1
|
Wei C, Kesner B, Yin H, Lee JT. Imprinted X chromosome inactivation at the gamete-to-embryo transition. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1442-1459.e7. [PMID: 38458200 PMCID: PMC11031340 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
In mammals, dosage compensation involves two parallel processes: (1) X inactivation, which equalizes X chromosome dosage between males and females, and (2) X hyperactivation, which upregulates the active X for X-autosome balance. The field currently favors models whereby dosage compensation initiates "de novo" during mouse development. Here, we develop "So-Smart-seq" to revisit the question and interrogate a comprehensive transcriptome including noncoding genes and repeats in mice. Intriguingly, de novo silencing pertains only to a subset of Xp genes. Evolutionarily older genes and repetitive elements demonstrate constitutive Xp silencing, adopt distinct signatures, and do not require Xist to initiate silencing. We trace Xp silencing backward in developmental time to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in the male germ line and observe that Xm hyperactivation is timed to Xp silencing on a gene-by-gene basis. Thus, during the gamete-to-embryo transition, older Xp genes are transmitted in a "pre-inactivated" state. These findings have implications for the evolution of imprinting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunyao Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Barry Kesner
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hao Yin
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Abe H, Yeh YH, Munakata Y, Ishiguro KI, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. Active DNA damage response signaling initiates and maintains meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7212. [PMID: 36443288 PMCID: PMC9705562 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34295-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) is an essential process in the male germline. While genetic experiments have established that the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway directs MSCI, due to limitations to the experimental systems available, mechanisms underlying MSCI remain largely unknown. Here we establish a system to study MSCI ex vivo, based on a short-term culture method, and demonstrate that active DDR signaling is required both to initiate and maintain MSCI via a dynamic and reversible process. DDR-directed MSCI follows two layers of modifications: active DDR-dependent reversible processes and irreversible histone post-translational modifications. Further, the DDR initiates MSCI independent of the downstream repressive histone mark H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3), thereby demonstrating that active DDR signaling is the primary mechanism of silencing in MSCI. By unveiling the dynamic nature of MSCI, and its governance by active DDR signals, our study highlights the sex chromosomes as an active signaling hub in meiosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Abe
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA ,grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Yu-Han Yeh
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Yasuhisa Munakata
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- grid.274841.c0000 0001 0660 6749Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811 Japan
| | - Paul R. Andreassen
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- grid.27860.3b0000 0004 1936 9684Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang LB, Li ZK, Wang LY, Xu K, Ji TT, Mao YH, Ma SN, Liu T, Tu CF, Zhao Q, Fan XN, Liu C, Wang LY, Shu YJ, Yang N, Zhou Q, Li W. A sustainable mouse karyotype created by programmed chromosome fusion. Science 2022; 377:967-975. [PMID: 36007034 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm1964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Chromosome engineering has been attempted successfully in yeast but remains challenging in higher eukaryotes, including mammals. Here, we report programmed chromosome ligation in mice that resulted in the creation of new karyotypes in the lab. Using haploid embryonic stem cells and gene editing, we fused the two largest mouse chromosomes, chromosomes 1 and 2, and two medium-size chromosomes, chromosomes 4 and 5. Chromatin conformation and stem cell differentiation were minimally affected. However, karyotypes carrying fused chromosomes 1 and 2 resulted in arrested mitosis, polyploidization, and embryonic lethality, whereas a smaller fused chromosome composed of chromosomes 4 and 5 was able to be passed on to homozygous offspring. Our results suggest the feasibility of chromosome-level engineering in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhi-Kun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Le-Yun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kai Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tian-Tian Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yi-Huan Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Si-Nan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Cheng-Fang Tu
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Xu-Ning Fan
- Annoroad Gene Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176, China
| | - Chao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Li-Ying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - You-Jia Shu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ning Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Bejing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
A long noncoding RNA influences the choice of the X chromosome to be inactivated. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2118182119. [PMID: 35787055 PMCID: PMC9282422 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2118182119] [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] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is the process of silencing one of the X chromosomes in cells of the female mammal which ensures dosage compensation between the sexes. Although theoretically random in somatic tissues, the choice of which X chromosome is chosen to be inactivated can be biased in mice by genetic element(s) associated with the so-called X-controlling element (Xce). Although the Xce was first described and genetically localized nearly 40 y ago, its mode of action remains elusive. In the approach presented here, we identify a single long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) within the Xce locus, Lppnx, which may be the driving factor in the choice of which X chromosome will be inactivated in the developing female mouse embryo. Comparing weak and strong Xce alleles we show that Lppnx modulates the expression of Xist lncRNA, one of the key factors in XCI, by controlling the occupancy of pluripotency factors at Intron1 of Xist. This effect is counteracted by enhanced binding of Rex1 in DxPas34, another key element in XCI regulating the activity of Tsix lncRNA, the main antagonist of Xist, in the strong but not in the weak Xce allele. These results suggest that the different susceptibility for XCI observed in weak and strong Xce alleles results from differential transcription factor binding of Xist Intron 1 and DxPas34, and that Lppnx represents a decisive factor in explaining the action of the Xce.
Collapse
|
5
|
Li C, Luo M, Wang J, Niu H, Shen Z, Wu ZS. Rigidified DNA Triangle-Protected Molecular Beacon from Endogenous Nuclease Digestion for Monitoring microRNA Expression in Living Cells. ACS Sens 2020; 5:2378-2387. [PMID: 32786386 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c00212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Utilizing the nucleic acid-based self-assembly technology, Y-shaped backbone-rigidified DNA triangles with substantially enhanced nuclease resistance are built by designing a Y-shaped backbone in the center of a planar DNA triangle. Along this line, we developed aptamer-targeted DNA triangle-based molecular beacon (Apt-Tri-MB) probes for monitoring the microRNA expression in living cells with high sensitivity and specificity. For the Apt-Tri-MB probe, the MB is protected by the DNA triangle from unwanted enzymatic digestion, and a targeting ligand aptamer is introduced to endow the MB with active tumor cell-targeting capability. Thus, the digestion-induced false-positive signal is avoided, and the background fluorescence, which originates from the passive cell uptake (e.g., transfection) of reporting probes, is substantially suppressed. The imaging capability of the Apt-Tri-MB is superior to the commercial transfection agent-based counterpart and exhibits good universality suitable for imaging different miRNAs by changing the recognition fragment of the MB. Meanwhile, the disadvantages are efficiently circumvented, including the susceptibility of nucleic acids to nuclease-mediated degradation, inability of MB probes to enter cells, lipofectamine-determined cellular cytotoxicity, and nontargeting cell uptake. Inspired by the Y-shaped backbone-rigidified Apt-Tri-MB, we also constructed X-shaped backbone-rigidified quadrangle-based probes (Apt-Qua-MB). The experimental results show that cell imaging and antidegradation capability of Apt-Qua-MB are comparable with Apt-Tri-MB. As a proof-of-concept study, the Apt-Tri-MB is expected to open an exciting avenue for the further application of nucleic acid probes in the cellular level research and clinical disease diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Li
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Mengxue Luo
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Huimin Niu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Zhifa Shen
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education of China, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zai-Sheng Wu
- Cancer Metastasis Alert and Prevention Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Metastasis Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy, National & Local Joint Biomedical Engineering Research Center on Photodynamic Technologies, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhu Y, Yan Z, Tang Z, Li W. Novel Approaches to Profile Functional Long Noncoding RNAs Associated with Stem Cell Pluripotency. Curr Genomics 2020; 21:37-45. [PMID: 32655297 PMCID: PMC7324891 DOI: 10.2174/1389202921666200210142840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The pluripotent state of stem cells depends on the complicated network orchestrated by thousands of factors and genes. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a class of RNA longer than 200 nt without a protein-coding function. Single-cell sequencing studies have identified hundreds of lncRNAs with dynamic changes in somatic cell reprogramming. Accumulating evidence suggests that they participate in the initiation of reprogramming, maintenance of pluripotency, and developmental processes by cis and/or trans mechanisms. In particular, they may interact with proteins, RNAs, and chromatin modifier complexes to form an intricate pluripotency-associated network. In this review, we focus on recent progress in approaches to profiling functional lncRNAs in somatic cell reprogramming and cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanbo Zhu
- 1Stem Cell and Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China
| | - Zi Yan
- 1Stem Cell and Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China
| | - Ze Tang
- 1Stem Cell and Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China
| | - Wei Li
- 1Stem Cell and Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China; 3Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin130021, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Che L, Alavattam KG, Stambrook PJ, Namekawa SH, Du C. BRUCE preserves genomic stability in the male germline of mice. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2402-2416. [PMID: 32139899 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0513-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BRUCE is a DNA damage response protein that promotes the activation of ATM and ATR for homologous recombination (HR) repair in somatic cells, making BRUCE a key protector of genomic stability. Preservation of genomic stability in the germline is essential for the maintenance of species. Here, we show that BRUCE is required for the preservation of genomic stability in the male germline of mice, specifically in spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Conditional knockout of Bruce in the male germline leads to profound defects in spermatogenesis, including impaired maintenance of spermatogonia and increased chromosomal anomalies during meiosis. Bruce-deficient pachytene spermatocytes frequently displayed persistent DNA breaks. Homologous synapsis was impaired, and nonhomologous associations and rearrangements were apparent in up to 10% of Bruce-deficient spermatocytes. Genomic instability was apparent in the form of chromosomal fragmentation, translocations, and synapsed quadrivalents and hexavalents. In addition, unsynapsed regions of rearranged autosomes were devoid of ATM and ATR signaling, suggesting an impairment in the ATM- and ATR-dependent DNA damage response of meiotic HR. Taken together, our study unveils crucial functions for BRUCE in the maintenance of spermatogonia and in the regulation of meiotic HR-functions that preserve the genomic stability of the male germline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lixiao Che
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Peter J Stambrook
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Chunying Du
- Department of Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen L, Song Z, Wu J, Huang Q, Shen Z, Wei X, Lin Z. LncRNA DANCR sponges miR-216a to inhibit odontoblast differentiation through upregulating c-Cbl. Exp Cell Res 2019; 387:111751. [PMID: 31805275 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.111751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced odontoblast differentiation of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) is considered a keystone in dentin-pulp complex formation. We have revealed lncRNA DANCR was implicated in this differentiation program, however, its mechanism in odontoblast differentiation of hDPCs remains further explored. In this study, by employing loss-of-function approach, we identified downregulation of DANCR drived odontoblast differentiaion of hDPCs. Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to show that DANCR contained binding site for miR-216a and an inverse correlation between DANCR and miR-216a was obtained. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) were applied to further confirm that DANCR conferred its functions by directly binding to miR-216a. Notably, miR-216a was able to bind to the 3'-UTR of c-Cbl and repressed its expression. In addition, the protein level of c-CBL was significantly downregulated during hDPCs differentiation, while c-Cbl overexpression inhibited odontoblast differentiation of hDPCs. Moreover, downregulation of miR-216a efficiently reversed the suppression of c-Cbl level and odontoblast differentiation induced by knockdown of DANCR. Taken together, these analyses indicated that DANCR positively regulated the expression of c-Cbl, through sponging miR-216a, and inhibited odontoblast differentiation of hDPCs. Our results will extend the field of clinical application for cell-based therapy in regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Chen
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhi Song
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jinyan Wu
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qiting Huang
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zongshan Shen
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xi Wei
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhengmei Lin
- Department of Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Hospital of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510055, Guangdong, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510055, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zou H, Yu D, Du X, Wang J, Chen L, Wang Y, Xu H, Zhao Y, Zhao S, Pang Y, Liu Y, Hao H, Zhao X, Du W, Dai Y, Li N, Wu S, Zhu H. No imprinted XIST expression in pigs: biallelic XIST expression in early embryos and random X inactivation in placentas. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4525-4538. [PMID: 31139846 PMCID: PMC11105601 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03123-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dosage compensation, which is achieved by X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) in female mammals, ensures balanced X-linked gene expression levels between the sexes. Although eutherian mammals commonly display random XCI in embryonic and adult tissues, imprinted XCI has also been identified in extraembryonic tissues of mouse, rat, and cow. Little is known about XCI in pigs. Here, we sequenced the porcine XIST gene and identified an insertion/deletion mutation between Asian- and Western-origin pig breeds. Allele-specific analysis revealed biallelic XIST expression in porcine ICSI blastocysts. To investigate the XCI pattern in porcine placentas, we performed allele-specific RNA sequencing analysis on individuals from reciprocal crosses between Duroc and Rongchang pigs. Our results were the first to reveal that random XCI occurs in the placentas of pigs. Next, we investigated the H3K27me3 histone pattern in porcine blastocysts, showing that only 17-31.8% cells have attained XCI. The hypomethylation status of an important XIST DMR (differentially methylated region) in gametes and early embryos demonstrated that no methylation is pre-deposited on XIST in pigs. Our findings reveal that the XCI regulation mechanism in pigs is different from that in mice and highlight the importance of further study of the mechanisms regulating XCI during early porcine embryo development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huiying Zou
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Dawei Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xuguang Du
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Chongqing Academy of Animal Science, Chongqing, 402460, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Huitao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunxuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shanjiang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunwei Pang
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Haisheng Hao
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xueming Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Weihua Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yunping Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ning Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Sen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Huabin Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal (Poultry) Genetics Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cairns J, Ingle JN, Kalari KR, Shepherd LE, Kubo M, Goetz MP, Weinshilboum RM, Wang L. The lncRNA MIR2052HG regulates ERα levels and aromatase inhibitor resistance through LMTK3 by recruiting EGR1. Breast Cancer Res 2019; 21:47. [PMID: 30944027 PMCID: PMC6448248 DOI: 10.1186/s13058-019-1130-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Our previous genome-wide association study using the MA.27 aromatase inhibitors adjuvant trial identified SNPs in the long noncoding RNA MIR2052HG associated with breast cancer-free interval. MIR2052HG maintained ERα both by promoting AKT/FOXO3-mediated ESR1 transcription and by limiting ubiquitin-mediated ERα degradation. Our goal was to further elucidate MIR2052HG’s mechanism of action. Methods RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assays were performed to demonstrate that the transcription factor, early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), worked together with MIR2052HG to regulate that lemur tyrosine kinase-3 (LMTK3) transcription in MCF7/AC1 and CAMA-1 cells. The location of EGR1 on the LMTK3 gene locus was mapped using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The co-localization of MIR2052HG RNA and the LMTK3 gene locus was determined using RNA-DNA dual fluorescent in situ hybridization. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) effects were evaluated using a panel of human lymphoblastoid cell lines. Results MIR2052HG depletion in breast cancer cells results in a decrease in LMTK3 expression and cell growth. Mechanistically, MIR2052HG interacts with EGR1 and facilitates its recruitment to the LMTK3 promoter. LMTK3 sustains ERα levels by reducing protein kinase C (PKC) activity, resulting in increased ESR1 transcription mediated through AKT/FOXO3 and reduced ERα degradation mediated by the PKC/MEK/ERK/RSK1 pathway. MIR2052HG regulated LMTK3 in a SNP- and aromatase inhibitor-dependent fashion: the variant SNP increased EGR1 binding to LMTK3 promoter in response to androstenedione, relative to wild-type genotype, a pattern that can be reversed by aromatase inhibitor treatment. Finally, LMTK3 overexpression abolished the effect of MIR2052HG on PKC activity and ERα levels. Conclusions Our findings support a model in which the MIR2052HG regulates LMTK3 via EGR1, and LMTK3 regulates ERα stability via the PKC/MEK/ERK/RSK1 axis. These results reveal a direct role of MIR2052HG in LMTK3 regulation and raise the possibilities of targeting MIR2052HG or LMTK3 in ERα-positive breast cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13058-019-1130-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Cairns
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - James N Ingle
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Krishna R Kalari
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Lois E Shepherd
- NCIC Clinical Trials Group, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Michiaki Kubo
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Science, Yokohama City, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Matthew P Goetz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Richard M Weinshilboum
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA
| | - Liewei Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abe H, Alavattam KG, Kato Y, Castrillon DH, Pang Q, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. CHEK1 coordinates DNA damage signaling and meiotic progression in the male germline of mice. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:1136-1149. [PMID: 29360988 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The continuity of life depends on mechanisms in the germline that ensure the integrity of the genome. The DNA damage response/checkpoint kinases ATM and ATR are essential signaling factors in the germline. However, it remains unknown how a downstream transducer, Checkpoint Kinase 1 (CHEK1 or CHK1), mediates signaling in the male germline. Here, we show that CHEK1 has distinct functions in both the mitotic and meiotic phases of the male germline in mice. In the mitotic phase, CHEK1 is required for the resumption of prospermatogonia proliferation after birth and the maintenance of spermatogonia. In the meiotic phase, we uncovered two functions for CHEK1: one is the stage-specific attenuation of DNA damage signaling on autosomes, and the other is coordination of meiotic stage progression. On autosomes, the loss of CHEK1 delays the removal of DNA damage signaling that manifests as phosphorylation of histone variant H2AX at serine 139 (γH2AX). Importantly, CHEK1 does not have a direct function in meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), an essential event in male meiosis, in which ATR is a key regulator. Thus, the functions of ATR and CHEK1 are uncoupled in MSCI, in contrast to their roles in DNA damage signaling in somatic cells. Our study reveals stage-specific functions for CHEK1 that ensure the integrity of the male germline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Abe
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Yasuko Kato
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Diego H Castrillon
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Qishen Pang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Division of Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Asymmetric Expression of LincGET Biases Cell Fate in Two-Cell Mouse Embryos. Cell 2018; 175:1887-1901.e18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
13
|
Maezawa S, Hasegawa K, Alavattam KG, Funakoshi M, Sato T, Barski A, Namekawa SH. SCML2 promotes heterochromatin organization in late spermatogenesis. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.217125. [PMID: 30097555 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.217125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis involves the progressive reorganization of heterochromatin. However, the mechanisms that underlie the dynamic remodeling of heterochromatin remain unknown. Here, we identify SCML2, a germline-specific Polycomb protein, as a critical regulator of heterochromatin organization in spermatogenesis. We show that SCML2 accumulates on pericentromeric heterochromatin (PCH) in male germ cells, where it suppresses PRC1-mediated monoubiquitylation of histone H2A at Lysine 119 (H2AK119ub) and promotes deposition of PRC2-mediated H3K27me3 during meiosis. In postmeiotic spermatids, SCML2 is required for heterochromatin organization, and the loss of SCML2 leads to the formation of ectopic patches of facultative heterochromatin. Our data suggest that, in the absence of SCML2, the ectopic expression of somatic lamins drives this process. Furthermore, the centromere protein CENP-V is a specific marker of PCH in postmeiotic spermatids, and SCML2 is required for CENP-V localization on PCH. Given the essential functions of PRC1 and PRC2 for genome-wide gene expression in spermatogenesis, our data suggest that heterochromatin organization and spermatogenesis-specific gene expression are functionally linked. We propose that SCML2 coordinates the organization of heterochromatin and gene expression through the regulation of Polycomb complexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA.,Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kazuteru Hasegawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Mayuka Funakoshi
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Taiga Sato
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Artem Barski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dumbović G, Biayna J, Banús J, Samuelsson J, Roth A, Diederichs S, Alonso S, Buschbeck M, Perucho M, Forcales SV. A novel long non-coding RNA from NBL2 pericentromeric macrosatellite forms a perinucleolar aggregate structure in colon cancer. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:5504-5524. [PMID: 29912433 PMCID: PMC6009586 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Primate-specific NBL2 macrosatellite is hypomethylated in several types of tumors, yet the consequences of this DNA hypomethylation remain unknown. We show that NBL2 conserved repeats are close to the centromeres of most acrocentric chromosomes. NBL2 associates with the perinucleolar region and undergoes severe demethylation in a subset of colorectal cancer (CRC). Upon DNA hypomethylation and histone acetylation, NBL2 repeats are transcribed in tumor cell lines and primary CRCs. NBL2 monomers exhibit promoter activity, and are contained within novel, non-polyA antisense lncRNAs, which we designated TNBL (Tumor-associated NBL2 transcript). TNBL is stable throughout the mitotic cycle, and in interphase nuclei preferentially forms a perinucleolar aggregate in the proximity of a subset of NBL2 loci. TNBL aggregates interact with the SAM68 perinucleolar body in a mirror-image cancer specific perinucleolar structure. TNBL binds with high affinity to several proteins involved in nuclear functions and RNA metabolism, such as CELF1 and NPM1. Our data unveil novel DNA and RNA structural features of a non-coding macrosatellite frequently altered in cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabrijela Dumbović
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
| | - Josep Biayna
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Parc Científic de Barcelona, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10–12, Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Jordi Banús
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
| | | | - Anna Roth
- Division of RNA Biology & Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Sven Diederichs
- Division of RNA Biology & Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
- Division of Cancer Research, Dept. of Thoracic Surgery, Medical Center – University of Freiburg & Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg & German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sergio Alonso
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus ICO - Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
| | - Manuel Perucho
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
- Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute (SBP), 10901 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sonia-V Forcales
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (PMPPC), Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus, Ctra Can Ruti, camí de les escoles s/n, Badalona, Barcelona 08916, Spain
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Campus of Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Carrer de la Feixa Llarga, s/n, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona 08907, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Meng C, Zhao X, Lao J. A modified immunofluorescence in situ hybridization method to detect long non-coding RNAs and proteins in frozen spinal cord sections. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:4623-4628. [PMID: 29805478 PMCID: PMC5958724 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.6046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunofluorescence in situ hybridization (immuno-FISH) is widely used to co-detect RNAs and proteins in order to study their spatial distribution in cells. The present study used a modified immuno-FISH protocol for the detection of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and proteins in frozen spinal cord sections. The spinal cords of Sprague-Dawley rats were harvested, frozen and sectioned (10 µm), and oligonucleotide probes and antibodies were prepared. Following antigen retrieval, dehydration, prehybridization, hybridization, post-hybridization and immunofluorescence staining, images were captured. Antigen retrieval was performed by autoclaving or proteinase K treatment, and their effects on the hybridization signal were compared. The same sections were successfully stained by immunofluorescence. Satisfactory fluorescent signals of lncRNA and protein were obtained. The results of the present study suggest that the modified protocol of immuno-FISH for the detection of lncRNAs and proteins in frozen spinal cord sections is effective and time-efficient, and the required reagents are readily available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chong Meng
- Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Jie Lao
- Department of Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Hand Reconstruction, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Peripheral Nerve and Microsurgery, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Carmona S, Lin B, Chou T, Arroyo K, Sun S. LncRNA Jpx induces Xist expression in mice using both trans and cis mechanisms. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007378. [PMID: 29734339 PMCID: PMC5957434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian X chromosome dosage compensation balances X-linked gene products between sexes and is coordinated by the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) Xist. Multiple cis and trans-acting factors modulate Xist expression; however, the primary competence factor responsible for activating Xist remains a subject of dispute. The lncRNA Jpx is a proposed competence factor, yet it remains unknown if Jpx is sufficient to activate Xist expression in mice. Here, we utilize a novel transgenic mouse system to demonstrate a dose-dependent relationship between Jpx copy number and ensuing Jpx and Xist expression. By localizing transcripts of Jpx and Xist using RNA Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) in mouse embryonic cells, we provide evidence of Jpx acting in both trans and cis to activate Xist. Our data contribute functional and mechanistic insight for lncRNA activity in mice, and argue that Jpx is a competence factor for Xist activation in vivo. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have been identified in all eukaryotes but mechanisms of lncRNA function remain challenging to study in vivo. A classic model of lncRNA function and mechanism is X-Chromosome Inactivation (XCI): an essential process which balances X-linked gene expression between male and female mammals. The “master regulator” of XCI is lncRNA Xist, which is responsible for silencing one of the two X chromosomes in females. Another lncRNA, Jpx, has been proposed to activate Xist gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells; however, no mouse models exist to address Jpx function in vivo. In this study, we developed a novel transgenic mouse system to demonstrate the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA Jpx. We observed a dose-dependent relationship between Jpx copy number and Xist expression in transgenic mice, suggesting that Jpx is sufficient to activate Xist expression in vivo. In addition, we analyzed Jpx’s allelic origin and have provided evidence for Jpx inducing Xist transcription using both trans and cis mechanisms. Our work provides a framework for lncRNA functional studies in mice, which will help us understand how lncRNA regulate eukaryotic gene expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Carmona
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Lin
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Tristan Chou
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Katti Arroyo
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
| | - Sha Sun
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, Ayala School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Adams SR, Maezawa S, Alavattam KG, Abe H, Sakashita A, Shroder M, Broering TJ, Sroga Rios J, Thomas MA, Lin X, Price CM, Barski A, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. RNF8 and SCML2 cooperate to regulate ubiquitination and H3K27 acetylation for escape gene activation on the sex chromosomes. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007233. [PMID: 29462142 PMCID: PMC5834201 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex chromosomes are enriched with germline genes that are activated during the late stages of spermatogenesis. Due to meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI), these sex chromosome-linked genes must escape silencing for activation in spermatids, thereby ensuring their functions for male reproduction. RNF8, a DNA damage response protein, and SCML2, a germline-specific Polycomb protein, are two major, known regulators of this process. Here, we show that RNF8 and SCML2 cooperate to regulate ubiquitination during meiosis, an early step to establish active histone modifications for subsequent gene activation. Double mutants of Rnf8 and Scml2 revealed that RNF8-dependent monoubiquitination of histone H2A at Lysine 119 (H2AK119ub) is deubiquitinated by SCML2, demonstrating interplay between RNF8 and SCML2 in ubiquitin regulation. Additionally, we identify distinct functions of RNF8 and SCML2 in the regulation of ubiquitination: SCML2 deubiquitinates RNF8-independent H2AK119ub but does not deubiquitinate RNF8-dependent polyubiquitination. RNF8-dependent polyubiquitination is required for the establishment of H3K27 acetylation, a marker of active enhancers, while persistent H2AK119ub inhibits establishment of H3K27 acetylation. Following the deposition of H3K27 acetylation, H3K4 dimethylation is established as an active mark on poised promoters. Together, we propose a model whereby regulation of ubiquitin leads to the organization of poised enhancers and promoters during meiosis, which induce subsequent gene activation from the otherwise silent sex chromosomes in postmeiotic spermatids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannel R. Adams
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kris G. Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Hironori Abe
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Megan Shroder
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Tyler J. Broering
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Julie Sroga Rios
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Thomas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Xinhua Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Institute of Genetics, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Carolyn M. Price
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Artem Barski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Paul R. Andreassen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
The increasing role of all types of regulatory RNAs in the orchestration of cellular programs has enhanced the development of a variety of techniques that allow its precise detection, quantification, and functional scrutiny. Recent advances in imaging and fluoresecent in situ hybridization (FISH) methods have enabled the utilization of user-friendly protocols that provide highly sensitive and accurate detection of ribonucleic acid molecules at both the single cell and subcellular levels. We herein describe the approach originally developed by Stellaris®, in which the target RNA molecule is fluoresecently labeled with multiple tiled complementary probes each carrying a fluorophore, thus improving sensitivity and reducing the chance of false positives. We have applied this method to the detection of nascent RNAs that partake of special regulatory structures called R loops. Their growing role in active gene expression regulation (Aguilera and Garcia-Muse, Mol Cell 46:115-124, 2012; Ginno et al., Mol Cell 45:814-825, 2012; Sun et al., Science 340:619-621, 2013; Bhatia et al., Nature 511:362-365, 2014) imposes the use of a combination of in vivo and in vitro techniques for the detailed analysis of the transcripts involved. Therefore, their study is a good example to illustrate how RNA FISH, combined with transcriptional arrest and/or cell synchronization, permits localization and temporal characterization of potentially regulatory RNA sequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Soler
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Raquel Boque-Sastre
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sonia Guil
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Li X, Zhang D, Zhang H, Guan Z, Song Y, Liu R, Zhu Z, Yang C. Microwell Array Method for Rapid Generation of Uniform Agarose Droplets and Beads for Single Molecule Analysis. Anal Chem 2018; 90:2570-2577. [PMID: 29350029 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Compartmentalization of aqueous samples in uniform emulsion droplets has proven to be a useful tool for many chemical, biological, and biomedical applications. Herein, we introduce an array-based emulsification method for rapid and easy generation of monodisperse agarose-in-oil droplets in a PDMS microwell array. The microwells are filled with agarose solution, and subsequent addition of hot oil results in immediate formation of agarose droplets due to the surface-tension of the liquid solution. Because droplet size is determined solely by the array unit dimensions, uniform droplets with preselectable diameters ranging from 20 to 100 μm can be produced with relative standard deviations less than 3.5%. The array-based droplet generation method was used to perform digital PCR for absolute DNA quantitation. The array-based droplet isolation and sol-gel switching property of agarose enable formation of stable beads by chilling the droplet array at -20 °C, thus, maintaining the monoclonality of each droplet and facilitating the selective retrieval of desired droplets. The monoclonality of droplets was demonstrated by DNA sequencing and FACS analysis, suggesting the robustness and flexibility of the approach for single molecule amplification and analysis. We believe our approach will lead to new possibilities for a great variety of applications, such as single-cell gene expression studies, aptamer selection, and oligonucleotide analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xingrui Li
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongfeng Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Huimin Zhang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhichao Guan
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanling Song
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China.,The MOE Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection Technology for Food Safety, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University , Fuzhou 350116, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruochen Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University , Piscataway, New Jersey United States
| | - Zhi Zhu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaoyong Yang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis and Instrumentation, the Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Pen-Tung Sah Institute of Micro-Nano Science and Technology, Xiamen University , Xiamen 361005, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Alavattam KG, Abe H, Sakashita A, Namekawa SH. Chromosome Spread Analyses of Meiotic Sex Chromosome Inactivation. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1861:113-129. [PMID: 30218364 PMCID: PMC8243718 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8766-5_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A distinct form of X chromosome inactivation takes place during male meiosis, when the male sex chromosomes undergo a phenomenon known as meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). MSCI is directed by DNA damage response signaling independent of Xist RNA to silence the transcriptional activity of the sex chromosomes, an essential event in male germ cell development. Here, we present protocols for the preparation and analyses of chromosome spread slides of mouse meiotic spermatocytes, thereby enabling a quick, inexpensive, and powerful cytological method to complement gene expression studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Hironori Abe
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Magaraki A, Loda A, Gribnau J, Baarends WM. Simultaneous RNA-DNA FISH in Mouse Preimplantation Embryos. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1861:131-147. [PMID: 30218365 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8766-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful cytogenetic technique that allows the visualization and quantification of RNA and DNA molecules in different cellular contexts. In general, FISH applications help to advance research, cytogenetics, and diagnostics. DNA FISH can be applied, for example, for gene mapping and for detecting genetic aberrations. RNA FISH provides information about gene expression. However, in cases where RNA and DNA molecules need to be detected in the same sample, the result is often compromised by the fact that the tissue sample is damaged due to the multitude of processing steps that are required for each application. In addition, the sequential application of RNA and DNA FISH protocols on the same sample is very time consuming. Here we describe a brief protocol that enables the combined and simultaneous detection of Xist RNA and centromeric DNA of chromosome 6 in mouse preimplantation embryos. In addition, we describe how to generate indirect-labeled probes starting from BACs. This protocol may be applied to any combination of RNA and DNA detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aristea Magaraki
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000CA, The Netherlands
| | - Agnese Loda
- Mammalian Developmental Epigenetics group, Institut Curie, Paris Cedex 05, France.,Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000CA, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000CA, The Netherlands
| | - Willy M Baarends
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000CA, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Alternative dominance of the parental genomes in hybrid cells generated through the fusion of mouse embryonic stem cells with fibroblasts. Sci Rep 2017; 7:18094. [PMID: 29273752 PMCID: PMC5741742 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
For the first time, two types of hybrid cells with embryonic stem (ES) cell-like and fibroblast-like phenotypes were produced through the fusion of mouse ES cells with fibroblasts. Transcriptome analysis of 2,848 genes differentially expressed in the parental cells demonstrated that 34-43% of these genes are expressed in hybrid cells, consistent with their phenotypes; 25-29% of these genes display intermediate levels of expression, and 12-16% of these genes maintained expression at the parental cell level, inconsistent with the phenotype of the hybrid cell. Approximately 20% of the analyzed genes displayed unexpected expression patterns that differ from both parents. An unusual phenomenon was observed, namely, the illegitimate activation of Xist expression and the inactivation of one of two X-chromosomes in the near-tetraploid fibroblast-like hybrid cells, whereas both Xs were active before and after in vitro differentiation of the ES cell-like hybrid cells. These results and previous data obtained on heterokaryons suggest that the appearance of hybrid cells with a fibroblast-like phenotype reflects the reprogramming, rather than the induced differentiation, of the ES cell genome under the influence of a somatic partner.
Collapse
|
23
|
Alavattam KG, Kato Y, Sin HS, Maezawa S, Kowalski IJ, Zhang F, Pang Q, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. Elucidation of the Fanconi Anemia Protein Network in Meiosis and Its Function in the Regulation of Histone Modifications. Cell Rep 2017; 17:1141-1157. [PMID: 27760317 PMCID: PMC5095620 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise epigenetic regulation of the sex chromosomes is vital for the male germline. Here, we analyze meiosis in eight mouse models deficient for various DNA damage response (DDR) factors, including Fanconi anemia (FA) proteins. We reveal a network of FA and DDR proteins in which FA core factors FANCA, FANCB, and FANCC are essential for FANCD2 foci formation, whereas BRCA1 (FANCS), MDC1, and RNF8 are required for BRCA2 (FANCD1) and SLX4 (FANCP) accumulation on the sex chromosomes during meiosis. In addition, FA proteins modulate distinct histone marks on the sex chromosomes: FA core proteins and FANCD2 regulate H3K9 methylation, while FANCD2 and RNF8 function together to regulate H3K4 methylation independently of FA core proteins. Our data suggest that RNF8 integrates the FA-BRCA pathway. Taken together, our study reveals distinct functions for FA proteins and illuminates the male sex chromosomes as a model to dissect the function of the FA-BRCA pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Yasuko Kato
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Ho-Su Sin
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Ian J Kowalski
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Qishen Pang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49229, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ye S, Li X, Wang M, Tang B. Fluorescence and SERS Imaging for the Simultaneous Absolute Quantification of Multiple miRNAs in Living Cells. Anal Chem 2017; 89:5124-5130. [PMID: 28358481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The simultaneous imaging and quantification of multiple intracellular microRNAs (miRNAs) are particularly desirable for the early diagnosis of cancers. However, simultaneous direct imaging with absolute quantification of multiple intracellular RNAs remains a great challenge, particularly for miRNAs, which have significantly different expression levels in living cells. We designed dual-signal switchable (DSS) nanoprobes using the fluorescence-Raman signal switch. The intracellular uptake and dynamic behaviors of the probe are monitored by its fluorescence signal. Meanwhile, real-time quantitative detection of multiple miRNAs is made possible by measurements of the surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) ratios. Moreover, the signal 1:n ratio amplification mode only responds to low-abundance miRNA (asymmetric signal amplification mode) for simultaneous visualization and quantitative detection of significantly different levels of miRNAs in living cells. miR-21 and miR-203 were successfully detected in living MCF-7 cells, in agreement with in vitro results from the same batch of cell lysates. The reported dual-spectrum imaging method promises to offer a new strategy for the intracellular imaging and detection of various types of biomolecules.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sujuan Ye
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Sensor Analysis of Tumor Marker Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology , Qingdao 266042, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Sensor Analysis of Tumor Marker Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology , Qingdao 266042, P.R. China
| | - Menglei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Sensor Analysis of Tumor Marker Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology , Qingdao 266042, P.R. China
| | - Bo Tang
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Collaborative Innovation Center of Functionalized Probes for Chemical Imaging in Universities of Shandong, Key Laboratory of Molecular and Nano Probes, Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Production of Fine Chemicals, Shandong Normal University , Jinan 250014, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Nakaya M, Tanabe H, Takamatsu S, Hosokawa M, Mitani T. Visualization of the spatial arrangement of nuclear organization using three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization in early mouse embryos: A new "EASI-FISH chamber glass" for mammalian embryos. J Reprod Dev 2017; 63:167-174. [PMID: 28190810 PMCID: PMC5401810 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2016-172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The fertilized oocyte begins cleavage, leading to zygotic gene activation (ZGA), which re-activates the resting genome to acquire totipotency. In this process, genomic function is regulated by the dynamic structural conversion in the nucleus. Indeed, a considerable number of genes that are essential for embryonic development are located near the pericentromeric regions, wherein the heterochromatin is formed. These genes are repressed transcriptionally in somatic cells. Three-dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization (3D-FISH) enables the visualization of the intranuclear spatial arrangement, such as gene loci, chromosomal domains, and chromosome territories (CTs). However, the 3D-FISH approach in mammalian embryos has been limited to certain repeated sequences because of its unfavorable properties. In this study, we developed an easy-to-use chamber device (EASI-FISH chamber) for 3D-FISH in early embryos, and visualized, for the first time, the spatial arrangements of pericentromeric regions, the ZGA-activated gene (Zscan4) loci, and CTs (chromosome 7), simultaneously during the early cleavage stage of mouse embryos by 3D-FISH. As a result, it was revealed that morphological changes of the pericentromeric regions and CTs, and relocation of the Zscan4 loci in CTs, occurred in the 1- to 4-cell stage embryos, which was different from those in somatic cells. This convenient and reproducible 3D-FISH technique for mammalian embryos represents a valuable tool that will provide insights into the nuclear dynamics of development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Nakaya
- Graduate School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Tanabe
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, School of Advanced Sciences, SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan
| | - Shingo Takamatsu
- Department of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
| | - Misaki Hosokawa
- Department of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan
| | - Tasuku Mitani
- Graduate School of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama 649-6493, Japan.,Institute of Advanced Technology, Kindai University, Wakayama 642-0017, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Methods for the analysis of early oogenesis in Zebrafish. Dev Biol 2016; 430:310-324. [PMID: 27988227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Oocyte differentiation is a highly dynamic and intricate developmental process whose mechanistic understanding advances female reproduction, fertility, and ovarian cancer biology. Despite the many attributes of the zebrafish model, it has yet to be fully exploited for the investigation of early oocyte differentiation and ovarian development. This is partly because the properties of the adult zebrafish ovary make it technically challenging to access early stage oocytes. As a result, characterization of these stages has been lacking and tools for their analysis have been insufficient. To overcome these technical hurdles, we took advantage of the juvenile zebrafish ovary, where early stage oocytes can readily be found in high numbers and progress in a predictable manner. We characterized the earliest stages of oocyte differentiation and ovarian development and defined accurate staging criteria. We further developed protocols for quantitative microscopy, live time-lapse imaging, ovarian culture, and isolation of stage-specific oocytes for biochemical analysis. These methods have recently provided us with an unprecedented view of early oogenesis, allowing us to study formation of the Balbiani body, a universal oocyte granule that is associated with oocyte survival in mice and required for oocyte and egg polarity in fish and frogs. Despite its tremendous developmental significance, the Bb has been little investigated and how it forms was unknown in any species for over two centuries. We were able to trace Balbiani body formation and oocyte symmetry breaking to the onset of meiosis. Through this investigation we revealed novel cytoskeletal structures in oocytes and the contribution of specialized cellular organization to differentiation. Overall, the juvenile zebrafish ovary arises as an exciting model for studies of cell and developmental biology. We review these and other recent advances in vertebrate oogenesis in an accompanying manuscript in this issue of Developmental Biology. Here, we describe the protocols for ovarian investigation that we developed in the zebrafish, including all experimental steps that will easily allow others to reproduce such analysis. This juvenile ovary toolbox also contributes to establishing the zebrafish as a model for post-larval developmental stages.
Collapse
|
27
|
Duffy MF, Tang J, Sumardy F, Nguyen HHT, Selvarajah SA, Josling GA, Day KP, Petter M, Brown GV. Activation and clustering of a Plasmodium falciparum var gene are affected by subtelomeric sequences. FEBS J 2016; 284:237-257. [PMID: 27860263 DOI: 10.1111/febs.13967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum var multigene family encodes the cytoadhesive, variant antigen PfEMP1. P. falciparum antigenic variation and cytoadhesion specificity are controlled by epigenetic switching between the single, or few, simultaneously expressed var genes. Most var genes are maintained in perinuclear clusters of heterochromatic telomeres. The active var gene(s) occupy a single, perinuclear var expression site. It is unresolved whether the var expression site forms in situ at a telomeric cluster or whether it is an extant compartment to which single chromosomes travel, thus controlling var switching. Here we show that transcription of a var gene did not require decreased colocalisation with clusters of telomeres, supporting var expression site formation in situ. However following recombination within adjacent subtelomeric sequences, the same var gene was persistently activated and did colocalise less with telomeric clusters. Thus, participation in stable, heterochromatic, telomere clusters and var switching are independent but are both affected by subtelomeric sequences. The var expression site colocalised with the euchromatic mark H3K27ac to a greater extent than it did with heterochromatic H3K9me3. H3K27ac was enriched within the active var gene promoter even when the var gene was transiently repressed in mature parasites and thus H3K27ac may contribute to var gene epigenetic memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Duffy
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jingyi Tang
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fransisca Sumardy
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hanh H T Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shamista A Selvarajah
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gabrielle A Josling
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA
| | - Karen P Day
- The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michaela Petter
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, Australia.,The School of BioSciences, Bio21, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham V Brown
- The Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Fukuda A, Mitani A, Miyashita T, Sado T, Umezawa A, Akutsu H. Maintenance of Xist Imprinting Depends on Chromatin Condensation State and Rnf12 Dosage in Mice. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006375. [PMID: 27788132 PMCID: PMC5082930 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In female mammals, activation of Xist (X-inactive specific transcript) is essential for establishment of X chromosome inactivation. During early embryonic development in mice, paternal Xist is preferentially expressed whereas maternal Xist (Xm-Xist) is silenced. Unlike autosomal imprinted genes, Xist imprinting for Xm-Xist silencing was erased in cloned or parthenogenetic but not fertilized embryos. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the variable nature of Xm-Xist imprinting is poorly understood. Here, we revealed that Xm-Xist silencing depends on chromatin condensation states at the Xist/Tsix genomic region and on Rnf12 expression levels. In early preimplantation, chromatin decondensation via H3K9me3 loss and histone acetylation gain caused Xm-Xist derepression irrespective of embryo type. Although the presence of the paternal genome during pronuclear formation impeded Xm-Xist derepression, Xm-Xist was robustly derepressed when the maternal genome was decondensed before fertilization. Once Xm-Xist was derepressed by chromatin alterations, the derepression was stably maintained and rescued XmXpΔ lethality, indicating that loss of Xm-Xist imprinting was irreversible. In late preimplantation, Oct4 served as a chromatin opener to create transcriptional permissive states at Xm-Xist/Tsix genomic loci. In parthenogenetic embryos, Rnf12 overdose caused Xm-Xist derepression via Xm-Tsix repression; physiological Rnf12 levels were essential for Xm-Xist silencing maintenance in fertilized embryos. Thus, chromatin condensation and fine-tuning of Rnf12 dosage were crucial for Xist imprint maintenance by silencing Xm-Xist. X-inactive specific transcript (Xist) is essential a large non-coding RNA for establishment of X chromosome inactivation in female mammals. The aberrant X chromosome inactivation critically affects cellular viability. Therefore, spatiotemporal regulation of Xist expression is required for proper development. In mice, Xist expression is imprinted in early embryonic development and maternal Xist is never expressed during preimplantation phases irrespective of the presence of Xist activator, maternal Rnf12. Generally, parental origin-specific expression pattern of autosomal imprinted genes is maintained in various types of embryos. However, Xist imprinting for transcriptional silencing of maternal Xist was erased in cloned or parthenogenetic but not fertilized embryos. Here, we dissect the molecular mechanism underlying the variable nature of Xist imprinting. We show that in fertilized embryos, chromatin condensation states are essential maternal Xist repression in early preimplantation phases, whereas at late preimplantation stages, pluripotency factor Oct4 serves as a chromatin opener and the maintenance of Xist silencing depends on Rnf12 expression dosage. Although the Oct4 mediated chromatin decondensation also occurs in parthenogetic embryos, Rnf12 overdose causes maternal Xist derepression at late preimplantation phases. Thus these findings reveal that the chromatin regulation by pluripotency factor and Xist activator dose define Xist imprinting state.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Fukuda
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Mitani
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Miyashita
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kitasato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Sado
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nakamachi, Nara, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidenori Akutsu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Research Institute for Child Health and Development, Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Research, Fukushima Medical University, Hikarigaoka, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Deuve JL, Bonnet-Garnier A, Beaujean N, Avner P, Morey C. Antagonist Xist and Tsix co-transcription during mouse oogenesis and maternal Xist expression during pre-implantation development calls into question the nature of the maternal imprint on the X chromosome. Epigenetics 2016; 10:931-42. [PMID: 26267271 PMCID: PMC4844198 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1081327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
During the first divisions of the female mouse embryo, the paternal X-chromosome is coated by Xist non-coding RNA and gradually silenced. This imprinted X-inactivation principally results from the apposition, during oocyte growth, of an imprint on the X-inactivation master control region: the X-inactivation center (Xic). This maternal imprint of yet unknown nature is thought to prevent Xist upregulation from the maternal X (XM) during early female development. In order to provide further insight into the XM imprinting mechanism, we applied single-cell approaches to oocytes and pre-implantation embryos at different stages of development to analyze the expression of candidate genes within the Xic. We show that, unlike the situation pertaining in most other cellular contexts, in early-growing oocytes, Xist and Tsix sense and antisense transcription occur simultaneously from the same chromosome. Additionally, during early development, Xist appears to be transiently transcribed from the XM in some blastomeres of late 2-cell embryos concomitant with the general activation of the genome indicating that XM imprinting does not completely suppress maternal Xist transcription during embryo cleavage stages. These unexpected transcriptional regulations of the Xist locus call for a re-evaluation of the early functioning of the maternal imprint on the X-chromosome and suggest that Xist/Tsix antagonist transcriptional activities may participate in imprinting the maternal locus as described at other loci subject to parental imprinting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jane Lynda Deuve
- a Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Murine; Institut Pasteur ; Paris , France
| | | | - Nathalie Beaujean
- b INRA; UMR1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction ; Jouy-en-Josas , France
| | - Philip Avner
- a Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Murine; Institut Pasteur ; Paris , France
| | - Céline Morey
- a Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Murine; Institut Pasteur ; Paris , France
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
lncRNA DANCR suppresses odontoblast-like differentiation of human dental pulp cells by inhibiting wnt/β-catenin pathway. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 364:309-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2333-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|
31
|
Xist imprinting is promoted by the hemizygous (unpaired) state in the male germ line. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:14415-22. [PMID: 26489649 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1519528112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The long noncoding X-inactivation-specific transcript (Xist gene) is responsible for mammalian X-chromosome dosage compensation between the sexes, the process by which one of the two X chromosomes is inactivated in the female soma. Xist is essential for both the random and imprinted forms of X-chromosome inactivation. In the imprinted form, Xist is paternally marked to be expressed in female embryos. To investigate the mechanism of Xist imprinting, we introduce Xist transgenes (Tg) into the male germ line. Although ectopic high-level Xist expression on autosomes can be compatible with viability, transgenic animals demonstrate reduced fitness, subfertility, defective meiotic pairing, and other germ-cell abnormalities. In the progeny, paternal-specific expression is recapitulated by the 200-kb Xist Tg. However, Xist imprinting occurs efficiently only when it is in an unpaired or unpartnered state during male meiosis. When transmitted from a hemizygous father (+/Tg), the Xist Tg demonstrates paternal-specific expression in the early embryo. When transmitted by a homozygous father (Tg/Tg), the Tg fails to show imprinted expression. Thus, Xist imprinting is directed by sequences within a 200-kb X-linked region, and the hemizygous (unpaired) state of the Xist region promotes its imprinting in the male germ line.
Collapse
|
32
|
Sosa E, Flores L, Yan W, McCarrey JR. Escape of X-linked miRNA genes from meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Development 2015; 142:3791-800. [PMID: 26395485 DOI: 10.1242/dev.127191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Past studies have indicated that transcription of all X-linked genes is repressed by meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) during the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis in mammals. However, more recent studies have shown an increase in steady-state levels of certain X-linked miRNAs in pachytene spermatocytes, suggesting that either synthesis of these miRNAs increases or that degradation of these miRNAs decreases dramatically in these cells. To distinguish between these possibilities, we performed RNA-FISH to detect nascent transcripts from multiple miRNA genes in various spermatogenic cell types. Our results show definitively that Type I X-linked miRNA genes are subject to MSCI, as are all or most X-linked mRNA genes, whereas Type II and III X-linked miRNA genes escape MSCI by continuing ongoing, active transcription in primary spermatocytes. We corroborated these results by co-localization of RNA-FISH signals with both a corresponding DNA-FISH signal and an immunofluorescence signal for RNA polymerase II. We also found that X-linked miRNA genes that escape MSCI locate non-randomly to the periphery of the XY body, whereas genes that are subject to MSCI remain located within the XY body in pachytene spermatocytes, suggesting that the mechanism of escape of X-linked miRNA genes from MSCI involves their relocation to a position outside of the repressive chromatin domain associated with the XY body. The fact that Type II and III X-linked miRNA genes escape MSCI suggests an immediacy of function of the encoded miRNAs specifically required during the meiotic stages of spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Sosa
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Luis Flores
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Combining protein and mRNA quantification to decipher transcriptional regulation. Nat Methods 2015; 12:739-42. [PMID: 26098021 PMCID: PMC4521975 DOI: 10.1038/nmeth.3446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We combine immunofluorescence and single-molecule fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH), followed by automated image analysis, to quantify the concentration of nuclear transcription factors, number of transcription factors bound, and number of nascent mRNAs synthesized at individual gene loci. A theoretical model is used to decipher how transcription-factor binding modulates the stochastic kinetics of mRNA production. We demonstrate this approach by examining the regulation of hunchback in the early Drosophila embryo.
Collapse
|
34
|
Broering TJ, Wang YL, Pandey RN, Hegde RS, Wang SC, Namekawa SH. BAZ1B is dispensable for H2AX phosphorylation on Tyrosine 142 during spermatogenesis. Biol Open 2015; 4:873-84. [PMID: 25979708 PMCID: PMC4571090 DOI: 10.1242/bio.011734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis is precisely regulated by the factors involved in DNA damage response in somatic cells. Among them, phosphorylation of H2AX on Serine 139 (γH2AX) is an essential signal for the silencing of unsynapsed sex chromosomes during male meiosis. However, it remains unknown how adjacent H2AX phosphorylation on Tyrosine 142 (pTyr142) is regulated in meiosis. Here we investigate the meiotic functions of BAZ1B (WSTF), the only known Tyr142 kinase in somatic cells, using mice possessing a conditional deletion of BAZ1B. Although BAZ1B deletion causes ectopic γH2AX signals on synapsed autosomes during the early pachytene stage, BAZ1B is dispensable for fertility and critical events during spermatogenesis. BAZ1B deletion does not alter events on unsynapsed axes and pericentric heterochromatin formation. Furthermore, BAZ1B is dispensable for localization of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling protein SMARCA5 (SNF2h) during spermatogenesis despite the complex formation between BAZ1B and SMARCA5, known as the WICH complex, in somatic cells. Notably, pTyr142 is regulated independently of BAZ1B and is dephosphorylated on the sex chromosomes during meiosis in contrast with the presence of adjacent γH2AX. Dephosphorylation of pTyr142 is regulated by MDC1, a binding partner of γH2AX. These results reveal the distinct regulation of two adjacent phosphorylation sites of H2AX during meiosis, and suggest that another kinase mediates Tyr142 phosphorylation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Broering
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yuan-Liang Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ram Naresh Pandey
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Rashmi S Hegde
- Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Shao-Chun Wang
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Jiang W, Liu Y, Liu R, Zhang K, Zhang Y. The lncRNA DEANR1 facilitates human endoderm differentiation by activating FOXA2 expression. Cell Rep 2015; 11:137-48. [PMID: 25843708 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate diverse biological processes, including cell lineage specification. Here, we report transcriptome profiling of human endoderm and pancreatic cell lineages using purified cell populations. Analysis of the data sets allows us to identify hundreds of lncRNAs that exhibit differentiation-stage-specific expression patterns. As a first step in characterizing these lncRNAs, we focus on an endoderm-specific lncRNA, definitive endoderm-associated lncRNA1 (DEANR1), and demonstrate that it plays an important role in human endoderm differentiation. DEANR1 contributes to endoderm differentiation by positively regulating expression of the endoderm factor FOXA2. Importantly, overexpression of FOXA2 is able to rescue endoderm differentiation defects caused by DEANR1 depletion. Mechanistically, DEANR1 facilitates FOXA2 activation by facilitating SMAD2/3 recruitment to the FOXA2 promoter. Thus, our study not only reveals a large set of differentiation-stage-specific lncRNAs but also characterizes a functional lncRNA that is important for endoderm differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jiang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yuting Liu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard Medical School, WAB-149G, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Hasegawa K, Sin HS, Maezawa S, Broering TJ, Kartashov AV, Alavattam KG, Ichijima Y, Zhang F, Bacon WC, Greis KD, Andreassen PR, Barski A, Namekawa SH. SCML2 establishes the male germline epigenome through regulation of histone H2A ubiquitination. Dev Cell 2015; 32:574-88. [PMID: 25703348 PMCID: PMC4391279 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2015.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Gametogenesis is dependent on the expression of germline-specific genes. However, it remains unknown how the germline epigenome is distinctly established from that of somatic lineages. Here we show that genes commonly expressed in somatic lineages and spermatogenesis-progenitor cells undergo repression in a genome-wide manner in late stages of the male germline and identify underlying mechanisms. SCML2, a germline-specific subunit of a Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), establishes the unique epigenome of the male germline through two distinct antithetical mechanisms. SCML2 works with PRC1 and promotes RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A, thereby marking somatic/progenitor genes on autosomes for repression. Paradoxically, SCML2 also prevents RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A on sex chromosomes during meiosis, thereby enabling unique epigenetic programming of sex chromosomes for male reproduction. Our results reveal divergent mechanisms involving a shared regulator by which the male germline epigenome is distinguished from that of the soma and progenitor cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuteru Hasegawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Ho-Su Sin
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Tyler J Broering
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Andrey V Kartashov
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Yosuke Ichijima
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - W Clark Bacon
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Kenneth D Greis
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Artem Barski
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 49267, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Polycomb protein SCML2 associates with USP7 and counteracts histone H2A ubiquitination in the XY chromatin during male meiosis. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1004954. [PMID: 25634095 PMCID: PMC4310598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycomb group proteins mediate transcriptional silencing in diverse developmental processes. Sex chromosomes undergo chromosome-wide transcription silencing during male meiosis. Here we report that mouse SCML2 (Sex comb on midleg-like 2), an X chromosome-encoded polycomb protein, is specifically expressed in germ cells, including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids. SCML2 associates with phosphorylated H2AX and localizes to the XY body in spermatocytes. Loss of SCML2 in mice causes defective spermatogenesis, resulting in sharply reduced sperm production. SCML2 interacts with and recruits a deubiquitinase, USP7, to the XY body in spermatocytes. In the absence of SCML2, USP7 fails to accumulate on the XY body, whereas H2A monoubiquitination is dramatically augmented in the XY chromatin. Our results demonstrate that the SCML2/USP7 complex constitutes a novel molecular pathway in modulating the epigenetic state of sex chromosomes during male meiosis.
Collapse
|
38
|
Porichis F, Hart MG, Griesbeck M, Everett HL, Hassan M, Baxter AE, Lindqvist M, Miller SM, Soghoian DZ, Kavanagh DG, Reynolds S, Norris B, Mordecai SK, Nguyen Q, Lai C, Kaufmann DE. High-throughput detection of miRNAs and gene-specific mRNA at the single-cell level by flow cytometry. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5641. [PMID: 25472703 PMCID: PMC4256720 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a method that uses fluorescent probes to detect specific nucleic acid sequences at the single-cell level. Here we describe optimized protocols that exploit a highly sensitive FISH method based on branched DNA technology to detect mRNA and miRNA in human leukocytes. This technique can be multiplexed and combined with fluorescent antibody protein staining to address a variety of questions in heterogeneous cell populations. We demonstrate antigen-specific upregulation of IFNγ and IL-2 mRNAs in HIV- and CMV-specific T cells. We show simultaneous detection of cytokine mRNA and corresponding protein in single cells. We apply this method to detect mRNAs for which flow antibodies against the corresponding proteins are poor or are not available. We use this technique to show modulation of a microRNA critical for T-cell function, miR-155. We adapt this assay for simultaneous detection of mRNA and proteins by ImageStream technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Filippos Porichis
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery
| | - Meghan G. Hart
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Morgane Griesbeck
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Holly L. Everett
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Muska Hassan
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Amy E. Baxter
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l' Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and University of Montreal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Madelene Lindqvist
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery
| | - Sara M. Miller
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
| | - Damien Z. Soghoian
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery
| | | | - Susan Reynolds
- Affymetrix, Inc., 3380 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
| | - Brett Norris
- Affymetrix, Inc., 3380 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
| | - Scott K. Mordecai
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA
| | - Quan Nguyen
- Affymetrix, Inc., 3380 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
| | - Chunfai Lai
- Affymetrix, Inc., 3380 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
| | - Daniel E. Kaufmann
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02114, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l' Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and University of Montreal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Dubois A, Deuve JL, Navarro P, Merzouk S, Pichard S, Commere PH, Louise A, Arnaud D, Avner P, Morey C. Spontaneous reactivation of clusters of X-linked genes is associated with the plasticity of X-inactivation in mouse trophoblast stem cells. Stem Cells 2014; 32:377-90. [PMID: 24115267 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 07/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Random epigenetic silencing of the X-chromosome in somatic tissues of female mammals equalizes the dosage of X-linked genes between the sexes. Unlike this form of X-inactivation that is essentially irreversible, the imprinted inactivation of the paternal X, which characterizes mouse extra-embryonic tissues, appears highly unstable in the trophoblast giant cells of the placenta. Here, we wished to determine whether such instability is already present in placental progenitor cells prior to differentiation toward lineage-specific cell types. To this end, we analyzed the behavior of a GFP transgene on the paternal X both in vivo and in trophoblast stem (TS) cells derived from the trophectoderm of XX(GFP) blastocysts. Using single-cell studies, we show that not only the GFP transgene but also a large number of endogenous genes on the paternal X are subject to orchestrated cycles of reactivation/de novo inactivation in placental progenitor cells. This reversal of silencing is associated with local losses of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation extending over several adjacent genes and with the topological relocation of the hypomethylated loci outside of the nuclear compartment of the inactive X. The "reactivated" state is maintained through several cell divisions. Our study suggests that this type of "metastable epigenetic" states may underlie the plasticity of TS cells and predispose specific genes to relaxed regulation in specific subtypes of placental cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnès Dubois
- Unité de Génétique Moléculaire Murine, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cedex 15, France; Epigenetics of Stem Cells, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Broering TJ, Alavattam KG, Sadreyev RI, Ichijima Y, Kato Y, Hasegawa K, Camerini-Otero RD, Lee JT, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. BRCA1 establishes DNA damage signaling and pericentric heterochromatin of the X chromosome in male meiosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 205:663-75. [PMID: 24914237 PMCID: PMC4050732 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201311050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The major role of BRCA1 in meiosis is not in meiotic recombination but instead in promotion of the dramatic chromatin changes required for formation and function of the XY body. During meiosis, DNA damage response (DDR) proteins induce transcriptional silencing of unsynapsed chromatin, including the constitutively unsynapsed XY chromosomes in males. DDR proteins are also implicated in double strand break repair during meiotic recombination. Here, we address the function of the breast cancer susceptibility gene Brca1 in meiotic silencing and recombination in mice. Unlike in somatic cells, in which homologous recombination defects of Brca1 mutants are rescued by 53bp1 deletion, the absence of 53BP1 did not rescue the meiotic failure seen in Brca1 mutant males. Further, BRCA1 promotes amplification and spreading of DDR components, including ATR and TOPBP1, along XY chromosome axes and promotes establishment of pericentric heterochromatin on the X chromosome. We propose that BRCA1-dependent establishment of X-pericentric heterochromatin is critical for XY body morphogenesis and subsequent meiotic progression. In contrast, BRCA1 plays a relatively minor role in meiotic recombination, and female Brca1 mutants are fertile. We infer that the major meiotic role of BRCA1 is to promote the dramatic chromatin changes required for formation and function of the XY body.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Broering
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Ruslan I Sadreyev
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Yosuke Ichijima
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Yasuko Kato
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Kazuteru Hasegawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - R Daniel Camerini-Otero
- Genetics and Biochemistry Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Paul R Andreassen
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229 Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Barakat TS, Gribnau J. Combined DNA-RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to study X chromosome inactivation in differentiated female mouse embryonic stem cells. J Vis Exp 2014. [PMID: 24961515 DOI: 10.3791/51628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) is a molecular technique which enables the detection of nucleic acids in cells. DNA FISH is often used in cytogenetics and cancer diagnostics, and can detect aberrations of the genome, which often has important clinical implications. RNA FISH can be used to detect RNA molecules in cells and has provided important insights in regulation of gene expression. Combining DNA and RNA FISH within the same cell is technically challenging, as conditions suitable for DNA FISH might be too harsh for fragile, single stranded RNA molecules. We here present an easily applicable protocol which enables the combined, simultaneous detection of Xist RNA and DNA encoded by the X chromosomes. This combined DNA-RNA FISH protocol can likely be applied to other systems where both RNA and DNA need to be detected.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Reproduction and Development, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Shiura H, Okamoto A, Sasaki H, Abe K. Whole-mount MeFISH: a novel technique for simultaneous visualization of specific DNA methylation and protein/RNA expression. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95750. [PMID: 24755742 PMCID: PMC3995954 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand the spatiotemporal changes in cellular status that occur during embryonic development, it is desirable to detect simultaneously the expression of genes, proteins, and epigenetic modifications in individual embryonic cells. A technique termed methylation-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (MeFISH) was developed recently that can visualize the methylation status of specific DNA sequences in cells fixed on a glass slide. Here, we adapted this glass slide-based MeFISH to the study of intact embryos, and established a method called whole-mount MeFISH. This method can be applied to any DNA sequences in theory and, as a proof-of-concept experiment, we examined the DNA methylation status of satellite repeats in developing mouse primordial germ cells, in which global DNA demethylation is known to take place, and obtained a result that was consistent with previous findings, thus validating the MeFISH method. We also succeeded in combining whole-mount MeFISH with immunostaining or RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) techniques by adopting steps to retain signals of RNA-FISH or immunostaining after harsh denaturation step of MeFISH. The combined methods enabled the simultaneous visualization of DNA methylation and protein or RNA expression at single-cell resolution without destroying embryonic and nuclear structures. This whole-mount MeFISH technique should facilitate the study of the dynamics of DNA methylation status during embryonic development with unprecedented resolution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hirosuke Shiura
- Technology & Development Team for Mammalian Genome Dynamics, RIKEN BioResource Center, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akimitsu Okamoto
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, and Epigenome Network Research Center, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kuniya Abe
- Technology & Development Team for Mammalian Genome Dynamics, RIKEN BioResource Center, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dynamics of the two heterochromatin types during imprinted X chromosome inactivation in vole Microtus levis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88256. [PMID: 24505450 PMCID: PMC3913780 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
In rodent female mammals, there are two forms of X-inactivation – imprinted and random which take place in extraembryonic and embryonic tissues, respectively. The inactive X-chromosome during random X-inactivation was shown to contain two types of facultative heterochromatin that alternate and do not overlap. However, chromatin structure of the inactive X-chromosome during imprinted X-inactivation, especially at early stages, is still not well understood. In this work, we studied chromatin modifications associated with the inactive X-chromosome at different stages of imprinted X-inactivation in a rodent, Microtus levis. It has been found that imprinted X-inactivation in vole occurs in a species-specific manner in two steps. The inactive X-chromosome at early stages of imprinted X-inactivation is characterized by accumulation of H3K9me3, HP1, H4K20me3, and uH2A, resembling to some extent the pattern of repressive chromatin modifications of meiotic sex chromatin. Later, the inactive X-chromosome recruits trimethylated H3K27 and acquires the two types of heterochromatin associated with random X-inactivation.
Collapse
|
44
|
Namekawa SH. Slide preparation method to preserve three-dimensional chromatin architecture of testicular germ cells. J Vis Exp 2014:e50819. [PMID: 24457971 DOI: 10.3791/50819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During testicular germ cell differentiation, the structure of nuclear chromatin dynamically changes. The following describes a method designed to preserve the three-dimensional chromatin arrangement of testicular germ cells found in mice; this method has been termed as the three-dimensional (3D) slide method. In this method, testicular tubules are directly treated with a permeabilization step that removes cytoplasmic material, followed by a fixation step that fixes nuclear materials. Tubules are then dissociated, the cell suspension is cytospun, and cells adhere to slides. This method improves sensitivity towards detection of subnuclear structures and is applicable for immunofluorescence, DNA, and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the combination of these detection methods. As an example of a possible application of the 3D slide method, a Cot-1 RNA FISH is shown to detect nascent RNAs. The 3D slide method will facilitate the detailed examination of spatial relationships between chromatin structure, DNA, and RNA during testicular germ cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Payer B, Rosenberg M, Yamaji M, Yabuta Y, Koyanagi-Aoi M, Hayashi K, Yamanaka S, Saitou M, Lee JT. Tsix RNA and the germline factor, PRDM14, link X reactivation and stem cell reprogramming. Mol Cell 2013; 52:805-18. [PMID: 24268575 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Revised: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Transitions between pluripotent and differentiated states are marked by dramatic epigenetic changes. Cellular differentiation is tightly linked to X chromosome inactivation (XCI), whereas reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is associated with X chromosome reactivation (XCR). XCR reverses the silent state of the inactive X, occurring in mouse blastocysts and germ cells. In spite of its importance, little is known about underlying mechanisms. Here, we examine the role of the long noncoding Tsix RNA and the germline factor, PRDM14. In blastocysts, XCR is perturbed by mutation of either Tsix or Prdm14. In iPSCs, XCR is disrupted only by PRDM14 deficiency, which also affects iPSC derivation and maintenance. We show that Tsix and PRDM14 directly link XCR to pluripotency: first, PRDM14 represses Rnf12 by recruiting polycomb repressive complex 2; second, Tsix enables PRDM14 to bind Xist. Thus, our study provides functional and mechanistic links between cellular and X chromosome reprogramming.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard Payer
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Michael Rosenberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Masashi Yamaji
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Michiyo Koyanagi-Aoi
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; JST, PRESTO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Shinya Yamanaka
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; JST, ERATO, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Ushinomiya-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gasnier M, Dennis C, Vaurs-Barrière C, Chazaud C. Fluorescent mRNA labeling through cytoplasmic FISH. Nat Protoc 2013; 8:2538-47. [PMID: 24263093 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2013.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) has been widely used in cell and developmental biology research to study gene expression. Classical ISH protocols use colorimetric staining approaches, such as the assay with nitro blue tetrazolium/5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (NBT/BCIP), which do not allow the implementation of multiple probe analyses and do not enable investigators to achieve cellular resolution. Here we describe a protocol to determine the presence of target cytoplasmic RNA via cytoplasmic fluorescence ISH (cFISH), an approach that renders possible the visualization of specific RNA strands from the whole tissue down to the cell. This fluorescence technique, adapted here for use in mouse embryos, enables researchers to implement multiple labeling by combining several RNA probes and/or antibodies in immuno-cFISH. Depending on the options chosen, the protocol can be completed within 2 or 3 d.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Gasnier
- 1] INSERM, U1103, Laboratoire Génétique, Reproduction et Développement (GreD), Clermont-Ferrand, France. [2] CNRS, UMR6293, Laboratoire GReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France. [3] Clermont Université, Laboratoire GReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France. [4]
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Yildirim E, Kirby JE, Brown DE, Mercier FE, Sadreyev RI, Scadden DT, Lee JT. Xist RNA is a potent suppressor of hematologic cancer in mice. Cell 2013; 152:727-42. [PMID: 23415223 PMCID: PMC3875356 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2013.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2012] [Revised: 12/04/2012] [Accepted: 01/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
X chromosome aneuploidies have long been associated with human cancers, but causality has not been established. In mammals, X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is triggered by Xist RNA to equalize gene expression between the sexes. Here we delete Xist in the blood compartment of mice and demonstrate that mutant females develop a highly aggressive myeloproliferative neoplasm and myelodysplastic syndrome (mixed MPN/MDS) with 100% penetrance. Significant disease components include primary myelofibrosis, leukemia, histiocytic sarcoma, and vasculitis. Xist-deficient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) show aberrant maturation and age-dependent loss. Reconstitution experiments indicate that MPN/MDS and myelofibrosis are of hematopoietic rather than stromal origin. We propose that Xist loss results in X reactivation and consequent genome-wide changes that lead to cancer, thereby causally linking the X chromosome to cancer in mice. Thus, Xist RNA not only is required to maintain XCI but also suppresses cancer in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eda Yildirim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Sin HS, Barski A, Zhang F, Kartashov AV, Nussenzweig A, Chen J, Andreassen PR, Namekawa SH. RNF8 regulates active epigenetic modifications and escape gene activation from inactive sex chromosomes in post-meiotic spermatids. Genes Dev 2013; 26:2737-48. [PMID: 23249736 DOI: 10.1101/gad.202713.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are uniquely subject to chromosome-wide silencing during male meiosis, and silencing persists into post-meiotic spermatids. Against this background, a select set of sex chromosome-linked genes escapes silencing and is activated in post-meiotic spermatids. Here, we identify a novel mechanism that regulates escape gene activation in an environment of chromosome-wide silencing in murine germ cells. We show that RNF8-dependent ubiquitination of histone H2A during meiosis establishes active epigenetic modifications, including dimethylation of H3K4 on the sex chromosomes. RNF8-dependent active epigenetic memory, defined by dimethylation of H3K4, persists throughout meiotic division. Various active epigenetic modifications are subsequently established on the sex chromosomes in post-meiotic spermatids. These RNF8-dependent modifications include trimethylation of H3K4, histone lysine crotonylation (Kcr), and incorporation of the histone variant H2AFZ. RNF8-dependent epigenetic programming regulates escape gene activation from inactive sex chromosomes in post-meiotic spermatids. Kcr accumulates at transcriptional start sites of sex-linked genes activated in an RNF8-dependent manner, and a chromatin conformational change is associated with RNF8-dependent epigenetic programming. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this RNF8-dependent pathway is distinct from that which recognizes DNA double-strand breaks. Our results establish a novel connection between a DNA damage response factor (RNF8) and epigenetic programming, specifically in establishing active epigenetic modifications and gene activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Su Sin
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wu Q, Song R, Ortogero N, Zheng H, Evanoff R, Small CL, Griswold MD, Namekawa SH, Royo H, Turner JM, Yan W. The RNase III enzyme DROSHA is essential for microRNA production and spermatogenesis. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:25173-90. [PMID: 22665486 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.362053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DROSHA is a nuclear RNase III enzyme responsible for cleaving primary microRNAs (miRNAs) into precursor miRNAs and thus is essential for the biogenesis of canonical miRNAs. DICER is a cytoplasmic RNase III enzyme that not only cleaves precursor miRNAs to produce mature miRNAs but also dissects naturally formed/synthetic double-stranded RNAs to generate small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). To investigate the role of canonical miRNA and/or endogenous siRNA production in spermatogenesis, we generated Drosha or Dicer conditional knock-out (cKO) mouse lines by inactivating Drosha or Dicer exclusively in spermatogenic cells in postnatal testes using the Cre-loxp strategy. Both Drosha and Dicer cKO males were infertile due to disrupted spermatogenesis characterized by depletion of spermatocytes and spermatids leading to oligoteratozoospermia or azoospermia. The developmental course of spermatogenic disruptions was similar at morphological levels between Drosha and Dicer cKO males, but Drosha cKO testes appeared to be more severe in spermatogenic disruptions than Dicer cKO testes. Microarray analyses revealed transcriptomic differences between Drosha- and Dicer-null pachytene spermatocytes or round spermatids. Although levels of sex-linked mRNAs were mildly elevated, meiotic sex chromosome inactivation appeared to have occurred normally. Our data demonstrate that unlike DICER, which is required for the biogenesis of several small RNA species, DROSHA is essential mainly for the canonical miRNA production, and DROSHA-mediated miRNA production is essential for normal spermatogenesis and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiuxia Wu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Sin HS, Ichijima Y, Koh E, Namiki M, Namekawa SH. Human postmeiotic sex chromatin and its impact on sex chromosome evolution. Genome Res 2012; 22:827-36. [PMID: 22375025 PMCID: PMC3337429 DOI: 10.1101/gr.135046.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex chromosome inactivation is essential epigenetic programming in male germ cells. However, it remains largely unclear how epigenetic silencing of sex chromosomes impacts the evolution of the mammalian genome. Here we demonstrate that male sex chromosome inactivation is highly conserved between humans and mice and has an impact on the genetic evolution of human sex chromosomes. We show that, in humans, sex chromosome inactivation established during meiosis is maintained into spermatids with the silent compartment postmeiotic sex chromatin (PMSC). Human PMSC is illuminated with epigenetic modifications such as trimethylated lysine 9 of histone H3 and heterochromatin proteins CBX1 and CBX3, which implicate a conserved mechanism underlying the maintenance of sex chromosome inactivation in mammals. Furthermore, our analyses suggest that male sex chromosome inactivation has impacted multiple aspects of the evolutionary history of mammalian sex chromosomes: amplification of copy number, retrotranspositions, acquisition of de novo genes, and acquisition of different expression profiles. Most strikingly, profiles of escape genes from postmeiotic silencing diverge significantly between humans and mice. Escape genes exhibit higher rates of amino acid changes compared with non-escape genes, suggesting that they are beneficial for reproductive fitness and may allow mammals to cope with conserved postmeiotic silencing during the evolutionary past. Taken together, we propose that the epigenetic silencing mechanism impacts the genetic evolution of sex chromosomes and contributed to speciation and reproductive diversity in mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Su Sin
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|