Architectural alterations of the fission yeast genome during the cell cycle

The jet-like chromatin structure defines active secondary metabolism in fungi

Eukaryotic genomes are spatially organized within the nucleus in a nonrandom manner. However, fungal genome arrangement and its function in development and adaptation remain largely unexplored. Here, we show that the high-order chromosome structure of Fusarium graminearum is sculpted by both H3K27me3 modification and ancient genome rearrangements. Active secondary metabolic gene clusters form a structure resembling chromatin jets. We demonstrate that these jet-like domains, which can propagate symmetrically for 54 kb, are prevalent in the genome and correlate with active gene transcription and histone acetylation. Deletion of GCN5, which encodes a core and functionally conserved histone acetyltransferase, blocks the formation of the domains. Insertion of an exogenous gene within the jet-like domain significantly augments its transcription. These findings uncover an interesting link between alterations in chromatin structure and the activation of fungal secondary metabolism, which could be a general mechanism for fungi to rapidly respond to environmental cues, and highlight the utility of leveraging three-dimensional genome organization in improving gene transcription in eukaryotes.

3C methods in cancer research: recent advances and future prospects

In recent years, Hi-C technology has revolutionized cancer research by elucidating the mystery of three-dimensional chromatin organization and its role in gene regulation. This paper explored the impact of Hi-C advancements on cancer research by delving into high-resolution techniques, such as chromatin loops, structural variants, haplotype phasing, and extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA). Distant regulatory elements interact with their target genes through chromatin loops. Structural variants contribute to the development and progression of cancer. Haplotype phasing is crucial for understanding allele-specific genomic rearrangements and somatic clonal evolution in cancer. The role of ecDNA in driving oncogene amplification and drug resistance in cancer cells has also been revealed. These innovations offer a deeper understanding of cancer biology and the potential for personalized therapies. Despite these advancements, challenges, such as the accurate mapping of repetitive sequences and precise identification of structural variants, persist. Integrating Hi-C with multiomics data is key to overcoming these challenges and comprehensively understanding complex cancer genomes. Thus, Hi-C is a powerful tool for guiding precision medicine in cancer research and treatment.

RNAP II antagonizes mitotic chromatin folding and chromosome segregation by condensin

Condensin shapes mitotic chromosomes by folding chromatin into loops, but whether it does so by DNA-loop extrusion remains speculative. Although loop-extruding cohesin is stalled by transcription, the impact of transcription on condensin, which is enriched at highly expressed genes in many species, remains unclear. Using degrons of Rpb1 or the torpedo nuclease Dhp1XRN2 to either deplete or displace RNAPII on chromatin in fission yeast metaphase cells, we show that RNAPII does not load condensin on DNA. Instead, RNAPII retains condensin in cis and hinders its ability to fold mitotic chromatin and to support chromosome segregation, consistent with the stalling of a loop extruder. Transcription termination by Dhp1 limits such a hindrance. Our results shed light on the integrated functioning of condensin, and we argue that a tight control of transcription underlies mitotic chromosome assembly by loop-extruding condensin.

3D models of fungal chromosomes to enhance visual integration of omics data

The functions of eukaryotic chromosomes and their spatial architecture in the nucleus are reciprocally dependent. Hi-C experiments are routinely used to study chromosome 3D organization by probing chromatin interactions. Standard representation of the data has relied on contact maps that show the frequency of interactions between parts of the genome. In parallel, it has become easier to build 3D models of the entire genome based on the same Hi-C data, and thus benefit from the methodology and visualization tools developed for structural biology. 3D modeling of entire genomes leverages the understanding of their spatial organization. However, this opportunity for original and insightful modeling is underexploited. In this paper, we show how seeing the spatial organization of chromosomes can bring new perspectives to omics data integration. We assembled state-of-the-art tools into a workflow that goes from Hi-C raw data to fully annotated 3D models and we re-analysed public omics datasets available for three fungal species. Besides the well-described properties of the spatial organization of their chromosomes (Rabl conformation, hypercoiling and chromosome territories), our results highlighted (i) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the backbones of the cohesin anchor regions, which were aligned all along the chromosomes, (ii) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the oscillations of the coiling of chromosome arms throughout the cell cycle and (iii) in Neurospora crassa, the massive relocalization of histone marks in mutants of heterochromatin regulators. 3D modeling of the chromosomes brings new opportunities for visual integration of omics data. This holistic perspective supports intuition and lays the foundation for building new concepts.

Histone deacetylation and cytosine methylation compartmentalize heterochromatic regions in the genome organization of Neurospora crassa

Chromosomes must correctly fold in eukaryotic nuclei for proper genome function. Eukaryotic organisms hierarchically organize their genomes, including in the fungus Neurospora crassa, where chromatin fiber loops compact into Topologically Associated Domain-like structures formed by heterochromatic region aggregation. However, insufficient data exist on how histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, affect genome organization. In Neurospora, the HCHC complex [composed of the proteins HDA-1, CDP-2 (Chromodomain Protein-2), Heterochromatin Protein-1, and CHAP (CDP-2 and HDA-1 Associated Protein)] deacetylates heterochromatic nucleosomes, as loss of individual HCHC members increases centromeric acetylation, and alters the methylation of cytosines in DNA. Here, we assess whether the HCHC complex affects genome organization by performing Hi-C in strains deleted of the cdp-2 or chap genes. CDP-2 loss increases intra- and interchromosomal heterochromatic region interactions, while loss of CHAP decreases heterochromatic region compaction. Individual HCHC mutants exhibit different patterns of histone PTMs genome-wide, as CDP-2 deletion increases heterochromatic H4K16 acetylation, yet smaller heterochromatic regions lose H3K9 trimethylation and gain interheterochromatic region interactions; CHAP loss produces minimal acetylation changes but increases heterochromatic H3K9me3 enrichment. Loss of both CDP-2 and the DIM-2 DNA methyltransferase causes extensive genome disorder as heterochromatic-euchromatic contacts increase despite additional H3K9me3 enrichment. Our results highlight how the increased cytosine methylation in HCHC mutants ensures genome compartmentalization when heterochromatic regions become hyperacetylated without HDAC activity.

Histone deacetylation and cytosine methylation compartmentalize heterochromatic regions in the genome organization of Neurospora crassa

Chromosomes must correctly fold in eukaryotic nuclei for proper genome function. Eukaryotic organisms hierarchically organize their genomes, including in the fungus Neurospora crassa, where chromatin fiber loops compact into Topologically Associated Domain (TAD)-like structures formed by heterochromatic region aggregation. However, insufficient data exists on how histone post-translational modifications, including acetylation, affect genome organization. In Neurospora, the HCHC complex (comprised of the proteins HDA-1, CDP-2, HP1, and CHAP) deacetylates heterochromatic nucleosomes, as loss of individual HCHC members increases centromeric acetylation and alters the methylation of cytosines in DNA. Here, we assess if the HCHC complex affects genome organization by performing Hi-C in strains deleted of the cdp-2 or chap genes. CDP-2 loss increases intra- and inter-chromosomal heterochromatic region interactions, while loss of CHAP decreases heterochromatic region compaction. Individual HCHC mutants exhibit different patterns of histone post-translational modifications genome-wide: without CDP-2, heterochromatic H4K16 acetylation is increased, yet smaller heterochromatic regions lose H3K9 trimethylation and gain inter-heterochromatic region interactions; CHAP loss produces minimal acetylation changes but increases heterochromatic H3K9me3 enrichment. Loss of both CDP-2 and the DIM-2 DNA methyltransferase causes extensive genome disorder, as heterochromatic-euchromatic contacts increase despite additional H3K9me3 enrichment. Our results highlight how the increased cytosine methylation in HCHC mutants ensures genome compartmentalization when heterochromatic regions become hyperacetylated without HDAC activity.

Shifting landscapes: the role of 3D genomic organizations in gene regulatory strategies

3D genome folding enables the physical storage of chromosomes into the compact volume of a cell's nucleus, allows for the accurate segregation of chromatin to daughter cells, and has been shown to be tightly coupled to the way in which genetic information is converted into transcriptional programs [1-3]. Importantly, this link between chromatin architecture and gene regulation is a selectable feature in which modifications to chromatin organization accompany, or perhaps even drive the establishment of new regulatory strategies with enduring impacts on animal body plan complexity. Here, we discuss the nature of different 3D genome folding systems found across the tree of life, with particular emphasis on metazoans, and the relative influence of these systems on gene regulation. We suggest how the properties of these folding systems have influenced regulatory strategies employed by different lineages and may have catalyzed the partitioning and specialization of genetic programs that enabled multicellularity and organ-grade body plan complexity.

Chromosome arm length, and a species-specific determinant, define chromosome arm width

Mitotic chromosomes in different organisms adopt various dimensions. What defines these dimensions is scarcely understood. Here, we compare mitotic chromosomes in budding and fission yeasts harboring similarly sized genomes distributed among 16 or 3 chromosomes, respectively. Hi-C analyses and superresolution microscopy reveal that budding yeast chromosomes are characterized by shorter-ranging mitotic chromatin contacts and are thinner compared with the thicker fission yeast chromosomes that contain longer-ranging mitotic contacts. These distinctions persist even after budding yeast chromosomes are fused to form three fission-yeast-length entities, revealing a species-specific organizing principle. Species-specific widths correlate with the known binding site intervals of the chromosomal condensin complex. Unexpectedly, within each species, we find that longer chromosome arms are always thicker and harbor longer-ranging contacts, a trend that we also observe with human chromosomes. Arm length as a chromosome width determinant informs mitotic chromosome formation models.

A mini-review of the role of condensin in human nervous system diseases

Mitosis and meiosis are crucial life activities that transmit eukaryotic genetic information to progeny in a stable and orderly manner. The formation and appearance of chromosomes, which are derived from chromatin, are the preconditions and signs of mitosis. When entering mitosis, interphase loose chromatin is highly spiralized and folded to form compact chromosomes. In recent years, it has been found that in addition to the well-known DNA, histones, and topoisomerase, a large protein complex called condensin plays an important role in the process of chromosome formation. Numerous studies have shown that the abnormal function of condensin can lead to incomplete or excessive concentration of chromatin, as well as disorder of genome organization process, abnormal transmission of genetic information, and ultimately lead to various diseases of individual, especially in nervous system diseases. In this review, the biological function of condensin and the potential pathogenic mechanism of condensin in nervous system diseases are briefly summarized. Therefore, the investigation of these mechanisms makes a significant contribution to the understanding of those related diseases and provides new ideas for clinical treatments.

The genome organization of Neurospora crassa at high resolution uncovers principles of fungal chromosome topology

The eukaryotic genome must be precisely organized for its proper function, as genome topology impacts transcriptional regulation, cell division, replication, and repair, among other essential processes. Disruptions to human genome topology can lead to diseases, including cancer. The advent of chromosome conformation capture with high-throughput sequencing (Hi-C) to assess genome organization has revolutionized the study of nuclear genome topology; Hi-C has elucidated numerous genomic structures, including chromosomal territories, active/silent chromatin compartments, Topologically Associated Domains, and chromatin loops. While low-resolution heatmaps can provide important insights into chromosomal level contacts, high-resolution Hi-C datasets are required to reveal folding principles of individual genes. Of particular interest are high-resolution chromosome conformation datasets of organisms modeling the human genome. Here, we report the genome topology of the fungal model organism Neurospora crassa at a high resolution. Our composite Hi-C dataset, which merges 2 independent datasets generated with restriction enzymes that monitor euchromatin (DpnII) and heterochromatin (MseI), along with our DpnII/MseI double digest dataset, provide exquisite detail for both the conformation of entire chromosomes and the folding of chromatin at the resolution of individual genes. Within constitutive heterochromatin, we observe strong yet stochastic internal contacts, while euchromatin enriched with either activating or repressive histone post-translational modifications associates with constitutive heterochromatic regions, suggesting intercompartment contacts form to regulate transcription. Consistent with this, a strain with compromised heterochromatin experiences numerous changes in gene expression. Our high-resolution Neurospora Hi-C datasets are outstanding resources to the fungal community and provide valuable insights into higher organism genome topology.

3D chromatin architecture and transcription regulation in cancer

Chromatin has distinct three-dimensional (3D) architectures important in key biological processes, such as cell cycle, replication, differentiation, and transcription regulation. In turn, aberrant 3D structures play a vital role in developing abnormalities and diseases such as cancer. This review discusses key 3D chromatin structures (topologically associating domain, lamina-associated domain, and enhancer-promoter interactions) and corresponding structural protein elements mediating 3D chromatin interactions [CCCTC-binding factor, polycomb group protein, cohesin, and Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) protein] with a highlight of their associations with cancer. We also summarise the recent development of technologies and bioinformatics approaches to study the 3D chromatin interactions in gene expression regulation, including crosslinking and proximity ligation methods in the bulk cell population (ChIA-PET and HiChIP) or single-molecule resolution (ChIA-drop), and methods other than proximity ligation, such as GAM, SPRITE, and super-resolution microscopy techniques.

Rec8 Cohesin-mediated Axis-loop chromatin architecture is required for meiotic recombination

During meiotic prophase, cohesin-dependent axial structures are formed in the synaptonemal complex (SC). However, the functional correlation between these structures and cohesion remains elusive. Here, we examined the formation of cohesin-dependent axial structures in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This organism forms atypical SCs composed of linear elements (LinEs) resembling the lateral elements of SC but lacking the transverse filaments. Hi-C analysis using a highly synchronous population of meiotic S. pombe cells revealed that the axis-loop chromatin structure formed in meiotic prophase was dependent on the Rec8 cohesin complex. In contrast, the Rec8-mediated formation of the axis-loop structure occurred in cells lacking components of LinEs. To dissect the functions of Rec8, we identified a rec8-F204S mutant that lost the ability to assemble the axis-loop structure without losing cohesion of sister chromatids. This mutant showed defects in the formation of the axis-loop structure and LinE assembly and thus exhibited reduced meiotic recombination. Collectively, our results demonstrate that the Rec8-dependent axis-loop structure provides a structural platform essential for LinE assembly, facilitating meiotic recombination of homologous chromosomes, independently of its role in sister chromatid cohesion.

The three-dimensional structure of Epstein-Barr virus genome varies by latency type and is regulated by PARP1 enzymatic activity

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) persists in human B-cells by maintaining its chromatinized episomes within the nucleus. We have previously shown that cellular factor Poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1) binds the EBV genome, stabilizes CTCF binding at specific loci, and that PARP1 enzymatic activity correlates with maintaining a transcriptionally active latency program. To better understand PARP1's role in regulating EBV latency, here we functionally characterize the effect of PARP enzymatic inhibition on episomal structure through in situ HiC mapping, generating a complete 3D structure of the EBV genome. We also map intragenomic contact changes after PARP inhibition to global binding of chromatin looping factors CTCF and cohesin across the EBV genome. We find that PARP inhibition leads to fewer total unique intragenomic interactions within the EBV episome, yet new chromatin loops distinct from the untreated episome are also formed. This study also illustrates that PARP inhibition alters gene expression at the regions where chromatin looping is most effected. We observe that PARP1 inhibition does not alter cohesin binding sites but does increase its frequency of binding at those sites. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PARP has an essential role in regulating global EBV chromatin structure and latent gene expression.

Normalization of Chromosome Contact Maps: Matrix Balancing and Visualization

Over the last decade, genomic proximity ligation approaches have reshaped our vision of chromosomes 3D organizations, from bacteria nucleoids to larger eukaryotic genomes. The different protocols (3Cseq, Hi-C, TCC, MicroC [XL], Hi-CO, etc.) rely on common steps (chemical fixation digestion, ligation…) to detect pairs of genomic positions in close proximity. The most common way to represent these data is a matrix, or contact map, which allows visualizing the different chromatin structures (compartments, loops, etc.) that can be associated to other signals such as transcription, protein occupancy, etc. as well as, in some instances, to biological functions.In this chapter we present and discuss the filtering of the events recovered in proximity ligation experiments as well as the application of the balancing normalization procedure on the resulting contact map. We also describe a computational tool for visualizing normalized contact data dubbed Scalogram.The different processes described here are illustrated and supported by the laboratory custom-made scripts pooled into "hicstuff," an open-access python package accessible on github ( https://github.com/koszullab/hicstuff ).

A compendium of chromatin contact maps reflecting regulation by chromatin remodelers in budding yeast

We herein employ in situ Hi-C with an auxin-inducible degron (AID) system to examine the effect of chromatin remodeling on 3D genome organization in yeast. Eight selected ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers representing various subfamilies contribute to 3D genome organization differently. Among the studied remodelers, the temporary depletions of Chd1p, Swr1p, and Sth1p (a catalytic subunit of the Remodeling the Structure of Chromatin [RSC] complex) cause the most significant defects in intra-chromosomal contacts, and the regulatory roles of these three remodelers in 3D genome organization differ depending on the chromosomal context and cell cycle stage. Furthermore, even though Chd1p and Isw1p are known to share functional similarities/redundancies, their depletions lead to distinct effects on 3D structures. The RSC and cohesin complexes also differentially modulate 3D genome organization within chromosome arm regions, whereas RSC appears to support the function of cohesin in centromeric clustering at G2 phase. Our work suggests that the ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers control the 3D genome organization of yeast through their chromatin-remodeling activities.

Potential roles of condensin in genome organization and beyond in fission yeast

The genome is highly organized hierarchically by the function of structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complex proteins such as condensin and cohesin from bacteria to humans. Although the roles of SMC complex proteins have been well characterized, their specialized roles in nuclear processes remain unclear. Condensin and cohesin have distinct binding sites and mediate long-range and short-range genomic associations, respectively, to form cell cycle-specific genome organization. Condensin can be recruited to highly expressed genes as well as dispersed repeat genetic elements, such as Pol III-transcribed genes, LTR retrotransposon, and rDNA repeat. In particular, mitotic transcription factors Ace2 and Ams2 recruit condensin to their target genes, forming centromeric clustering during mitosis. Condensin is potentially involved in various chromosomal processes such as the mobility of chromosomes, chromosome territories, DNA reannealing, and transcription factories. The current knowledge of condensin in fission yeast summarized in this review can help us understand how condensin mediates genome organization and participates in chromosomal processes in other organisms.

CENP-A nucleosome-a chromatin-embedded pedestal for the centromere: lessons learned from structural biology

The centromere is a chromosome locus that directs equal segregation of chromosomes during cell division. A nucleosome containing the histone H3 variant CENP-A epigenetically defines the centromere. Here, we summarize findings from recent structural biology studies, including several CryoEM structures, that contributed to elucidate specific features of the CENP-A nucleosome and molecular determinants of its interactions with CENP-C and CENP-N, the only two centromere proteins that directly bind to it. Based on those findings, we propose a role of the CENP-A nucleosome in the organization of centromeric chromatin beyond binding centromeric proteins.

Computer vision for pattern detection in chromosome contact maps

Chromosomes of all species studied so far display a variety of higher-order organisational features, such as self-interacting domains or loops. These structures, which are often associated to biological functions, form distinct, visible patterns on genome-wide contact maps generated by chromosome conformation capture approaches such as Hi-C. Here we present Chromosight, an algorithm inspired from computer vision that can detect patterns in contact maps. Chromosight has greater sensitivity than existing methods on synthetic simulated data, while being faster and applicable to any type of genomes, including bacteria, viruses, yeasts and mammals. Our method does not require any prior training dataset and works well with default parameters on data generated with various protocols.

Chromatin loops bridging distant loci within chromosomes can be detected by a variety of techniques such as Hi-C. Here the authors present Chromosight, an algorithm applied on mammalian, bacterial, viral and yeast genomes, able to detect various types of pattern in chromosome contact maps, including chromosomal loops.

Fission yeast condensin contributes to interphase chromatin organization and prevents transcription-coupled DNA damage

BACKGROUND

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes are central organizers of chromatin architecture throughout the cell cycle. The SMC family member condensin is best known for establishing long-range chromatin interactions in mitosis. These compact chromatin and create mechanically stable chromosomes. How condensin contributes to chromatin organization in interphase is less well understood.

RESULTS

Here, we use efficient conditional depletion of fission yeast condensin to determine its contribution to interphase chromatin organization. We deplete condensin in G2-arrested cells to preempt confounding effects from cell cycle progression without condensin. Genome-wide chromatin interaction mapping, using Hi-C, reveals condensin-mediated chromatin interactions in interphase that are qualitatively similar to those observed in mitosis, but quantitatively far less prevalent. Despite their low abundance, chromatin mobility tracking shows that condensin markedly confines interphase chromatin movements. Without condensin, chromatin behaves as an unconstrained Rouse polymer with excluded volume, while condensin constrains its mobility. Unexpectedly, we find that condensin is required during interphase to prevent ongoing transcription from eliciting a DNA damage response.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to establishing mitotic chromosome architecture, condensin-mediated long-range chromatin interactions contribute to shaping chromatin organization in interphase. The resulting structure confines chromatin mobility and protects the genome from transcription-induced DNA damage. This adds to the important roles of condensin in maintaining chromosome stability.

Chromatin and Nuclear Architecture: Shaping DNA Replication in 3D

In eukaryotes, DNA replication progresses through a finely orchestrated temporal and spatial program. The 3D genome structure and nuclear architecture have recently emerged as fundamental determinants of the replication program. Factors with established roles in replication have been recognized as genome organization regulators. Exploiting paradigms from yeasts and mammals, we discuss how DNA replication is regulated in time and space through DNA-associated trans-acting factors, diffusible limiting replication initiation factors, higher-order chromatin folding, dynamic origin localization, and specific nuclear microenvironments. We present an integrated model for the regulation of DNA replication in 3D and highlight the importance of accurate spatio-temporal regulation of DNA replication in physiology and disease.

Fluid-like chromatin: Toward understanding the real chromatin organization present in the cell

Eukaryotic chromatin is a negatively charged polymer consisting of genomic DNA, histones, and various nonhistone proteins. Because of its highly charged character, the structure of chromatin varies greatly depending on the surrounding environment (i.e. cations etc.): from an extended 10-nm fiber, to a folded 30-nm fiber, to chromatin condensates/liquid-droplets. Over the last ten years, newly developed technologies have drastically shifted our view on chromatin from a static regular structure to a more irregular and dynamic one, locally like a fluid. Since no single imaging (or genomics) method can tell us everything and beautiful images (or models) can fool our minds, comprehensive analyses based on many technical approaches are important to capture actual chromatin organization inside the cell. Here we critically discuss our current view on chromatin and methodology used to support the view.

Chromosome organization by one-sided and two-sided loop extrusion

SMC complexes, such as condensin or cohesin, organize chromatin throughout the cell cycle by a process known as loop extrusion. SMC complexes reel in DNA, extruding and progressively growing DNA loops. Modeling assuming two-sided loop extrusion reproduces key features of chromatin organization across different organisms. In vitro single-molecule experiments confirmed that yeast condensins extrude loops, however, they remain anchored to their loading sites and extrude loops in a 'one-sided' manner. We therefore simulate one-sided loop extrusion to investigate whether 'one-sided' complexes can compact mitotic chromosomes, organize interphase domains, and juxtapose bacterial chromosomal arms, as can be done by 'two-sided' loop extruders. While one-sided loop extrusion cannot reproduce these phenomena, variants can recapitulate in vivo observations. We predict that SMC complexes in vivo constitute effectively two-sided motors or exhibit biased loading and propose relevant experiments. Our work suggests that loop extrusion is a viable general mechanism of chromatin organization.

Epigenetic specifications of host chromosome docking sites for latent Epstein-Barr virus

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes persist in latently infected cells as extrachromosomal episomes that attach to host chromosomes through the tethering functions of EBNA1, a viral encoded sequence-specific DNA binding protein. Here we employ circular chromosome conformation capture (4C) analysis to identify genome-wide associations between EBV episomes and host chromosomes. We find that EBV episomes in Burkitt's lymphoma cells preferentially associate with cellular genomic sites containing EBNA1 binding sites enriched with B-cell factors EBF1 and RBP-jK, the repressive histone mark H3K9me3, and AT-rich flanking sequence. These attachment sites correspond to transcriptionally silenced genes with GO enrichment for neuronal function and protein kinase A pathways. Depletion of EBNA1 leads to a transcriptional de-repression of silenced genes and reduction in H3K9me3. EBV attachment sites in lymphoblastoid cells with different latency type show different correlations, suggesting that host chromosome attachment sites are functionally linked to latency type gene expression programs.

Mitotic chromosome organization: General rules meet species-specific variability

Research on the formation of mitotic chromosomes from interphase chromatin domains, ongoing for several decades, made significant progress in recent years. It was stimulated by the development of advanced microscopic techniques and implementation of chromatin conformation capture methods that provide new insights into chromosome ultrastructure. This review aims to summarize and compare several models of chromatin fiber folding to form mitotic chromosomes and discusses them in the light of the novel findings. Functional genomics studies in several organisms confirmed condensins and cohesins as the major players in chromosome condensation. Here we compare available data on the role of these proteins across lower and higher eukaryotes and point to differences indicating evolutionary different pathways to shape mitotic chromosomes. Moreover, we discuss a controversial phenomenon of the mitotic chromosome ultrastructure - chromosome cavities - and using our super-resolution microscopy data, we contribute to its elucidation.

Involvement of condensin in cellular senescence through gene regulation and compartmental reorganization

Senescence is induced by various stimuli such as oncogene expression and telomere shortening, referred to as oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) and replicative senescence (RS), respectively, and accompanied by global transcriptional alterations and 3D genome reorganization. Here, we demonstrate that the human condensin II complex participates in senescence via gene regulation and reorganization of euchromatic A and heterochromatic B compartments. Both OIS and RS are accompanied by A-to-B and B-to-A compartmental transitions, the latter of which occur more frequently and are undergone by 14% (430 Mb) of the human genome. Mechanistically, condensin is enriched in A compartments and implicated in B-to-A transitions. The full activation of senescence genes (SASP genes and p53 targets) requires condensin; its depletion impairs senescence markers. This study describes that condensin reinforces euchromatic A compartments and promotes B-to-A transitions, both of which are coupled to optimal expression of senescence genes, thereby allowing condensin to contribute to senescent processes.

The Functional 3D Organization of Unicellular Genomes

Genome conformation capture techniques permit a systematic investigation into the functional spatial organization of genomes, including functional aspects like assessing the co-localization of sets of genomic elements. For example, the co-localization of genes targeted by a transcription factor (TF) within a transcription factory. We quantify spatial co-localization using a rigorous statistical model that measures the enrichment of a subset of elements in neighbourhoods inferred from Hi-C data. We also control for co-localization that can be attributed to genomic order. We systematically apply our open-sourced framework, spatial-mHG, to search for spatial co-localization phenomena in multiple unicellular Hi-C datasets with corresponding genomic annotations. Our biological findings shed new light on the functional spatial organization of genomes, including: In C. crescentus, DNA replication genes reside in two genomic clusters that are spatially co-localized. Furthermore, these clusters contain similar gene copies and lay in genomic vicinity to the ori and ter sequences. In S. cerevisae, Ty5 retrotransposon family element spatially co-localize at a spatially adjacent subset of telomeres. In N. crassa, both Proteasome lid subcomplex genes and protein refolding genes jointly spatially co-localize at a shared location. An implementation of our algorithms is available online.

Analyzing chromosome condensation in yeast by second-harmonic generation microscopy

Condensation is a fundamental property of mitotic chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. However, analyzing chromosome condensation in yeast is a challenging task while existing methods have notable weaknesses. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is a label-free, advanced imaging technique for measuring the surface curve of isotropic molecules such as chromatin in live cells. We applied this method to detect changes in chromatin organization throughout the cell cycle in live yeast cells. We showed that SHG microscopy can be used to identify changes in chromatin organization throughout the cell cycle and in response to inactivation of the SMC complexes, cohesin and condensin. Implementation of this method will improve our ability to analyze chromatin structure in protozoa and will enhance our understanding of chromatin organization in eukaryotic cells.

Unraveling quiescence-specific repressive chromatin domains

Quiescence is a highly conserved inactive life stage in which the cell reversibly exits the cell cycle in response to external cues. Quiescence is essential for diverse processes such as the maintenance of adult stem cell stores, stress resistance, and longevity, and its misregulation has been implicated in cancer. Although the non-cycling nature of quiescent cells has made obtaining sufficient quantities of quiescent cells for study difficult, the development of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model of quiescence has recently enabled detailed investigation into mechanisms underlying the quiescent state. Like their metazoan counterparts, quiescent budding yeast exhibit widespread transcriptional silencing and dramatic chromatin condensation. We have recently found that the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complex condensin binds throughout the quiescent budding yeast genome and induces the formation of large chromatin loop domains. In the absence of condensin, quiescent cell chromatin is decondensed and transcription is de-repressed. Here, we briefly discuss our findings in the larger context of the genome organization field.

Condensin-Dependent Chromatin Compaction Represses Transcription Globally during Quiescence

Quiescence is a stress-resistant state in which cells reversibly exit the cell cycle and suspend most processes. Quiescence is essential for stem cell maintenance, and its misregulation is implicated in tumor formation. One of the hallmarks of quiescent cells is highly condensed chromatin. Because condensed chromatin often correlates with transcriptional silencing, it has been hypothesized that chromatin compaction represses transcription during quiescence. However, the technology to test this model by determining chromatin structure within cells at gene resolution has not previously been available. Here, we use Micro-C XL to map chromatin contacts at single-nucleosome resolution genome-wide in quiescent Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. We describe chromatin domains on the order of 10-60 kilobases that, only in quiescent cells, are formed by condensin-mediated loops. Condensin depletion prevents the compaction of chromatin within domains and leads to widespread transcriptional de-repression. Finally, we demonstrate that condensin-dependent chromatin compaction is conserved in quiescent human fibroblasts.

Cryo-ET reveals the macromolecular reorganization of S. pombe mitotic chromosomes in vivo

Chromosomes condense during mitosis in most eukaryotes. This transformation involves rearrangements at the nucleosome level and has consequences for transcription. Here, we use cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to determine the 3D arrangement of nuclear macromolecular complexes, including nucleosomes, in frozen-hydrated Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. Using 3D classification analysis, we did not find evidence that nucleosomes resembling the crystal structure are abundant. This observation and those from other groups support the notion that a subset of fission yeast nucleosomes may be partially unwrapped in vivo. In both interphase and mitotic cells, there is also no evidence of monolithic structures the size of Hi-C domains. The chromatin is mingled with two features: pockets, which are positions free of macromolecular complexes; and "megacomplexes," which are multimegadalton globular complexes like preribosomes. Mitotic chromatin is more crowded than interphase chromatin in subtle ways. Nearest-neighbor distance analyses show that mitotic chromatin is more compacted at the oligonucleosome than the dinucleosome level. Like interphase, mitotic chromosomes contain megacomplexes and pockets. This uneven chromosome condensation helps explain a longstanding enigma of mitosis: a subset of genes is up-regulated.

Physical basis for long-distance communication along meiotic chromosomes

Viable gamete formation requires segregation of homologous chromosomes connected, in most species, by cross-overs. DNA double-strand break (DSB) formation and the resulting cross-overs are regulated at multiple levels to prevent overabundance along chromosomes. Meiotic cells coordinate these events between distant sites, but the physical basis of long-distance chromosomal communication has been unknown. We show that DSB hotspots up to ∼200 kb (∼35 cM) apart form clusters via hotspot-binding proteins Rec25 and Rec27 in fission yeast. Clustering coincides with hotspot competition and interference over similar distances. Without Tel1 (an ATM tumor-suppressor homolog), DSB and crossover interference become negative, reflecting coordinated action along a chromosome. These results indicate that DSB hotspots within a limited chromosomal region and bound by their protein determinants form a clustered structure that, via Tel1, allows only one DSB per region. Such a "roulette" process within clusters explains the observed pattern of crossover interference in fission yeast. Key structural and regulatory components of clusters are phylogenetically conserved, suggesting conservation of this vital regulation. Based on these observations, we propose a model and discuss variations in which clustering and competition between DSB sites leads to DSB interference and in turn produces crossover interference.

GrapHi-C: graph-based visualization of Hi-C datasets

Objectives

Hi-C is a proximity-based ligation reaction used to detect regions of the genome that are close in 3D space (or “interacting”). Typically, results from Hi-C experiments (contact maps) are visualized as heatmaps or Circos plots. While informative, these visualizations do not directly represent genomic structure and folding, making the interpretation of the underlying 3D genomic organization obscured. Our objective was to generate a graph-based contact map representation that leads to a more intuitive structural visualization.

Results

Normalized contact maps were converted into undirected graphs where each vertex represented a genomic region and each edge represented a detected (intra- and inter-chromosomal) or known (linear) interaction between two regions. Each edge was weighted by the inverse of the linear distance (Hi-C experimental resolution) or the interaction frequency from the contact map. Graphs were generated based on this representation scheme for contact maps from existing fission yeast datasets. Originally, these datasets were used to (1) identify specific principles influencing fission yeast genome organization and (2) uncover changes in fission yeast genome organization during the cell cycle. When compared to the equivalent heatmaps and/or Circos plots, the graph-based visualizations more intuitively depicted the changes in genome organization described in the original studies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3507-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The 4D Nucleome: Genome Compartmentalization in an Evolutionary Context

4D nucleome research aims to understand the impact of nuclear organization in space and time on nuclear functions, such as gene expression patterns, chromatin replication, and the maintenance of genome integrity. In this review we describe evidence that the origin of 4D genome compartmentalization can be traced back to the prokaryotic world. In cell nuclei of animals and plants chromosomes occupy distinct territories, built up from ~1 Mb chromatin domains, which in turn are composed of smaller chromatin subdomains and also form larger chromatin domain clusters. Microscopic evidence for this higher order chromatin landscape was strengthened by chromosome conformation capture studies, in particular Hi-C. This approach demonstrated ~1 Mb sized, topologically associating domains in mammalian cell nuclei separated by boundaries. Mutations, which destroy boundaries, can result in developmental disorders and cancer. Nucleosomes appeared first as tetramers in the Archaea kingdom and later evolved to octamers built up each from two H2A, two H2B, two H3, and two H4 proteins. Notably, nucleosomes were lost during the evolution of the Dinoflagellata phylum. Dinoflagellate chromosomes remain condensed during the entire cell cycle, but their chromosome architecture differs radically from the architecture of other eukaryotes. In summary, the conservation of fundamental features of higher order chromatin arrangements throughout the evolution of metazoan animals suggests the existence of conserved, but still unknown mechanism(s) controlling this architecture. Notwithstanding this conservation, a comparison of metazoans and protists also demonstrates species-specific structural and functional features of nuclear organization.

Forces driving the three-dimensional folding of eukaryotic genomes

The last decade has radically renewed our understanding of higher order chromatin folding in the eukaryotic nucleus. As a result, most current models are in support of a mostly hierarchical and relatively stable folding of chromosomes dividing chromosomal territories into A‐ (active) and B‐ (inactive) compartments, which are then further partitioned into topologically associating domains (TADs), each of which is made up from multiple loops stabilized mainly by the CTCF and cohesin chromatin‐binding complexes. Nonetheless, the structure‐to‐function relationship of eukaryotic genomes is still not well understood. Here, we focus on recent work highlighting the biophysical and regulatory forces that contribute to the spatial organization of genomes, and we propose that the various conformations that chromatin assumes are not so much the result of a linear hierarchy, but rather of both converging and conflicting dynamic forces that act on it.

Computational methods for analyzing genome-wide chromosome conformation capture data

In all organisms, chromatin is packed to fulfil structural constraints and functional requirements. The hierarchical model of chromatin organization in the 3D nuclear space encompasses different topologies at diverse scale lengths, with chromosomes occupying distinct volumes, further organized in compartments, inside which the chromatin fibers fold into large domains and short-range loops. In the recent years, the combination of chromosome conformation capture (3C) techniques and high-throughput sequencing allowed probing chromatin spatial organization at the whole genome-scale. 3C-based methods produce enormous amounts of genomic data that are analyzed using ad-hoc computational procedures. Here, we review the common pipelines and methods for the analysis of genome-wide chromosome conformation capture data, highlighting recent developments in key steps for the identification of chromatin structures.

CDK activity provides temporal and quantitative cues for organizing genome duplication

In eukaryotes, the spatial and temporal organization of genome duplication gives rise to distinctive profiles of replication origin usage along the chromosomes. While it has become increasingly clear that these programs are important for cellular physiology, the mechanisms by which they are determined and modulated remain elusive. Replication initiation requires the function of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), which associate with various cyclin partners to drive cell proliferation. Surprisingly, although we possess detailed knowledge of the CDK regulators and targets that are crucial for origin activation, little is known about whether CDKs play a critical role in establishing the genome-wide pattern of origin selection. We have addressed this question in the fission yeast, taking advantage of a simplified cell cycle network in which cell proliferation is driven by a single cyclin-CDK module. This system allows us to precisely control CDK activity in vivo using chemical genetics. First, in contrast to previous reports, our results clearly show that distinct cyclin-CDK pairs are not essential for regulating specific subsets of origins and for establishing a normal replication program. Importantly, we then demonstrate that the timing at which CDK activity reaches the S phase threshold is critical for the organization of replication in distinct efficiency domains, while the level of CDK activity at the onset of S phase is a dose-dependent modulator of overall origin efficiencies. Our study therefore implicates these different aspects of CDK regulation as versatile mechanisms for shaping the architecture of DNA replication across the genome.

The duplication of the genetic material is a highly conserved and tightly regulated process that is essential for cell proliferation. DNA synthesis initiates at sites called origins that are distributed throughout the genome. Replication origins are not all used equivalently, and their patterns of activation along the chromosomes give rise to specific profiles, or programs, of DNA replication. These programs change during development and in response to external stimuli, and we have previously shown that they have important consequences for cellular function. However, we still do not understand the mechanisms by which cells establish different replication patterns. Here we investigate the role of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) family of proteins, whose activities are critical for cell cycle progression, in regulating the organization of genome duplication. Taking advantage of a system that allows us to precisely modulate CDK activity levels in living cells, we demonstrate that both the temporal and quantitative controls of CDK function are crucial for determining distinct programs of DNA replication. Our work therefore uncovers a fundamental link between CDK activity, a central input in a variety of cellular and developmental processes, and the architecture of genome duplication.