1
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Sarott RC, Gourisankar S, Karim B, Nettles S, Yang H, Dwyer BG, Simanauskaite JM, Tse J, Abuzaid H, Krokhotin A, Zhang T, Hinshaw SM, Green MR, Crabtree GR, Gray NS. Relocalizing transcriptional kinases to activate apoptosis. Science 2024; 386:eadl5361. [PMID: 39361741 DOI: 10.1126/science.adl5361] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Kinases are critical regulators of cellular function that are commonly implicated in the mechanisms underlying disease. Most drugs that target kinases are molecules that inhibit their catalytic activity, but here we used chemically induced proximity to convert kinase inhibitors into activators of therapeutic genes. We synthesized bivalent molecules that link ligands of the transcription factor B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) to inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). These molecules relocalized CDK9 to BCL6-bound DNA and directed phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II. The resulting expression of pro-apoptotic, BCL6-target genes caused killing of diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells and specific ablation of the BCL6-regulated germinal center response. Genomics and proteomics corroborated a gain-of-function mechanism in which global kinase activity was not inhibited but rather redirected. Thus, kinase inhibitors can be used to context-specifically activate transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman C Sarott
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sai Gourisankar
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Basel Karim
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Sabin Nettles
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Haopeng Yang
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brendan G Dwyer
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Jason Tse
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Hind Abuzaid
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrey Krokhotin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Tinghu Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Stephen M Hinshaw
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael R Green
- Department of Lymphoma & Myeloma, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gerald R Crabtree
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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2
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Zhou C, Wagner S, Liang FS. Induced proximity labeling and editing for epigenetic research. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:1118-1131. [PMID: 38866004 PMCID: PMC11193966 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.05.005] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation plays a pivotal role in various biological and disease processes. Two key lines of investigation have been pursued that aim to unravel endogenous epigenetic events at particular genes (probing) and artificially manipulate the epigenetic landscape (editing). The concept of induced proximity has inspired the development of powerful tools for epigenetic research. Induced proximity strategies involve bringing molecular effectors into spatial proximity with specific genomic regions to achieve the probing or manipulation of local epigenetic environments with increased proximity. In this review, we detail the development of induced proximity methods and applications in shedding light on the intricacies of epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenwei Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Sarah Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Fu-Sen Liang
- Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, 2080 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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3
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Gourisankar S, Krokhotin A, Wenderski W, Crabtree GR. Context-specific functions of chromatin remodellers in development and disease. Nat Rev Genet 2024; 25:340-361. [PMID: 38001317 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00666-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin remodellers were once thought to be highly redundant and nonspecific in their actions. However, recent human genetic studies demonstrate remarkable biological specificity and dosage sensitivity of the thirty-two adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent chromatin remodellers encoded in the human genome. Mutations in remodellers produce many human developmental disorders and cancers, motivating efforts to investigate their distinct functions in biologically relevant settings. Exquisitely specific biological functions seem to be an emergent property in mammals, and in many cases are based on the combinatorial assembly of subunits and the generation of stable, composite surfaces. Critical interactions between remodelling complex subunits, the nucleosome and other transcriptional regulators are now being defined from structural and biochemical studies. In addition, in vivo analyses of remodellers at relevant genetic loci have provided minute-by-minute insights into their dynamics. These studies are proposing new models for the determinants of remodeller localization and function on chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Gourisankar
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Andrey Krokhotin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Wendy Wenderski
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Gerald R Crabtree
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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4
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Yagci ZB, Kelkar GR, Johnson TJ, Sen D, Keung AJ. Designing Epigenome Editors: Considerations of Biochemical and Locus Specificities. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2842:23-55. [PMID: 39012589 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4051-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The advent of locus-specific protein recruitment technologies has enabled a new class of studies in chromatin biology. Epigenome editors (EEs) enable biochemical modifications of chromatin at almost any specific endogenous locus. Their locus-specificity unlocks unique information including the functional roles of distinct modifications at specific genomic loci. Given the growing interest in using these tools for biological and translational studies, there are many specific design considerations depending on the scientific question or clinical need. Here, we present and discuss important design considerations and challenges regarding the biochemical and locus specificities of epigenome editors. These include how to: account for the complex biochemical diversity of chromatin; control for potential interdependency of epigenome editors and their resultant modifications; avoid sequestration effects; quantify the locus specificity of epigenome editors; and improve locus-specificity by considering concentration, affinity, avidity, and sequestration effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Begum Yagci
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Gautami R Kelkar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Tyler J Johnson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Dilara Sen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Albert J Keung
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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5
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Umaña JD, Wasserman SR, Song L, Goel AA, Yu X, Jin J, Hathaway NA. Chemical Epigenetic Regulation of Adeno-Associated Virus Delivered Transgenes. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:947-957. [PMID: 37624737 PMCID: PMC10517330 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a powerful gene therapy vector that has been used in several FDA-approved therapies as well as in multiple clinical trials. This vector has high therapeutic versatility with the ability to deliver genetic payloads to a variety of human tissue types, yet there is currently a lack of transgene expression control once the virus is administered. There are also times when transgene expression is too low for the desired therapeutic outcome, necessitating high viral dose administration resulting in possible immunological complications. Herein, we validate a chemically controllable AAV transgene expression technology in vitro that utilizes bifunctional molecules known as chemical epigenetic modifiers (CEMs). These compounds employ endogenous epigenetic machinery to specifically enhance transgene expression of episomal DNA. A recombinant AAV (rAAV) was designed to both deliver the reporter transgene as well as deliver a synthetic zinc finger (ZFs) protein fused to FK506 binding protein (FKBP). These synthetic ZFs target a DNA-binding array sequence upstream of the promoter expressing the AAV transgene to specifically enhance AAV transgene expression in the presence of a CEM. The transcriptional activating compound CEM87 functions by recruiting the epigenetic transcription activator bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), increasing AAV transgene activity up to fivefold in a dose-dependent manner in HEK293T cells. The highest levels of transgene product activity are seen 24 h following CEM87 treatment. Additionally, the CEM87-mediated enhancement of different transgene products with either Luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP) was observed in multiple cell lines and enhancement of transgene expression was capsid serotype independent. The impact of CEM87 activity can be disrupted through drug removal or chemical recruitment site competition with FK506, thus demonstrating the reversibility of the impact of CEM87 on transgene expression. Collectively, this chemically controllable rAAV transgene technology provides temporal gene expression control that could increase the safety and efficiency of AAV-based research and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Umaña
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sara R. Wasserman
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Liujiang Song
- Gene Therapy Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Arushi A. Goel
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Nathaniel A. Hathaway
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry,Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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6
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Singh S, Tian W, Severance ZC, Chaudhary SK, Anokhina V, Mondal B, Pergu R, Singh P, Dhawa U, Singha S, Choudhary A. Proximity-inducing modalities: the past, present, and future. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:5485-5515. [PMID: 37477631 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00943a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Living systems use proximity to regulate biochemical processes. Inspired by this phenomenon, bifunctional modalities that induce proximity have been developed to redirect cellular processes. An emerging example of this class is molecules that induce ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation of a protein of interest, and their initial development sparked a flurry of discovery for other bifunctional modalities. Recent advances in this area include modalities that can change protein phosphorylation, glycosylation, and acetylation states, modulate gene expression, and recruit components of the immune system. In this review, we highlight bifunctional modalities that perform functions other than degradation and have great potential to revolutionize disease treatment, while also serving as important tools in basic research to explore new aspects of biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameek Singh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Wenzhi Tian
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Zachary C Severance
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Santosh K Chaudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Viktoriya Anokhina
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Basudeb Mondal
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Rajaiah Pergu
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Prashant Singh
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Uttam Dhawa
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Santanu Singha
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Amit Choudhary
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Science, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Divisions of Renal Medicine and Engineering, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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7
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Lu D, Foley CA, Birla SV, Hepperla AJ, Simon JM, James LI, Hathaway NA. Bioorthogonal Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers Enable Dose-Dependent CRISPR Targeted Gene Activation in Mammalian Cells. ACS Synth Biol 2022; 11:1397-1407. [PMID: 35302756 PMCID: PMC9048219 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.1c00606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been developed to regulate gene expression by using either fusions to epigenetic regulators or, more recently, through the use of chemically mediated strategies. These approaches have armed researchers with new tools to examine the function of proteins by intricately controlling expression levels of specific genes. Here we present a CRISPR-based chemical approach that uses a new chemical epigenetic modifier (CEM) to hone to a gene targeted with a catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) bridged to an FK506-binding protein (FKBP) in mammalian cells. One arm of the bifunctional CEM recruits BRD4 to the target site, and the other arm is composed of a bumped ligand that binds to a mutant FKBP with a compensatory hole at F36V. This bump-and-hole strategy allows for activation of target genes in a dose-dependent and reversible fashion with increased specificity and high efficacy, providing a new synthetic biology approach to answer important mechanistic questions in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongbo Lu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Caroline A. Foley
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Shama V. Birla
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Austin J. Hepperla
- Department of Genetics, UNC Neuroscience Center, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jeremy M. Simon
- Department of Genetics, UNC Neuroscience Center, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Lindsey I. James
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Nathaniel A. Hathaway
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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8
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Wang S, Zeng P, Zhu X, Lei C, Huang Y, Nie Z. Chimeric Peptides Self-Assembling on Titanium Carbide MXenes as Biosensing Interfaces for Activity Assay of Post-translational Modification Enzymes. Anal Chem 2020; 92:8819-8826. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c00243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shigong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Pan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Chunyang Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
| | - Zhou Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecular Chemical Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P.R. China
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9
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Zhao W, Wang Y, Liang FS. Chemical and Light Inducible Epigenome Editing. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030998. [PMID: 32028669 PMCID: PMC7037166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenome defines the unique gene expression patterns and resulting cellular behaviors in different cell types. Epigenome dysregulation has been directly linked to various human diseases. Epigenome editing enabling genome locus-specific targeting of epigenome modifiers to directly alter specific local epigenome modifications offers a revolutionary tool for mechanistic studies in epigenome regulation as well as the development of novel epigenome therapies. Inducible and reversible epigenome editing provides unique temporal control critical for understanding the dynamics and kinetics of epigenome regulation. This review summarizes the progress in the development of spatiotemporal-specific tools using small molecules or light as inducers to achieve the conditional control of epigenome editing and their applications in epigenetic research.
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10
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Epigenetic Control of a Local Chromatin Landscape. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030943. [PMID: 32023873 PMCID: PMC7038174 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper regulation of the chromatin landscape is essential for maintaining eukaryotic cell identity and diverse cellular processes. The importance of the epigenome comes, in part, from the ability to influence gene expression through patterns in DNA methylation, histone tail modification, and chromatin architecture. Decades of research have associated this process of chromatin regulation and gene expression with human diseased states. With the goal of understanding how chromatin dysregulation contributes to disease, as well as preventing or reversing this type of dysregulation, a multidisciplinary effort has been launched to control the epigenome. Chemicals that alter the epigenome have been used in labs and in clinics since the 1970s, but more recently there has been a shift in this effort towards manipulating the chromatin landscape in a locus-specific manner. This review will provide an overview of chromatin biology to set the stage for the type of control being discussed, evaluate the recent technological advances made in controlling specific regions of chromatin, and consider the translational applications of these works.
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11
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Abstract
The dynamic nature of histone post-translational modifications such as methylation or acetylation makes possible the alteration of disease associated epigenetic states through the manipulation of the associated epigenetic machinery. One approach is through small molecule perturbation. Chemical probes of epigenetic reader domains have been critical in improving our understanding of the biological consequences of modulating their targets, while also enabling the development of novel probe-based reagents. By appending a functional handle to a reader domain probe, a chemical toolbox of reagents can be created to facilitate chemiprecipitation of epigenetic complexes, evaluate probe selectivity, develop in vitro screening assays, visualize cellular target localization, enable target degradation and recruit epigenetic machinery to a site within the genome in a highly controlled fashion.
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12
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Chiarella AM, Butler KV, Gryder BE, Lu D, Wang TA, Yu X, Pomella S, Khan J, Jin J, Hathaway NA. Dose-dependent activation of gene expression is achieved using CRISPR and small molecules that recruit endogenous chromatin machinery. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:50-55. [PMID: 31712774 PMCID: PMC6954327 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-019-0296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Gene expression can be activated or suppressed using CRISPR--Cas9 systems. However, tools that enable dose-dependent activation of gene expression without the use of exogenous transcription regulatory proteins are lacking. Here we describe chemical epigenetic modifiers (CEMs) designed to activate the expression of target genes by recruiting components of the endogenous chromatin-activating machinery, eliminating the need for exogenous transcriptional activators. The system has two parts: catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9) in complex with FK506-binding protein (FKBP) and a CEM consisting of FK506 linked to a molecule that interacts with cellular epigenetic machinery. We show that CEMs upregulate gene expression at target endogenous loci up to 20-fold or more depending on the gene. We also demonstrate dose-dependent control of transcriptional activation, function across multiple diverse genes, reversibility of CEM activity and specificity of our best-in-class CEM across the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Chiarella
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kyle V Butler
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Berkley E Gryder
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dongbo Lu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tiffany A Wang
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Silvia Pomella
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bambino Gesu' Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Javed Khan
- Oncogenomics Section, Genetics Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Nathaniel A Hathaway
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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13
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Contribution of promoter DNA sequence to heterochromatin formation velocity and memory of gene repression in mouse embryo fibroblasts. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217699. [PMID: 31269077 PMCID: PMC6608945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Durable gene silencing through the formation of compact heterochromatin domains plays a critical role during mammalian development in establishing defined tissues capable of retaining cellular identity. Hallmarks of heterochromatin gene repression are the binding of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), trimethylation of lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3K9me3) and the methylation of cytosine residues of DNA. HP1 binds directly to the H3K9me3 histone modification, and while DNA methyltransferases have been found in complex with histone methyltransferases and HP1, there remains much to be known about the relationship between DNA sequence and HP1 in differentiated mammalian cells. To further explore this interplay in a controlled system, we designed a system to test the effect of promoter CpG content on the formation kinetics and memory of an HP1-mediated heterochromatin domain in mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF)s. To do this, we have constructed a side-by-side comparison of wild-type (CpGFull) and CpG-depleted (CpGDep) promoter-driven reporter constructs in the context of the Chromatin in vivo Assay (CiA), which uses chemically-induced proximity (CIP) to tether the chromoshadow domain of HP1α (csHP1α) to a fluorescent reporter gene in a reversible, chemically-dependent manner. By comparing the response of CpGFull and CpGDep reporter constructs, we discovered that the heterochromatin formation by recruitment of csHP1α is unaffected by the underlying CpG dinucleotide content of the promoter, as measured by the velocity of gene silencing or enrichment of H3K9me3 at the silenced gene. However, recovery from long-term silencing is measurably faster in the CpG-depleted reporter lines. These data provide evidence that the stability of the HP1 heterochromatin domain is reliant on the underlying DNA sequence. Moreover, these cell lines represent a new modular system with which to study the effect of the underlying DNA sequences on the efficacy of epigenetic modifiers.
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14
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Yu Z, Pandian GN, Hidaka T, Sugiyama H. Therapeutic gene regulation using pyrrole-imidazole polyamides. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 147:66-85. [PMID: 30742856 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent innovations in cutting-edge sequencing platforms have allowed the rapid identification of genes associated with communicable, noncommunicable and rare diseases. Exploitation of this collected biological information has facilitated the development of nonviral gene therapy strategies and the design of several proteins capable of editing specific DNA sequences for disease control. Small molecule-based targeted therapeutic approaches have gained increasing attention because of their suggested clinical benefits, ease of control and lower costs. Pyrrole-imidazole polyamides (PIPs) are a major class of DNA minor groove-binding small molecules that can be predesigned to recognize specific DNA sequences. This programmability of PIPs allows the on-demand design of artificial genetic switches and fluorescent probes. In this review, we detail the progress in the development of PIP-based designer ligands and their prospects as advanced DNA-based small-molecule drugs for therapeutic gene modulation.
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15
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Kolos JM, Voll AM, Bauder M, Hausch F. FKBP Ligands-Where We Are and Where to Go? Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1425. [PMID: 30568592 PMCID: PMC6290070 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, many members of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family were increasingly linked to various diseases. The binding domain of FKBPs differs only in a few amino acid residues, but their biological roles are versatile. High-affinity ligands with selectivity between close homologs are scarce. This review will give an overview of the most prominent ligands developed for FKBPs and highlight a perspective for future developments. More precisely, human FKBPs and correlated diseases will be discussed as well as microbial FKBPs in the context of anti-bacterial and anti-fungal therapeutics. The last section gives insights into high-affinity ligands as chemical tools and dimerizers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Felix Hausch
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Darmstadt University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany
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16
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Chiarella AM, Wang TA, Butler KV, Jin J, Hathaway NA. Repressing Gene Transcription by Redirecting Cellular Machinery with Chemical Epigenetic Modifiers. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30295665 DOI: 10.3791/58222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of chromatin compaction is an important process that governs gene expression in higher eukaryotes. Although chromatin compaction and gene expression regulation are commonly disrupted in many diseases, a locus-specific, endogenous, and reversible method to study and control these mechanisms of action has been lacking. To address this issue, we have developed and characterized novel gene-regulating bifunctional molecules. One component of the bifunctional molecule binds to a DNA-protein anchor so that it will be recruited to an allele-specific locus. The other component engages endogenous cellular chromatin-modifying machinery, recruiting these proteins to a gene of interest. These small molecules, called chemical epigenetic modifiers (CEMs), are capable of controlling gene expression and the chromatin environment in a dose-dependent and reversible manner. Here, we detail a CEM approach and its application to decrease gene expression and histone tail acetylation at a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) reporter located at the Oct4 locus in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). We characterize the lead CEM (CEM23) using fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), followed by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). While the power of this system is demonstrated at the Oct4 locus, conceptually, the CEM technology is modular and can be applied in other cell types and at other genomic loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Chiarella
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina
| | - Tiffany A Wang
- College of Arts and Sciences, Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, University of North Carolina
| | - Kyle V Butler
- Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Jian Jin
- Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
| | - Nathaniel A Hathaway
- Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina;
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17
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Chiarella AM, Quimby AL, Mehrab-Mohseni M, Velasco B, Kasoji SK, Davis IJ, Dayton PA, Hathaway NA, Pattenden SG. Cavitation Enhancement Increases the Efficiency and Consistency of Chromatin Fragmentation from Fixed Cells for Downstream Quantitative Applications. Biochemistry 2018; 57:2756-2761. [PMID: 29658277 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the most sensitive, time-consuming, and variable steps of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) is chromatin sonication. Traditionally, this process can take hours to properly sonicate enough chromatin for multiple ChIP assays. Further, the length of sheared DNA is often inconsistent. In order to faithfully measure chemical and structural changes at the chromatin level, sonication needs to be reliable. Thus, chromatin fragmentation by sonication represents a significant bottleneck to downstream quantitative analysis. To improve the consistency and efficiency of chromatin sonication, we developed and tested a cavitation enhancing reagent based on sonically active nanodroplets. Here, we show that nanodroplets increase sonication efficiency by 16-fold and provide more consistent levels of chromatin fragmentation. Using the previously characterized chromatin in vivo assay (CiA) platform, we generated two distinct chromatin states in order to test nanodroplet-assisted sonication sensitivity in measuring post-translational chromatin marks. By comparing euchromatin to chemically induced heterochromatin at the same CiA:Oct4 locus, we quantitatively measure the capability of our new sonication technique to resolve differences in chromatin structure. We confirm that nanodroplet-assisted sonication results are indistinguishable from those of samples processed with traditional sonication in downstream applications. While the processing time for each sample was reduced from 38.4 to 2.3 min, DNA fragment distribution sizes were significantly more consistent with a coefficient of variation 2.7 times lower for samples sonicated in the presence of nanodroplets. In conclusion, sonication utilizing the nanodroplet cavitation enhancement reagent drastically reduces the amount of processing time and provides consistently fragmented chromatin of high quality for downstream applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Chiarella
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27514 , United States
| | - Austin L Quimby
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Marjan Mehrab-Mohseni
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Brian Velasco
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Sandeep K Kasoji
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Ian J Davis
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Paul A Dayton
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering , The University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Nathaniel A Hathaway
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27514 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Samantha G Pattenden
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center , The University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
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