USF and NF-E2 cooperate to regulate the recruitment and activity of RNA polymerase II in the beta-globin gene locus

IKAROS is required for the measured response of NOTCH target genes upon external NOTCH signaling

The tumor suppressor IKAROS binds and represses multiple NOTCH target genes. For their induction upon NOTCH signaling, IKAROS is removed and replaced by NOTCH Intracellular Domain (NICD)-associated proteins. However, IKAROS remains associated to other NOTCH activated genes upon signaling and induction. Whether IKAROS could participate to the induction of this second group of NOTCH activated genes is unknown. We analyzed the combined effect of IKAROS abrogation and NOTCH signaling on the expression of NOTCH activated genes in erythroid cells. In IKAROS-deleted cells, we observed that many of these genes were either overexpressed or no longer responsive to NOTCH signaling. IKAROS is then required for the organization of bivalent chromatin and poised transcription of NOTCH activated genes belonging to either of the aforementioned groups. Furthermore, we show that IKAROS-dependent poised organization of the NOTCH target Cdkn1a is also required for its adequate induction upon genotoxic insults. These results highlight the critical role played by IKAROS in establishing bivalent chromatin and transcriptional poised state at target genes for their activation by NOTCH or other stress signals.

NOTCH1 deregulation can favor hematological malignancies. In addition to RBP-Jκ/NICD/MAML1, other regulators are required for the measured activation of NOTCH target genes. IKAROS is a known repressor of many NOTCH targets. Since it can also favor transcriptional activation and control gene expression levels, we questioned whether IKAROS could participate to the activation of specific NOTCH target genes. We are reporting that upon NOTCH induction, the absence of IKAROS impairs the measured activation of two groups of NOTCH target genes: (i) those overexpressed and characterized by an additive effect imposed by the absence of IKAROS and NOTCH induction; and (ii) those ‘desensitized’ and no more activated by NOTCH. At genes of both groups, IKAROS controls the timely recruitment of the chromatin remodelers CHD4 and BRG1. IKAROS then influences the activation of these genes through the organization of chromatin and poised transcription or through transcriptional elongation control. The importance of the IKAROS controlled and measured activation of genes is not limited to NOTCH signaling as it also characterizes Cdkn1a expression upon genotoxic stress. Thus, these results provide a new perspective on the importance of IKAROS for the adequate cellular response to stress, whether imposed by NOTCH or genotoxic insults.

circFAT1(e2) Promotes Papillary Thyroid Cancer Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion via the miRNA-873/ZEB1 Axis

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an extremely important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of various malignant tumors including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). circFAT1(e2) is a new type of circRNA derived from exon 2 of the FAT1 gene, which is distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of PTC cells. However, so far, the role of circFAT1(e2) in PTC is still unclear. In this study, circFAT1(e2) was found to be highly expressed in PTC cell lines and tissues. circFAT1(e2) knockdown suppressed PTC cell growth, migration, and invasion. Also, circFAT1(e2) acted as a sponge for potential microRNAs (miRNAs) to modulate cancer progression. A potential miRNA target was discovered to be miR-873 which was targeted by circFAT1(e2) in PTC. The dual-luciferase assay conducted later also confirmed that there was indeed a direct interaction between circFAT1(e2) and miR-873. This study also confirmed that circFAT1(e2) inhibited the miR-873 expression and thus promoted the ZEB1 expression, thus affecting the proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of PTC cells. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that circFAT1(e2) played a carcinogenic role by targeting the miR-873/ZEB1 axis to promote PTC invasion and metastasis, which might become a potential novel target for therapy of PTC.

MethMotif: an integrative cell specific database of transcription factor binding motifs coupled with DNA methylation profiles

Several recent studies have portrayed DNA methylation as a new player in the recruitment of transcription factors (TF) within chromatin, highlighting a need to connect TF binding sites (TFBS) with their respective DNA methylation profiles. However, current TFBS databases are restricted to DNA binding motif sequences. Here, we present MethMotif, a two-dimensional TFBS database that records TFBS position weight matrices along with cell type specific CpG methylation information computed from a combination of ChIP-seq and whole genome bisulfite sequencing datasets. Integrating TFBS motifs with TFBS DNA methylation better portrays the features of DNA loci recognised by TFs. In particular, we found that DNA methylation patterns within TFBS can be cell specific (e.g. MAFF). Furthermore, for a given TF, different DNA methylation profiles are associated with different DNA binding motifs (e.g. REST). To date, MethMotif database records over 500 TFBSs computed from over 2000 ChIP-seq datasets in 11 different cell types. MethMotif portal is accessible through an open source web interface (https://bioinfo-csi.nus.edu.sg/methmotif) that allows users to intuitively explore the entire dataset and perform both single, and batch queries.

DNA·RNA triple helix formation can function as a cis-acting regulatory mechanism at the human β-globin locus

We have identified regulatory mechanisms in which an RNA transcript forms a DNA duplex·RNA triple helix with a gene or one of its regulatory elements, suggesting potential auto-regulatory mechanisms in vivo. We describe an interaction at the human β-globin locus, in which an RNA segment embedded in the second intron of the β-globin gene forms a DNA·RNA triplex with the HS2 sequence within the β-globin locus control region, a major regulator of globin expression. We show in human K562 cells that the triplex is stable in vivo. Its formation causes displacement from HS2 of major transcription factors and RNA Polymerase II, and consequently in loss of factors and polymerase that bind to the human ε- and γ-globin promoters, which are activated by HS2 in K562 cells. This results in reduced expression of these genes. These effects are observed when a small length of triplex-forming RNA is introduced into cells, or when a full-length intron-containing human β-globin transcript is expressed. Related results are obtained in human umbilical cord blood-derived erythroid progenitor-2 cells, in which β-globin expression is similarly affected by triplex formation. These results suggest a model in which RNAs conforming to the strict sequence rules for DNA·RNA triplex formation may participate in feedback regulation of genes in cis.

Phase Separation and Transcription Regulation: Are Super-Enhancers and Locus Control Regions Primary Sites of Transcription Complex Assembly?

It is proposed that the multiple enhancer elements associated with locus control regions and super-enhancers recruit RNA polymerase II and efficiently assemble elongation competent transcription complexes that are transferred to target genes by transcription termination and transient looping mechanisms. It is well established that transcription complexes are recruited not only to promoters but also to enhancers, where they generate enhancer RNAs. Transcription at enhancers is unstable and frequently aborted. Furthermore, the Integrator and WD-domain containing protein 82 mediate transcription termination at enhancers. Abortion and termination of transcription at the multiple enhancers of locus control regions and super-enhancers provide a large pool of elongation competent transcription complexes. These are efficiently captured by strong basal promoter elements at target genes during transient looping interactions.

Identification of a Novel Enhancer/Chromatin Opening Element Associated with High-Level γ-Globin Gene Expression

The organization of the five β-type globin genes on chromosome 11 reflects the timing of expression during erythroid cell development, with the embryonic ε-globin gene being located at the 5′ end, followed by the two fetal γ-globin genes, and with the adult β- and δ-globin genes being located at the 3′ end. Here, we functionally characterized a DNase I-hypersensitive site (HS) located 4 kb upstream of the Gγ-globin gene (HBG-4kb HS).

The organization of the five β-type globin genes on chromosome 11 reflects the timing of expression during erythroid cell development, with the embryonic ε-globin gene being located at the 5′ end, followed by the two fetal γ-globin genes, and with the adult β- and δ-globin genes being located at the 3′ end. Here, we functionally characterized a DNase I-hypersensitive site (HS) located 4 kb upstream of the Gγ-globin gene (HBG-4kb HS). This site is occupied by transcription factors USF1, USF2, EGR1, MafK, and NF-E2 in the human erythroleukemia cell line K562 and exhibits histone modifications typical for enhancers. We generated a synthetic zinc finger (ZF) DNA-binding domain targeting the HBG-4kb HS (HBG-4kb ZF). The HBG-4kb ZF interacted with the target site in vitro and in the context of cells with a high affinity and specificity. Direct delivery of the HBG-4kb ZF to K562 and primary human erythroid cells caused a reduction in γ-globin gene expression which was associated with decreased binding of transcription factors and active histone marks at and downstream of the HS. The data demonstrate that the HBG-4kb HS is important for fetal globin production and suggest that it may act by opening chromatin in a directional manner.

Discovery and validation of information theory-based transcription factor and cofactor binding site motifs

Data from ChIP-seq experiments can derive the genome-wide binding specificities of transcription factors (TFs) and other regulatory proteins. We analyzed 765 ENCODE ChIP-seq peak datasets of 207 human TFs with a novel motif discovery pipeline based on recursive, thresholded entropy minimization. This approach, while obviating the need to compensate for skewed nucleotide composition, distinguishes true binding motifs from noise, quantifies the strengths of individual binding sites based on computed affinity and detects adjacent cofactor binding sites that coordinate with the targets of primary, immunoprecipitated TFs. We obtained contiguous and bipartite information theory-based position weight matrices (iPWMs) for 93 sequence-specific TFs, discovered 23 cofactor motifs for 127 TFs and revealed six high-confidence novel motifs. The reliability and accuracy of these iPWMs were determined via four independent validation methods, including the detection of experimentally proven binding sites, explanation of effects of characterized SNPs, comparison with previously published motifs and statistical analyses. We also predict previously unreported TF coregulatory interactions (e.g. TF complexes). These iPWMs constitute a powerful tool for predicting the effects of sequence variants in known binding sites, performing mutation analysis on regulatory SNPs and predicting previously unrecognized binding sites and target genes.

MicroRNA-363 and GATA-1 are regulated by HIF-1α in K562 cells under hypoxia

The aim of the present study was to investigate regulatory relationships among hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), microRNA and erythroid transcription factors. K562 cells were transfected with HIF-1α knockout or with overexpression lentivirus of plasmid (MOI 10). The cells were divided into 3 groups: the negative control, overexpressing and interference groups. The cells were cultured under normoxia and hypoxia. Expression of miR-17*, miR-363 and miR-574-5p in the three groups was determined by quantitative PCR. Expression levels of erythroid transcription factor mRNAs such as GATA-1/GATA-2 and nuclear factor-erythroid 2 (NF-E2) were measured using RT-qPCR while the protein expression was studied using western blot analysis. Under normoxia or hypoxia, the levels of miR-17*, miR-363 and miR-574-5p in the overexpression group were higher than those in the other groups. Differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Under hypoxia, the level of miR-363 in the interference group was less than that in the negative control group and difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The level of GATA-1 mRNA in the overexpression group was higher than that in the negative control group, however, in the interference group the level was lower than that in the overexpression group under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The level of GATA-2 mRNA in the interference group was higher than that in other two groups under normoxic or hypoxic conditions. The NF-E2 mRNA was reversely related to GATA-2. The levels of HIF-1α, GATA-1 and NF-E2 mRNAs in the negative control under hypoxia were higher than those of normoxia. The level of HIF-1α mRNA in the overexpression group in hypoxia was lower than that in normoxia, while the GATA-1 and GATA-2 mRNA showed a reverse association. The levels of HIF-1α and GATA-2 mRNA in the interference group under hypoxia were higher compared to those of normoxia. Differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Western blot results suggested that GATA-1, GATA-2 and NF-E2 protein expression correlated with changes in their respective mRNA transcription levels. The results therefore suggested that GATA-l and miR-363 were involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis via the HIF-1α pathway in K562 cells under hypoxic condition. The hsa-miR-17* and hsa-miR-574-5p were not entirely dependent on HIF-1α, suggesting possible complex regulatory mechanisms involved in hypoxia.

High Fractional Occupancy of a Tandem Maf Recognition Element and Its Role in Long-Range β-Globin Gene Regulation

Enhancers and promoters assemble protein complexes that ultimately regulate the recruitment and activity of RNA polymerases. Previous work has shown that at least some enhancers form stable protein complexes, leading to the formation of enhanceosomes. We analyzed protein-DNA interactions in the murine β-globin gene locus using the methyltransferase accessibility protocol for individual templates (MAPit). The data show that a tandem Maf recognition element (MARE) in locus control region (LCR) hypersensitive site 2 (HS2) reveals a remarkably high degree of occupancy during differentiation of mouse erythroleukemia cells. Most of the other transcription factor binding sites in LCR HS2 or in the adult β-globin gene promoter regions exhibit low fractional occupancy, suggesting highly dynamic protein-DNA interactions. Targeting of an artificial zinc finger DNA-binding domain (ZF-DBD) to the HS2 tandem MARE caused a reduction in the association of MARE-binding proteins and transcription complexes at LCR HS2 and the adult βmajor-globin gene promoter but did not affect expression of the βminor-globin gene. The data demonstrate that a stable MARE-associated footprint in LCR HS2 is important for the recruitment of transcription complexes to the adult βmajor-globin gene promoter during erythroid cell differentiation.

Regulation and function of the NFE2 transcription factor in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic cells

The NFE2 transcription factor was identified over 25 years ago. The NFE2 protein forms heterodimers with small MAF proteins, and the resulting complex binds to regulatory elements in a large number of target genes. In contrast to other CNC transcription family members including NFE2L1 (NRF1), NFE2L2 (NRF2) and NFE2L3 (NRF3), which are widely expressed, earlier studies had suggested that the major sites of NFE2 expression are hematopoietic cells. Based on cell culture studies it was proposed that this protein acts as a critical regulator of globin gene expression. However, the knockout mouse model displayed only mild erythroid abnormalities, while the major phenotype was a defect in megakaryocyte biogenesis. Indeed, absence of NFE2 led to severely impaired platelet production. A series of recent data, also summarized here, shed new light on the various functional roles of NFE2 and the regulation of its activity. NFE2 is part of a complex regulatory network, including transcription factors such as GATA1 and RUNX1, controlling megakaryocytic and/or erythroid cell function. Surprisingly, it was recently found that NFE2 also has a role in non-hematopoietic tissues, such as the trophoblast, in which it is also expressed, as well as the bone, opening the door to new research areas for this transcription factor. Additional data showed that NFE2 function is controlled by a series of posttranslational modifications. Important strides have been made with respect to the clinical significance of NFE2, linking this transcription factor to hematological disorders such as polycythemias.

Chromatin looping and eRNA transcription precede the transcriptional activation of gene in the β-globin locus

Enhancers are closely positioned with actively transcribed target genes by chromatin looping. Non-coding RNAs are often transcribed on active enhancers, referred to as eRNAs (enhancer RNAs). To explore the kinetics of enhancer–promoter looping and eRNA transcription during transcriptional activation, we induced the β-globin locus by chemical treatment and analysed cross-linking frequency between the β-globin gene and locus control region (LCR) and the amount of eRNAs transcribed on the LCR in a time course manner. The cross-linking frequency was increased after chemical induction but before the transcriptional activation of gene in the β-globin locus. Transcription of eRNAs was increased in concomitant with the increase in cross-linking frequency. These results show that chromatin looping and eRNA transcription precedes the transcriptional activation of gene. Concomitant occurrence of the two events suggests functional relationship between them.

Chromatin looping between enhancer and promoter was generated after chemical induction but before the transcriptional activation of gene in the β-globin locus. Transcription of enhancer RNAs was increased in concomitant with the increase of chromatin looping in this locus.

Comparison of DNA methylation profiles in human fetal and adult red blood cell progenitors

Background

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role during mammalian development. Around birth in humans, the main site of red blood cell production moves from the fetal liver to the bone marrow. DNA methylation changes at the β-globin locus and a switch from fetal to adult hemoglobin production characterize this transition. Understanding this globin switch may improve the treatment of patients with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, two of the most common Mendelian diseases in the world. The goal of our study was to describe and compare the genome-wide patterns of DNA methylation in fetal and adult human erythroblasts.

Methods

We used the Illumina HumanMethylation 450 k BeadChip to measure DNA methylation at 402,819 CpGs in ex vivo-differentiated erythroblasts from 12 fetal liver and 12 bone marrow CD34+ donors.

Results

We identified 5,937 differentially methylated CpGs that overlap with erythroid enhancers and binding sites for erythropoiesis-related transcription factors. Combining this information with genome-wide association study results, we show that erythroid enhancers define particularly promising genomic regions to identify new genetic variants associated with fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels in humans. Many differentially methylated CpGs are located near genes with unanticipated roles in red blood cell differentiation and proliferation. For some of these new candidate genes, we confirm the correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression levels in red blood cell progenitors. We also provide evidence that DNA methylation and genetic variation at the β-globin locus independently control globin gene expression in adult erythroblasts.

Conclusions

Our DNA methylome maps confirm the widespread dynamic changes in DNA methylation that occur during human erythropoiesis. These changes tend to happen near erythroid enhancers, further highlighting their importance in erythroid regulation and HbF production. Finally, DNA methylation may act independently of the transcription factor BCL11A to repress fetal hemoglobin production. This provides cues on strategies to more efficiently re-activate HbF production in sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia patients.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13073-014-0122-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Rare and low-frequency coding variants in CXCR2 and other genes are associated with hematological traits

Hematological traits are important clinical parameters. To test the effects of rare and low-frequency coding variants on hematological traits, we analyzed hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit levels, white blood cell (WBC) counts and platelet counts in 31,340 individuals genotyped on an exome array. We identified several missense variants in CXCR2 associated with reduced WBC count (gene-based P = 2.6 × 10(-13)). In a separate family-based resequencing study, we identified a CXCR2 frameshift mutation in a pedigree with congenital neutropenia that abolished ligand-induced CXCR2 signal transduction and chemotaxis. We also identified missense or splice-site variants in key hematopoiesis regulators (EPO, TFR2, HBB, TUBB1 and SH2B3) associated with blood cell traits. Finally, we were able to detect associations between a rare somatic JAK2 mutation (encoding p.Val617Phe) and platelet count (P = 3.9 × 10(-22)) as well as hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.002), hematocrit levels (P = 9.5 × 10(-7)) and WBC count (P = 3.1 × 10(-5)). In conclusion, exome arrays complement genome-wide association studies in identifying new variants that contribute to complex human traits.

Recruitment of transcription complexes to enhancers and the role of enhancer transcription

Enhancer elements regulate the tissue- and developmental-stage-specific expression of genes. Recent estimates suggest that there are more than 50,000 enhancers in mammalian cells. At least a subset of enhancers has been shown to recruit RNA polymerase II transcription complexes and to generate enhancer transcripts. Here, we provide an overview of enhancer function and discuss how transcription of enhancers or enhancer-generated transcripts could contribute to the regulation of gene expression during development and differentiation.

Dissecting the function of the adult β-globin downstream promoter region using an artificial zinc finger DNA-binding domain

Developmental stage-specific expression of the β-type globin genes is regulated by many cis- and trans-acting components. The adult β-globin gene contains an E-box located 60 bp downstream of the transcription start site that has been shown to bind transcription factor upstream stimulatory factor (USF) and to contribute to efficient in vitro transcription. We expressed an artificial zinc finger DNA-binding domain (ZF-DBD) targeting this site (+60 ZF-DBD) in murine erythroleukemia cells. Expression of the +60 ZF-DBD reduced the recruitment and elongation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) at the adult β-globin gene and at the same time increased the binding of Pol II at locus control region (LCR) element HS2, suggesting that Pol II is transferred from the LCR to the globin gene promoters. Expression of the +60 ZF-DBD also reduced the frequency of interactions between the LCR and the adult β-globin promoter. ChIP-exonuclease-sequencing revealed that the +60ZF-DBD was targeted to the adult β-globin downstream promoter and that the binding of the ZF-DBD caused alterations in the association of USF2 containing protein complexes. The data demonstrate that targeting a ZF-DBD to the adult β-globin downstream promoter region interferes with the LCR-mediated recruitment and activity of Pol II.

Analysis of hundreds of cis-regulatory landscapes at high resolution in a single, high-throughput experiment

Gene expression during development and differentiation is regulated in a cell- and stage-specific manner by complex networks of intergenic and intragenic cis-regulatory elements whose numbers and representation in the genome far exceed those of structural genes. Using chromosome conformation capture, it is now possible to analyze in detail the interaction between enhancers, silencers, boundary elements and promoters at individual loci, but these techniques are not readily scalable. Here we present a high-throughput approach (Capture-C) to analyze cis interactions, interrogating hundreds of specific interactions at high resolution in a single experiment. We show how this approach will facilitate detailed, genome-wide analysis to elucidate the general principles by which cis-acting sequences control gene expression. In addition, we show how Capture-C will expedite identification of the target genes and functional effects of SNPs that are associated with complex diseases, which most frequently lie in intergenic cis-acting regulatory elements.

RUNX1 and NF-E2 upregulation is not specific for MPNs, but is seen in polycythemic disorders with augmented HIF signaling

Overexpression of transcription factors runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) and nuclear factor, erythroid-derived 2 (NF-E2) was reported in granulocytes of patients with polycythemia vera and other myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Further, a transgenic mouse overexpressing the NF-E2 transgene was reported to be a model of MPN. We hypothesized that increased transcripts of RUNX1 and NF-E2 might characterize other polycythemic states with primary polycythemic features, that is, those with exaggerated erythropoiesis due to augmented erythropoietin (EPO) sensitivity. We tested the expression of RUNX1 and NF-E2 in polycythemic patients of diverse phenotypes and molecular causes. We report that RUNX1 and NF-E2 overexpression is not specific for MPN; these transcripts were also significantly elevated in polycythemias with augmented hypoxia-inducible factor activity whose erythroid progenitors were hypersensitive to EPO. RUNX1 and NF-E2 overexpression was not detected in patients with EPO receptor (EPOR) gain-of-function, suggesting distinct mechanisms by which erythroid progenitors in polycythemias with defects of hypoxia sensing and EPOR mutations exert their EPO hypersensitivity.

Cell-cycle specific association of transcription factors and RNA polymerase ii with the human β-globin gene locus

The human β-globin genes are regulated by a locus control region (LCR) and are expressed at extremely high levels in erythroid cells. How transcriptional fidelity of highly expressed genes is regulated and maintained during the cell cycle is not completely understood. Here, we analyzed the association of transcription factor USF, the co-activator CBP, topoisomerase I (Topo I), basal transcription factor TFIIB, and RNA polymerase II (Pol II) with the β-globin gene locus at specific cell-cycle stages. The data demonstrate that while association of Pol II with globin locus associated chromatin decreased in mitotically arrested cells, it remained bound at lower levels at the γ-globin gene promoter. During early S-phase, association of CBP, USF, and Pol II with the globin gene locus decreased. The re-association of CBP and USF2 with the LCR preceded re-association of Pol II, suggesting that these proteins together mediate recruitment of Pol II to the β-globin gene locus during S-phase. Finally, we analyzed the association of Topo I with the globin gene locus during late S-phase. In general, Topo I association correlated with the binding of Pol II. Inhibition of Topo I activity reduced Pol II binding at the LCR and intergenic regions but not at the γ-globin gene promoter. The data demonstrate dynamic associations of transcription factors with the globin gene locus during the cell cycle and support previous results showing that specific components of transcription complexes remain associated with highly transcribed genes during mitosis.

Sequence features and chromatin structure around the genomic regions bound by 119 human transcription factors

Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) has become the dominant technique for mapping transcription factor (TF) binding regions genome-wide. We performed an integrative analysis centered around 457 ChIP-seq data sets on 119 human TFs generated by the ENCODE Consortium. We identified highly enriched sequence motifs in most data sets, revealing new motifs and validating known ones. The motif sites (TF binding sites) are highly conserved evolutionarily and show distinct footprints upon DNase I digestion. We frequently detected secondary motifs in addition to the canonical motifs of the TFs, indicating tethered binding and cobinding between multiple TFs. We observed significant position and orientation preferences between many cobinding TFs. Genes specifically expressed in a cell line are often associated with a greater occurrence of nearby TF binding in that cell line. We observed cell-line-specific secondary motifs that mediate the binding of the histone deacetylase HDAC2 and the enhancer-binding protein EP300. TF binding sites are located in GC-rich, nucleosome-depleted, and DNase I sensitive regions, flanked by well-positioned nucleosomes, and many of these features show cell type specificity. The GC-richness may be beneficial for regulating TF binding because, when unoccupied by a TF, these regions are occupied by nucleosomes in vivo. We present the results of our analysis in a TF-centric web repository Factorbook (http://factorbook.org) and will continually update this repository as more ENCODE data are generated.

EKLF/KLF1, a tissue-restricted integrator of transcriptional control, chromatin remodeling, and lineage determination

Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF or KLF1) is a transcriptional regulator that plays a critical role in lineage-restricted control of gene expression. KLF1 expression and activity are tightly controlled in a temporal and differentiation stage-specific manner. The mechanisms by which KLF1 is regulated encompass a range of biological processes, including control of KLF1 RNA transcription, protein stability, localization, and posttranslational modifications. Intact KLF1 regulation is essential to correctly regulate erythroid function by gene transcription and to maintain hematopoietic lineage homeostasis by ensuring a proper balance of erythroid/megakaryocytic differentiation. In turn, KLF1 regulates erythroid biology by a wide variety of mechanisms, including gene activation and repression by regulation of chromatin configuration, transcriptional initiation and elongation, and localization of gene loci to transcription factories in the nucleus. An extensive series of biochemical, molecular, and genetic analyses has uncovered some of the secrets of its success, and recent studies are highlighted here. These reveal a multilayered set of control mechanisms that enable efficient and specific integration of transcriptional and epigenetic controls and that pave the way for proper lineage commitment and differentiation.

Neutralizing the function of a β-globin-associated cis-regulatory DNA element using an artificial zinc finger DNA-binding domain

Gene expression is primarily regulated by cis-regulatory DNA elements and trans-interacting proteins. Transcription factors bind in a DNA sequence-specific manner and recruit activities that modulate the association and activity of transcription complexes at specific genes. Often, transcription factors belong to families of related proteins that interact with similar DNA sequences. Furthermore, genes are regulated by multiple, sometimes redundant, cis-regulatory elements. Thus, the analysis of the role of a specific DNA regulatory sequence and the interacting proteins in the context of intact cells is challenging. In this study, we designed and functionally characterized an artificial DNA-binding domain that neutralizes the function of a cis-regulatory DNA element associated with adult β-globin gene expression. The zinc finger DNA-binding domain (ZF-DBD), comprising six ZFs, interacted specifically with a CACCC site located 90 bp upstream of the transcription start site (-90 β-ZF-DBD), which is normally occupied by KLF1, a major regulator of adult β-globin gene expression. Stable expression of the -90 β-ZF-DBD in mouse erythroleukemia cells reduced the binding of KLF1 with the β-globin gene, but not with locus control region element HS2, and led to reduced transcription. Transient transgenic embryos expressing the -90 β-ZF-DBD developed normally but revealed reduced expression of the adult β-globin gene. These results demonstrate that artificial DNA-binding proteins lacking effector domains are useful tools for studying and modulating the function of cis-regulatory DNA elements.

A tissue-specific chromatin loop activates the erythroid ankyrin-1 promoter

The human ankyrin-1 gene (ANK1) contains 3 tissue-specific alternative promoters. We have shown previously that the erythroid-specific ankyrin 1 (ANK1E) core promoter contains a 5' DNase I hypersensitive site (HS) with barrier insulator function that prevents gene silencing in vitro and in vivo. Mutations in the ANK1E barrier region lead to decreased ANK1 mRNA levels and hereditary spherocytosis. In this report, we demonstrate a second ANK1E regulatory element located in an adjacent pair of DNase I HS located 5.6 kb 3' of the ANK1E promoter at the 3' boundary of an erythroid-specific DNase I-sensitive chromatin domain. The 3' regulatory element exhibits enhancer activity in vitro and in transgenic mice, and it has the histone modifications associated with an enhancer element. One of the ANK1E 3'HS contains an NF-E2 binding site that is required for enhancer function. We show that a chromatin loop brings the 3' enhancer and NF-E2 into proximity with the 5' barrier region including the ANK1E core promoter. These observations demonstrate a model for the tissue-specific activation of alternative promoters that may be applicable to the ∼ 30% of mammalian genes with alternative promoters that exhibit distinct expression patterns.

An expansive human regulatory lexicon encoded in transcription factor footprints

Regulatory factor binding to genomic DNA protects the underlying sequence from cleavage by DNase I, leaving nucleotide-resolution footprints. Using genomic DNase I footprinting across 41 diverse cell and tissue types, we detected 45 million transcription factor occupancy events within regulatory regions, representing differential binding to 8.4 million distinct short sequence elements. Here we show that this small genomic sequence compartment, roughly twice the size of the exome, encodes an expansive repertoire of conserved recognition sequences for DNA-binding proteins that nearly doubles the size of the human cis-regulatory lexicon. We find that genetic variants affecting allelic chromatin states are concentrated in footprints, and that these elements are preferentially sheltered from DNA methylation. High-resolution DNase I cleavage patterns mirror nucleotide-level evolutionary conservation and track the crystallographic topography of protein-DNA interfaces, indicating that transcription factor structure has been evolutionarily imprinted on the human genome sequence. We identify a stereotyped 50-base-pair footprint that precisely defines the site of transcript origination within thousands of human promoters. Finally, we describe a large collection of novel regulatory factor recognition motifs that are highly conserved in both sequence and function, and exhibit cell-selective occupancy patterns that closely parallel major regulators of development, differentiation and pluripotency.

Characterization of the transcriptome profiles related to globin gene switching during in vitro erythroid maturation

Background

The fetal and adult globin genes in the human β-globin cluster on chromosome 11 are sequentially expressed to achieve normal hemoglobin switching during human development. The pharmacological induction of fetal γ-globin (HBG) to replace abnormal adult sickle β^S-globin is a successful strategy to treat sickle cell disease; however the molecular mechanism of γ-gene silencing after birth is not fully understood. Therefore, we performed global gene expression profiling using primary erythroid progenitors grown from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells to characterize gene expression patterns during the γ-globin to β-globin (γ/β) switch observed throughout in vitro erythroid differentiation.

Results

We confirmed erythroid maturation in our culture system using cell morphologic features defined by Giemsa staining and the γ/β-globin switch by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. We observed maximal γ-globin expression at day 7 with a switch to a predominance of β-globin expression by day 28 and the γ/β-globin switch occurred around day 21. Expression patterns for transcription factors including GATA1, GATA2, KLF1 and NFE2 confirmed our system produced the expected pattern of expression based on the known function of these factors in globin gene regulation. Subsequent gene expression profiling was performed with RNA isolated from progenitors harvested at day 7, 14, 21, and 28 in culture. Three major gene profiles were generated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). For profile-1 genes, where expression decreased from day 7 to day 28, we identified 2,102 genes down-regulated > 1.5-fold. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) for profile-1 genes demonstrated involvement of the Cdc42, phospholipase C, NF-Kβ, Interleukin-4, and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Transcription factors known to be involved in γ-and β-globin regulation were identified.

The same approach was used to generate profile-2 genes where expression was up-regulated over 28 days in culture. IPA for the 2,437 genes with > 1.5-fold induction identified the mitotic roles of polo-like kinase, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, cell cycle control, and ATM (Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Protein) signaling pathways; transcription factors identified included KLF1, GATA1 and NFE2 among others. Finally, profile-3 was generated from 1,579 genes with maximal expression at day 21, around the time of the γ/β-globin switch. IPA identified associations with cell cycle control, ATM, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathways.

Conclusions

The transcriptome analysis completed with erythroid progenitors grown in vitro identified groups of genes with distinct expression profiles, which function in metabolic pathways associated with cell survival, hematopoiesis, blood cells activation, and inflammatory responses. This study represents the first report of a transcriptome analysis in human primary erythroid progenitors to identify transcription factors involved in hemoglobin switching. Our results also demonstrate that the in vitro liquid culture system is an excellent model to define mechanisms of global gene expression and the DNA-binding protein and signaling pathways involved in globin gene regulation.

Resveratrol ameliorates TNFα-mediated suppression of erythropoiesis in human CD34(+) cells via modulation of NF-κB signalling

Overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of anaemia of inflammation. TNFα suppresses erythroid colony formation via both direct and indirect effects on haematopoietic progenitors, often involving activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling resulting in downregulation of transcription factors critical for erythropoiesis. There is a dearth of effective and safe therapies for many patients with inflammatory anaemia. Resveratrol is a flavanol found in red wine grapes that possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, but studies of its impact on human erythropoiesis have proven contradictory. We investigated whether resveratrol ameliorates TNFα-mediated suppression of erythropoiesis in human CD34(+) haematopoietic progenitors. We found that resveratrol partially reverses the erythroid suppressive effects of TNFα, leading to significant recovery in burst forming unit-erythroid colony formation in human CD34(+) cells. CD34(+) cells pre-incubated with resveratrol for 72 h in the presence of TNFα inhibited NF-κB activation via decreased NF-κB nuclear localization without altering total NF-κB protein levels and independent of IκB degradation. Resveratrol also significantly restored the baseline expression of erythroid transcription factors NFE2 and the GATA1/GATA2 ratio in CD34(+) cells treated with TNFα. In conclusion, resveratrol may inhibit TNFα-mediated NF-κB activation and promote erythropoiesis in primary human CD34(+) cells.

The distinctive roles of erythroid specific activator GATA-1 and NF-E2 in transcription of the human fetal γ-globin genes

GATA-1 and NF-E2 are erythroid specific activators that bind to the β-globin locus. To explore the roles of these activators in transcription of the human fetal stage specific γ-globin genes, we reduced GATA-1 and p45/NF-E2 using shRNA in erythroid K562 cells. GATA-1 or p45/NF-E2 knockdown inhibited the transcription of the γ-globin genes, hypersensitive site (HS) formation in the LCR and chromatin loop formation of the β-globin locus, but histone acetylation across the locus was decreased only in the case of GATA-1 knockdown. In p45/NF-E2 knockdown cells, GATA-1 binding was maintained at the LCR HSs and γ-globin promoter, but NF-E2 binding at the LCR HSs was reduced by GATA-1 knockdown regardless of the amount of p45/NF-E2 in K562 cells. These results indicate that histone acetylation is dependent on GATA-1 binding, but the binding of GATA-1 is not sufficient for the γ-globin transcription, HS formation and chromatin loop formation and NF-E2 is required. This idea is supported by the distinctive binding pattern of CBP and Brg1 in the β-globin locus. Furthermore GATA-1-dependent loop formation between HS5 and 3′HS1 suggests correlation between histone modifications and chromatin looping.

Role of helix-loop-helix proteins during differentiation of erythroid cells

Helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins play a profound role in the process of development and cellular differentiation. Among the HLH proteins expressed in differentiating erythroid cells are the ubiquitous proteins Myc, USF1, USF2, and TFII-I, as well as the hematopoiesis-specific transcription factor Tal1/SCL. All of these HLH proteins exhibit distinct functions during the differentiation of erythroid cells. For example, Myc stimulates the proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells, while the USF proteins and Tal1 regulate genes that specify the differentiated phenotype. This minireview summarizes the known activities of Myc, USF, TFII-I, and Tal11/SCL and discusses how they may function sequentially, cooperatively, or antagonistically in regulating expression programs during the differentiation of erythroid cells.

Ikaros interacts with P-TEFb and cooperates with GATA-1 to enhance transcription elongation

Ikaros is associated with both gene transcriptional activation and repression in lymphocytes. Ikaros acts also as repressor of human γ-globin (huγ-) gene transcription in fetal and adult erythroid cells. Whether and eventually, how Ikaros can function as a transcriptional activator in erythroid cells remains poorly understood. Results presented herein demonstrate that Ikaros is a developmental-specific activator of huγ-gene expression in yolk sac erythroid cells. Molecular analysis in primary cells revealed that Ikaros interacts with Gata-1 and favors Brg1 recruitment to the human β-globin Locus Control Region and the huγ-promoters, supporting long-range chromatin interactions between these regions. Additionally, we demonstrate that Ikaros contributes to transcription initiation and elongation of the huγ-genes, since it is not only required for TBP and RNA Polymerase II (Pol II) assembly at the huγ-promoters but also for conversion of Pol II into the elongation-competent phosphorylated form. In agreement with the latter, we show that Ikaros interacts with Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), which contributes to efficient transcription elongation by phosphorylating the C-terminal domain of the large subunit of Pol II on Serine 2, and favours Cdk9 recruitment to huγ-promoters. Our results show that Ikaros exerts dual functionality during gene activation, by promoting efficient transcription initiation and elongation.