1
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Lullo V, Cecere F, Batti S, Allegretti S, Morone B, Fioriniello S, Pisapia L, Genesio R, Della Ragione F, Giardino G, Pignata C, Riccio A, Matarazzo MR, Strazzullo M. A novel iPSC-based model of ICF syndrome subtype 2 recapitulates the molecular phenotype of ZBTB24 deficiency. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1419748. [PMID: 39040103 PMCID: PMC11260623 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1419748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunodeficiency, Centromeric instability and Facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by variable immunodeficiency. More than half of the affected individuals show mild to severe intellectual disability at early onset. This disorder is genetically heterogeneous and ZBTB24 is the causative gene of the subtype 2, accounting for about 30% of the ICF cases. ZBTB24 is a multifaceted transcription factor belonging to the Zinc-finger and BTB domain-containing protein family, which are key regulators of developmental processes. Aberrant DNA methylation is the main molecular hallmark of ICF syndrome. The functional link between ZBTB24 deficiency and DNA methylation errors is still elusive. Here, we generated a novel ICF2 disease model by deriving induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from peripheral CD34+-blood cells of a patient homozygous for the p.Cys408Gly mutation, the most frequent missense mutation in ICF2 patients and which is associated with a broad clinical spectrum. The mutation affects a conserved cysteine of the ZBTB24 zinc-finger domain, perturbing its function as transcriptional activator. ICF2-iPSCs recapitulate the methylation defects associated with ZBTB24 deficiency, including centromeric hypomethylation. We validated that the mutated ZBTB24 protein loses its ability to directly activate expression of CDCA7 and other target genes in the patient-derived iPSCs. Upon hematopoietic differentiation, ICF2-iPSCs showed decreased vitality and a lower percentage of CD34+/CD43+/CD45+ progenitors. Overall, the ICF2-iPSC model is highly relevant to explore the role of ZBTB24 in DNA methylation homeostasis and provides a tool to investigate the early molecular events linking ZBTB24 deficiency to the ICF2 clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Lullo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Cecere
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Saveria Batti
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Allegretti
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Barbara Morone
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Fioriniello
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Pisapia
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Rita Genesio
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Floriana Della Ragione
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giardino
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Pignata
- Pediatric Section, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Riccio
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
- Department of Environmental Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Caserta, Italy
| | - Maria R. Matarazzo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Strazzullo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics (IGB) “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Naples, Italy
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2
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Tameni A, Mallia S, Manicardi V, Donati B, Torricelli F, Vitale E, Salviato E, Gambarelli G, Muccioli S, Zanelli M, Ascani S, Martino G, Sanguedolce F, Sauta E, Tamagnini I, Puccio N, Neri A, Ciarrocchi A, Fragliasso V. HELLS regulates transcription in T-cell lymphomas by reducing unscheduled R-loops and by facilitating RNAPII progression. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:6171-6182. [PMID: 38597676 PMCID: PMC11194065 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromatin modifiers are emerging as major determinants of many types of cancers, including Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphomas (ALCL), a family of highly heterogeneous T-cell lymphomas for which therapeutic options are still limited. HELLS is a multifunctional chromatin remodeling protein that affects genomic instability by participating in the DNA damage response. Although the transcriptional function of HELLS has been suggested, no clues on how HELLS controls transcription are currently available. In this study, by integrating different multi-omics and functional approaches, we characterized the transcriptional landscape of HELLS in ALCL. We explored the clinical impact of its transcriptional program in a large cohort of 44 patients with ALCL. We demonstrated that HELLS, loaded at the level of intronic regions of target promoters, facilitates RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) progression along the gene bodies by reducing the persistence of co-transcriptional R-loops and promoting DNA damage resolution. Importantly, selective knockdown of HELLS sensitizes ALCL cells to different chemotherapeutic agents, showing a synergistic effect. Collectively, our work unveils the role of HELLS in acting as a gatekeeper of ALCL genome stability providing a rationale for drug design.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- RNA Polymerase II/metabolism
- R-Loop Structures
- Transcription, Genetic
- DNA Damage
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Genomic Instability/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/genetics
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/pathology
- Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- DNA Helicases/genetics
- DNA Helicases/metabolism
- Promoter Regions, Genetic
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/genetics
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/metabolism
- Lymphoma, T-Cell/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Tameni
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Selene Mallia
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Veronica Manicardi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Benedetta Donati
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Vitale
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine Ph.D. Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena 41125, Italy
| | - Elisa Salviato
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Gambarelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Silvia Muccioli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Magda Zanelli
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, 42123, Italy
| | - Stefano Ascani
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martino
- Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Maria di Terni, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
- Institute of Hematology and CREO, University of Perugia, Perugia 06129, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Sauta
- IRCCS Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ione Tamagnini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Oncology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale – IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, 42123, Italy
| | - Noemi Puccio
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Scientific Directorate, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Umberto I 50, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Valentina Fragliasso
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42123, Reggio Emilia, Italy
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3
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Unoki M. Exploring the intersection of epigenetics, DNA repair, and immunology from studies of ICF syndrome, an inborn error of immunity. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1405022. [PMID: 38799442 PMCID: PMC11116680 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1405022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, a rare autosomal recessive disorder, manifests with hypoglobulinemia and chromosomal instability accompanied by DNA hypomethylation. Pathological variants in the DNMT3B, ZBTB24, CDCA7, or HELLS genes underlie its etiology. Activated lymphocytes from patients often display distinctive multiradial chromosomes fused via pericentromeric regions. Recent studies have provided deeper insights into how pathological variants in ICF-related proteins cause DNA hypomethylation and chromosome instability. However, the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis underlying immunodeficiency is still in its nascent stages. In the past half-decade, the roles of CDCA7, HELLS, and ZBTB24 in classical non-homologous end joining during double-strand DNA break repair and immunoglobulin class-switch recombination (CSR) have been unveiled. Nevertheless, given the decreased all classes of immunoglobulins in most patients, CSR deficiency alone cannot fully account for the immunodeficiency. The latest finding showing dysregulation of immunoglobulin signaling may provide a clue to understanding the immunodeficiency mechanism. While less common, a subgroup of patients exhibits T-cell abnormalities alongside B-cell anomalies, including reduced regulatory T-cells and increased effector memory T- and follicular helper T-cells. The dysregulation of immunoglobulin signaling in B-cells, the imbalance in T-cell subsets, and/or satellite RNA-mediated activation of innate immune response potentially explain autoimmune manifestations in a subset of patients. These findings emphasize the pivotal roles of ICF-related proteins in both B- and T-cell functions. ICF syndrome studies have illuminated many fundamental mechanisms. Further investigations will certainly continue to unveil additional mechanisms and their interplay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoko Unoki
- Department of Human Genetics, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Xu R, Pan Z, Nakagawa T. Gross Chromosomal Rearrangement at Centromeres. Biomolecules 2023; 14:28. [PMID: 38254628 PMCID: PMC10813616 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Centromeres play essential roles in the faithful segregation of chromosomes. CENP-A, the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, and heterochromatin characterized by di- or tri-methylation of histone H3 9th lysine (H3K9) are the hallmarks of centromere chromatin. Contrary to the epigenetic marks, DNA sequences underlying the centromere region of chromosomes are not well conserved through evolution. However, centromeres consist of repetitive sequences in many eukaryotes, including animals, plants, and a subset of fungi, including fission yeast. Advances in long-read sequencing techniques have uncovered the complete sequence of human centromeres containing more than thousands of alpha satellite repeats and other types of repetitive sequences. Not only tandem but also inverted repeats are present at a centromere. DNA recombination between centromere repeats can result in gross chromosomal rearrangement (GCR), such as translocation and isochromosome formation. CENP-A chromatin and heterochromatin suppress the centromeric GCR. The key player of homologous recombination, Rad51, safeguards centromere integrity through conservative noncrossover recombination between centromere repeats. In contrast to Rad51-dependent recombination, Rad52-mediated single-strand annealing (SSA) and microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ) lead to centromeric GCR. This review summarizes recent findings on the role of centromere and recombination proteins in maintaining centromere integrity and discusses how GCR occurs at centromeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ziyi Pan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakagawa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
- Forefront Research Center, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Machikaneyama, Toyonaka 560-0043, Osaka, Japan
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5
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Wassing IE, Nishiyama A, Hiruta M, Jia Q, Shikimachi R, Kikuchi A, Sugimura K, Hong X, Chiba Y, Peng J, Jenness C, Nakanishi M, Zhao L, Arita K, Funabiki H. CDCA7 is a hemimethylated DNA adaptor for the nucleosome remodeler HELLS. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.19.572350. [PMID: 38187757 PMCID: PMC10769307 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.19.572350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Mutations of the SNF2 family ATPase HELLS and its activator CDCA7 cause immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, characterized by hypomethylation at heterochromatin. The unique zinc-finger domain, zf-4CXXC_R1, of CDCA7 is widely conserved across eukaryotes but is absent from species that lack HELLS and DNA methyltransferases, implying its specialized relation with methylated DNA. Here we demonstrate that zf-4CXXC_R1 acts as a hemimethylated DNA sensor. The zf-4CXXC_R1 domain of CDCA7 selectively binds to DNA with a hemimethylated CpG, but not unmethylated or fully methylated CpG, and ICF disease mutations eliminated this binding. CDCA7 and HELLS interact via their N-terminal alpha helices, through which HELLS is recruited to hemimethylated DNA. While placement of a hemimethylated CpG within the nucleosome core particle can hinder its recognition by CDCA7, cryo-EM structure analysis of the CDCA7-nucleosome complex suggests that zf-4CXXC_R1 recognizes a hemimethylated CpG in the major groove at linker DNA. Our study provides insights into how the CDCA7-HELLS nucleosome remodeling complex uniquely assists maintenance DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel E. Wassing
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Atsuya Nishiyama
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Moeri Hiruta
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Qingyuan Jia
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Reia Shikimachi
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Amika Kikuchi
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Keita Sugimura
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Xin Hong
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Yoshie Chiba
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Junhui Peng
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Christopher Jenness
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Makoto Nakanishi
- Division of Cancer Cell Biology, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639 Japan
| | - Li Zhao
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kyohei Arita
- Structural Biology Laboratory, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Hironori Funabiki
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
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6
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Gambelli A, Ferrando A, Boncristiani C, Schoeftner S. Regulation and function of R-loops at repetitive elements. Biochimie 2023; 214:141-155. [PMID: 37619810 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
R-loops are atypical, three-stranded nucleic acid structures that contain a stretch of RNA:DNA hybrids and an unpaired, single stranded DNA loop. R-loops are physiological relevant and can act as regulators of gene expression, chromatin structure, DNA damage repair and DNA replication. However, unscheduled and persistent R-loops are mutagenic and can mediate replication-transcription conflicts, leading to DNA damage and genome instability if left unchecked. Detailed transcriptome analysis unveiled that 85% of the human genome, including repetitive regions, hold transcriptional activity. This anticipates that R-loops management plays a central role for the regulation and integrity of genomes. This function is expected to have a particular relevance for repetitive sequences that make up to 75% of the human genome. Here, we review the impact of R-loops on the function and stability of repetitive regions such as centromeres, telomeres, rDNA arrays, transposable elements and triplet repeat expansions and discuss their relevance for associated pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gambelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ferrando
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Boncristiani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Schoeftner
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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7
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Feliciello I, Ugarković Đ. Alpha Satellite DNA in Targeted Drug Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15585. [PMID: 37958565 PMCID: PMC10648476 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common solid cancer in men and, despite the development of many new therapies, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer still remains a deadly disease. Therefore, novel concepts for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer are needed. In our opinion, the role of the non-coding part of the genome, satellite DNA in particular, has been underestimated in relation to diseases such as cancer. Here, we hypothesise that this part of the genome should be considered as a potential target for the development of new drugs. Specifically, we propose a novel concept directed at the possible treatment of metastatic prostate cancer that is mostly based on epigenetics. Namely, metastatic prostate cancer is characterized by the strongly induced transcription of alpha satellite DNA located in pericentromeric heterochromatin and, according to our hypothesis, the stable controlled transcription of satellite DNA might be important in terms of the control of disease development. This can be primarily achieved through the epigenetic regulation of pericentromeric heterochromatin by using specific enzymes as well as their activators/inhibitors that could act as potential anti-prostate cancer drugs. We believe that our concept is innovative and should be considered in the potential treatment of prostate cancer in combination with other more conventional therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isidoro Feliciello
- Medical School, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Universiy of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Đurđica Ugarković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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8
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Funabiki H, Wassing IE, Jia Q, Luo JD, Carroll T. Coevolution of the CDCA7-HELLS ICF-related nucleosome remodeling complex and DNA methyltransferases. eLife 2023; 12:RP86721. [PMID: 37769127 PMCID: PMC10538959 DOI: 10.7554/elife.86721] [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] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (5mC) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are broadly conserved in eukaryotes but are also frequently lost during evolution. The mammalian SNF2 family ATPase HELLS and its plant ortholog DDM1 are critical for maintaining 5mC. Mutations in HELLS, its activator CDCA7, and the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B, cause immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with the loss of DNA methylation. We here examine the coevolution of CDCA7, HELLS and DNMTs. While DNMT3, the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, HELLS, and CDCA7 are all highly conserved in vertebrates and green plants, they are frequently co-lost in other evolutionary clades. The presence-absence patterns of these genes are not random; almost all CDCA7 harboring eukaryote species also have HELLS and DNMT1 (or another maintenance methyltransferase, DNMT5). Coevolution of presence-absence patterns (CoPAP) analysis in Ecdysozoa further indicates coevolutionary linkages among CDCA7, HELLS, DNMT1 and its activator UHRF1. We hypothesize that CDCA7 becomes dispensable in species that lost HELLS or DNA methylation, and/or the loss of CDCA7 triggers the replacement of DNA methylation by other chromatin regulation mechanisms. Our study suggests that a unique specialized role of CDCA7 in HELLS-dependent DNA methylation maintenance is broadly inherited from the last eukaryotic common ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Funabiki
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Isabel E Wassing
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Qingyuan Jia
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Ji-Dung Luo
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller UniversityNew YorkUnited States
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9
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Cousu C, Mulot E, De Smet A, Formichetti S, Lecoeuche D, Ren J, Muegge K, Boulard M, Weill JC, Reynaud CA, Storck S. Germinal center output is sustained by HELLS-dependent DNA-methylation-maintenance in B cells. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5695. [PMID: 37709749 PMCID: PMC10502085 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41317-3] [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: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
HELLS/LSH (Helicase, Lymphoid Specific) is a SNF2-like chromatin remodelling protein involved in DNA methylation. Its loss-of-function in humans causes humoral immunodeficiency, called ICF4 syndrome (Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability, Facial anomalies). Here we show by our newly generated B-cell-specific Hells conditional knockout mouse model that HELLS plays a pivotal role in T-dependent B-cell responses. HELLS deficiency induces accelerated decay of germinal center (GC) B cells and impairs the generation of high affinity memory B cells and circulating antibodies. Mutant GC B cells undergo dramatic DNA hypomethylation and massive de-repression of evolutionary recent retrotransposons, which surprisingly does not directly affect their survival. Instead, they prematurely upregulate either memory B cell markers or the transcription factor ATF4, which is driving an mTORC1-dependent metabolic program typical of plasma cells. Treatment of wild type mice with a DNMT1-specific inhibitor phenocopies the accelerated kinetics, thus pointing towards DNA-methylation maintenance by HELLS being a crucial mechanism to fine-tune the GC transcriptional program and enable long-lasting humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Cousu
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Eléonore Mulot
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Annie De Smet
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Sara Formichetti
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 00015, Monterotondo, Italy
- Joint PhD degree program, European Molecular Biology Laboratory and Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Damiana Lecoeuche
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Jianke Ren
- Epigenetics Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Reproductive Health Drug and Devices, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Kathrin Muegge
- Epigenetics Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Matthieu Boulard
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), 00015, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Jean-Claude Weill
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Claude-Agnès Reynaud
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Storck
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR 8253, INSERM U1151, Institut Necker Enfants Malades, F-75015, Paris, France.
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Funabiki H, Wassing IE, Jia Q, Luo JD, Carroll T. Coevolution of the CDCA7-HELLS ICF-related nucleosome remodeling complex and DNA methyltransferases. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.30.526367. [PMID: 36778482 PMCID: PMC9915587 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.30.526367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (5mC) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are broadly conserved in eukaryotes but are also frequently lost during evolution. The mammalian SNF2 family ATPase HELLS and its plant ortholog DDM1 are critical for maintaining 5mC. Mutations in HELLS, its activator CDCA7, and the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B, cause immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, a genetic disorder associated with the loss of DNA methylation. We here examine the coevolution of CDCA7, HELLS and DNMTs. While DNMT3, the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, HELLS, and CDCA7 are all highly conserved in vertebrates and green plants, they are frequently co-lost in other evolutionary clades. The presence-absence patterns of these genes are not random; almost all CDCA7 harboring eukaryote species also have HELLS and DNMT1 (or another maintenance methyltransferase, DNMT5). Coevolution of presence-absence patterns (CoPAP) analysis in Ecdysozoa further indicates coevolutionary linkages among CDCA7, HELLS, DNMT1 and its activator UHRF1. We hypothesize that CDCA7 becomes dispensable in species that lost HELLS or DNA methylation, and/or the loss of CDCA7 triggers the replacement of DNA methylation by other chromatin regulation mechanisms. Our study suggests that a unique specialized role of CDCA7 in HELLS-dependent DNA methylation maintenance is broadly inherited from the last eukaryotic common ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Funabiki
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Isabel E. Wassing
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Qingyuan Jia
- Laboratory of Chromosome and Cell Biology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Ji-Dung Luo
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
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11
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Zhou J, Lei X, Shafiq S, Zhang W, Li Q, Li K, Zhu J, Dong Z, He XJ, Sun Q. DDM1-mediated R-loop resolution and H2A.Z exclusion facilitates heterochromatin formation in Arabidopsis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg2699. [PMID: 37566662 PMCID: PMC10421056 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg2699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Programmed constitutive heterochromatin silencing is essential for eukaryotic genome regulation, yet the initial step of this process is ambiguous. A large proportion of R-loops (RNA:DNA hybrids) had been unexpectedly identified within Arabidopsis pericentromeric heterochromatin with unknown functions. Through a genome-wide R-loop profiling screen, we find that DDM1 (decrease in DNA methylation 1) is the primary restrictor of pericentromeric R-loops via its RNA:DNA helicase activity. Low levels of pericentromeric R-loops resolved by DDM1 cotranscriptionally can facilitate constitutive heterochromatin silencing. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DDM1 physically excludes histone H2A variant H2A.Z and promotes H2A.W deposition for faithful heterochromatin initiation soon after R-loop clearance. The dual functions of DDM1 in R-loop resolution and H2A.Z eviction are essential for sperm nuclei structure maintenance in mature pollen. Our work unravels the cotranscriptional R-loop resolution coupled with accurate H2A variants deposition is the primary step of constitutive heterochromatin silencing in Arabidopsis, which might be conserved across eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincong Zhou
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xue Lei
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Sarfraz Shafiq
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Weifeng Zhang
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qin Li
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kuan Li
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiafu Zhu
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhicheng Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xin-jian He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianwen Sun
- Center for Plant Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing 100084, China
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12
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Berger F, Muegge K, Richards EJ. Seminars in cell and development biology on histone variants remodelers of H2A variants associated with heterochromatin. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 135:93-101. [PMID: 35249811 PMCID: PMC9440159 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Variants of the histone H2A occupy distinct locations in the genome. There is relatively little known about the mechanisms responsible for deposition of specific H2A variants. Notable exceptions are chromatin remodelers that control the dynamics of H2A.Z at promoters. Here we review the steps that identified the role of a specific class of chromatin remodelers, including LSH and DDM1 that deposit the variants macroH2A in mammals and H2A.W in plants, respectively. The function of these remodelers in heterochromatin is discussed together with their multiple roles in genome stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Kathrin Muegge
- Epigenetics Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Mouse Cancer Genetics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA.
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13
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Yang J, Ouyang X, Yang M, Xie G, Cao Q. Identification of key programmed cell death-related genes and immune infiltration in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment for acute myocardial infarction based on bioinformatics analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1018662. [DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1018662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an important clinical treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) combined with cardiogenic shock, but the role of programmed cell death (PCD)-related genes in prognostication has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we explored the key prognostic biomarkers and immune infiltration in ECMO treatment in AMI combined with cardiogenic shock.MethodsThe GSE93101 dataset was analyzed from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the expression levels of PCD-related genes in AMI under ECMO were identified. Differentially expressed PCD-related genes between successful and failed treatment samples were analyzed, and Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and random forest were used to screen PCD-related molecular markers for ECMO treatment in AMI combined with cardiogenic shock. Co-expressed regulatory network and enrichment functions of the hub PCD-related genes were performed. In addition, the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) algorithm was used to calculate the immune cell infiltration of the ECMO treatment samples.ResultsA total of 115 differentially expressed genes were identified from the GSE93101 dataset, and 76 genes were associated with PCD. Then, two hub PCD-related genes, Cell division cycle associated 7 (CDCA7), ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 13 (ASB13) were identified as prognostic markers of ECMO treatment in AMI combined with cardiogenic shock. The most significant Gene Ontology (GO) enriched terms of the co-expressed protein of ASB13 are related to post-translational protein modification, cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase complex, and cullin family protein binding, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that ubiquitin mediated proteolysis is the most enriched pathway. The results of GO and KEGG analysis in CDCA7 were mainly involved in DNA and cell cycle related activities and pathways. Moreover, we found that the successful treatment samples contained a lower proportion of nature killer T cells using immune infiltration analysis. Immune cell infiltration analysis revealed that ASB13 was positively correlated with natural killer cell (r = 0.591, p = 0.026), monocyte (r = 0.586, p = 0.028), and gamma delta T cell (r = 0.562, p = 0.036).ConclusionThe results of this study showed that ASB13 and CDCA7 may contribute to the occurrence and progression of AMI with cardiogenic shock under ECMO.
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14
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Ren Y. Regulatory mechanism and biological function of UHRF1–DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation. Funct Integr Genomics 2022; 22:1113-1126. [DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00918-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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15
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Sato W, Ikeda K, Gotoh N, Inoue S, Horie K. Efp promotes growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 624:81-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.07.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Ugarković Đ, Sermek A, Ljubić S, Feliciello I. Satellite DNAs in Health and Disease. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13071154. [PMID: 35885937 PMCID: PMC9324158 DOI: 10.3390/genes13071154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Tandemly repeated satellite DNAs are major components of centromeres and pericentromeric heterochromatin which are crucial chromosomal elements responsible for accurate chromosome segregation. Satellite DNAs also contribute to genome evolution and the speciation process and are important for the maintenance of the entire genome inside the nucleus. In addition, there is increasing evidence for active and tightly regulated transcription of satellite DNAs and for the role of their transcripts in diverse processes. In this review, we focus on recent discoveries related to the regulation of satellite DNA expression and the role of their transcripts, either in heterochromatin establishment and centromere function or in gene expression regulation under various biological contexts. We discuss the role of satellite transcripts in the stress response and environmental adaptation as well as consequences of the dysregulation of satellite DNA expression in cancer and their potential use as cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Đurđica Ugarković
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
- Correspondence: (Đ.U.); (I.F.); Tel.: +385-1-4561-083 (D.U.); +39-081-746-4317 (I.F.)
| | - Antonio Sermek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
| | - Sven Ljubić
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
| | - Isidoro Feliciello
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.S.); (S.L.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (Đ.U.); (I.F.); Tel.: +385-1-4561-083 (D.U.); +39-081-746-4317 (I.F.)
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17
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Brickner JR, Garzon JL, Cimprich KA. Walking a tightrope: The complex balancing act of R-loops in genome stability. Mol Cell 2022; 82:2267-2297. [PMID: 35508167 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although transcription is an essential cellular process, it is paradoxically also a well-recognized cause of genomic instability. R-loops, non-B DNA structures formed when nascent RNA hybridizes to DNA to displace the non-template strand as single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), are partially responsible for this instability. Yet, recent work has begun to elucidate regulatory roles for R-loops in maintaining the genome. In this review, we discuss the cellular contexts in which R-loops contribute to genomic instability, particularly during DNA replication and double-strand break (DSB) repair. We also summarize the evidence that R-loops participate as an intermediate during repair and may influence pathway choice to preserve genomic integrity. Finally, we discuss the immunogenic potential of R-loops and highlight their links to disease should they become pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Brickner
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jada L Garzon
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karlene A Cimprich
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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UNOKI M, SASAKI H. The UHRF protein family in epigenetics, development, and carcinogenesis. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2022; 98:401-415. [PMID: 36216533 PMCID: PMC9614205 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.98.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The UHRF protein family consists of multidomain regulatory proteins that sense modification status of DNA and/or proteins and catalyze the ubiquitylation of target proteins. Through their functional domains, they interact with other molecules and serve as a hub for regulatory networks of several important biological processes, including maintenance of DNA methylation and DNA damage repair. The UHRF family is conserved in vertebrates and plants but is missing from fungi and many nonvertebrate animals. Mammals commonly have UHRF1 and UHRF2, but, despite their high structural similarity, the two paralogues appear to have distinct functions. Furthermore, UHRF1 and UHRF2 show different expression patterns and different outcomes in gene knockout experiments. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the molecular function of the UHRF family in various biological pathways and discuss their roles in epigenetics, development, gametogenesis, and carcinogenesis, with a focus on the mammalian UHRF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoko UNOKI
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics, School of International Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki SASAKI
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Unoki M. Chromatin remodeling in replication-uncoupled maintenance DNA methylation and chromosome stability: Insights from ICF syndrome studies. Genes Cells 2021; 26:349-359. [PMID: 33960584 PMCID: PMC9292322 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is characterized by frequent appearance of multiradial chromosomes, which are distinctive chromosome fusions that occur at hypomethylated pericentromeric regions comprising repetitive sequences, in activated lymphocytes. The syndrome is caused by mutations in DNMT3B, ZBTB24, CDCA7, or HELLS. De novo DNA methylation is likely defective in patients with ICF syndrome harboring mutations in DNMT3B, whereas accumulating evidence suggests that replication‐uncoupled maintenance DNA methylation of late‐replicating regions is impaired in patients with ICF syndrome harboring mutations in ZBTB24, CDCA7, or HELLS. ZBTB24 is a transcriptional activator of CDCA7, and CDCA7 and HELLS compose a chromatin remodeling complex and are involved in the maintenance DNA methylation through an interaction with UHRF1 in a feed‐forward manner. Furthermore, our recent studies possibly provided the missing link between DNA hypomethylation and the formation of the abnormal chromosomes; it could occur via aberrant transcription from the hypomethylated regions, followed by pathological R‐loop formation. The homologous‐recombination dominant condition caused by a defect in nonhomologous end joining observed in several types of ICF syndrome could facilitate the formation of multiradial chromosomes. Here, the latest knowledge regarding maintenance DNA methylation and chromosome stability provided by those studies is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoko Unoki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Emerging roles of centromeric RNAs in centromere formation and function. Genes Genomics 2021; 43:217-226. [PMID: 33523401 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-021-01041-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centromeres are specialized chromosomal domains involved in kinetochore formation and faithful chromosome segregation. Despite a high level of functional conservation, centromeres are not identified by DNA sequences, but by epigenetic means. Universally, centromeres are typically formed on highly repetitive DNA, which were previously considered to be silent. However, recent studies have shown that transcription occurs in this region, known as centromeric-derived RNAs (cenRNAs). CenRNAs that contribute to fundamental aspects of centromere function have been recently investigated in detail. However, the distribution, behavior and contributions of centromeric transcripts are still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the roles of cenRNAs in centromere formation and function. METHODS We describe the structure and DNA sequence of centromere from yeast to human. In addition, we briefly introduce the roles of cenRNAs in centromere formation and function, kinetochore structure, accurate chromosome segregation, and pericentromeric heterochromatin assembly. Centromeric circular RNAs (circRNAs) and R-loops are rising stars in centromere function. CircRNAs have been successfully identified in various species with the assistance of high-throughput sequencing and novel computational approaches for non-polyadenylated RNA transcripts. Centromeric R-loops can be identified by the single-strand DNA ligation-based library preparation technique. But the molecular features and function of these centromeric R-loops and circRNAs are still being investigated. CONCLUSION In this review, we summarize recent findings on the epigenetic regulation of cenRNAs across species, which would provide useful information about cenRNAs and interesting hints for further studies.
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Mihìc P, Hédouin S, Francastel C. Centromeres Transcription and Transcripts for Better and for Worse. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR AND SUBCELLULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 60:169-201. [PMID: 34386876 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74889-0_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Centromeres are chromosomal regions that are essential for the faithful transmission of genetic material through each cell division. They represent the chromosomal platform on which assembles a protein complex, the kinetochore, which mediates attachment to the mitotic spindle. In most organisms, centromeres assemble on large arrays of tandem satellite repeats, although their DNA sequences and organization are highly divergent among species. It has become evident that centromeres are not defined by underlying DNA sequences, but are instead epigenetically defined by the deposition of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant, CENP-A. In addition, and although long regarded as silent chromosomal loci, centromeres are in fact transcriptionally competent in most species, yet at low levels in normal somatic cells, but where the resulting transcripts participate in centromere architecture, identity, and function. In this chapter, we discuss the various roles proposed for centromere transcription and their transcripts, and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. We also discuss pathological cases in which unscheduled transcription of centromeric repeats or aberrant accumulation of their transcripts are pathological signatures of chromosomal instability diseases. In sum, tight regulation of centromeric satellite repeats transcription is critical for healthy development and tissue homeostasis, and thus prevents the emergence of disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Mihìc
- Université De Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS UMR7216, Paris, France
| | - Sabrine Hédouin
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Claire Francastel
- Université De Paris, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, CNRS UMR7216, Paris, France.
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