1
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Neumann EN, Bertozzi TM, Wu E, Serack F, Harvey JW, Brauer PP, Pirtle CP, Coffey A, Howard M, Kamath N, Lenz K, Guzman K, Raymond MH, Khalil AS, Deverman BE, Minikel EV, Vallabh SM, Weissman JS. Brainwide silencing of prion protein by AAV-mediated delivery of an engineered compact epigenetic editor. Science 2024; 384:ado7082. [PMID: 38935715 DOI: 10.1126/science.ado7082] [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: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Prion disease is caused by misfolding of the prion protein (PrP) into pathogenic self-propagating conformations, leading to rapid-onset dementia and death. However, elimination of endogenous PrP halts prion disease progression. In this study, we describe Coupled Histone tail for Autoinhibition Release of Methyltransferase (CHARM), a compact, enzyme-free epigenetic editor capable of silencing transcription through programmable DNA methylation. Using a histone H3 tail-Dnmt3l fusion, CHARM recruits and activates endogenous DNA methyltransferases, thereby reducing transgene size and cytotoxicity. When delivered to the mouse brain by systemic injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV), Prnp-targeted CHARM ablates PrP expression across the brain. Furthermore, we have temporally limited editor expression by implementing a kinetically tuned self-silencing approach. CHARM potentially represents a broadly applicable strategy to suppress pathogenic proteins, including those implicated in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin N Neumann
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tessa M Bertozzi
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elaine Wu
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Fiona Serack
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - John W Harvey
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Pamela P Brauer
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Catherine P Pirtle
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alissa Coffey
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael Howard
- Comparative Medicine, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nikita Kamath
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kenney Lenz
- Comparative Medicine, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kenia Guzman
- Comparative Medicine, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael H Raymond
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin E Deverman
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Eric Vallabh Minikel
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Sonia M Vallabh
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- McCance Center for Brain Health and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jonathan S Weissman
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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2
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Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Keep Fingers on the CpG Islands. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:23. [PMID: 38920624 PMCID: PMC11202855 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020023] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The post-genomic era has ushered in the extensive application of epigenetic editing tools, allowing for precise alterations of gene expression. The use of reprogrammable editors that carry transcriptional corepressors has significant potential for long-term epigenetic silencing for the treatment of human diseases. The ideal scenario involves precise targeting of a specific genomic location by a DNA-binding domain, ensuring there are no off-target effects and that the process yields no genetic remnants aside from specific epigenetic modifications (i.e., DNA methylation). A notable example is a recent study on the mouse Pcsk9 gene, crucial for cholesterol regulation and expressed in hepatocytes, which identified synthetic zinc-finger (ZF) proteins as the most effective DNA-binding editors for silencing Pcsk9 efficiently, specifically, and persistently. This discussion focuses on enhancing the specificity of ZF-array DNA binding by optimizing interactions between specific amino acids and DNA bases across three promoters containing CpG islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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3
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Younesian S, Mohammadi MH, Younesian O, Momeny M, Ghaffari SH, Bashash D. DNA methylation in human diseases. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32366. [PMID: 38933971 PMCID: PMC11200359 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32366] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of human diseases. The current review aims to reveal the role of aberrant DNA methylation in the pathogenesis and progression of diseases and to discuss the original data obtained from international research laboratories on this topic. In the review, we mainly summarize the studies exploring the role of aberrant DNA methylation as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in a broad range of human diseases, including monogenic epigenetics, autoimmunity, metabolic disorders, hematologic neoplasms, and solid tumors. The last section provides a general overview of the possibility of the DNA methylation machinery from the perspective of pharmaceutic approaches. In conclusion, the study of DNA methylation machinery is a phenomenal intersection that each of its ways can reveal the mysteries of various diseases, introduce new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and propose a new patient-tailored therapeutic approach for diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samareh Younesian
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Mohammadi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
| | - Ommolbanin Younesian
- School of Medicine, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, 46841-61167 Iran
| | - Majid Momeny
- The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, 77030 TX, USA
| | - Seyed H. Ghaffari
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1411713135 Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1971653313 Iran
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4
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Dossmann L, Emperle M, Dukatz M, de Mendoza A, Bashtrykov P, Jeltsch A. Specific DNMT3C flanking sequence preferences facilitate methylation of young murine retrotransposons. Commun Biol 2024; 7:582. [PMID: 38755427 PMCID: PMC11099192 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06252-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3C appeared as a duplication of the DNMT3B gene in muroids and is required for silencing of young retrotransposons in the male germline. Using specialized assay systems, we investigate the flanking sequence preferences of DNMT3C and observe characteristic preferences for cytosine at the -2 and -1 flank that are unique among DNMT3 enzymes. We identify two amino acids in the catalytic domain of DNMT3C (C543 and V547) that are responsible for the DNMT3C-specific flanking sequence preferences and evolutionary conserved in muroids. Reanalysis of published data shows that DNMT3C flanking preferences are consistent with genome-wide methylation patterns in mouse ES cells only expressing DNMT3C. Strikingly, we show that CpG sites with the preferred flanking sequences of DNMT3C are enriched in murine retrotransposons that were previously identified as DNMT3C targets. Finally, we demonstrate experimentally that DNMT3C has elevated methylation activity on substrates derived from these biological targets. Our data show that DNMT3C flanking sequence preferences match the sequences of young murine retrotransposons which facilitates their methylation. By this, our data provide mechanistic insights into the molecular co-evolution of repeat elements and (epi)genetic defense systems dedicated to maintain genomic stability in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Dossmann
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Max Emperle
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michael Dukatz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Alex de Mendoza
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, E1 4NS, London, UK
| | - Pavel Bashtrykov
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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5
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Kubo N, Uehara R, Uemura S, Ohishi H, Shirane K, Sasaki H. Combined and differential roles of ADD domains of DNMT3A and DNMT3L on DNA methylation landscapes in mouse germ cells. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3266. [PMID: 38627502 PMCID: PMC11021467 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47699-2] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and its catalytically inactive cofactor DNA methyltransferase 3-Like (DNMT3L) proteins form functional heterotetramers to deposit DNA methylation in mammalian germ cells. While both proteins have an ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L (ADD) domain that recognizes histone H3 tail unmethylated at lysine-4 (H3K4me0), the combined and differential roles of the domains in the two proteins have not been fully defined in vivo. Here we investigate DNA methylation landscapes in female and male germ cells derived from mice with loss-of-function amino acid substitutions in the ADD domains of DNMT3A and/or DNMT3L. Mutations in either the DNMT3A-ADD or the DNMT3L-ADD domain moderately decrease global CG methylation levels, but to different degrees, in both germ cells. Furthermore, when the ADD domains of both DNMT3A and DNMT3L lose their functions, the CG methylation levels are much more reduced, especially in oocytes, comparable to the impact of the Dnmt3a/3L knockout. In contrast, aberrant accumulation of non-CG methylation occurs at thousands of genomic regions in the double mutant oocytes and spermatozoa. These results highlight the critical role of the ADD-H3K4me0 binding in proper CG and non-CG methylation in germ cells and the various impacts of the ADD domains of the two proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kubo
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Ryuji Uehara
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shuhei Uemura
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ohishi
- Division of Gene Expression Dynamics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
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6
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Lu J, Guo Y, Yin J, Chen J, Wang Y, Wang GG, Song J. Structure-guided functional suppression of AML-associated DNMT3A hotspot mutations. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3111. [PMID: 38600075 PMCID: PMC11006857 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47398-y] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A- and DNMT3B-mediated DNA methylation critically regulate epigenomic and transcriptomic patterning during development. The hotspot DNMT3A mutations at the site of Arg822 (R882) promote polymerization, leading to aberrant DNA methylation that may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the molecular basis underlying the mutation-induced functional misregulation of DNMT3A remains unclear. Here, we report the crystal structures of the DNMT3A methyltransferase domain, revealing a molecular basis for its oligomerization behavior distinct to DNMT3B, and the enhanced intermolecular contacts caused by the R882H or R882C mutation. Our biochemical, cellular, and genomic DNA methylation analyses demonstrate that introducing the DNMT3B-converting mutations inhibits the R882H-/R882C-triggered DNMT3A polymerization and enhances substrate access, thereby eliminating the dominant-negative effect of the DNMT3A R882 mutations in cells. Together, this study provides mechanistic insights into DNMT3A R882 mutations-triggered aberrant oligomerization and DNA hypomethylation in AML, with important implications in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Yiran Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jiekai Yin
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Jianbin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Jikui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
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7
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Xia Y, Chen K, Yang Q, Chen Z, Jin L, Zhang L, Yu X, Wang L, Xie C, Zhao Y, Shen Y, Tong J. Methylation in cornea and corneal diseases: a systematic review. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:169. [PMID: 38589350 PMCID: PMC11002037 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01935-2] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Corneal diseases are among the primary causes of blindness and vision loss worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of corneal diseases remains elusive, and diagnostic and therapeutic tools are limited. Thus, identifying new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases has gained great interest. Methylation, a type of epigenetic modification, modulates various cellular processes at both nucleic acid and protein levels. Growing evidence shows that methylation is a key regulator in the pathogenesis of corneal diseases, including inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization, making it an attractive potential therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the major alterations of methylation and demethylation at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels in corneal diseases and how these dynamics contribute to the pathogenesis of corneal diseases. Also, we provide insights into identifying potential biomarkers of methylation that may improve the diagnosis and treatment of corneal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Kuangqi Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Qianjie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Zhitong Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Le Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Liyin Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Chen Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
| | - Jianping Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, China.
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8
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Zhou J, Chen Q, Ren R, Yang J, Liu B, Horton JR, Chang C, Li C, Maksoud L, Yang Y, Rotili D, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Chen T, Gao Y, Valente S, Mai A, Cheng X. Quinoline-based compounds can inhibit diverse enzymes that act on DNA. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.03.587980. [PMID: 38617249 PMCID: PMC11014617 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.03.587980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation, as exemplified by cytosine-C5 methylation in mammals and adenine-N6 methylation in bacteria, is a crucial epigenetic mechanism driving numerous vital biological processes. Developing non-nucleoside inhibitors to cause DNA hypomethylation is a high priority, in order to treat a variety of significant medical conditions without the toxicities associated with existing cytidine-based hypomethylating agents. In this study, we have characterized fifteen quinoline-based analogs. Notably, compounds with additions like a methylamine ( 9 ) or methylpiperazine ( 11 ) demonstrate similar low micromolar inhibitory potency against both human DNMT1 (which generates C5-methylcytosine) and Clostridioides difficile CamA (which generates N6-methyladenine). Structurally, compounds 9 and 11 specifically intercalate into CamA-bound DNA via the minor groove, adjacent to the target adenine, leading to a substantial conformational shift that moves the catalytic domain away from the DNA. This study adds to the limited examples of DNA methyltransferases being inhibited by non-nucleotide compounds through DNA intercalation, following the discovery of dicyanopyridine-based inhibitors for DNMT1. Furthermore, our study shows that some of these quinoline-based analogs inhibit other enzymes that act on DNA, such as polymerases and base excision repair glycosylases. Finally, in cancer cells compound 11 elicits DNA damage response via p53 activation. Abstract Figure Highlights Six of fifteen quinoline-based derivatives demonstrated comparable low micromolar inhibitory effects on human cytosine methyltransferase DNMT1, and the bacterial adenine methyltransferases Clostridioides difficile CamA and Caulobacter crescentus CcrM. Compounds 9 and 11 were found to intercalate into a DNA substrate bound by CamA. These quinoline-based derivatives also showed inhibitory activity against various base excision repair DNA glycosylases, and DNA and RNA polymerases. Compound 11 provokes DNA damage response via p53 activation in cancer cells.
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9
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Meng WY, Wang ZX, Zhang Y, Hou Y, Xue JH. Epigenetic marks or not? The discovery of novel DNA modifications in eukaryotes. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:106791. [PMID: 38403247 PMCID: PMC11065753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.106791] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA modifications add another layer of complexity to the eukaryotic genome to regulate gene expression, playing critical roles as epigenetic marks. In eukaryotes, the study of DNA epigenetic modifications has been confined to 5mC and its derivatives for decades. However, rapid developing approaches have witnessed the expansion of DNA modification reservoirs during the past several years, including the identification of 6mA, 5gmC, 4mC, and 4acC in diverse organisms. However, whether these DNA modifications function as epigenetic marks requires careful consideration. In this review, we try to present a panorama of all the DNA epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes, emphasizing recent breakthroughs in the identification of novel DNA modifications. The characterization of their roles in transcriptional regulation as potential epigenetic marks is summarized. More importantly, the pathways for generating or eliminating these DNA modifications, as well as the proteins involved are comprehensively dissected. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the potential challenges and perspectives, which should be taken into account while investigating novel DNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ying Meng
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunfang Zhang
- 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, China
| | - Yujun Hou
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Huang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Gretarsson KH, Abini-Agbomson S, Gloor SL, Weinberg DN, McCuiston JL, Kumary VUS, Hickman AR, Sahu V, Lee R, Xu X, Lipieta N, Flashner S, Adeleke OA, Popova IK, Taylor HF, Noll K, Windham CL, Maryanski DN, Venters BJ, Nakagawa H, Keogh MC, Armache KJ, Lu C. Cancer-associated DNA Hypermethylation of Polycomb Targets Requires DNMT3A Dual Recognition of Histone H2AK119 Ubiquitination and the Nucleosome Acidic Patch. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585588. [PMID: 38562823 PMCID: PMC10983913 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
During tumor development, promoter CpG islands (CGIs) that are normally silenced by Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) become DNA hypermethylated. The molecular mechanism by which de novo DNA methyltransferase(s) catalyze CpG methylation at PRC-regulated regions remains unclear. Here we report a cryo-EM structure of the DNMT3A long isoform (DNMT3A1) N-terminal region in complex with a nucleosome carrying PRC1-mediated histone H2A lysine 119 monoubiquitination (H2AK119Ub). We identify regions within the DNMT3A1 N-terminus that bind H2AK119Ub and the nucleosome acidic patch. This bidentate interaction is required for effective DNMT3A1 engagement with H2AK119Ub-modified chromatin in cells. Furthermore, aberrant redistribution of DNMT3A1 to Polycomb target genes inhibits their transcriptional activation during cell differentiation and recapitulates the cancer-associated DNA hypermethylation signature. This effect is rescued by disruption of the DNMT3A1-acidic patch interaction. Together, our analyses reveal a binding interface critical for countering promoter CGI DNA hypermethylation, a major molecular hallmark of cancer.
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11
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Qin Y, Li T, An P, Ren Z, Xi J, Tang B. Important role of DNA methylation hints at significant potential in tuberculosis. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:177. [PMID: 38494532 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03888-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, has persisted as a major global public health threat for millennia. Until now, TB continues to challenge efforts aimed at controlling it, with drug resistance and latent infections being the two main factors hindering treatment efficacy. The scientific community is still striving to understand the underlying mechanisms behind Mtb's drug resistance and latent infection. DNA methylation, a critical epigenetic modification occurring throughout an individual's growth and development, has gained attention following advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies. Researchers have observed abnormal DNA methylation patterns in the host genome during Mtb infection. Given the escalating issue of drug-resistant Mtb, delving into the role of DNA methylation in TB's development is crucial. This review article explores DNA methylation's significance in human growth, development and disease, and its role in regulating Mtb's evolution and infection processes. Additionally, it discusses potential applications of DNA methylation research in tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexuan Qin
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China
| | - Tianyue Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China
| | - Peiyan An
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhi Ren
- First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China
| | - Jun Xi
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Bikui Tang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Immunology in Chronic Diseases, Anhui Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, 233030, Anhui Province, China.
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12
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Hobble HV, Schaner Tooley CE. Intrafamily heterooligomerization as an emerging mechanism of methyltransferase regulation. Epigenetics Chromatin 2024; 17:5. [PMID: 38429855 PMCID: PMC10908127 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-024-00530-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein and nucleic acid methylation are important biochemical modifications. In addition to their well-established roles in gene regulation, they also regulate cell signaling, metabolism, and translation. Despite this high biological relevance, little is known about the general regulation of methyltransferase function. Methyltransferases are divided into superfamilies based on structural similarities and further classified into smaller families based on sequence/domain/target similarity. While members within superfamilies differ in substrate specificity, their structurally similar active sites indicate a potential for shared modes of regulation. Growing evidence from one superfamily suggests a common regulatory mode may be through heterooligomerization with other family members. Here, we describe examples of methyltransferase regulation through intrafamily heterooligomerization and discuss how this can be exploited for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley V Hobble
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA
| | - Christine E Schaner Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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13
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Li Y, Abel HJ, Cai M, LaValle TA, Yin T, Helton NM, Smith AM, Miller CA, Ley TJ. Rapid and accurate remethylation of DNA in Dnmt3a-deficient hematopoietic cells with restoration of DNMT3A activity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk8598. [PMID: 38295174 PMCID: PMC10830114 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Here, we characterize the DNA methylation phenotypes of bone marrow cells from mice with hematopoietic deficiency of Dnmt3a or Dnmt3b (or both enzymes) or expressing the dominant-negative Dnmt3aR878H mutation [R882H in humans; the most common DNMT3A mutation found in acute myeloid leukemia (AML)]. Using these cells as substrates, we defined DNA remethylation after overexpressing wild-type (WT) DNMT3A1, DNMT3B1, DNMT3B3 (an inactive splice isoform of DNMT3B), or DNMT3L (a catalytically inactive "chaperone" for DNMT3A and DNMT3B in early embryogenesis). Overexpression of DNMT3A for 2 weeks reverses the hypomethylation phenotype of Dnmt3a-deficient cells or cells expressing the R878H mutation. Overexpression of DNMT3L (which is minimally expressed in AML cells) also corrects the hypomethylation phenotype of Dnmt3aR878H/+ marrow, probably by augmenting the activity of WT DNMT3A encoded by the residual WT allele. DNMT3L reactivation may represent a previously unidentified approach for restoring DNMT3A activity in hematopoietic cells with reduced DNMT3A function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- Section of Stem Cell Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Haley J. Abel
- Section of Stem Cell Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michelle Cai
- Section of Stem Cell Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | | | - Tiankai Yin
- Section of Stem Cell Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nichole M. Helton
- Section of Stem Cell Biology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA
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14
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Chen Y, Luo X, Kang R, Cui K, Ou J, Zhang X, Liang P. Current therapies for osteoarthritis and prospects of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing in osteoarthritis treatment. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:159-183. [PMID: 37516348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.07.007] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases worldwide, causing pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. The balance between regeneration and inflammation-induced degradation results in multiple etiologies and complex pathogenesis of OA. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. With the development of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools, OA treatment has been improved by targeting genetic risk factors, activating chondrogenic elements, and modulating inflammatory regulators. Supported by cell therapy and in vivo delivery vectors, genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools may provide a promising approach for personalized OA therapy. This review summarizes CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools that can be applied to the treatment of OA and provides insights into the development of CRISPR-based therapeutics for OA treatment. Moreover, in-depth evaluations of the efficacy and safety of these tools in human OA treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Rui Kang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Kaixin Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Jianping Ou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiya Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| | - Puping Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China.
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15
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Kordowitzki P, Graczyk S, Haghani A, Klutstein M. Oocyte Aging: A Multifactorial Phenomenon in A Unique Cell. Aging Dis 2024; 15:5-21. [PMID: 37307833 PMCID: PMC10796106 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0527] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The oocyte is considered to be the largest cell in mammalian species. Women hoping to become pregnant face a ticking biological clock. This is becoming increasingly challenging as an increase in life expectancy is accompanied by the tendency to conceive at older ages. With advancing maternal age, the fertilized egg will exhibit lower quality and developmental competence, which contributes to increased chances of miscarriage due to several causes such as aneuploidy, oxidative stress, epigenetics, or metabolic disorders. In particular, heterochromatin in oocytes and with it, the DNA methylation landscape undergoes changes. Further, obesity is a well-known and ever-increasing global problem as it is associated with several metabolic disorders. More importantly, both obesity and aging negatively affect female reproduction. However, among women, there is immense variability in age-related decline of oocytes' quantity, developmental competence, or quality. Herein, the relevance of obesity and DNA-methylation will be discussed as these aspects have a tremendous effect on female fertility, and it is a topic of continuous and widespread interest that has yet to be fully addressed for the mammalian oocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Kordowitzki
- Department of Preclinical and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.
| | - Szymon Graczyk
- Department of Preclinical and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland.
| | - Amin Haghani
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Altos Labs, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Michael Klutstein
- Institute of Biomedical and Oral Research, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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16
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Feng Q, Duan H, Zhou X, Wang Y, Zhang J, Zhang H, Chen G, Bao X. DNA Methyltransferase 3A: A Significant Target for the Discovery of Inhibitors as Potent Anticancer Drugs. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:507-520. [PMID: 37642180 DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230825100246] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) is a conserved family of Cytosine methylases, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of Epigenetics. They have been considered promising therapeutic targets for cancer. Among the DNMT family, mutations in the DNMT3A subtype are particularly important in hematologic malignancies. The development of specific DNMT3A subtype inhibitors to validate the therapeutic potential of DNMT3A in certain diseases is a significant task. In this review, we summarized the small molecule inhibitors of DNMT3A discovered in recent years and their inhibitory activities, and classified them based on their inhibitory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixun Feng
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Honggao Duan
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xinglong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jinda Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Haoge Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xuefei Bao
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drugs Design and Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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17
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Cao C, Luo Z, Zhang H, Yao S, Lu H, Zheng K, Wang Y, Zou M, Qin W, Xiong H, Yuan X, Wang Y, Pinheiro RN, Peixoto RD, Zou Y, Xiong H. A methylation-related signature for predicting prognosis and sensitivity to first-line therapies in gastric cancer. J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 14:2354-2372. [PMID: 38196539 PMCID: PMC10772674 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-23-770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Methylation modification patterns play a crucial role in human cancer progression, especially in gastrointestinal cancers. We aimed to use methylation regulators to classify patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and build a model to predict prognosis, promoting the application of precision medicine. Methods We obtained RNA sequencing data and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (n=335) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (n=865). Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to identify subtypes of gastric adenocarcinoma. We performed functional enrichment analysis, immune infiltration analysis, drug sensitivity analysis, and molecular feature analysis to determine the clinical application for different subtypes. The univariate Cox regression analysis and the LASSO regression analysis were subsequently used to identify prognosis-related methylation regulators and construct a risk model. Results Through unsupervised consensus clustering, patients were divided into two subtypes (cluster A and cluster B) with different clinical outcomes. Cluster B included patients with a better prognosis outcome and who were more likely to respond to immunotherapy. We then successfully built a predictive model and found five methylation-related genes (CHAF1A, CPNE8, PHLDA3, SPARC, and EHF) potentially significant to the prognosis of patients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year areas under the curve of the risk model were 0.712, 0.696, and 0.759, respectively. The risk score was an independent prognostic factor and had the highest concordance index among common clinical indicators. Meanwhile, the tumor microenvironment, sensitivity of chemotherapeutic drugs, molecular features, and oncogenic dedifferentiation differed significantly across the risk groups and subtypes. Conclusions We classified patients with gastric adenocarcinoma based on methylation regulators, which has positive implications for first-line clinical treatment. The prognostic model could predict the prognosis of patients and help to promote the development of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlin Cao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of the Second Clinical College, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiyong Luo
- Division of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Yao
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Wuhan Children’s Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Yali Wang
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Man Zou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wan Qin
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Huihua Xiong
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianglin Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Renata D’Alpino Peixoto
- Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Oncoclinicas, Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yanmei Zou
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Xiong
- Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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18
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Karahan G, Martel J, Rahimi S, Farag M, Matias F, MacFarlane AJ, Chan D, Trasler J. Higher incidence of embryonic defects in mouse offspring conceived with assisted reproduction from fathers with sperm epimutations. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 33:48-63. [PMID: 37740387 PMCID: PMC10729866 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad160] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) account for 1-6% of births in developed countries. While most children conceived are healthy, increases in birth and genomic imprinting defects have been reported; such abnormal outcomes have been attributed to underlying parental infertility and/or the ART used. Here, we assessed whether paternal genetic and lifestyle factors, that are associated with male infertility and affect the sperm epigenome, can influence ART outcomes. We examined how paternal factors, haploinsufficiency for Dnmt3L, an important co-factor for DNA methylation reactions, and/or diet-induced obesity, in combination with ART (superovulation, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer), could adversely influence embryo development and DNA methylation patterning in mice. While male mice fed high-fat diets (HFD) gained weight and showed perturbed metabolic health, their sperm DNA methylation was minimally affected by the diet. In contrast, Dnmt3L haploinsufficiency induced a marked loss of DNA methylation in sperm; notably, regions affected were associated with neurodevelopmental pathways and enriched in young retrotransposons, sequences that can have functional consequences in the next generation. Following ART, placental imprinted gene methylation and growth parameters were impacted by one or both paternal factors. For embryos conceived by natural conception, abnormality rates were similar for WT and Dnmt3L+/- fathers. In contrast, paternal Dnmt3L+/- genotype, as compared to WT fathers, resulted in a 3-fold increase in the incidence of morphological abnormalities in embryos generated by ART. Together, the results indicate that embryonic morphological and epigenetic defects associated with ART may be exacerbated in offspring conceived by fathers with sperm epimutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurbet Karahan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Josée Martel
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Sophia Rahimi
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Mena Farag
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Fernando Matias
- Nutrition Research Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9, Canada
| | | | - Donovan Chan
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jacquetta Trasler
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 0C7, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada
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19
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Lu J, Fang J, Zhu H, Liang KL, Khudaverdyan N, Song J. Structural basis for the allosteric regulation and dynamic assembly of DNMT3B. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:12476-12491. [PMID: 37941146 PMCID: PMC10711551 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad972] [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: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligomerization of DNMT3B, a mammalian de novo DNA methyltransferase, critically regulates its chromatin targeting and DNA methylation activities. However, how the N-terminal PWWP and ADD domains interplay with the C-terminal methyltransferase (MTase) domain in regulating the dynamic assembly of DNMT3B remains unclear. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of DNMT3B under various oligomerization states. The ADD domain of DNMT3B interacts with the MTase domain to form an autoinhibitory conformation, resembling the previously observed DNMT3A autoinhibition. Our combined structural and biochemical study further identifies a role for the PWWP domain and its associated ICF mutation in the allosteric regulation of DNMT3B tetramer, and a differential functional impact on DNMT3B by potential ADD-H3K4me0 and PWWP-H3K36me3 bindings. In addition, our comparative structural analysis reveals a coupling between DNMT3B oligomerization and folding of its substrate-binding sites. Together, this study provides mechanistic insights into the allosteric regulation and dynamic assembly of DNMT3B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiuwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA92521, USA
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA92521, USA
| | - Hongtao Zhu
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Nelli Khudaverdyan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA92521, USA
| | - Jikui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA92521, USA
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20
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Li J, Deng Q, Zhu J, Min W, Hu X, Yu Chen H, Luo Z, Lin L, Wei X, Zhang Y, Lou K, Gao Y, Zhang G, Bai J. Methylation of ESR1 promoter induced by SNAI2-DNMT3B complex promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and correlates with poor prognosis in ERα-positive breast cancers. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e403. [PMID: 37881785 PMCID: PMC10594044 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Estrogen receptor α (ERα) serves as an essential therapeutic predictor for breast cancer (BC) patients and is regulated by epigenetic modification. Abnormal methylation of cytosine phosphoric acid guanine islands in the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene promoter could silence or decrease ERα expression. In ERα-negative BC, we previously found snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), a zinc-finger transcriptional factor, recruited lysine-specific demethylase 1 to the promoter to transcriptionally suppress ERα expression by demethylating histone H3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2). However, the role of SNAI2 in ERα-positive BC remains elusive. In this study, we observed a positive correlation between SNAI2 and ESR1 methylation, and SNAI2 promoted ESR1 methylation by recruiting DNA methyltransferase 3 beta (DNMT3B) rather than DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in ERα-positive BC cells. Subsequent enrichment analysis illustrated that ESR1 methylation is strongly correlated with cell adhesion and junction. Knocking down DNMT3B could partially reverse SNAI2 overexpression-induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, high DNMT3B expression predicted poor relapse-free survival and overall survival in ERα-positive BC patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the novel mechanisms of the ESR1 methylation mediated with the SNAI2/DNMT3B complex and enhanced awareness of ESR1 methylation's role in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition in BC.
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21
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Djihinto OY, Meacci D, Medjigodo AA, Bernardini F, Djogbénou LS. Relative expression of key genes involved in nucleic acids methylation in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:754-766. [PMID: 37417368 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, enzymes responsible for DNA methylation, one of the epigenetic mechanisms, are encoded by genes falling into the cytosine methyltransferases genes family (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a,b and Dnmt3L). However, in Diptera, only the methyltransferase Dnmt2 was found, suggesting that DNA methylation might act differently for species in this order. Moreover, genes involved in epigenetic dynamics, such as Ten-eleven Translocation dioxygenases (TET) and Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBDs), present in vertebrates, might play a role in insects. This work aimed at investigating nucleic acids methylation in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) by analysing the expression of Dnmt2, TET2 and MBDs genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) at pre-immature stages and in reproductive tissues of adult mosquitoes. In addition, the effect of two DNA methylation inhibitors on larval survival was evaluated. The qPCR results showed an overall low expression of Dnmt2 at all developmental stages and in adult reproductive tissues. In contrast, MBD and TET2 showed an overall higher expression. In adult mosquito reproductive tissues, the expression level of the three genes in males' testes was significantly higher than that in females' ovaries. The chemical treatments did not affect larval survival. The findings suggest that mechanisms other than DNA methylation underlie epigenetic regulation in An. gambiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oswald Y Djihinto
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Dario Meacci
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Adandé A Medjigodo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Federica Bernardini
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Luc S Djogbénou
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Institut Régional de Santé Publique (IRSP), University of Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, Benin
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22
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Ju X, Wang Z, Cai D, Bello SF, Nie Q. DNA methylation in poultry: a review. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:138. [PMID: 37925454 PMCID: PMC10625706 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-023-00939-9] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As an important epigenetic modification, DNA methylation is involved in many biological processes such as animal cell differentiation, embryonic development, genomic imprinting and sex chromosome inactivation. As DNA methylation sequencing becomes more sophisticated, it becomes possible to use it to solve more zoological problems. This paper reviews the characteristics of DNA methylation, with emphasis on the research and application of DNA methylation in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Ju
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Zhijun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, 666 Wusu Road, Lin'an, 311300, China
| | - Danfeng Cai
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Semiu Folaniyi Bello
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China
| | - Qinghua Nie
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Bioresources, Lingnan Guangdong Laboratory of Agriculture, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding and Key Lab of Chicken Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510642, China.
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Behluli L, Fontanilla AM, Andessner-Angleitner L, Tolar N, Molina JM, Gahurova L. Expression analysis suggests that DNMT3L is required for oocyte de novo DNA methylation only in Muridae and Cricetidae rodents. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:43. [PMID: 37924163 PMCID: PMC10625200 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00518-2] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During early mammalian development, DNA methylation undergoes two waves of reprogramming, enabling transitions between somatic cells, oocyte and embryo. The first wave of de novo DNA methylation establishment occurs in oocytes. Its molecular mechanisms have been studied in mouse, a classical mammalian model. Current model describes DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and its cofactor DNMT3L as two essential factors for oocyte DNA methylation-the ablation of either leads to nearly complete abrogation of DNA methylation. However, DNMT3L is not expressed in human oocytes, suggesting that the mechanism uncovered in mouse is not universal across mammals. RESULTS We analysed available RNA-seq data sets from oocytes of multiple mammals, including our novel data sets of several rodent species, and revealed that Dnmt3l is expressed only in the oocytes of mouse, rat and golden hamster, and at a low level in guinea pigs. We identified a specific promoter sequence recognised by an oocyte transcription factor complex associated with strong Dnmt3l activity and demonstrated that it emerged in the rodent clade Eumuroida, comprising the families Muridae (mice, rats, gerbils) and Cricetidae (hamsters). In addition, an evolutionarily novel promoter emerged in the guinea pig, driving weak Dnmt3l expression, likely without functional relevance. Therefore, Dnmt3l is expressed and consequently plays a role in oocyte de novo DNA methylation only in a small number of rodent species, instead of being an essential pan-mammalian factor. In contrast to somatic cells, where catalytically inactive DNMT3B interacts with DNMT3A, forming a heterotetramer, we did not find evidence for the expression of such inactive Dnmt3b isoforms in the oocytes of the tested species. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of RNA-seq data and genomic sequences revealed that DNMT3L is likely to play a role in oocytes de novo DNA methylation only in mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters. The mechanism governing de novo DNA methylation in the oocytes of most mammalian species, including humans, occurs through a yet unknown mechanism that differs from the current model discovered in mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirik Behluli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alyssa M Fontanilla
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Laura Andessner-Angleitner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nikolas Tolar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Julia M Molina
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Languages, São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lenka Gahurova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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24
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Bae SG, Kim HJ, Kim MY, Kim DDH, Shin SI, Ahn JS, Park J. Identification of Cell Type-Specific Effects of DNMT3A Mutations on Relapse in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Mol Cells 2023; 46:611-626. [PMID: 37853686 PMCID: PMC10590706 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.0093] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease caused by distinctive mutations in individual patients; therefore, each patient may display different cell-type compositions. Although most patients with AML achieve complete remission (CR) through intensive chemotherapy, the likelihood of relapse remains high. Several studies have attempted to characterize the genetic and cellular heterogeneity of AML; however, our understanding of the cellular heterogeneity of AML remains limited. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells obtained from same patients at different AML stages (diagnosis, CR, and relapse). We found that hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) at diagnosis were abnormal compared to normal HSCs. By improving the detection of the DNMT3A R882 mutation with targeted scRNAseq, we identified that DNMT3A-mutant cells that mainly remained were granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs) or lymphoid-primed multipotential progenitors (LMPPs) from CR to relapse and that DNMT3A-mutant cells have gene signatures related to AML and leukemic cells. Copy number variation analysis at the single-cell level indicated that the cell type that possesses DNMT3A mutations is an important factor in AML relapse and that GMP and LMPP cells can affect relapse in patients with AML. This study advances our understanding of the role of DNMT3A in AML relapse and our approach can be applied to predict treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Gyeong Bae
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Hyeoung-Joon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University, Hwasun 58128, Korea
- Genomic Research Center for Hematopoietic Diseases, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Mi Yeon Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Dennis Dong Hwan Kim
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - So-I Shin
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
| | - Jae-Sook Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Chonnam National University, Hwasun 58128, Korea
- Genomic Research Center for Hematopoietic Diseases, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun 58128, Korea
| | - Jihwan Park
- School of Life Sciences, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Korea
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25
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Garcia EM, Lue NZ, Liang JK, Lieberman WK, Hwang DD, Woods J, Liau BB. Base Editor Scanning Reveals Activating Mutations of DNMT3A. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:2030-2038. [PMID: 37603861 PMCID: PMC10560492 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00257] [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] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) is a de novo cytosine methyltransferase responsible for establishing proper DNA methylation during mammalian development. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations to DNMT3A, including the hotspot mutation R882H, frequently occur in developmental growth disorders and hematological diseases, including clonal hematopoiesis and acute myeloid leukemia. Accordingly, identifying mechanisms that activate DNMT3A is of both fundamental and therapeutic interest. Here, we applied a base editor mutational scanning strategy with an improved DNA methylation reporter to systematically identify DNMT3A activating mutations in cells. By integrating an optimized cellular recruitment strategy with paired isogenic cell lines with or without the LOF hotspot R882H mutation, we identify and validate three distinct hyperactivating mutations within or interacting with the regulatory ADD domain of DNMT3A, nominating these regions as potential functional target sites for pharmacological intervention. Notably, these mutations are still activating in the context of a heterozygous R882H mutation. Altogether, we showcase the utility of base editor scanning for discovering functional regions of target proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M. Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Nicholas Z. Lue
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Jessica K. Liang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - Whitney K. Lieberman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - Derek D. Hwang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
| | - James Woods
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
| | - Brian B. Liau
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA 02138
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA 02142
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26
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Parker HV, Schaner Tooley CE. Opposing regulation of the Nα-trimethylase METTL11A by its family members METTL11B and METTL13. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:104588. [PMID: 36889590 PMCID: PMC10166787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.104588] [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: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
N-terminal protein methylation (Nα-methylation) is a posttranslational modification that influences numerous biological processes by regulating protein stability, protein-DNA interactions, and protein-protein interactions. Although significant progress has been made in understanding the biological roles of Nα-methylation, we still do not completely understand how the modifying methyltransferases are regulated. A common mode of methyltransferase regulation is through complex formation with close family members, and we have previously shown that the Nα-trimethylase METTL11A (NRMT1/NTMT1) is activated through binding of its close homolog METTL11B (NRMT2/NTMT2). Other recent reports indicate that METTL11A co-fractionates with a third METTL family member METTL13, which methylates both the N-terminus and lysine 55 (K55) of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha. Here, using co-immunoprecipitations, mass spectrometry, and in vitro methylation assays, we confirm a regulatory interaction between METTL11A and METTL13 and show that while METTL11B is an activator of METTL11A, METTL13 inhibits METTL11A activity. This is the first example of a methyltransferase being opposingly regulated by different family members. Similarly, we find that METTL11A promotes the K55 methylation activity of METTL13 but inhibits its Nα-methylation activity. We also find that catalytic activity is not needed for these regulatory effects, demonstrating new, noncatalytic functions for METTL11A and METTL13. Finally, we show METTL11A, METTL11B, and METTL13 can complex together, and when all three are present, the regulatory effects of METTL13 take precedence over those of METTL11B. These findings provide a better understanding of Nα-methylation regulation and suggest a model where these methyltransferases can serve in both catalytic and noncatalytic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley V Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Christine E Schaner Tooley
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
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27
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Weigert R, Hetzel S, Bailly N, Haggerty C, Ilik IA, Yung PYK, Navarro C, Bolondi A, Kumar AS, Anania C, Brändl B, Meierhofer D, Lupiáñez DG, Müller FJ, Aktas T, Elsässer SJ, Kretzmer H, Smith ZD, Meissner A. Dynamic antagonism between key repressive pathways maintains the placental epigenome. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:579-591. [PMID: 37024684 PMCID: PMC10104784 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA and Histone 3 Lysine 27 methylation typically function as repressive modifications and operate within distinct genomic compartments. In mammals, the majority of the genome is kept in a DNA methylated state, whereas the Polycomb repressive complexes regulate the unmethylated CpG-rich promoters of developmental genes. In contrast to this general framework, the extra-embryonic lineages display non-canonical, globally intermediate DNA methylation levels, including disruption of local Polycomb domains. Here, to better understand this unusual landscape's molecular properties, we genetically and chemically perturbed major epigenetic pathways in mouse trophoblast stem cells. We find that the extra-embryonic epigenome reflects ongoing and dynamic de novo methyltransferase recruitment, which is continuously antagonized by Polycomb to maintain intermediate, locally disordered methylation. Despite its disorganized molecular appearance, our data point to a highly controlled equilibrium between counteracting repressors within extra-embryonic cells, one that can seemingly persist indefinitely without bistable features typically seen for embryonic forms of epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Weigert
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sara Hetzel
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Bailly
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chuck Haggerty
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ibrahim A Ilik
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Yuk Kwong Yung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmen Navarro
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adriano Bolondi
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abhishek Sampath Kumar
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Anania
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Björn Brändl
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Zentrum für Integrative Psychiatrie gGmbH, Kiel, Germany
| | - David Meierhofer
- Mass Spectrometry Joint Facilities Scientific Service, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Darío G Lupiáñez
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Franz-Josef Müller
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Zentrum für Integrative Psychiatrie gGmbH, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tugce Aktas
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon J Elsässer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Kretzmer
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zachary D Smith
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US.
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28
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Barchi M, Guida E, Dolci S, Rossi P, Grimaldi P. Endocannabinoid system and epigenetics in spermatogenesis and testicular cancer. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2023; 122:75-106. [PMID: 36863802 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, male germ cell development starts during fetal life and is carried out in postnatal life with the formation of sperms. Spermatogenesis is the complex and highly orderly process during which a group of germ stem cells is set at birth, starts to differentiate at puberty. It proceeds through several stages: proliferation, differentiation, and morphogenesis and it is strictly regulated by a complex network of hormonal, autocrine and paracrine factors and it is associated with a unique epigenetic program. Altered epigenetic mechanisms or inability to respond to these factors can impair the correct process of germ development leading to reproductive disorders and/or testicular germ cell cancer. Among factors regulating spermatogenesis an emerging role is played by the endocannabinoid system (ECS). ECS is a complex system comprising endogenous cannabinoids (eCBs), their synthetic and degrading enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors. Mammalian male germ cells have a complete and active ECS which is modulated during spermatogenesis and that crucially regulates processes such as germ cell differentiation and sperm functions. Recently, cannabinoid receptor signaling has been reported to induce epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, histone modifications and miRNA expression. Epigenetic modifications may also affect the expression and function of ECS elements, highlighting the establishment of a complex mutual interaction. Here, we describe the developmental origin and differentiation of male germ cells and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) focusing on the interplay between ECS and epigenetic mechanisms involved in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Barchi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenia Guida
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Dolci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Pellegrino Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Grimaldi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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29
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Papadimitriou MA, Panoutsopoulou K, Pilala KM, Scorilas A, Avgeris M. Epi-miRNAs: Modern mediators of methylation status in human cancers. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 14:e1735. [PMID: 35580998 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of the fundamental macromolecules, DNA/RNA, and proteins, is remarkably abundant, evolutionarily conserved, and functionally significant in cellular homeostasis and normal tissue/organism development. Disrupted methylation imprinting is strongly linked to loss of the physiological equilibrium and numerous human pathologies, and most importantly to carcinogenesis, tumor heterogeneity, and cancer progression. Mounting recent evidence has documented the active implication of miRNAs in the orchestration of the multicomponent cellular methylation machineries and the deregulation of methylation profile in the epigenetic, epitranscriptomic, and epiproteomic levels during cancer onset and progression. The elucidation of such regulatory networks between the miRNome and the cellular methylation machineries has led to the emergence of a novel subclass of miRNAs, namely "epi-miRNAs" or "epi-miRs." Herein, we have summarized the existing knowledge on the functional role of epi-miRs in the methylation dynamic landscape of human cancers and their clinical utility in modern cancer diagnostics and tailored therapeutics. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Alexandra Papadimitriou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Panoutsopoulou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Katerina-Marina Pilala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Andreas Scorilas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Margaritis Avgeris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry - Molecular Diagnostics, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "P. & A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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30
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Xu G, Yang H, Qiu J, Reboud J, Zhen L, Ren W, Xu H, Cooper JM, Gu H. Sequence terminus dependent PCR for site-specific mutation and modification detection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1169. [PMID: 36859350 PMCID: PMC9978023 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36884-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The detection of changes in nucleic acid sequences at specific sites remains a critical challenge in epigenetics, diagnostics and therapeutics. To date, such assays often require extensive time, expertise and infrastructure for their implementation, limiting their application in clinical settings. Here we demonstrate a generalizable method, named Specific Terminal Mediated Polymerase Chain Reaction (STEM-PCR) for the detection of DNA modifications at specific sites, in a similar way as DNA sequencing techniques, but using simple and widely accessible PCR-based workflows. We apply the technique to both for site-specific methylation and co-methylation analysis, importantly using a bisulfite-free process - so providing an ease of sample processing coupled with a sensitivity 20-fold better than current gold-standard techniques. To demonstrate the clinical applicability through the detection of single base mutations with high sensitivity and no-cross reaction with the wild-type background, we show the bisulfite-free detection of SEPTIN9 and SFRP2 gene methylation in patients (as key biomarkers in the prognosis and diagnosis of tumours).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaolian Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hao Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiani Qiu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Julien Reboud
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8LT, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Linqing Zhen
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Wei Ren
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hong Xu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jonathan M Cooper
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow, G12 8LT, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - Hongchen Gu
- School of Biomedical Engineering/Med-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
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31
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Yang W, Zhuang J, Li C, Cheng GJ. Unveiling the Methyl Transfer Mechanisms in the Epigenetic Machinery DNMT3A-3L: A Comprehensive Study Integrating Assembly Dynamics with Catalytic Reactions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:2086-2099. [PMID: 36968013 PMCID: PMC10034213 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) acts as an initiator for DNA methylation and prevents the downstream genes from expressing. Perturbations of DNMT3A functions may cause uncontrolled gene expression, resulting in pathogenic consequences such as cancers. It is, therefore, vitally important to understand the catalytic process of DNMT3A in its biological macromolecule assembly, viz., heterotetramer: (DNMT3A-3 L)dimer. In this study, we utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, Markov State Models (MSM), and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations (QM/MM) to investigate the de novo methyl transfer process. We identified the dynamics of the key residues relevant to the insertion of the target cytosine (dC) into the catalytic domain of DNMT3A, and the detailed potential energy surface of the seven-step reaction referring to methyl transfer. Our calculated potential energy barrier (22.51 kcal/mol) approximates the former experimental data (23.12 kcal/mol). The conformational change of the 5-methyl-cytosine (5mC) intermediate was found necessary in forming a four-water chain for the elimination step, which is unique to the other DNMTs. The biological assembly facilitates the creation of such a water chain, and the elimination occurs in an asynchronized mechanism in the two catalytic pockets. We anticipate the findings can enable a better understanding of the general mechanisms of the de novo methyl transfer for fulfilling the key enzymatic functions in epigenetics. And the unique elimination of DNMT3A might ignite novel methods for designing anti-cancer and tumor inhibitors of DNMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- School of Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Jingyuan Zhuang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Chen Li
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Gui-Juan Cheng
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- School of Life and Health Sciences, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Steroid Drug Development, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
- Corresponding author at: Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China.
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32
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Epigenetic regulation in hematopoiesis and its implications in the targeted therapy of hematologic malignancies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:71. [PMID: 36797244 PMCID: PMC9935927 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01342-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies are one of the most common cancers, and the incidence has been rising in recent decades. The clinical and molecular features of hematologic malignancies are highly heterogenous, and some hematologic malignancies are incurable, challenging the treatment, and prognosis of the patients. However, hematopoiesis and oncogenesis of hematologic malignancies are profoundly affected by epigenetic regulation. Studies have found that methylation-related mutations, abnormal methylation profiles of DNA, and abnormal histone deacetylase expression are recurrent in leukemia and lymphoma. Furthermore, the hypomethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors are effective to treat acute myeloid leukemia and T-cell lymphomas, indicating that epigenetic regulation is indispensable to hematologic oncogenesis. Epigenetic regulation mainly includes DNA modifications, histone modifications, and noncoding RNA-mediated targeting, and regulates various DNA-based processes. This review presents the role of writers, readers, and erasers of DNA methylation and histone methylation, and acetylation in hematologic malignancies. In addition, this review provides the influence of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs on hematologic malignancies. Furthermore, the implication of epigenetic regulation in targeted treatment is discussed. This review comprehensively presents the change and function of each epigenetic regulator in normal and oncogenic hematopoiesis and provides innovative epigenetic-targeted treatment in clinical practice.
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PGC7 Regulates Genome-Wide DNA Methylation by Regulating ERK-Mediated Subcellular Localization of DNMT1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043093. [PMID: 36834503 PMCID: PMC9958980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including the regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, early embryonic development, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation. PGC7 is a maternal factor that maintains DNA methylation during early embryonic development. One mechanism of action has been identified by analyzing the interactions between PGC7 and UHRF1, H3K9 me2, or TET2/TET3, which reveals how PGC7 regulates DNA methylation in oocytes or fertilized embryos. However, the mechanism by which PGC7 regulates the post-translational modification of methylation-related enzymes remains to be elucidated. This study focused on F9 cells (embryonic cancer cells), which display high levels of PGC7 expression. We found that both knockdown of Pgc7 and inhibition of ERK activity resulted in increased genome-wide DNA methylation levels. Mechanistic experiments confirmed that inhibition of ERK activity led to the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus, ERK phosphorylated DNMT1 at ser717, and DNMT1 Ser717-Ala mutation promoted the nuclear localization of DNMT1. Moreover, knockdown of Pgc7 also caused downregulation of ERK phosphorylation and promoted the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus. In conclusion, we reveal a new mechanism by which PGC7 regulates genome-wide DNA methylation via phosphorylation of DNMT1 at ser717 by ERK. These findings may provide new insights into treatments for DNA methylation-related diseases.
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Kim M, Delgado E, Ko S. DNA methylation in cell plasticity and malignant transformation in liver diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108334. [PMID: 36535346 PMCID: PMC9841769 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The liver possesses extraordinary regenerative capacity mainly attributable to the ability of hepatocytes (HCs) and biliary epithelial cells (BECs) to self-replicate. This ability is left over from their bipotent parent cell, the hepatoblast, during development. When this innate regeneration is compromised due to the absence of proliferative parenchymal cells, such as during cirrhosis, HCs and BEC can transdifferentiate; thus, adding another layer of complexity to the process of liver repair. In addition, dysregulated lineage maintenance in these two cell populations has been shown to promote malignant growth in experimental conditions. Here, malignant transformation, driven in part by insufficient maintenance of lineage reprogramming, contributes to end-stage liver disease. Epigenetic changes are key drivers for cell fate decisions as well as transformation by finetuning overall transcription and gene expression. In this review, we address how altered DNA methylation contributes to the initiation and progression of hepatic cell fate conversion and cancer formation. We also discussed the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting DNA methylation in liver cancer, its current limitations, and what future research is necessary to facilitate its contribution to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Evan Delgado
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
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Vargas LN, Silveira MM, Franco MM. Epigenetic Reprogramming and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2647:37-58. [PMID: 37041328 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3064-8_2] [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: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics is an area of genetics that studies the heritable modifications in gene expression and phenotype that are not controlled by the primary sequence of DNA. The main epigenetic mechanisms are DNA methylation, post-translational covalent modifications in histone tails, and non-coding RNAs. During mammalian development, there are two global waves of epigenetic reprogramming. The first one occurs during gametogenesis and the second one begins immediately after fertilization. Environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, unbalanced nutrition, behavioral factors, stress, in vitro culture conditions can negatively affect epigenetic reprogramming events. In this review, we describe the main epigenetic mechanisms found during mammalian preimplantation development (e.g., genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation). Moreover, we discuss the detrimental effects of cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer on the reprogramming of epigenetic patterns and some molecular alternatives to minimize these negative impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luna N Vargas
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Márcia M Silveira
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Maurício M Franco
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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36
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Zhao J, Huai J. Role of primary aging hallmarks in Alzheimer´s disease. Theranostics 2023; 13:197-230. [PMID: 36593969 PMCID: PMC9800733 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, which severely threatens the health of the elderly and causes significant economic and social burdens. The causes of AD are complex and include heritable but mostly aging-related factors. The primary aging hallmarks include genomic instability, telomere wear, epigenetic changes, and loss of protein stability, which play a dominant role in the aging process. Although AD is closely associated with the aging process, the underlying mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis have not been well characterized. This review summarizes the available literature about primary aging hallmarks and their roles in AD pathogenesis. By analyzing published literature, we attempted to uncover the possible mechanisms of aberrant epigenetic markers with related enzymes, transcription factors, and loss of proteostasis in AD. In particular, the importance of oxidative stress-induced DNA methylation and DNA methylation-directed histone modifications and proteostasis are highlighted. A molecular network of gene regulatory elements that undergoes a dynamic change with age may underlie age-dependent AD pathogenesis, and can be used as a new drug target to treat AD.
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Bashtrykov P, Rajaram N, Jeltsch A. Efficient Targeted DNA Methylation with dCas9-Coupled DNMT3A-DNMT3L Methyltransferase. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2577:177-188. [PMID: 36173573 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2724-2_12] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Epigenome editing is a powerful approach for the establishment of a chromatin environment with desired properties at a selected genomic locus, which is used to influence the transcription of target genes and to study properties and functions of gene regulatory elements. Targeted DNA methylation is one of the most often used types of epigenome editing, which typically aims for gene silencing by methylation of gene promoters. Here, we describe the design principles of EpiEditors for targeted DNA methylation and provide step-by-step guidelines for the realization of this approach. We focus on the dCas9 protein as the state-of-the-art DNA targeting module fused to 10×SunTag as the most frequently used system for editing enhancement. Further, we discuss different flavors of DNA methyltransferase modules used for this purpose including the most specific variants developed recently. Finally, we explain the principles of gRNA selection, outline the setup of the cell culture experiments, and briefly introduce the available options for the downstream DNA methylation data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Bashtrykov
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Nivethika Rajaram
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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38
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The R736H cancer mutation in DNMT3A modulates the properties of the FF-subunit interface. Biochimie 2022; 208:66-74. [PMID: 36528185 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.12.005] [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: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The DNMT3A DNA methyltransferase is an important epigenetic enzyme that is frequently mutated in cancers, particularly in AML. The heterozygous R736H mutation in the FF-interface of the tetrameric enzyme is the second most frequently observed DNMT3A cancer mutation, but its pathogenic mechanism is unclear. We show here that R736H leads to a moderate reduction in catalytic activity of 20-40% depending on the substrate, but no changes in CpG specificity, flanking sequence preferences and subnuclear localization. Strikingly, R736H showed a very strong stimulation by DNMT3L and the R736H/DNMT3L complex was 3-fold more active than WT/DNMT3L. Similarly, formation of mixed R736H/DNMT3A WT FF-interfaces led to an increased activity. R736H/DNMT3L and mixed R736H/DNMT3A WT FF-interfaces were less stable than interfaces not involving R736H, suggesting that an increased flexibility of the mixed interfaces stimulates catalytic activity. Our data suggest that aberrant activity of DNMT3A R736H may lead to DNA hypermethylation in cancer cells which could cause changes in gene expression.
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Balendran V, Ritter KE, Martin DM. Epigenetic mechanisms of inner ear development. Hear Res 2022; 426:108440. [PMID: 35063312 PMCID: PMC9276839 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic factors are critically important for embryonic and postnatal development. Over the past decade, substantial technological advancements have occurred that now permit the study of epigenetic mechanisms that govern all aspects of inner ear development, from otocyst patterning to maturation and maintenance of hair cell stereocilia. In this review, we highlight how three major classes of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling) are essential for the development of the inner ear. We highlight open avenues for research and discuss how new tools enable the employment of epigenetic factors in regenerative and therapeutic approaches for hearing and balance disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinodh Balendran
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - K Elaine Ritter
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan Medical School, 8220C MSRB III, 1150 W, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5652, United States
| | - Donna M Martin
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Department of Pediatrics, Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan Medical School, 8220C MSRB III, 1150 W, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5652, United States; Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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40
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Abstract
DNMT1 is an essential enzyme that maintains genomic DNA methylation, and its function is regulated by mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. Here, we report the cryo-EM structure of human DNMT1 bound to its two natural activators: hemimethylated DNA and ubiquitinated histone H3. We find that a hitherto unstudied linker, between the RFTS and CXXC domains, plays a key role for activation. It contains a conserved α-helix which engages a crucial "Toggle" pocket, displacing a previously described inhibitory linker, and allowing the DNA Recognition Helix to spring into the active conformation. This is accompanied by large-scale reorganization of the inhibitory RFTS and CXXC domains, allowing the enzyme to gain full activity. Our results therefore provide a mechanistic basis for the activation of DNMT1, with consequences for basic research and drug design.
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41
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Structure and Mechanism of Plant DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:137-157. [PMID: 36350509 PMCID: PMC10112988 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark conserved in eukaryotes from fungi to animals and plants, where it plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and transposon silencing. Once the methylation mark is established by de novo DNA methyltransferases, specific regulatory mechanisms are required to maintain the methylation state during chromatin replication, both during meiosis and mitosis. Plant DNA methylation is found in three contexts; CG, CHG, and CHH (H = A, T, C), which are established and maintained by a unique set of DNA methyltransferases and are regulated by plant-specific pathways. DNA methylation in plants is often associated with other epigenetic modifications, such as noncoding RNA and histone modifications. This chapter focuses on the structure, function, and regulatory mechanism of plant DNA methyltransferases and their crosstalk with other epigenetic pathways.
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42
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Du W, Shi G, Shan CM, Li Z, Zhu B, Jia S, Li Q, Zhang Z. Mechanisms of chromatin-based epigenetic inheritance. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 65:2162-2190. [PMID: 35792957 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2120-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Multi-cellular organisms such as humans contain hundreds of cell types that share the same genetic information (DNA sequences), and yet have different cellular traits and functions. While how genetic information is passed through generations has been extensively characterized, it remains largely obscure how epigenetic information encoded by chromatin regulates the passage of certain traits, gene expression states and cell identity during mitotic cell divisions, and even through meiosis. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances on molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance, discuss the potential impacts of epigenetic inheritance during normal development and in some disease conditions, and outline future research directions for this challenging, but exciting field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Du
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Guojun Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chun-Min Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhiming Li
- Institutes of Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Bing Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Songtao Jia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences and Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Institutes of Cancer Genetics, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A forms interaction networks with the CpG site and flanking sequence elements for efficient methylation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102462. [PMID: 36067881 PMCID: PMC9530848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102462] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific DNA methylation at CpG and non-CpG sites is essential for chromatin regulation. The DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A interacts with target sites surrounded by variable DNA sequences with its TRD and RD loops, but the functional necessity of these interactions is unclear. We investigated CpG and non-CpG methylation in a randomized sequence context using WT DNMT3A and several DNMT3A variants containing mutations at DNA-interacting residues. Our data revealed that the flanking sequence of target sites between the −2 and up to the +8 position modulates methylation rates >100-fold. Non-CpG methylation flanking preferences were even stronger and favor C(+1). R836 and N838 in concert mediate recognition of the CpG guanine. R836 changes its conformation in a flanking sequence-dependent manner and either contacts the CpG guanine or the +1/+2 flank, thereby coupling the interaction with both sequence elements. R836 suppresses activity at CNT sites but supports methylation of CAC substrates, the preferred target for non-CpG methylation of DNMT3A in cells. N838 helps to balance this effect and prevent the preference for C(+1) from becoming too strong. Surprisingly, we found L883 reduces DNMT3A activity despite being highly conserved in evolution. However, mutations at L883 disrupt the DNMT3A-specific DNA interactions of the RD loop, leading to altered flanking sequence preferences. Similar effects occur after the R882H mutation in cancer cells. Our data reveal that DNMT3A forms flexible and interdependent interaction networks with the CpG guanine and flanking residues that ensure recognition of the CpG and efficient methylation of the cytosine in contexts of variable flanking sequences.
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Discovery of novel non-nucleoside inhibitors with high potency and selectivity for DNA methyltransferase 3A. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 242:114646. [PMID: 36029561 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114646] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are important epigenetic regulatory enzymes involved in gene expression corresponding to many diseases including cancer. As one of the major enzymatically active mammalian DNMTs, DNMT3A has been regarded as an attractive target for the treatment of cancer particularly in hematological malignancy. Discovery of promising inhibitors toward this target with low toxicity, adequate activity and target selectivity is therefore pivotal in the development of novel cancer therapy and the inhibitory mechanism investigation. In this study, a multistep structure-based virtual screening and in vitro bioassays were conducted to search for potent novel DNMT3A inhibitors. Compound DY-46 was then identified as a promising new scaffold candidate (IC50 = 1.3 ± 0.22 μM) that can occupy both the SAM-cofactor pocket and the cytosine pocket of DNMT3A. Further similarity searching led to the discovery of compound DY-46-2 with IC50 of 0.39 ± 0.23 μM, which showed excellent selectivity against DNMT1 (33.3-fold), DNMT3B (269-fold) and G9a (over 1000-fold). These potent compounds significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation and showed low cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This study provides a promising scaffold for the further development of DNMT3A inhibitors, and the possibility to design proper analogs with broad or specific selectivity.
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45
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DNA Methyltransferases: From Evolution to Clinical Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168994. [PMID: 36012258 PMCID: PMC9409253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark that living beings have used in different environments. The MTases family catalyzes DNA methylation. This process is conserved from archaea to eukaryotes, from fertilization to every stage of development, and from the early stages of cancer to metastasis. The family of DNMTs has been classified into DNMT1, DNMT2, and DNMT3. Each DNMT has been duplicated or deleted, having consequences on DNMT structure and cellular function, resulting in a conserved evolutionary reaction of DNA methylation. DNMTs are conserved in the five kingdoms of life: bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, and animals. The importance of DNMTs in whether methylate or not has a historical adaptation that in mammals has been discovered in complex regulatory mechanisms to develop another padlock to genomic insurance stability. The regulatory mechanisms that control DNMTs expression are involved in a diversity of cell phenotypes and are associated with pathologies transcription deregulation. This work focused on DNA methyltransferases, their biology, functions, and new inhibitory mechanisms reported. We also discuss different approaches to inhibit DNMTs, the use of non-coding RNAs and nucleoside chemical compounds in recent studies, and their importance in biological, clinical, and industry research.
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46
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Gao L, Guo Y, Biswal M, Lu J, Yin J, Fang J, Chen X, Shao Z, Huang M, Wang Y, Wang GG, Song J. Structure of DNMT3B homo-oligomer reveals vulnerability to impairment by ICF mutations. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4249. [PMID: 35869095 PMCID: PMC9307851 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31933-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B plays an essential role in establishment of DNA methylation during embryogenesis. Mutations of DNMT3B are associated with human diseases, notably the immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome. How ICF mutations affect DNMT3B activity is not fully understood. Here we report the homo-oligomeric structure of DNMT3B methyltransferase domain, providing insight into DNMT3B-mediated DNA methylation in embryonic stem cells where the functional regulator DNMT3L is dispensable. The interplay between one of the oligomer interfaces (FF interface) and the catalytic loop renders DNMT3B homo-oligomer a conformation and activity distinct from the DNMT3B-DNMT3L heterotetramer, and a greater vulnerability to certain ICF mutations. Biochemical and cellular analyses further reveal that the ICF mutations of FF interface impair the DNA binding and heterochromatin targeting of DNMT3B, leading to reduced DNA methylation in cells. Together, this study provides a mechanistic understanding of DNMT3B-mediated DNA methylation and its dysregulation in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linfeng Gao
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Yiran Guo
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA
| | - Mahamaya Biswal
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Jiuwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Jiekai Yin
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Jian Fang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Xinyi Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Zengyu Shao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Mengjiang Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA.
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, 27599, NC, USA.
| | - Jikui Song
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, 92521, CA, USA.
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Zhao H, Yu J, Weng G, Yu J, Wang E, Gao J, Liu H, Hou T, Wang Z, Kang Y. Structural view on the role of the TRD loop in regulating DNMT3A activity: a molecular dynamics study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:15791-15801. [PMID: 35758413 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp02031a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) has been regarded as a potential epigenetic target for the development of cancer therapeutics. A number of DNMT3A inhibitors have been reported, but most of them do not have good potency, high selectivity and/or low cytotoxicity. It has been suggested that a non-conserved region around the target recognition domain (TRD) loop is implicated in the DNMT3A activity under the allosteric regulation of the ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L (ADD) domain, but the molecular mechanism of the regulation of the TRD loop on the DNMT3A activity needs to be elucidated. In this study, based on the reported crystal structures, the dynamics of the TRD loop in different multimerization with/without the bound guest molecule, namely the ADD domain or the DNA molecule, was investigated using conventional molecular dynamics (MD) and umbrella sampling simulations. The simulation results illustrate that the TRD loop exhibits relatively higher flexibility than the other components in the whole catalytic domain (CD), which could be well stabilized into different local minima through the binding with either the ADD domain or the DNA molecule by forming tight hydrogen-bond and salt-bridge networks involving distinct residues. Moreover, the movement of the TRD loop away from the catalytic loop upon activation could be triggered simply by the detachment of the ADD domain, but not necessarily induced by the ADD domain relocation on the CD. All these dynamic structural details could be a supplement to the previously reported crystal structure, which underlines the importance of the structural flexibility for the critical residues in the TRD loop, arousing more interest in the rational design of novel DNMT3A inhibitors targeting this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China. .,Alibaba-Zhejiang University Joint Research Center of Future Digital Healthcare, China
| | - Jie Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Gaoqi Weng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiahui Yu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ercheng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Junbo Gao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- Faculty of Applied Science, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, SAR, China
| | - Tingjun Hou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yu Kang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
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48
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Chen J, Hu R, Chen Y, Lin X, Xiang W, Chen H, Yao C, Liu L. Structural basis for MTA1c-mediated DNA N6-adenine methylation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3257. [PMID: 35672411 PMCID: PMC9174199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31060-6] [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: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-adenine methylation (6 mA) has recently been found to play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation in eukaryotes. MTA1c, a newly discovered 6 mA methyltransferase complex in ciliates, is composed of MTA1, MTA9, p1 and p2 subunits and specifically methylates ApT dinucleotides, yet its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, we report the structures of Tetrahymena thermophila MTA1 (TthMTA1), Paramecium tetraurelia MTA9 (PteMTA9)-TthMTA1 binary complex, as well as the structures of TthMTA1-p1-p2 and TthMTA1-p2 complexes in apo, S-adenosyl methionine-bound and S-adenosyl homocysteine-bound states. We show that MTA1 is the catalytically active subunit, p1 and p2 are involved in the formation of substrate DNA-binding channel, and MTA9 plays a structural role in the stabilization of substrate binding. We identify that MTA1 is a cofactor-dependent catalytically active subunit, which exhibits stable SAM-binding activity only after assembly with p2. Our structures and corresponding functional studies provide a more detailed mechanistic understanding of 6 mA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Rong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Wenwen Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Canglin Yao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China.
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Shirane K. The dynamic chromatin landscape and mechanisms of DNA methylation during mouse germ cell development. Gene 2022; 97:3-14. [PMID: 35431282 DOI: 10.1266/ggs.21-00069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic marks including DNA methylation (DNAme) play a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of genes and retrotransposons. Defects in DNAme are detected in infertility, imprinting disorders and congenital diseases in humans, highlighting the broad importance of this epigenetic mark in both development and disease. While DNAme in terminally differentiated cells is stably propagated following cell division by the maintenance DNAme machinery, widespread erasure and subsequent de novo establishment of this epigenetic mark occur early in embryonic development as well as in germ cell development. Combined with deep sequencing, low-input methods that have been developed in the past several years have enabled high-resolution and genome-wide mapping of both DNAme and histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in rare cell populations including developing germ cells. Epigenome studies using these novel methods reveal an unprecedented view of the dynamic chromatin landscape during germ cell development. Furthermore, integrative analysis of chromatin marks in normal germ cells and in those deficient in chromatin-modifying enzymes uncovers a critical interplay between histone PTMs and de novo DNAme in the germline. This review discusses work on mechanisms of the erasure and subsequent de novo DNAme in mouse germ cells as well as the outstanding questions relating to the regulation of the dynamic chromatin landscape in germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Shirane
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University
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50
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Na F, Pan X, Chen J, Chen X, Wang M, Chi P, You L, Zhang L, Zhong A, Zhao L, Dai S, Zhang M, Wang Y, Wang B, Zheng J, Wang Y, Xu J, Wang J, Wu B, Chen M, Liu H, Xue J, Huang M, Gong Y, Zhu J, Zhou L, Zhang Y, Yu M, Tian P, Fan M, Lu Z, Xue Z, Zhao Y, Yang H, Zhao C, Wang Y, Han J, Yang S, Xie D, Chen L, Zhong Q, Zeng M, Lowe SW, Lu Y, Liu Y, Wei Y, Chen C. KMT2C deficiency promotes small cell lung cancer metastasis through DNMT3A-mediated epigenetic reprogramming. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:753-767. [PMID: 35449309 PMCID: PMC9969417 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00361-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is notorious for its early and frequent metastases, which contribute to it as a recalcitrant malignancy. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying SCLC metastasis, we generated SCLC mouse models with orthotopically transplanted genome-edited lung organoids and performed multiomics analyses. We found that a deficiency of KMT2C, a histone H3 lysine 4 methyltransferase frequently mutated in extensive-stage SCLC, promoted multiple-organ metastases in mice. Metastatic and KMT2C-deficient SCLC displayed both histone and DNA hypomethylation. Mechanistically, KMT2C directly regulated the expression of DNMT3A, a de novo DNA methyltransferase, through histone methylation. Forced DNMT3A expression restrained metastasis of KMT2C-deficient SCLC through repressing metastasis-promoting MEIS/HOX genes. Further, S-(5'-adenosyl)-L-methionine, the common cofactor of histone and DNA methyltransferases, inhibited SCLC metastasis. Thus, our study revealed a concerted epigenetic reprogramming of KMT2C- and DNMT3A-mediated histone and DNA hypomethylation underlying SCLC metastasis, which suggested a potential epigenetic therapeutic vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifei Na
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,These authors contributed equally: Feifei Na, Xiangyu Pan, Jingyao Chen, Xuelan Chen
| | - Xiangyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,These authors contributed equally: Feifei Na, Xiangyu Pan, Jingyao Chen, Xuelan Chen
| | - Jingyao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,These authors contributed equally: Feifei Na, Xiangyu Pan, Jingyao Chen, Xuelan Chen
| | - Xuelan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,These authors contributed equally: Feifei Na, Xiangyu Pan, Jingyao Chen, Xuelan Chen
| | - Manli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Pengliang Chi
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liting You
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lanxin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ailing Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siqi Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengsha Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Baohong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianxin Xue
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Meijuan Huang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Youling Gong
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Panwen Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyu Fan
- Lung Cancer Treatment Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhenghao Lu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Chengdu OrganoidMed Medical Laboratory, West China Health Valley, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhihong Xue
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yinglan Zhao
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hanshuo Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chengjian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junhong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shengyong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Musheng Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Scott W. Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - You Lu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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