1
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Vaquero-Sedas MI, Vega-Palas MA. Epigenetic nature of Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 191:47-55. [PMID: 36218957 PMCID: PMC9806604 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic features of defined chromosomal domains condition their biochemical and functional properties. Therefore, there is considerable interest in studying the epigenetic marks present at relevant chromosomal loci. Telomeric regions, which include telomeres and subtelomeres, have been traditionally considered heterochromatic. However, whereas the heterochromatic nature of subtelomeres has been widely accepted, the epigenetic status of telomeres remains controversial. Here, we studied the epigenetic features of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) telomeres by analyzing multiple genome-wide ChIP-seq experiments. Our analyses revealed that Arabidopsis telomeres are not significantly enriched either in euchromatic marks like H3K4me2, H3K9ac, and H3K27me3 or in heterochromatic marks such as H3K27me1 and H3K9me2. Thus, telomeric regions in Arabidopsis have a bimodal chromatin organization with telomeres lacking significant levels of canonical euchromatic and heterochromatic marks followed by heterochromatic subtelomeres. Since heterochromatin is known to influence telomere function, the heterochromatic modifications present at Arabidopsis subtelomeres could play a relevant role in telomere biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- María I Vaquero-Sedas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), Seville E41092, Spain
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2
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Farrell C, Vaquero-Sedas MI, Cubiles MD, Thompson M, Vega-Vaquero A, Pellegrini M, Vega-Palas MA. A complex network of interactions governs DNA methylation at telomeric regions. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:1449-1464. [PMID: 35061900 PMCID: PMC8860613 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation modulates telomere function. In Arabidopsis thaliana, telomeric regions have a bimodal chromatin organization with unmethylated telomeres and methylated subtelomeres. To gain insight into this organization we have generated TAIR10-Tel, a modified version of the Arabidopsis reference genome with additional sequences at most chromosome ends. TAIR10-Tel has allowed us to analyse DNA methylation at nucleotide resolution level in telomeric regions. We have analysed the wild-type strain and mutants that encode inactive versions of all currently known relevant methyltransferases involved in cytosine methylation. These analyses have revealed that subtelomeric DNA methylation extends 1 to 2 kbp from Interstitial Telomeric Sequences (ITSs) that abut or are very near to telomeres. However, DNA methylation drops at the telomeric side of the telomere-subtelomere boundaries and disappears at the inner part of telomeres. We present a comprehensive and integrative model for subtelomeric DNA methylation that should help to decipher the mechanisms that govern the epigenetic regulation of telomeres. This model involves a complex network of interactions between methyltransferases and subtelomeric DNA sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Farrell
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - María I Vaquero-Sedas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), Seville, E41092, Spain
| | - María D Cubiles
- Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Facultad de Matemáticas, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, E41012, Spain
| | - Michael Thompson
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Alejandro Vega-Vaquero
- Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Informática, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, E41012, Spain
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA.,Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, Los Angeles, CA90095, USA
| | - Miguel A Vega-Palas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), Seville, E41092, Spain
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3
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Franek M, Kilar A, Fojtík P, Olšinová M, Benda A, Rotrekl V, Dvořáčková M, Fajkus J. Super-resolution microscopy of chromatin fibers and quantitative DNA methylation analysis of DNA fiber preparations. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs258374. [PMID: 34350964 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.258374] [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: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Analysis of histone variants and epigenetic marks is dominated by genome-wide approaches in the form of chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) and related methods. Although uncontested in their value for single-copy genes, mapping the chromatin of DNA repeats is problematic for biochemical techniques that involve averaging of cell populations or analysis of clusters of tandem repeats in a single-cell analysis. Extending chromatin and DNA fibers allows us to study the epigenetics of individual repeats in their specific chromosomal context, and thus constitutes an important tool for gaining a complete understanding of the epigenetic organization of genomes. We report that using an optimized fiber extension protocol is essential in order to obtain more reproducible data and to minimize the clustering of fibers. We also demonstrate that the use of super-resolution microscopy is important for reliable evaluation of the distribution of histone modifications on individual fibers. Furthermore, we introduce a custom script for the analysis of methylation levels on DNA fibers and apply it to map the methylation of telomeres, ribosomal genes and centromeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Franek
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Agata Kilar
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-61137 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Fojtík
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) at St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, CZ-65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Olšinová
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Biology Section, Imaging methods core facility at BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Benda
- Charles University, Faculty of Science, Biology Section, Imaging methods core facility at BIOCEV, Průmyslová 595, 252 50 Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimír Rotrekl
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) at St. Anne's University Hospital, Pekařská 53, CZ-65691 Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Dvořáčková
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jíří Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology (CEITEC), Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Proteomics, National Centre for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, CZ-61137 Brno, Czech Republic
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4
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Aguilar M, Prieto P. Telomeres and Subtelomeres Dynamics in the Context of Early Chromosome Interactions During Meiosis and Their Implications in Plant Breeding. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:672489. [PMID: 34149773 PMCID: PMC8212018 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.672489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Genomic architecture facilitates chromosome recognition, pairing, and recombination. Telomeres and subtelomeres play an important role at the beginning of meiosis in specific chromosome recognition and pairing, which are critical processes that allow chromosome recombination between homologs (equivalent chromosomes in the same genome) in later stages. In plant polyploids, these terminal regions are even more important in terms of homologous chromosome recognition, due to the presence of homoeologs (equivalent chromosomes from related genomes). Although telomeres interaction seems to assist homologous pairing and consequently, the progression of meiosis, other chromosome regions, such as subtelomeres, need to be considered, because the DNA sequence of telomeres is not chromosome-specific. In addition, recombination operates at subtelomeres and, as it happens in rye and wheat, homologous recognition and pairing is more often correlated with recombining regions than with crossover-poor regions. In a plant breeding context, the knowledge of how homologous chromosomes initiate pairing at the beginning of meiosis can contribute to chromosome manipulation in hybrids or interspecific genetic crosses. Thus, recombination in interspecific chromosome associations could be promoted with the aim of transferring desirable agronomic traits from related genetic donor species into crops. In this review, we summarize the importance of telomeres and subtelomeres on chromatin dynamics during early meiosis stages and their implications in recombination in a plant breeding framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Aguilar
- Área de Fisiología Vegetal, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pilar Prieto
- Plant Breeding Department, Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Córdoba, Spain
- *Correspondence: Pilar Prieto, ; orcid.org/0000-0002-8160-808X
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5
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Probst AV, Desvoyes B, Gutierrez C. Similar yet critically different: the distribution, dynamics and function of histone variants. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5191-5204. [PMID: 32392582 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Organization of the genetic information into chromatin plays an important role in the regulation of all DNA template-based reactions. The incorporation of different variant versions of the core histones H3, H2A, and H2B, or the linker histone H1 results in nucleosomes with unique properties. Histone variants can differ by only a few amino acids or larger protein domains and their incorporation may directly affect nucleosome stability and higher order chromatin organization or indirectly influence chromatin function through histone variant-specific binding partners. Histone variants employ dedicated histone deposition machinery for their timely and locus-specific incorporation into chromatin. Plants have evolved specific histone variants with unique expression patterns and features. In this review, we discuss our current knowledge on histone variants in Arabidopsis, their mode of deposition, variant-specific post-translational modifications, and genome-wide distribution, as well as their role in defining different chromatin states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline V Probst
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Inserm, GReD, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Bénédicte Desvoyes
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
| | - Crisanto Gutierrez
- Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain
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6
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Santos AP, Gaudin V, Mozgová I, Pontvianne F, Schubert D, Tek AL, Dvořáčková M, Liu C, Fransz P, Rosa S, Farrona S. Tidying-up the plant nuclear space: domains, functions, and dynamics. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:5160-5178. [PMID: 32556244 PMCID: PMC8604271 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eraa282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the packaging of chromatin in the nucleus is regulated and organized to guide complex cellular and developmental programmes, as well as responses to environmental cues is a major question in biology. Technological advances have allowed remarkable progress within this field over the last years. However, we still know very little about how the 3D genome organization within the cell nucleus contributes to the regulation of gene expression. The nuclear space is compartmentalized in several domains such as the nucleolus, chromocentres, telomeres, protein bodies, and the nuclear periphery without the presence of a membrane around these domains. The role of these domains and their possible impact on nuclear activities is currently under intense investigation. In this review, we discuss new data from research in plants that clarify functional links between the organization of different nuclear domains and plant genome function with an emphasis on the potential of this organization for gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Santos
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova
de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Valérie Gaudin
- Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Université
Paris-Saclay, Versailles, France
| | - Iva Mozgová
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České
Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České
Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Frédéric Pontvianne
- CNRS, Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes (LGDP), Université de
Perpignan Via Domitia, Perpignan, France
| | - Daniel Schubert
- Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmet L Tek
- Agricultural Genetic Engineering Department, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir
University, Niğde, Turkey
| | | | - Chang Liu
- Center for Plant Molecular Biology (ZMBP), University of
Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Biology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart,
Germany
| | - Paul Fransz
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The
Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Rosa
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Farrona
- Plant and AgriBiosciences Centre, Ryan Institute, NUI Galway,
Galway, Ireland
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7
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Singh S, Singh A, Singh A, Yadav S, Bajaj I, Kumar S, Jain A, Sarkar AK. Role of chromatin modification and remodeling in stem cell regulation and meristem maintenance in Arabidopsis. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2020; 71:778-792. [PMID: 31793642 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In higher plants, pluripotent stem cells reside in the specialized microenvironment called stem cell niches (SCNs) harbored at the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and root apical meristem (RAM), which give rise to the aerial and underground parts of a plant, respectively. The model plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) has been extensively studied to decipher the intricate regulatory mechanisms involving some key transcriptions factors and phytohormones that play pivotal roles in stem cell homeostasis, meristem maintenance, and organ formation. However, there is increasing evidence to show the epigenetic regulation of the chromatin architecture, gene expression exerting an influence on an innate balance between the self-renewal of stem cells, and differentiation of the progeny cells to a specific tissue type or organ. Post-translational histone modifications, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, and chromatin assembly/disassembly are some of the key features involved in the modulation of chromatin architecture. Here, we discuss the major epigenetic regulators and illustrate their roles in the regulation of stem cell activity, meristem maintenance, and related organ patterning in Arabidopsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Alka Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Archita Singh
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Yadav
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Ishita Bajaj
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Shailendra Kumar
- Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University, Kant Kalwar, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ajay Jain
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Kant Kalwar, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ananda K Sarkar
- National Institute of Plant Genome Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, India
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8
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Vaquero-Sedas MI, Vega-Palas MA. Assessing the Epigenetic Status of Human Telomeres. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091050. [PMID: 31500249 PMCID: PMC6770363 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic modifications of human telomeres play a relevant role in telomere functions and cell proliferation. Therefore, their study is becoming an issue of major interest. These epigenetic modifications are usually analyzed by microscopy or by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). However, these analyses could be challenged by subtelomeres and/or interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs). Whereas telomeres and subtelomeres cannot be differentiated by microscopy techniques, telomeres and ITSs might not be differentiated in ChIP analyses. In addition, ChIP analyses of telomeres should be properly controlled. Hence, studies focusing on the epigenetic features of human telomeres have to be carefully designed and interpreted. Here, we present a comprehensive discussion on how subtelomeres and ITSs might influence studies of human telomere epigenetics. We specially focus on the influence of ITSs and some experimental aspects of the ChIP technique on ChIP analyses. In addition, we propose a specific pipeline to accurately perform these studies. This pipeline is very simple and can be applied to a wide variety of cells, including cancer cells. Since the epigenetic status of telomeres could influence cancer cells proliferation, this pipeline might help design precise epigenetic treatments for specific cancer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- María I Vaquero-Sedas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain.
| | - Miguel A Vega-Palas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain.
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9
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Cubiles MD, Barroso S, Vaquero-Sedas MI, Enguix A, Aguilera A, Vega-Palas MA. Epigenetic features of human telomeres. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:2347-2355. [PMID: 29361030 PMCID: PMC5861411 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although subtelomeric regions in humans are heterochromatic, the epigenetic nature of human telomeres remains controversial. This controversy might have been influenced by the confounding effect of subtelomeric regions and interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) on telomeric chromatin structure analyses. In addition, different human cell lines might carry diverse epigenetic marks at telomeres. We have developed a reliable procedure to study the chromatin structure of human telomeres independently of subtelomeres and ITSs. This procedure is based on the statistical analysis of multiple ChIP-seq experiments. We have found that human telomeres are not enriched in the heterochromatic H3K9me3 mark in most of the common laboratory cell lines, including embryonic stem cells. Instead, they are labeled with H4K20me1 and H3K27ac, which might be established by p300. These results together with previously published data argue that subtelomeric heterochromatin might control human telomere functions. Interestingly, U2OS cells that exhibit alternative lengthening of telomeres have heterochromatic levels of H3K9me3 in their telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- María D Cubiles
- Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Facultad de Matemáticas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Sonia Barroso
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Avd. Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - María I Vaquero-Sedas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), Avd. Américo Vespucio n° 49, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Alicia Enguix
- Departamento de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Facultad de Matemáticas, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Avd. Américo Vespucio s/n, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel A Vega-Palas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), Avd. Américo Vespucio n° 49, 41092 Seville, Spain
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10
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The plant-specific histone residue Phe41 is important for genome-wide H3.1 distribution. Nat Commun 2018; 9:630. [PMID: 29434220 PMCID: PMC5809374 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-02976-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic incorporation of histone variants influences chromatin structure and many biological processes. In Arabidopsis, the canonical variant H3.1 differs from H3.3 in four residues, one of which (H3.1Phe41) is unique and conserved in plants. However, its evolutionary significance remains unclear. Here, we show that Phe41 first appeared in H3.1 in ferns and became stable during land plant evolution. Unlike H3.1, which is specifically enriched in silent regions, H3.1F41Y variants gain ectopic accumulation at actively transcribed regions. Reciprocal tail and core domain swap experiments between H3.1 and H3.3 show that the H3.1 core, while necessary, is insufficient to restrict H3.1 to silent regions. We conclude that the vascular-plant-specific Phe41 is critical for H3.1 genomic distribution and may act collaboratively with the H3.1 core to regulate deposition patterns. This study reveals that Phe41 may have evolved to provide additional regulation of histone deposition in plants. The canonical histone variant H3.1 of vascular plants contains a conserved Phe residue at position 41 that is unique to the plant kingdom. Here, Lu et al. provide evidence that H3.1Phe41 acts collaboratively with the H3.1 core domain to restrict H3.1 deposition to silent regions of the genome.
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11
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Duc C, Benoit M, Détourné G, Simon L, Poulet A, Jung M, Veluchamy A, Latrasse D, Le Goff S, Cotterell S, Tatout C, Benhamed M, Probst AV. Arabidopsis ATRX Modulates H3.3 Occupancy and Fine-Tunes Gene Expression. THE PLANT CELL 2017; 29:1773-1793. [PMID: 28684426 PMCID: PMC5559740 DOI: 10.1105/tpc.16.00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Histones are essential components of the nucleosome, the major chromatin subunit that structures linear DNA molecules and regulates access of other proteins to DNA. Specific histone chaperone complexes control the correct deposition of canonical histones and their variants to modulate nucleosome structure and stability. In this study, we characterize the Arabidopsis thaliana Alpha Thalassemia-mental Retardation X-linked (ATRX) ortholog and show that ATRX is involved in histone H3 deposition. Arabidopsis ATRX mutant alleles are viable, but show developmental defects and reduced fertility. Their combination with mutants of the histone H3.3 chaperone HIRA (Histone Regulator A) results in impaired plant survival, suggesting that HIRA and ATRX function in complementary histone deposition pathways. Indeed, ATRX loss of function alters cellular histone H3.3 pools and in consequence modulates the H3.1/H3.3 balance in the cell. H3.3 levels are affected especially at genes characterized by elevated H3.3 occupancy, including the 45S ribosomal DNA (45S rDNA) loci, where loss of ATRX results in altered expression of specific 45S rDNA sequence variants. At the genome-wide scale, our data indicate that ATRX modifies gene expression concomitantly to H3.3 deposition at a set of genes characterized both by elevated H3.3 occupancy and high expression. Together, our results show that ATRX is involved in H3.3 deposition and emphasize the role of histone chaperones in adjusting genome expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Duc
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Matthias Benoit
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1LR, United Kingdom
| | - Gwénaëlle Détourné
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Lauriane Simon
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Axel Poulet
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, United Kingdom
| | - Matthieu Jung
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/ULP, 67404 Illkirch, France
| | - Alaguraj Veluchamy
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay IPS2, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - David Latrasse
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay IPS2, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Samuel Le Goff
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sylviane Cotterell
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Christophe Tatout
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Moussa Benhamed
- Institute of Plant Sciences Paris Saclay IPS2, CNRS, INRA, Université Paris-Sud, Université Evry, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aline V Probst
- GReD, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, 63001 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Jiang D, Berger F. Histone variants in plant transcriptional regulation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1860:123-130. [PMID: 27412913 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin based organization of eukaryotic genome plays a profound role in regulating gene transcription. Nucleosomes form the basic subunits of chromatin by packaging DNA with histone proteins, impeding the access of DNA to transcription factors and RNA polymerases. Exchange of histone variants in nucleosomes alters the properties of nucleosomes and thus modulates DNA exposure during transcriptional regulation. Growing evidence indicates the important function of histone variants in programming transcription during developmental transitions and stress response. Here we review how histone variants and their deposition machineries regulate the nucleosome stability and dynamics, and discuss the link between histone variants and transcriptional regulation in plants. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Gene Regulatory Mechanisms and Networks, edited by Dr. Erich Grotewold and Dr. Nathan Springer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhua Jiang
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Vienna Biocenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
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13
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Simon L, Voisin M, Tatout C, Probst AV. Structure and Function of Centromeric and Pericentromeric Heterochromatin in Arabidopsis thaliana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2015; 6:1049. [PMID: 26648952 PMCID: PMC4663263 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2015.01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The centromere is a specific chromosomal region where the kinetochore assembles to ensure the faithful segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis and meiosis. Centromeres are defined by a local enrichment of the specific histone variant CenH3 mostly at repetitive satellite sequences. A larger pericentromeric region containing repetitive sequences and transposable elements surrounds the centromere that adopts a particular chromatin state characterized by specific histone variants and post-translational modifications and forms a transcriptionally repressive chromosomal environment. In the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana centromeric and pericentromeric domains form conspicuous heterochromatin clusters called chromocenters in interphase. Here we discuss, using Arabidopsis as example, recent insight into mechanisms involved in maintenance and establishment of centromeric and pericentromeric chromatin signatures as well as in chromocenter formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxime Voisin
- †These authors have contributed equally to this work.
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14
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Garavís M, Méndez-Lago M, Gabelica V, Whitehead SL, González C, Villasante A. The structure of an endogenous Drosophila centromere reveals the prevalence of tandemly repeated sequences able to form i-motifs. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13307. [PMID: 26289671 PMCID: PMC4542561 DOI: 10.1038/srep13307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromeres are the chromosomal loci at which spindle microtubules attach to mediate chromosome segregation during mitosis and meiosis. In most eukaryotes, centromeres are made up of highly repetitive DNA sequences (satellite DNA) interspersed with middle repetitive DNA sequences (transposable elements). Despite the efforts to establish complete genomic sequences of eukaryotic organisms, the so-called 'finished' genomes are not actually complete because the centromeres have not been assembled due to the intrinsic difficulties in constructing both physical maps and complete sequence assemblies of long stretches of tandemly repetitive DNA. Here we show the first molecular structure of an endogenous Drosophila centromere and the ability of the C-rich dodeca satellite strand to form dimeric i-motifs. The finding of i-motif structures in simple and complex centromeric satellite DNAs leads us to suggest that these centromeric sequences may have been selected not by their primary sequence but by their ability to form noncanonical secondary structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Garavís
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, CSIC, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Méndez-Lago
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Valérie Gabelica
- Univ. Bordeaux, ARNA Laboratory, IECB, 2 rue Robert Escarpit, F-33600 Pessac, France.,Inserm ARNA Laboratory, 146 rue Leo Saignat, F-33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Siobhan L Whitehead
- The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos González
- Instituto de Química Física Rocasolano, CSIC, Serrano 119, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alfredo Villasante
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
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15
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Dvořáčková M, Fojtová M, Fajkus J. Chromatin dynamics of plant telomeres and ribosomal genes. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2015; 83:18-37. [PMID: 25752316 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Telomeres and genes encoding 45S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) are frequently located adjacent to each other on eukaryotic chromosomes. Although their primary roles are different, they show striking similarities with respect to their features and additional functions. Both genome domains have remarkably dynamic chromatin structures. Both are hypersensitive to dysfunctional histone chaperones, responding at the genomic and epigenomic levels. Both generate non-coding transcripts that, in addition to their epigenetic roles, may induce gross chromosomal rearrangements. Both give rise to chromosomal fragile sites, as their replication is intrinsically problematic. However, at the same time, both are essential for maintenance of genomic stability and integrity. Here we discuss the structural and functional inter-connectivity of telomeres and rDNA, with a focus on recent results obtained in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Dvořáčková
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 61265, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Miloslava Fojtová
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 61265, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Fajkus
- Mendel Centre for Plant Genomics and Proteomics, Central European Institute of Technology, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
- Institute of Biophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Královopolská 135, 61265, Brno, Czech Republic
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16
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Otero S, Desvoyes B, Gutierrez C. Histone H3 dynamics in plant cell cycle and development. Cytogenet Genome Res 2014; 143:114-24. [PMID: 25060842 DOI: 10.1159/000365264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin is a macromolecular complex where DNA associates with histone proteins and a variety of non-histone proteins. Among the 4 histone types present in nucleosomes, histone H3 is encoded by a large number of genes in most eukaryotic species and is the histone that contains the largest variety of potential post-translational modifications in the N-terminal amino acid residues. In addition to centromeric histone H3, 2 major types of histone H3 exist, namely the canonical H3.1 and the variant H3.3. In this article, we review the most recent observations on the distinctive features of plant H3 proteins in terms of their expression and dynamics during the cell cycle and at various developmental stages. We also include a discussion on the histone H3 chaperones that actively participate in H3 deposition, in particular CAF-1, HIRA and ASF1, and on the putative plant homologs of human ATRX and DEK chaperones. Accumulating evidence confirms that the balanced deposition of H3.1 and H3.3 is of primary relevance for cell differentiation during plant organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofía Otero
- Department of Genome Dynamics and Function, Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Vaquero-Sedas MI, Vega-Palas MA. Determination of Arabidopsis thaliana telomere length by PCR. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5540. [PMID: 24986269 PMCID: PMC4078305 DOI: 10.1038/srep05540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, telomere length studies have acquired great relevance because the length of telomeres has been related to natural processes like disease, aging and cancer. However, very little is known about the influence of telomere length on the biology of wild type plants. The length of plant telomeres has been usually studied by Terminal Restriction Fragment (TRF) analyses. This technique requires high amounts of tissue, including multiple cell types, which might be the reason why very little is known about the influence of telomere length on plant natural processes. In contrast, many of the human telomere length studies have focused on homogenous cell populations. Most of these studies have been performed by PCR, using telomeric degenerated primers, which allow the determination of telomere length from small amounts of human cells. Here, we have adapted the human PCR procedure to analyze the length of Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres. This PCR approach will facilitate the analysis of telomere length from low amounts of tissue. We have used it to determine that CG and non CG DNA methylation positively regulates Arabidopsis telomere length.
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Affiliation(s)
- María I. Vaquero-Sedas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), c/Américo Vespucio n° 49, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Miguel A. Vega-Palas
- Instituto de Bioquímica Vegetal y Fotosíntesis, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla, IBVF (CSIC-US), c/Américo Vespucio n° 49, 41092 Seville, Spain
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18
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Del Prete S, Arpón J, Sakai K, Andrey P, Gaudin V. Nuclear architecture and chromatin dynamics in interphase nuclei of Arabidopsis thaliana. Cytogenet Genome Res 2014; 143:28-50. [PMID: 24992956 DOI: 10.1159/000363724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The interphase cell nucleus is extraordinarily complex, ordered, and dynamic. In the last decade, remarkable progress has been made in deciphering the functional organisation of the cell nucleus, and intricate relationships between genome functions (transcription, DNA repair, or replication) and various nuclear compartments have been revealed. In this review, we describe the architecture of the Arabidopsis thaliana interphase cell nucleus and discuss the dynamic nature of its organisation. We underline the need for further developments in quantitative and modelling approaches to nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Del Prete
- INRA, UMR1318-AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin (IJPB), INRA-Centre de Versailles-Grignon, Versailles, France
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19
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Vaquero-Sedas MI, Vega-Palas MA. Human Long Telomeres and Epigenetic Marks. Cell 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/cellbio.2013.22009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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