, the possibility of utilizing CTCF as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer will also increase. Thus, the current review intends to promote personalized and precision-based therapeutics for cancer patients by shedding light on the complex interplay between CTCF and epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayani Bose
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Srawsta Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Harsita Goswami
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
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17
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Loftus D, Bae B, Whilden CM, Whipple AJ. Allelic chromatin structure precedes imprinted expression of Kcnk9 during neurogenesis. Genes Dev 2023; 37:829-843. [PMID: 37821107 PMCID: PMC10620047 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350896.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Differences in chromatin state inherited from the parental gametes influence the regulation of maternal and paternal alleles in offspring. This phenomenon, known as genomic imprinting, results in genes preferentially transcribed from one parental allele. While local epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation are known to be important for the establishment of imprinted gene expression, less is known about the mechanisms by which differentially methylated regions (DMRs) lead to differences in allelic expression across broad stretches of chromatin. Allele-specific higher-order chromatin structure has been observed at multiple imprinted loci, consistent with the observation of allelic binding of the chromatin-organizing factor CTCF at multiple DMRs. However, whether allelic chromatin structure impacts allelic gene expression is not known for most imprinted loci. Here we characterize the mechanisms underlying brain-specific imprinted expression of the Peg13-Kcnk9 locus, an imprinted region associated with intellectual disability. We performed region capture Hi-C on mouse brains from reciprocal hybrid crosses and found imprinted higher-order chromatin structure caused by the allelic binding of CTCF to the Peg13 DMR. Using an in vitro neuron differentiation system, we showed that imprinted chromatin structure precedes imprinted expression at the locus. Additionally, activation of a distal enhancer induced imprinted expression of Kcnk9 in an allelic chromatin structure-dependent manner. This work provides a high-resolution map of imprinted chromatin structure and demonstrates that chromatin state established in early development can promote imprinted expression upon differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Loftus
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Bongmin Bae
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Courtney M Whilden
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
| | - Amanda J Whipple
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
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18
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Patel PJ, Ren Y, Yan Z. Epigenomic analysis of Alzheimer's disease brains reveals diminished CTCF binding on genes involved in synaptic organization. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 184:106192. [PMID: 37302762 PMCID: PMC10519202 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic aberrations are suggested to play an important role in transcriptional alterations in Alzheimer's disease (AD). One of the key mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression is through the dynamic organization of chromatin structure via the master genome architecture protein, CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). By forming chromatin loops, CTCF can influence gene transcription in a complex manner. To find out whether genome-wide DNA binding sites for CTCF are altered in AD, we compared CTCF chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq) data from frontal cortex of human AD patients and normal controls (n = 9 pairs, all females). We have revealed that CTCF-binding affinity on many genes is significantly reduced in AD patients, and these genes are enriched in synaptic organization, cell adhesion, and actin cytoskeleton, including synaptic scaffolding molecules and receptors, such as SHANK2, HOMER1, NRXN1, CNTNAP2 and GRIN2A, and protocadherin (PCDH) and cadherin (CDH) family members. By comparing transcriptomic data from AD patients, we have discovered that many of the synaptic and adhesion genes with reduced CTCF binding in AD are significantly reduced in their mRNA expression. Moreover, a significant overlap of genes with the diminished CTCF binding and the reduced H3K27ac is identified in AD, with the common genes enriched in synaptic organization. These data suggest that the CTCF-controlled 3D chromatin organization is perturbed in AD, which may be linked to the diminished expression of target genes, probably through changes in histone modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachetas J Patel
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Zhen Yan
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, State University of New York at Buffalo, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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19
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Loftus D, Bae B, Whilden CM, Whipple AJ. Allelic chromatin structure primes imprinted expression of Kcnk9 during neurogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.09.544389. [PMID: 37333073 PMCID: PMC10274912 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.09.544389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Differences in chromatin state inherited from the parental gametes influence the regulation of maternal and paternal alleles in offspring. This phenomenon, known as genomic imprinting, results in genes preferentially transcribed from one parental allele. While local epigenetic factors such as DNA methylation are known to be important for the establishment of imprinted gene expression, less is known about the mechanisms by which differentially methylated regions (DMRs) lead to differences in allelic expression across broad stretches of chromatin. Allele-specific higher-order chromatin structure has been observed at multiple imprinted loci, consistent with the observation of allelic binding of the chromatin-organizing factor CTCF at multiple DMRs. However, whether allelic chromatin structure impacts allelic gene expression is not known for most imprinted loci. Here we characterize the mechanisms underlying brain-specific imprinted expression of the Peg13-Kcnk9 locus, an imprinted region associated with intellectual disability. We performed region capture Hi-C on mouse brain from reciprocal hybrid crosses and found imprinted higher-order chromatin structure caused by the allelic binding of CTCF to the Peg13 DMR. Using an in vitro neuron differentiation system, we show that on the maternal allele enhancer-promoter contacts formed early in development prime the brain-specific potassium leak channel Kcnk9 for maternal expression prior to neurogenesis. In contrast, these enhancer-promoter contacts are blocked by CTCF on the paternal allele, preventing paternal Kcnk9 activation. This work provides a high-resolution map of imprinted chromatin structure and demonstrates that chromatin state established in early development can promote imprinted expression upon differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Loftus
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Bongmin Bae
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Courtney M. Whilden
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Amanda J. Whipple
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
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20
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Tognon M, Giugno R, Pinello L. A survey on algorithms to characterize transcription factor binding sites. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad156. [PMID: 37099664 PMCID: PMC10422928 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad156] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are key regulatory proteins that control the transcriptional rate of cells by binding short DNA sequences called transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) or motifs. Identifying and characterizing TFBS is fundamental to understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing the transcriptional state of cells. During the last decades, several experimental methods have been developed to recover DNA sequences containing TFBS. In parallel, computational methods have been proposed to discover and identify TFBS motifs based on these DNA sequences. This is one of the most widely investigated problems in bioinformatics and is referred to as the motif discovery problem. In this manuscript, we review classical and novel experimental and computational methods developed to discover and characterize TFBS motifs in DNA sequences, highlighting their advantages and drawbacks. We also discuss open challenges and future perspectives that could fill the remaining gaps in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Tognon
- Computer Science Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rosalba Giugno
- Computer Science Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Luca Pinello
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Computational and Integrative Biology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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21
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Villaman C, Pollastri G, Saez M, Martin AJ. Benefiting from the intrinsic role of epigenetics to predict patterns of CTCF binding. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:3024-3031. [PMID: 37266407 PMCID: PMC10229758 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivation One of the most relevant mechanisms involved in the determination of chromatin structure is the formation of structural loops that are also related with the conservation of chromatin states. Many of these loops are stabilized by CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) proteins at their base. Despite the relevance of chromatin structure and the key role of CTCF, the role of the epigenetic factors that are involved in the regulation of CTCF binding, and thus, in the formation of structural loops in the chromatin, is not thoroughly understood. Results Here we describe a CTCF binding predictor based on Random Forest that employs different epigenetic data and genomic features. Importantly, given the ability of Random Forests to determine the relevance of features for the prediction, our approach also shows how the different types of descriptors impact the binding of CTCF, confirming previous knowledge on the relevance of chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation, but demonstrating the effect of epigenetic modifications on the activity of CTCF. We compared our approach against other predictors and found improved performance in terms of areas under PR and ROC curves (PRAUC-ROCAUC), outperforming current state-of-the-art methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo Villaman
- Programa de Doctorado en Genómica Integrativa, Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Escuela de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Mauricio Saez
- Centro de Oncología de Precisión, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Investigación en Salud de Precisión, Departamento de Procesos Diagnósticos y Evaluación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Chile
| | - Alberto J.M. Martin
- Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Escuela de Ingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
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22
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Del Moral-Morales A, Salgado-Albarrán M, Sánchez-Pérez Y, Wenke NK, Baumbach J, Soto-Reyes E. CTCF and Its Multi-Partner Network for Chromatin Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:1357. [PMID: 37408191 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101357] [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] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Architectural proteins are essential epigenetic regulators that play a critical role in organizing chromatin and controlling gene expression. CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) is a key architectural protein responsible for maintaining the intricate 3D structure of chromatin. Because of its multivalent properties and plasticity to bind various sequences, CTCF is similar to a Swiss knife for genome organization. Despite the importance of this protein, its mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. It has been hypothesized that its versatility is achieved through interaction with multiple partners, forming a complex network that regulates chromatin folding within the nucleus. In this review, we delve into CTCF's interactions with other molecules involved in epigenetic processes, particularly histone and DNA demethylases, as well as several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are able to recruit CTCF. Our review highlights the importance of CTCF partners to shed light on chromatin regulation and pave the way for future exploration of the mechanisms that enable the finely-tuned role of CTCF as a master regulator of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Del Moral-Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marisol Salgado-Albarrán
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yesennia Sánchez-Pérez
- Subdirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Nina Kerstin Wenke
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Computational BioMedicine Lab., University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ernesto Soto-Reyes
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
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23
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Quon S, Yu B, Russ BE, Tsyganov K, Nguyen H, Toma C, Heeg M, Hocker JD, Milner JJ, Crotty S, Pipkin ME, Turner SJ, Goldrath AW. DNA architectural protein CTCF facilitates subset-specific chromatin interactions to limit the formation of memory CD8 + T cells. Immunity 2023; 56:959-978.e10. [PMID: 37040762 PMCID: PMC10265493 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.03.017] [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: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the importance of genome organization for transcriptional regulation of cell-fate decisions and function is clear, the changes in chromatin architecture and how these impact effector and memory CD8+ T cell differentiation remain unknown. Using Hi-C, we studied how genome configuration is integrated with CD8+ T cell differentiation during infection and investigated the role of CTCF, a key chromatin remodeler, in modulating CD8+ T cell fates through CTCF knockdown approaches and perturbation of specific CTCF-binding sites. We observed subset-specific changes in chromatin organization and CTCF binding and revealed that weak-affinity CTCF binding promotes terminal differentiation of CD8+ T cells through the regulation of transcriptional programs. Further, patients with de novo CTCF mutations had reduced expression of the terminal-effector genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Therefore, in addition to establishing genome architecture, CTCF regulates effector CD8+ T cell heterogeneity through altering interactions that regulate the transcription factor landscape and transcriptome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Quon
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Bingfei Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Brendan E Russ
- Department of Microbiology, Immunity Theme, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Kirill Tsyganov
- Department of Microbiology, Immunity Theme, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Bioinformatics Platform, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Hongtuyet Nguyen
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Clara Toma
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Maximilian Heeg
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - James D Hocker
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - J Justin Milner
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shane Crotty
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Matthew E Pipkin
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Stephen J Turner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunity Theme, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
| | - Ananda W Goldrath
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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24
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Smits WK, Vermeulen C, Hagelaar R, Kimura S, Vroegindeweij EM, Buijs-Gladdines JGCAM, van de Geer E, Verstegen MJAM, Splinter E, van Reijmersdal SV, Buijs A, Galjart N, van Eyndhoven W, van Min M, Kuiper R, Kemmeren P, Mullighan CG, de Laat W, Meijerink JPP. Elevated enhancer-oncogene contacts and higher oncogene expression levels by recurrent CTCF inactivating mutations in acute T cell leukemia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112373. [PMID: 37060567 PMCID: PMC10750298 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112373] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoallelic inactivation of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in human cancer drives altered methylated genomic states, altered CTCF occupancy at promoter and enhancer regions, and deregulated global gene expression. In patients with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), we find that acquired monoallelic CTCF-inactivating events drive subtle and local genomic effects in nearly half of t(5; 14) (q35; q32.2) rearranged patients, especially when CTCF-binding sites are preserved in between the BCL11B enhancer and the TLX3 oncogene. These solitary intervening sites insulate TLX3 from the enhancer by inducing competitive looping to multiple binding sites near the TLX3 promoter. Reduced CTCF levels or deletion of the intervening CTCF site abrogates enhancer insulation by weakening competitive looping while favoring TLX3 promoter to BCL11B enhancer looping, which elevates oncogene expression levels and leukemia burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willem K Smits
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carlo Vermeulen
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Rico Hagelaar
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Shunsuke Kimura
- Laboratory of Pathology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN, USA
| | | | | | - Ellen van de Geer
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjon J A M Verstegen
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Arjan Buijs
- Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Roland Kuiper
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Kemmeren
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Charles G Mullighan
- Laboratory of Pathology, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN, USA
| | - Wouter de Laat
- Oncode Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Hubrecht Institute-KNAW, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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25
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Wang L, Tang J. SWI/SNF complexes and cancers. Gene 2023; 870:147420. [PMID: 37031881 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the study of genetic changes that can affect gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodelling, X chromosome inactivation and non-coding RNA regulation. Of these, DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin remodelling constitute the three classical modes of epigenetic regulation. These three mechanisms alter gene transcription by adjusting chromatin accessibility, thereby affecting cell and tissue phenotypes in the absence of DNA sequence changes. In the presence of ATP hydrolases, chromatin remodelling alters the structure of chromatin and thus changes the transcription level of DNA-guided RNA. To date, four types of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling complexes have been identified in humans, namely SWI/SNF, ISWI, INO80 and NURD/MI2/CHD. SWI/SNF mutations are prevalent in a wide variety of cancerous tissues and cancer-derived cell lines as discovered by next-generation sequencing technologies.. SWI/SNF can bind to nucleosomes and use the energy of ATP to disrupt DNA and histone interactions, sliding or ejecting histones, altering nucleosome structure, and changing transcriptional and regulatory mechanisms. Furthermore, mutations in the SWI/SNF complex have been observed in approximately 20% of all cancers. Together, these findings suggest that mutations targeting the SWI/SNF complex may have a positive impact on tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Jinan 250000, Shandong Province, China
| | - Jinglong Tang
- Adicon Medical Laboratory Center, Molecular Genetic Diagnosis Center, Pathological Diagnosis Center, Jinan 250014, Shandong Province, China.
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26
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Davidson IF, Barth R, Zaczek M, van der Torre J, Tang W, Nagasaka K, Janissen R, Kerssemakers J, Wutz G, Dekker C, Peters JM. CTCF is a DNA-tension-dependent barrier to cohesin-mediated loop extrusion. Nature 2023; 616:822-827. [PMID: 37076620 PMCID: PMC10132984 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05961-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, genomic DNA is extruded into loops by cohesin1. By restraining this process, the DNA-binding protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) generates topologically associating domains (TADs)2,3 that have important roles in gene regulation and recombination during development and disease1,4-7. How CTCF establishes TAD boundaries and to what extent these are permeable to cohesin is unclear8. Here, to address these questions, we visualize interactions of single CTCF and cohesin molecules on DNA in vitro. We show that CTCF is sufficient to block diffusing cohesin, possibly reflecting how cohesive cohesin accumulates at TAD boundaries, and is also sufficient to block loop-extruding cohesin, reflecting how CTCF establishes TAD boundaries. CTCF functions asymmetrically, as predicted; however, CTCF is dependent on DNA tension. Moreover, CTCF regulates cohesin's loop-extrusion activity by changing its direction and by inducing loop shrinkage. Our data indicate that CTCF is not, as previously assumed, simply a barrier to cohesin-mediated loop extrusion but is an active regulator of this process, whereby the permeability of TAD boundaries can be modulated by DNA tension. These results reveal mechanistic principles of how CTCF controls loop extrusion and genome architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iain F Davidson
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Roman Barth
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Maciej Zaczek
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jaco van der Torre
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Wen Tang
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kota Nagasaka
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Janissen
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Jacob Kerssemakers
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Gordana Wutz
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Cees Dekker
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands.
| | - Jan-Michael Peters
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.
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27
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Carlsen H, Ebihara K, Kuwata NH, Kuwata K, Aydemir G, Rühl R, Blomhoff R. A transgenic reporter mouse model for in vivo assessment of retinoic acid receptor transcriptional activation. INT J VITAM NUTR RES 2023; 93:29-41. [PMID: 33928787 DOI: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Vitamin A is essential for a wide range of life processes throughout embryogenesis to adult life. With the aim of developing an in vivo model to monitor retinoic acid receptor (RAR) transactivation real-time in intact animals, we generated transgenic mice carrying a luciferase (luc) reporter gene under the control of retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) consisting of three copies of a direct repeat with five spacing nucleotides (DR5). Methods: Transgenic mice carrying a RARE dependent luciferase reporter flanked with insulator sequence were generated by pronuclear injection. RARE dependent luciferase activity was detected by in vivo imaging or in tissue extracts following manipulations with RAR/retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonists, RAR antagonists or in vitamin A deficient mice. Results: We found a strong induction of luciferase activity in a time and dose dependent manner by retinoic acid as well as RAR agonists, but not by the RXR agonist (using n=4-6 per group; 94 mice). In addition, luciferase activity was strongly reduced in vitamin A-deficient mice (n=6-9; 30 mice). These observations confirm that luciferase activity was controlled by RAR activation in the RARE-luc mouse. Luciferase activity was detectable in various organs, with high activity especially in brain and testis, indicating strong retinoid signalling in these tissues. Conclusion: The RARE-luc transgenic mice, which enabled real-time in vivo assessment of RAR activation, will be useful in understanding the normal physiology of vitamin A, the role of retinoid signalling in pathologies as well as to evaluate pharmacological ligands for RARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Carlsen
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kanae Ebihara
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nobuyo H Kuwata
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kazuhisa Kuwata
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gamze Aydemir
- Laboratory of Nutritional Bioactivation and Bioanalysis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Ralph Rühl
- Laboratory of Nutritional Bioactivation and Bioanalysis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Paprika Bioanalytics BT, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Rune Blomhoff
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Clinical Service, Division of Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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28
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Hyle J, Djekidel MN, Williams J, Wright S, Shao Y, Xu B, Li C. Auxin-inducible degron 2 system deciphers functions of CTCF domains in transcriptional regulation. Genome Biol 2023; 24:14. [PMID: 36698211 PMCID: PMC9878928 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-022-02843-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CTCF is a well-established chromatin architectural protein that also plays various roles in transcriptional regulation. While CTCF biology has been extensively studied, how the domains of CTCF function to regulate transcription remains unknown. Additionally, the original auxin-inducible degron 1 (AID1) system has limitations in investigating the function of CTCF. RESULTS We employ an improved auxin-inducible degron technology, AID2, to facilitate the study of acute depletion of CTCF while overcoming the limitations of the previous AID system. As previously observed through the AID1 system and steady-state RNA analysis, the new AID2 system combined with SLAM-seq confirms that CTCF depletion leads to modest nascent and steady-state transcript changes. A CTCF domain sgRNA library screening identifies the zinc finger (ZF) domain as the region within CTCF with the most functional relevance, including ZFs 1 and 10. Removal of ZFs 1 and 10 reveals genomic regions that independently require these ZFs for DNA binding and transcriptional regulation. Notably, loci regulated by either ZF1 or ZF10 exhibit unique CTCF binding motifs specific to each ZF. CONCLUSIONS By extensively comparing the AID1 and AID2 systems for CTCF degradation in SEM cells, we confirm that AID2 degradation is superior for achieving miniAID-tagged protein degradation without the limitations of the AID1 system. The model we create that combines AID2 depletion of CTCF with exogenous overexpression of CTCF mutants allows us to demonstrate how peripheral ZFs intricately orchestrate transcriptional regulation in a cellular context for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Hyle
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XDepartment of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Mohamed Nadhir Djekidel
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XCenter for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Justin Williams
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XDepartment of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Shaela Wright
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XDepartment of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Ying Shao
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XDepartment of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Beisi Xu
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XCenter for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
| | - Chunliang Li
- grid.240871.80000 0001 0224 711XDepartment of Tumor Cell Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 USA
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29
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Mouri K, Dewey HB, Castro R, Berenzy D, Kales S, Tewhey R. Whole-genome functional characterization of RE1 silencers using a modified massively parallel reporter assay. CELL GENOMICS 2023; 3:100234. [PMID: 36777181 PMCID: PMC9903721 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2022.100234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Both upregulation and downregulation by cis-regulatory elements help modulate precise gene expression. However, our understanding of repressive elements is far more limited than activating elements. To address this gap, we characterized RE1, a group of transcriptional silencers bound by REST, at genome-wide scale using a modified massively parallel reporter assay (MPRAduo). MPRAduo empirically defined a minimal binding strength of REST (REST motif-intrinsic value [m-value]), above which cofactors colocalize and silence transcription. We identified 1,500 human variants that alter RE1 silencing and found that their effect sizes are predictable when they overlap with REST-binding sites above the m-value. Additionally, we demonstrate that non-canonical REST-binding motifs exhibit silencer function only if they precisely align half sites with specific spacer lengths. Our results show mechanistic insights into RE1, which allow us to predict its activity and effect of variants on RE1, providing a paradigm for performing genome-wide functional characterization of transcription-factor-binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Susan Kales
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | - Ryan Tewhey
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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30
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Аpplication of massive parallel reporter analysis in biotechnology and medicine. КЛИНИЧЕСКАЯ ПРАКТИКА 2023. [DOI: 10.17816/clinpract115063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The development and functioning of an organism relies on tissue-specific gene programs. Genome regulatory elements play a key role in the regulation of such programs, and disruptions in their function can lead to the development of various pathologies, including cancers, malformations and autoimmune diseases. The emergence of high-throughput genomic studies has led to massively parallel reporter analysis (MPRA) methods, which allow the functional verification and identification of regulatory elements on a genome-wide scale. Initially MPRA was used as a tool to investigate fundamental aspects of epigenetics, but the approach also has great potential for clinical and practical biotechnology. Currently, MPRA is used for validation of clinically significant mutations, identification of tissue-specific regulatory elements, search for the most promising loci for transgene integration, and is an indispensable tool for creating highly efficient expression systems, the range of application of which extends from approaches for protein development and design of next-generation therapeutic antibody superproducers to gene therapy. In this review, the main principles and areas of practical application of high-throughput reporter assays will be discussed.
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31
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Yazar V, Dawson VL, Dawson TM, Kang SU. DNA Methylation Signature of Aging: Potential Impact on the Pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2023; 13:145-164. [PMID: 36710687 PMCID: PMC10041453 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-223517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Regulation of gene expression by epigenetic modifications means lasting and heritable changes in the function of genes without alterations in the DNA sequence. Of all epigenetic mechanisms identified thus far, DNA methylation has been of particular interest in both aging and age-related disease research over the last decade given the consistency of site-specific DNA methylation changes during aging that can predict future health and lifespan. An increasing line of evidence has implied the dynamic nature of DNA (de)methylation events that occur throughout the lifespan has a role in the pathophysiology of aging and age-associated neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson's disease (PD). In this regard, PD methylome shows, to some extent, similar genome-wide changes observed in the methylome of healthy individuals of matching age. In this review, we start by providing a brief overview of studies outlining global patterns of DNA methylation, then its mechanisms and regulation, within the context of aging and PD. Considering diverging lines of evidence from different experimental and animal models of neurodegeneration and how they combine to shape our current understanding of tissue-specific changes in DNA methylome in health and disease, we report a high-level comparison of the genomic methylation landscapes of brain, with an emphasis on dopaminergic neurons in PD and in natural aging. We believe this will be particularly useful for systematically dissecting overlapping genome-wide alterations in DNA methylation during PD and healthy aging, and for improving our knowledge of PD-specific changes in methylation patterns independent of aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volkan Yazar
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Valina L Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Diana Helis Henry Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ted M Dawson
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Adrienne Helis Malvin Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Diana Helis Henry Medical Research Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Sung-Ung Kang
- Neuroregeneration and Stem Cell Programs, Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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32
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Gaspar AD, Cuddapah S. Nickel-induced alterations to chromatin structure and function. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 457:116317. [PMID: 36400264 PMCID: PMC9722551 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nickel (Ni), a heavy metal is prevalent in the atmosphere due to both natural and anthropogenic activities. Ni is a carcinogen implicated in the development of lung and nasal cancers in humans. Furthermore, Ni exposure is associated with a number of chronic lung diseases in humans including asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary edema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While Ni compounds are weak mutagens, a number of studies have demonstrated the potential of Ni to alter the epigenome, suggesting epigenomic dysregulation as an important underlying cause for its pathogenicity. In the eukaryotic nucleus, the DNA is organized in a three-dimensional (3D) space through assembly of higher order chromatin structures. Such an organization is critically important for transcription and other biological activities. Accumulating evidence suggests that by negatively affecting various cellular regulatory processes, Ni could potentially affect chromatin organization. In this review, we discuss the role of Ni in altering the chromatin architecture, which potentially plays a major role in Ni pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Domnic Gaspar
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Suresh Cuddapah
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10010, USA.
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33
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Jiang L, Liu Y, Wen Z, Yang Y, Singer SD, Bennett D, Xu W, Su Z, Yu Z, Cohn J, Luo X, Liu Z, Chae H, Que Q, Liu Z. CW198 acts as a genetic insulator to block enhancer-promoter interaction in plants. Transgenic Res 2022; 31:647-660. [PMID: 36053433 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-022-00326-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Insulators in vertebrates play a role in genome architecture and orchestrate temporo-spatial enhancer-promoter interactions. In plants, insulators and their associated binding factors have not been documented as of yet, largely as a result of a lack of characterized insulators. In this study, we took a comprehensive strategy to identify and validate the enhancer-blocking insulator CW198. We show that a 1.08-kb CW198 fragment from Arabidopsis can, when interposed between an enhancer and a promoter, efficiently abrogate the activation function of both constitutive and floral organ-specific enhancers in transgenic Arabidopsis and tobacco plants. In plants, both transcriptional crosstalk and spreading of histone modifications were rarely detectable across CW198, which resembles the insulation property observed across the CTCF insulator in the mammalian genome. Taken together, our findings support that CW198 acts as an enhancer-blocking insulator in both Arabidopsis and tobacco. The significance of the present findings and their relevance to the mitigation of mutual interference between enhancers and promoters, as well as multiple promoters in transgenes, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.,USDA-ARS, -Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Yue Liu
- College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Zhifeng Wen
- USDA-ARS, -Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.,College of Horticulture, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Yingjun Yang
- USDA-ARS, -Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.,Forestry College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471023, China
| | - Stacy D Singer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Lethbridge, AB, T1J 4B1, Canada
| | - Dennis Bennett
- USDA-ARS, -Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA
| | - Wenying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhen Su
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Zhifang Yu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Josh Cohn
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Xi Luo
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Zhongchi Liu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Hyunsook Chae
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Qiudeng Que
- Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Zongrang Liu
- USDA-ARS, -Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 2217 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV, 25430, USA.
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34
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Episomes and Transposases-Utilities to Maintain Transgene Expression from Nonviral Vectors. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101872. [PMID: 36292757 PMCID: PMC9601623 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficient delivery and stable transgene expression are critical for applications in gene therapy. While carefully selected and engineered viral vectors allowed for remarkable clinical successes, they still bear significant safety risks. Thus, nonviral vectors are a sound alternative and avoid genotoxicity and adverse immunological reactions. Nonviral vector systems have been extensively studied and refined during the last decades. Emerging knowledge of the epigenetic regulation of replication and spatial chromatin organisation, as well as new technologies, such as Crispr/Cas, were employed to enhance the performance of different nonviral vector systems. Thus, nonviral vectors are in focus and hold some promising perspectives for future applications in gene therapy. This review addresses three prominent nonviral vector systems: the Sleeping Beauty transposase, S/MAR-based episomes, and viral plasmid replicon-based EBV vectors. Exemplarily, we review different utilities, modifications, and new concepts that were pursued to overcome limitations regarding stable transgene expression and mitotic stability. New insights into the nuclear localisation of nonviral vector molecules and the potential consequences thereof are highlighted. Finally, we discuss the remaining limitations and provide an outlook on possible future developments in nonviral vector technology.
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35
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Juan AM, Foong YH, Thorvaldsen JL, Lan Y, Leu NA, Rurik JG, Li L, Krapp C, Rosier CL, Epstein JA, Bartolomei MS. Tissue-specific Grb10/Ddc insulator drives allelic architecture for cardiac development. Mol Cell 2022; 82:3613-3631.e7. [PMID: 36108632 PMCID: PMC9547965 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Allele-specific expression of imprinted gene clusters is governed by gametic DNA methylation at master regulators called imprinting control regions (ICRs). Non-gametic or secondary differentially methylated regions (DMRs) at promoters and exonic regions reinforce monoallelic expression but do not control an entire cluster. Here, we unveil an unconventional secondary DMR that is indispensable for tissue-specific imprinting of two previously unlinked genes, Grb10 and Ddc. Using polymorphic mice, we mapped an intronic secondary DMR at Grb10 with paternal-specific CTCF binding (CBR2.3) that forms contacts with Ddc. Deletion of paternal CBR2.3 removed a critical insulator, resulting in substantial shifting of chromatin looping and ectopic enhancer-promoter contacts. Destabilized gene architecture precipitated abnormal Grb10-Ddc expression with developmental consequences in the heart and muscle. Thus, we redefine the Grb10-Ddc imprinting domain by uncovering an unconventional intronic secondary DMR that functions as an insulator to instruct the tissue-specific, monoallelic expression of multiple genes-a feature previously ICR exclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimee M Juan
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yee Hoon Foong
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joanne L Thorvaldsen
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yemin Lan
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicolae A Leu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Animal Transgenesis and Germ Cell Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joel G Rurik
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Department Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Li Li
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Department Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher Krapp
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Casey L Rosier
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jonathan A Epstein
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, Department Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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36
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Simmons JR, An R, Amankwaa B, Zayac S, Kemp J, Labrador M. Phosphorylated histone variant γH2Av is associated with chromatin insulators in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010396. [PMID: 36197938 PMCID: PMC9576066 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin insulators are responsible for orchestrating long-range interactions between enhancers and promoters throughout the genome and align with the boundaries of Topologically Associating Domains (TADs). Here, we demonstrate an association between gypsy insulator proteins and the phosphorylated histone variant H2Av (γH2Av), normally a marker of DNA double strand breaks. Gypsy insulator components colocalize with γH2Av throughout the genome, in polytene chromosomes and in diploid cells in which Chromatin IP data shows it is enriched at TAD boundaries. Mutation of insulator components su(Hw) and Cp190 results in a significant reduction in γH2Av levels in chromatin and phosphatase inhibition strengthens the association between insulator components and γH2Av and rescues γH2Av localization in insulator mutants. We also show that γH2Av, but not H2Av, is a component of insulator bodies, which are protein condensates that form during osmotic stress. Phosphatase activity is required for insulator body dissolution after stress recovery. Together, our results implicate the H2A variant with a novel mechanism of insulator function and boundary formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Simmons
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Ran An
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Bright Amankwaa
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Shannon Zayac
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Justin Kemp
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Mariano Labrador
- Department of Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Andreu MJ, Alvarez-Franco A, Portela M, Gimenez-Llorente D, Cuadrado A, Badia-Careaga C, Tiana M, Losada A, Manzanares M. Establishment of 3D chromatin structure after fertilization and the metabolic switch at the morula-to-blastocyst transition require CTCF. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111501. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Dehingia B, Milewska M, Janowski M, Pękowska A. CTCF
shapes chromatin structure and gene expression in health and disease. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e55146. [PMID: 35993175 PMCID: PMC9442299 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202255146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bondita Dehingia
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
| | - Małgorzata Milewska
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
| | - Marcin Janowski
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
| | - Aleksandra Pękowska
- Dioscuri Centre for Chromatin Biology and Epigenomics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology Polish Academy of Sciences Warsaw Poland
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Dubois F, Sidiropoulos N, Weischenfeldt J, Beroukhim R. Structural variations in cancer and the 3D genome. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:533-546. [PMID: 35764888 PMCID: PMC10423586 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00488-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Structural variations (SVs) affect more of the cancer genome than any other type of somatic genetic alteration but difficulties in detecting and interpreting them have limited our understanding. Clinical cancer sequencing also increasingly aims to detect SVs, leading to a widespread necessity to interpret their biological and clinical relevance. Recently, analyses of large whole-genome sequencing data sets revealed features that impact rates of SVs across the genome in different cancers. A striking feature has been the extent to which, in both their generation and their influence on the selective fitness of cancer cells, SVs are more specific to individual cancer types than other genetic alterations such as single-nucleotide variants. This Perspective discusses how the folding of the 3D genome, and differences in its folding across cell types, affect observed SV rates in different cancer types as well as how SVs can impact cancer cell fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Dubois
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of and Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nikos Sidiropoulos
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Joachim Weischenfeldt
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Urology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Rameen Beroukhim
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of and Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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40
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Li J, Kalev-Zylinska ML. Advances in molecular characterization of myeloid proliferations associated with Down syndrome. Front Genet 2022; 13:891214. [PMID: 36035173 PMCID: PMC9399805 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.891214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myeloid leukemia associated with Down syndrome (ML-DS) has a unique molecular landscape that differs from other subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia. ML-DS is often preceded by a myeloproliferative neoplastic condition called transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) that disrupts megakaryocytic and erythroid differentiation. Over the last two decades, many genetic and epigenetic changes in TAM and ML-DS have been elucidated. These include overexpression of molecules and micro-RNAs located on chromosome 21, GATA1 mutations, and a range of other somatic mutations and chromosomal alterations. In this review, we summarize molecular changes reported in TAM and ML-DS and provide a comprehensive discussion of these findings. Recent advances in the development of CRISPR/Cas9-modified induced pluripotent stem cell-based disease models are also highlighted. However, despite significant progress in this area, we still do not fully understand the pathogenesis of ML-DS, and there are no targeted therapies. Initial diagnosis of ML-DS has a favorable prognosis, but refractory and relapsed disease can be difficult to treat; therapeutic options are limited in Down syndrome children by their stronger sensitivity to the toxic effects of chemotherapy. Because of the rarity of TAM and ML-DS, large-scale multi-center studies would be helpful to advance molecular characterization of these diseases at different stages of development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jixia Li
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Jixia Li, ; Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska,
| | - Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska
- Blood and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Haematology Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Jixia Li, ; Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska,
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41
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Han X, He H, Shao L, Cui S, Yu H, Zhang X, Wu Q. Deletion of Meg8-DMR Enhances Migration and Invasion of MLTC-1 Depending on the CTCF Binding Sites. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158828. [PMID: 35955961 PMCID: PMC9369160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted domain on mouse chromosome 12 contains three well-characterized paternally methylated differentially methylated regions (DMRs): IG-DMR, Gtl2-DMR, and Dlk1-DMR. These DMRs control the expression of many genes involved in embryonic development, inherited diseases, and human cancer in this domain. The first maternal methylation DMR discovered in this domain was the Meg8-DMR, the targets and biological function of which are still unknown. Here, using an enhancer-blocking assay, we first dissected the functional parts of the Meg8-DMR and showed that its insulator activity is dependent on the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) in MLTC-1. Results from RNA-seq showed that the deletion of the Meg8-DMR and its compartment CTCF binding sites, but not GGCG repeats, lead to the downregulation of numerous genes on chromosome 12, in particular the drastically reduced expression of Dlk1 and Rtl1 in the Dlk1-Dio3 domain, while differentially expressed genes are enriched in the MAPK pathway. In vitro assays revealed that the deletion of the Meg8-DMR and CTCF binding sites enhances cell migration and invasion by decreasing Dlk1 and activating the Notch1-Rhoc-MAPK/ERK pathway. These findings enhance research into gene regulation in the Dlk1-Dio3 domain by indicating that the Meg8-DMR functions as a long-range regulatory element which is dependent on CTCF binding sites and affects multiple genes in this domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Hongjuan He
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Lan Shao
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Shuang Cui
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Haoran Yu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Ximeijia Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Qiong Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-0451-86416944
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42
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Zhou R, Tian K, Huang J, Duan W, Fu H, Feng Y, Wang H, Jiang Y, Li Y, Wang R, Hu J, Ma H, Qi Z, Ji X. CTCF DNA binding domain undergoes dynamic and selective protein–protein interactions. iScience 2022; 25:105011. [PMID: 36117989 PMCID: PMC9474293 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CTCF is a predominant insulator protein required for three-dimensional chromatin organization. However, the roles of its insulation of enhancers in a 3D nuclear organization have not been fully explained. Here, we found that the CTCF DNA-binding domain (DBD) forms dynamic self-interacting clusters. Strikingly, CTCF DBD clusters were found to incorporate other insulator proteins but are not coenriched with transcriptional activators in the nucleus. This property is not observed in other domains of CTCF or the DBDs of other transcription factors. Moreover, endogenous CTCF shows a phenotype consistent with the DBD by forming small protein clusters and interacting with CTCF motif arrays that have fewer transcriptional activators bound. Our results reveal an interesting phenomenon in which CTCF DBD interacts with insulator proteins and selectively localizes to nuclear positions with lower concentrations of transcriptional activators, providing insights into the insulation function of CTCF. The CTCF DNA-binding domain forms protein clusters in vivo and in vitro CTCF DBD clusters colocalize with insulator proteins but not with activators Arginine residues of CTCF DBD are frequently mutated in cancers Multiple transcription factor DBDs form protein clusters
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Varghese CS, Parish JL, Ferguson J. Lying low-chromatin insulation in persistent DNA virus infection. Curr Opin Virol 2022; 55:101257. [PMID: 35998396 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2022.101257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Persistent virus infections are achieved when the intricate balance of virus replication, host-cell division and successful immune evasion is met. The genomes of persistent DNA viruses are either maintained as extrachromosomal episomes or can integrate into the host genome. Common to both these strategies of persistence is the chromatinisation of viral DNA by cellular histones which, like host DNA, are subject to epigenetic modification. Epigenetic repression of viral genes required for lytic replication occurs, while genes required for latent or persistent infection are maintained in an active chromatin state. Viruses utilise host-cell chromatin insulators, which function to maintain epigenetic boundaries and enforce this strict transcriptional programme. Here, we review insulator protein function in virus transcription control, focussing on CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and cofactors. We describe CTCF-dependent activities in virus transcription regulation through epigenetic and promoter-enhancer insulation, three-dimensional chromatin looping and manipulation of transcript splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy S Varghese
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Joanna L Parish
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Jack Ferguson
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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Zhou T, Feng Q. Androgen receptor signaling and spatial chromatin organization in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:924087. [PMID: 35966880 PMCID: PMC9372301 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.924087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death and affects millions of men in the world. The American Cancer Society estimated about 34,500 deaths from prostate cancer in the United States in year 2022. The Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is a major pathway that sustains local and metastatic prostate tumor growth. Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is the standard of care for metastatic prostate cancer patient and can suppress the tumor growth for a median of 2–3 years. Unfortunately, the malignancy inevitably progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) which is more aggressive and no longer responsive to ADT. Surprisingly, for most of the CPRC patients, cancer growth still depends on androgen receptor signaling. Accumulating evidence suggests that CRPC cells have rewired their transcriptional program to retain AR signaling in the absence of androgens. Besides AR, other transcription factors also contribute to the resistance mechanism through multiple pathways including enhancing AR signaling pathway and activating other complementary signaling pathways for the favor of AR downstream genes expression. More recent studies have shown the role of transcription factors in reconfiguring chromatin 3D structure and regulating topologically associating domains (TADs). Pioneer factors, transcription factors and coactivators form liquid-liquid phase separation compartment that can modulate transcriptional events along with configuring TADs. The role of AR and other transcription factors on chromatin structure change and formation of condensate compartment in prostate cancer cells has only been recently investigated and appreciated. This review intends to provide an overview of transcription factors that contribute to AR signaling through activation of gene expression, governing 3D chromatin structure and establishing phase to phase separation. A more detailed understanding of the spatial role of transcription factors in CRPC might provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of CRPC.
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Papadogkonas G, Papamatheakis DA, Spilianakis C. 3D Genome Organization as an Epigenetic Determinant of Transcription Regulation in T Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:921375. [PMID: 35812421 PMCID: PMC9257000 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.921375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the heart of innate and adaptive immunity lies the proper spatiotemporal development of several immune cell lineages. Multiple studies have highlighted the necessity of epigenetic and transcriptional regulation in cell lineage specification. This mode of regulation is mediated by transcription factors and chromatin remodelers, controlling developmentally essential gene sets. The core of transcription and epigenetic regulation is formulated by different epigenetic modifications determining gene expression. Apart from “classic” epigenetic modifications, 3D chromatin architecture is also purported to exert fundamental roles in gene regulation. Chromatin conformation both facilitates cell-specific factor binding at specified regions and is in turn modified as such, acting synergistically. The interplay between global and tissue-specific protein factors dictates the epigenetic landscape of T and innate lymphoid cell (ILC) lineages. The expression of global genome organizers such as CTCF, YY1, and the cohesin complexes, closely cooperate with tissue-specific factors to exert cell type-specific gene regulation. Special AT-rich binding protein 1 (SATB1) is an important tissue-specific genome organizer and regulator controlling both long- and short-range chromatin interactions. Recent indications point to SATB1’s cooperation with the aforementioned factors, linking global to tissue-specific gene regulation. Changes in 3D genome organization are of vital importance for proper cell development and function, while disruption of this mechanism can lead to severe immuno-developmental defects. Newly emerging data have inextricably linked chromatin architecture deregulation to tissue-specific pathophysiological phenotypes. The combination of these findings may shed light on the mechanisms behind pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Papadogkonas
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Dionysios-Alexandros Papamatheakis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Charalampos Spilianakis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
- *Correspondence: Charalampos Spilianakis,
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Taylor T, Sikorska N, Shchuka VM, Chahar S, Ji C, Macpherson NN, Moorthy SD, de Kort MAC, Mullany S, Khader N, Gillespie ZE, Langroudi L, Tobias IC, Lenstra TL, Mitchell JA, Sexton T. Transcriptional regulation and chromatin architecture maintenance are decoupled functions at the Sox2 locus. Genes Dev 2022; 36:699-717. [PMID: 35710138 PMCID: PMC9296009 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349489.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
How distal regulatory elements control gene transcription and chromatin topology is not clearly defined, yet these processes are closely linked in lineage specification during development. Through allele-specific genome editing and chromatin interaction analyses of the Sox2 locus in mouse embryonic stem cells, we found a striking disconnection between transcriptional control and chromatin architecture. We traced nearly all Sox2 transcriptional activation to a small number of key transcription factor binding sites, whose deletions have no effect on promoter-enhancer interaction frequencies or topological domain organization. Local chromatin architecture maintenance, including at the topologically associating domain (TAD) boundary downstream from the Sox2 enhancer, is widely distributed over multiple transcription factor-bound regions and maintained in a CTCF-independent manner. Furthermore, partial disruption of promoter-enhancer interactions by ectopic chromatin loop formation has no effect on Sox2 transcription. These findings indicate that many transcription factors are involved in modulating chromatin architecture independently of CTCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiegh Taylor
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Natalia Sikorska
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 6704 Illkirch, France
| | - Virlana M Shchuka
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Sanjay Chahar
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 6704 Illkirch, France
| | - Chenfan Ji
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Neil N Macpherson
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Sakthi D Moorthy
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Marit A C de Kort
- Division of Gene Regulation, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Shanelle Mullany
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Nawrah Khader
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Zoe E Gillespie
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Lida Langroudi
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Ian C Tobias
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Tineke L Lenstra
- Division of Gene Regulation, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Oncode Institute, 1066CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jennifer A Mitchell
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 3G5, Canada
| | - Tom Sexton
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, U1258, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, University of Strasbourg, 6704 Illkirch, France
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47
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Boss JM. The Regulation of Immunity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2450-2455. [PMID: 35595305 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2290007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
In their AAI President's Addresses reproduced in this issue, Jeremy M. Boss, Ph.D. (AAI '94; AAI president 2019–2020), and Jenny P.-Y. Ting, Ph.D. (AAI '97; AAI president 2020–2021), welcomed attendees to the AAI annual meeting, Virtual IMMUNOLOGY2021™. Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the cancellation of IMMUNOLOGY2020™, Dr. Boss and Dr. Ting each presented their respective president's address to open the meeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Boss
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
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48
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Abstract
One of the most fundamental questions in developmental biology is how one fertilized cell can give rise to a fully mature organism and how gene regulation governs this process. Precise spatiotemporal gene expression is required for development and is believed to be achieved through a complex interplay of sequence-specific information, epigenetic modifications, trans-acting factors, and chromatin folding. Here we review the role of chromatin folding during development, the mechanisms governing 3D genome organization, and how it is established in the embryo. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances and debated questions regarding the contribution of the 3D genome to gene regulation during organogenesis. Finally, we describe the mechanisms that can reshape the 3D genome, including disease-causing structural variations and the emerging view that transposable elements contribute to chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Glaser
- RG Development and Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- RG Development and Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Medical and Human Genetics, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BCRT - Berlin Institute of Health Center for Regenerative Therapies, 10178 Berlin, Germany
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49
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Sizer RE, Chahid N, Butterfield SP, Donze D, Bryant NJ, White RJ. TFIIIC-based chromatin insulators through eukaryotic evolution. Gene X 2022; 835:146533. [PMID: 35623477 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromosomes are divided into domains with distinct structural and functional properties, such as differing levels of chromatin compaction and gene transcription. Domains of relatively compact chromatin and minimal transcription are termed heterochromatic, whereas euchromatin is more open and actively transcribed. Insulators separate these domains and maintain their distinct features. Disruption of insulators can cause diseases such as cancer. Many insulators contain tRNA genes (tDNAs), examples of which have been shown to block the spread of activating or silencing activities. This characteristic of specific tDNAs is conserved through evolution, such that human tDNAs can serve as barriers to the spread of silencing in fission yeast. Here we demonstrate that tDNAs from the methylotrophic fungus Pichia pastoris can function effectively as insulators in distantly-related budding yeast. Key to the function of tDNAs as insulators is TFIIIC, a transcription factor that is also required for their expression. TFIIIC binds additional loci besides tDNAs, some of which have insulator activity. Although the mechanistic basis of TFIIIC-based insulation has been studied extensively in yeast, it is largely uncharacterized in metazoa. Utilising publicly-available genome-wide ChIP-seq data, we consider the extent to which mechanisms conserved from yeast to man may suffice to allow efficient insulation by TFIIIC in the more challenging chromatin environments of metazoa and suggest features that may have been acquired during evolution to cope with new challenges. We demonstrate the widespread presence at human tDNAs of USF1, a transcription factor with well-established barrier activity in vertebrates. We predict that tDNA-based insulators in higher organisms have evolved through incorporation of modules, such as binding sites for factors like USF1 and CTCF that are absent from yeasts, thereby strengthening function and providing opportunities for regulation between cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Sizer
- Department of Biology, The University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Nisreen Chahid
- Department of Biology, The University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | | | - David Donze
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Nia J Bryant
- Department of Biology, The University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Robert J White
- Department of Biology, The University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK.
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50
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Segueni J, Noordermeer D. CTCF: a misguided jack-of-all-trades in cancer cells. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2685-2698. [PMID: 35685367 PMCID: PMC9166472 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence and progression of cancers is accompanied by a dysregulation of transcriptional programs. The three-dimensional (3D) organization of the human genome has emerged as an important multi-level mediator of gene transcription and regulation. In cancer cells, this organization can be restructured, providing a framework for the deregulation of gene activity. The CTCF protein, initially identified as the product from a tumor suppressor gene, is a jack-of-all-trades for the formation of 3D genome organization in normal cells. Here, we summarize how CTCF is involved in the multi-level organization of the human genome and we discuss emerging insights into how perturbed CTCF function and DNA binding causes the activation of oncogenes in cancer cells, mostly through a process of enhancer hijacking. Moreover, we highlight non-canonical functions of CTCF that can be relevant for the emergence of cancers as well. Finally, we provide guidelines for the computational identification of perturbed CTCF binding and reorganized 3D genome structure in cancer cells.
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