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Weisert N, Majewski V, Hartleb L, Luko K, Lototska L, Krapoth NC, Ulrich HD, Janzen CJ, Butter F. TelAP2 links TelAP1 to the telomere complex in Trypanosoma brucei. Sci Rep 2024; 14:30493. [PMID: 39681615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-81972-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 12/02/2024] [Indexed: 12/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular parasite Trypanosoma brucei evades the immune system of the mammalian host by periodically exchanging its variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. Hereby, only one VSG gene is transcribed from one of 15 subtelomeric so-called bloodstream form expression sites (BES) at any given timepoint, while all other BESs are silenced. VSG gene expression is altered by homologous recombination using a large VSG gene repertoire or by a so-called in situ switch, which activates a previously silent BES. Transcriptional activation, VSG switching and VSG silencing during developmental differentiation from the bloodstream form to the procyclic form present in the tsetse fly vector are tightly regulated. Due to their subtelomeric position, telomere-associated proteins are involved in the regulation of VSG expression. Three functional homologs of mammalian telomere complex proteins have been characterized thus far, and novel telomere-interacting proteins, such as telomere-associated protein 1 (TelAP1), have recently been identified. Here, we used mass spectrometry-based proteomics and interactomics approaches, telomere pull-down assays with recombinant material and immunofluorescence analysis to elucidate the interactions of 21 other putative TelAPs. We investigated the influence on VSG expression and showed that depletion of TelAPs does not ultimately lead to changes in VSG expression. Additionally, we examined the interaction patterns of four TelAPs with the TbTRF/TbTIF2/TbRAP1 telomere complex by reciprocal affinity purification. We further propose that TelAP1 interacts with Tb927.6.4330, now called TelAP2, and that TelAP1 depends on this interaction to form a complex with the telomeric proteins TbTRF, TbTIF2 and TbRAP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Weisert
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Verena Majewski
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Laura Hartleb
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Katarina Luko
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Liudmyla Lototska
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nils Christian Krapoth
- Maintenance of Genome Stability, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Helle D Ulrich
- Maintenance of Genome Stability, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Christian J Janzen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Falk Butter
- Quantitative Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), 55128, Mainz, Germany.
- Proteomics Und Systems Biology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology (IMVZ), Friedrich Loeffler Institute, 17493, Greifswald, Germany.
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2
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Padmanaban S, Lambacher NJ, Tesmer VM, Zhang J, Shibuya H, Nandakumar J. Caenorhabditis elegans telomere-binding proteins TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 adapt the Myb module to dimerize and bind telomeric DNA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316651121. [PMID: 38588418 PMCID: PMC11032478 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316651121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Protecting chromosome ends from misrecognition as double-stranded (ds) DNA breaks is fundamental to eukaryotic viability. The protein complex shelterin prevents a DNA damage response at mammalian telomeres. Mammalian shelterin proteins TRF1 and TRF2 and their homologs in yeast and protozoa protect telomeric dsDNA. N-terminal homodimerization and C-terminal Myb-domain-mediated dsDNA binding are two structural hallmarks of end protection by TRF homologs. Yet our understanding of how Caenorhabditis elegans protects its telomeric dsDNA is limited. Recently identified C. elegans proteins TEBP-1 (also called DTN-1) and TEBP-2 (also called DTN-2) are functional homologs of TRF proteins, but how they bind DNA and whether or how they dimerize is not known. TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 harbor three Myb-containing domains (MCDs) and no obvious dimerization domain. We demonstrate biochemically that only the third MCD binds DNA. We solve the X-ray crystal structure of TEBP-2 MCD3 with telomeric dsDNA to reveal the structural mechanism of telomeric dsDNA protection in C. elegans. Mutagenesis of the DNA-binding site of TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 compromises DNA binding in vitro, and increases DNA damage signaling, lengthens telomeres, and decreases brood size in vivo. Via an X-ray crystal structure, biochemical validation of the dimerization interface, and SEC-MALS analysis, we demonstrate that MCD1 and MCD2 form a composite dimerization module that facilitates not only TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 homodimerization but also heterodimerization. These findings provide fundamental insights into C. elegans telomeric dsDNA protection and highlight how different eukaryotes have evolved distinct strategies to solve the chromosome end protection problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilpa Padmanaban
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Nils J. Lambacher
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden41390
| | - Valerie M. Tesmer
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden41390
| | - Hiroki Shibuya
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden41390
- Laboratory for Gametogenesis, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe650-0047, Japan
| | - Jayakrishnan Nandakumar
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
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3
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Mota APZ, Koutsovoulos GD, Perfus-Barbeoch L, Despot-Slade E, Labadie K, Aury JM, Robbe-Sermesant K, Bailly-Bechet M, Belser C, Péré A, Rancurel C, Kozlowski DK, Hassanaly-Goulamhoussen R, Da Rocha M, Noel B, Meštrović N, Wincker P, Danchin EGJ. Unzipped genome assemblies of polyploid root-knot nematodes reveal unusual and clade-specific telomeric repeats. Nat Commun 2024; 15:773. [PMID: 38316773 PMCID: PMC10844300 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44914-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Using long-read sequencing, we assembled and unzipped the polyploid genomes of Meloidogyne incognita, M. javanica and M. arenaria, three of the most devastating plant-parasitic nematodes. We found the canonical nematode telomeric repeat to be missing in these and other Meloidogyne genomes. In addition, we find no evidence for the enzyme telomerase or for orthologs of C. elegans telomere-associated proteins, suggesting alternative lengthening of telomeres. Instead, analyzing our assembled genomes, we identify species-specific composite repeats enriched mostly at one extremity of contigs. These repeats are G-rich, oriented, and transcribed, similarly to canonical telomeric repeats. We confirm them as telomeric using fluorescent in situ hybridization. These repeats are mostly found at one single end of chromosomes in these species. The discovery of unusual and specific complex telomeric repeats opens a plethora of perspectives and highlights the evolutionary diversity of telomeres despite their central roles in senescence, aging, and chromosome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Zotta Mota
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France.
| | - Georgios D Koutsovoulos
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Laetitia Perfus-Barbeoch
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Evelin Despot-Slade
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Karine Labadie
- Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Jean-Marc Aury
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Karine Robbe-Sermesant
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Marc Bailly-Bechet
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Caroline Belser
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Arthur Péré
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Corinne Rancurel
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Djampa K Kozlowski
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
- Université Côte d'Azur, Center of Modeling, Simulation, and Interactions, 28 Avenue Valrose, 06000, Nice, France
| | - Rahim Hassanaly-Goulamhoussen
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Martine Da Rocha
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France
| | - Benjamin Noel
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Nevenka Meštrović
- Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Patrick Wincker
- Génomique Métabolique, Genoscope, Institut François Jacob, CEA, CNRS, Univ Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91057, Evry, France
| | - Etienne G J Danchin
- Institut Sophia Agrobiotech, INRAE, Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, 400 routes des Chappes, 06903, Sophia-Antipolis, France.
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4
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Lim J, Kim W, Kim J, Lee J. Telomeric repeat evolution in the phylum Nematoda revealed by high-quality genome assemblies and subtelomere structures. Genome Res 2023; 33:1947-1957. [PMID: 37918961 PMCID: PMC10760449 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278124.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres are composed of tandem arrays of telomeric-repeat motifs (TRMs) and telomere-binding proteins (TBPs), which are responsible for ensuring end-protection and end-replication of chromosomes. TRMs are highly conserved owing to the sequence specificity of TBPs, although significant alterations in TRM have been observed in several taxa, except Nematoda. We used public whole-genome sequencing data sets to analyze putative TRMs of 100 nematode species and determined that three distinct branches included specific novel TRMs, suggesting that evolutionary alterations in TRMs occurred in Nematoda. We focused on one of the three branches, the Panagrolaimidae family, and performed a de novo assembly of four high-quality draft genomes of the canonical (TTAGGC) and novel TRM (TTAGAC) isolates; the latter genomes revealed densely clustered arrays of the novel TRM. We then comprehensively analyzed the subtelomeric regions of the genomes to infer how the novel TRM evolved. We identified DNA damage-repair signatures in subtelomeric sequences that were representative of consequences of telomere maintenance mechanisms by alternative lengthening of telomeres. We propose a hypothetical scenario in which TTAGAC-containing units are clustered in subtelomeric regions and pre-existing TBPs capable of binding both canonical and novel TRMs aided the evolution of the novel TRM in the Panagrolaimidae family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiseon Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Wonjoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Jun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea;
- Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Department of Convergent Bioscience and Informatics, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
- Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
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5
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Dai D, Xie C, Zhou Y, Bo D, Zhang S, Mao S, Liao Y, Cui S, Zhu Z, Wang X, Li F, Peng D, Zheng J, Sun M. Unzipped chromosome-level genomes reveal allopolyploid nematode origin pattern as unreduced gamete hybridization. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7156. [PMID: 37935661 PMCID: PMC10630426 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42700-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation and consequences of polyploidization in animals with clonal reproduction remain largely unknown. Clade I root-knot nematodes (RKNs), characterized by parthenogenesis and allopolyploidy, show a widespread geographical distribution and extensive agricultural destruction. Here, we generated 4 unzipped polyploid RKN genomes and identified a putative novel alternative telomeric element. Then we reconstructed 4 chromosome-level assemblies and resolved their genome structures as AAB for triploid and AABB for tetraploid. The phylogeny of subgenomes revealed polyploid RKN origin patterns as hybridization between haploid and unreduced gametes. We also observed extensive chromosomal fusions and homologous gene expression decrease after polyploidization, which might offset the disadvantages of clonal reproduction and increase fitness in polyploid RKNs. Our results reveal a rare pathway of polyploidization in parthenogenic polyploid animals and provide a large number of high-precision genetic resources that could be used for RKN prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dadong Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chuanshuai Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yayi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dexin Bo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shurong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shengqiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yucheng Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Simeng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhaolu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xueyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Fanling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Donghai Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Jinshui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
| | - Ming Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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6
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Manzato C, Larini L, Oss Pegorar C, Dello Stritto MR, Jurikova K, Jantsch V, Cusanelli E. TERRA expression is regulated by the telomere-binding proteins POT-1 and POT-2 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10681-10699. [PMID: 37713629 PMCID: PMC10602879 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Several aspects of telomere biology are regulated by the telomeric repeat-containing RNA TERRA. While TERRA expression is conserved through evolution, species-specific mechanisms regulate its biogenesis and function. Here we report on the expression of TERRA in Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that C. elegans TERRA is regulated by the telomere-binding proteins POT-1 and POT-2 which repress TERRA in a telomere-specific manner. C. elegans TERRA transcripts are heterogeneous in length and form discrete nuclear foci, as detected by RNA FISH, in both postmitotic and germline cells; a fraction of TERRA foci localizes to telomeres. Interestingly, in germ cells, TERRA is expressed in all stages of meiotic prophase I, and it increases during pachytene, a stage in meiosis when homologous recombination is ongoing. We used the MS2-GFP system to study the spatiotemporal dynamics of single-telomere TERRA molecules. Single particle tracking revealed different types of motilities, suggesting complex dynamics of TERRA transcripts. Finally, we unveiled distinctive features of C. elegans TERRA, which is regulated by telomere shortening in a telomere-specific manner, and it is upregulated in the telomerase-deficient trt-1; pot-2 double mutant prior to activation of the alternative lengthening mechanism ALT. Interestingly, in these worms TERRA displays distinct dynamics with a higher fraction of fast-moving particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Manzato
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Luca Larini
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Claudio Oss Pegorar
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Dello Stritto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katarina Jurikova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovičova 6, Mlynská dolina 84215, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Verena Jantsch
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Max Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Vienna Biocenter 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emilio Cusanelli
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Department CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123, Trento, Italy
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7
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Lim DS, Kim J, Kim W, Kim N, Lee SH, Lee D, Lee J. daf-42 is an evolutionarily young gene essential for dauer development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad097. [PMID: 37216205 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Under adverse environmental conditions, nematodes arrest into dauer, an alternative developmental stage for diapause. Dauer endures unfavorable environments and interacts with host animals to access favorable environments, thus playing a critical role in survival. Here, we report that in Caenorhabditis elegans, daf-42 is essential for development into the dauer stage, as the null mutant of daf-42 exhibited a "no viable dauer" phenotype in which no viable dauers were obtained in any dauer-inducing conditions. Long-term time lapse microscopy of synchronized larvae revealed that daf-42 is involved in developmental changes from the pre-dauer L2d stage to the dauer stage. daf-42 encodes large, disordered proteins of various sizes that are expressed in and secreted from the seam cells within a narrow time window shortly before the molt into dauer stage. Transcriptome analysis showed that the transcription of genes involved in larval physiology and dauer metabolism is highly affected by the daf-42 mutation. Contrary to the notion that essential genes that control the life and death of an organism may be well conserved across diverse species, daf-42 is an evolutionarily young gene conserved only in the Caenorhabditis genus. Our study shows that dauer formation is a vital process that is controlled not only by conserved genes but also by newly emerged genes, providing important insights into evolutionary mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy S Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Department of Convergent Bioscience and Informatics, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjoo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Nari Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hee Lee
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehan Lee
- Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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8
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Yu X, Gray S, Ferreira H. POT-3 preferentially binds the terminal DNA-repeat on the telomeric G-overhang. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:610-618. [PMID: 36583365 PMCID: PMC9881156 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic chromosomes typically end in 3' telomeric overhangs. The safeguarding of telomeric single-stranded DNA overhangs is carried out by factors related to the protection of telomeres 1 (POT1) protein in humans. Of the three POT1-like proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans, POT-3 was the only member thought to not play a role at telomeres. Here, we provide evidence that POT-3 is a bona fide telomere-binding protein. Using a new loss-of-function mutant, we show that the absence of POT-3 causes telomere lengthening and increased levels of telomeric C-circles. We find that POT-3 directly binds the telomeric G-strand in vitro and map its minimal DNA binding site to the six-nucleotide motif, GCTTAG. We further show that the closely related POT-2 protein binds the same motif, but that POT-3 shows higher sequence selectivity. Crucially, in contrast to POT-2, POT-3 prefers binding sites immediately adjacent to the 3' end of DNA. These differences are significant as genetic analyses reveal that pot-2 and pot-3 do not function redundantly with each other in vivo. Our work highlights the rapid evolution and specialisation of telomere binding proteins and places POT-3 in a unique position to influence activities that control telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Yu
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK
| | - Sean Gray
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK
| | - Helder C Ferreira
- Biomedical Sciences Research Complex, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, UK
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Marnik EA, Almeida MV, Cipriani PG, Chung G, Caspani E, Karaulanov E, Gan HH, Zinno J, Isolehto IJ, Kielisch F, Butter F, Sharp CS, Flanagan RM, Bonnet FX, Piano F, Ketting RF, Gunsalus KC, Updike DL. The Caenorhabditis elegans TDRD5/7-like protein, LOTR-1, interacts with the helicase ZNFX-1 to balance epigenetic signals in the germline. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010245. [PMID: 35657999 PMCID: PMC9200344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
LOTUS and Tudor domain containing proteins have critical roles in the germline. Proteins that contain these domains, such as Tejas/Tapas in Drosophila, help localize the Vasa helicase to the germ granules and facilitate piRNA-mediated transposon silencing. The homologous proteins in mammals, TDRD5 and TDRD7, are required during spermiogenesis. Until now, proteins containing both LOTUS and Tudor domains in Caenorhabditis elegans have remained elusive. Here we describe LOTR-1 (D1081.7), which derives its name from its LOTUS and Tudor domains. Interestingly, LOTR-1 docks next to P granules to colocalize with the broadly conserved Z-granule helicase, ZNFX-1. The Tudor domain of LOTR-1 is required for its Z-granule retention. Like znfx-1 mutants, lotr-1 mutants lose small RNAs from the 3' ends of WAGO and mutator targets, reminiscent of the loss of piRNAs from the 3' ends of piRNA precursor transcripts in mouse Tdrd5 mutants. Our work shows that LOTR-1 acts with ZNFX-1 to bring small RNA amplifying mechanisms towards the 3' ends of its RNA templates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A. Marnik
- The MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
- Husson University, Bangor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Miguel V. Almeida
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | - P. Giselle Cipriani
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - George Chung
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Edoardo Caspani
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Hin Hark Gan
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - John Zinno
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ida J. Isolehto
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Falk Butter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
| | - Catherine S. Sharp
- The MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Roisin M. Flanagan
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Frederic X. Bonnet
- The MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Fabio Piano
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Kristin C. Gunsalus
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Genomics & Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dustin L. Updike
- The MDI Biological Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
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Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has shed light on many aspects of eukaryotic biology, including genetics, development, cell biology, and genomics. A major factor in the success of C. elegans as a model organism has been the availability, since the late 1990s, of an essentially gap-free and well-annotated nuclear genome sequence, divided among 6 chromosomes. In this review, we discuss the structure, function, and biology of C. elegans chromosomes and then provide a general perspective on chromosome biology in other diverse nematode species. We highlight malleable chromosome features including centromeres, telomeres, and repetitive elements, as well as the remarkable process of programmed DNA elimination (historically described as chromatin diminution) that induces loss of portions of the genome in somatic cells of a handful of nematode species. An exciting future prospect is that nematode species may enable experimental approaches to study chromosome features and to test models of chromosome evolution. In the long term, fundamental insights regarding how speciation is integrated with chromosome biology may be revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Carlton
- Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Richard E Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80045, USA.,RNA Bioscience Initiative, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Shawn Ahmed
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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