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Kumar SL, Mohanty A, Kumari A, Etikuppam AK, Kumar S R, Athar M, Kumar P K, Beniwal R, Potula MM, Gandham RK, Rao HBDP. Balanced spatiotemporal arrangements of histone H3 and H4 posttranslational modifications are necessary for meiotic prophase I chromosome organization. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31201. [PMID: 38284481 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic nuclear architecture and chromatin organizations are the key features of the mid-prophase I in mammalian meiosis. The chromatin undergoes major changes, including meiosis-specific spatiotemporal arrangements and remodeling, the establishment of chromatin loop-axis structure, pairing, and crossing over between homologous chromosomes, any deficiencies in these events may induce genome instability, subsequently leading to failure to produce gametes and infertility. Despite the significance of chromatin structure, little is known about the location of chromatin marks and the necessity of their balance during meiosis prophase I. Here, we show a thorough cytological study of the surface-spread meiotic chromosomes of mouse spermatocytes for H3K9,14,18,23,27,36, H4K12,16 acetylation, and H3K4,9,27,36 methylation. Active acetylation and methylation marks on H3 and H4, such as H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H3K18ac, H3K36ac, H3K56ac, H4K12ac, H4K16ac, and H3K36me3 exhibited pan-nuclear localization away from heterochromatin. In comparison, repressive marks like H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 are localized to heterochromatin. Further, taking advantage of the delivery of small-molecule chemical inhibitors methotrexate (heterochromatin enhancer), heterochromatin inhibitor, anacardic acid (histone acetyltransferase inhibitor), trichostatin A (histone deacetylase inhibitor), IOX1 (JmjC demethylases inhibitor), and AZ505 (methyltransferase inhibitor) in seminiferous tubules through the rete testis route, revealed that alteration in histone modifications enhanced the centromere mislocalization, chromosome breakage, altered meiotic recombination and reduced sperm count. Specifically, IOX1 and AZ505 treatment shows severe meiotic phenotypes, including altering chromosome axis length and chromatin loop size via transcriptional regulation of meiosis-specific genes. Our findings highlight the importance of balanced chromatin modifications in meiotic prophase I chromosome organization and instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lava Kumar
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Aradhana Mohanty
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Anjali Kumari
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Ajith Kumar Etikuppam
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Ranjith Kumar S
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Mohd Athar
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Kiran Kumar P
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Rohit Beniwal
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Graduate Studies, Regional Center for Biotechnology, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | | | - Ravi Kumar Gandham
- Division of Veterinary Biotechnology, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - H B D Prasada Rao
- National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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2
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Yang Z, Zhou J, Li Z, Guo J, Fang L, Xiao X, Xiao S. Identification of whole-cell dsRNA-binding proteins by phase separation. RNA Biol 2024; 21:32-45. [PMID: 39115224 PMCID: PMC11312991 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2386498] [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] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Interactions between double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and proteins play an important role in cellular homeostasis by regulating the editing, stability, and splicing of intracellular RNA. The identification of dsRNA-binding proteins (dsRBPs) is key; however, it has long been challenging to purify dsRBPs from cells. In this study, we developed a novel method, dsRBPC (dsRNA-binding protein capture), to purify cellular dsRBPs based on classic phase separation purification procedures. A global dsRNA-binding proteome of LLC-PK1 cells was obtained, and we identified 1326 dsRBPs, including 1303 putative novel dsRBPs. Functional analyses suggested that these enriched dsRBPs are mainly associated with rRNA processing, RNA splicing, transcriptional regulation, and nucleocytoplasmic transport. We also found that the ARM (armadillo/beta-catenin-like repeats) motif is a previously unknown dsRNA-binding domain, as demonstrated by biochemical experiments. Collectively, this study provides a useful approach for dsRBP identification and the discovery of a global dsRNA-binding proteome to comprehensively map the dsRNA - protein interaction network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiang Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Junwei Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuang Li
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Guo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Liurong Fang
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Xun Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaobo Xiao
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- The Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, China
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3
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Cornec A, Poirier EZ. Interplay between RNA interference and transposable elements in mammals. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212086. [PMID: 37475864 PMCID: PMC10354258 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) plays pleiotropic roles in animal cells, from the post-transcriptional control of gene expression via the production of micro-RNAs, to the inhibition of RNA virus infection. We discuss here the role of RNAi in regulating the expression of self RNAs, and particularly transposable elements (TEs), which are genomic sequences capable of influencing gene expression and disrupting genome architecture. Dicer proteins act as the entry point of the RNAi pathway by detecting and degrading RNA of TE origin, ultimately leading to TE silencing. RNAi similarly targets cellular RNAs such as repeats transcribed from centrosomes. Dicer proteins are thus nucleic acid sensors that recognize self RNA in the form of double-stranded RNA, and trigger a silencing RNA interference response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enzo Z. Poirier
- Stem Cell Immunity Team, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, INSERM U932, Paris, France
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4
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Malla AB, Rainsford SR, Smith ZD, Lesch BJ. DOT1L promotes spermatid differentiation by regulating expression of genes required for histone-to-protamine replacement. Development 2023; 150:dev201497. [PMID: 37082969 PMCID: PMC10259660 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201497] [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: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Unique chromatin remodeling factors orchestrate dramatic changes in nuclear morphology during differentiation of the mature sperm head. A crucial step in this process is histone-to-protamine exchange, which must be executed correctly to avoid sperm DNA damage, embryonic lethality and male sterility. Here, we define an essential role for the histone methyltransferase DOT1L in the histone-to-protamine transition. We show that DOT1L is abundantly expressed in mouse meiotic and postmeiotic germ cells, and that methylation of histone H3 lysine 79 (H3K79), the modification catalyzed by DOT1L, is enriched in developing spermatids in the initial stages of histone replacement. Elongating spermatids lacking DOT1L fail to fully replace histones and exhibit aberrant protamine recruitment, resulting in deformed sperm heads and male sterility. Loss of DOT1L results in transcriptional dysregulation coinciding with the onset of histone replacement and affecting genes required for histone-to-protamine exchange. DOT1L also deposits H3K79me2 and promotes accumulation of elongating RNA Polymerase II at the testis-specific bromodomain gene Brdt. Together, our results indicate that DOT1L is an important mediator of transcription during spermatid differentiation and an indispensable regulator of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aushaq B. Malla
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Zachary D. Smith
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Bluma J. Lesch
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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5
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Prakash Yadav R, Leskinen S, Ma L, Mäkelä JA, Kotaja N. Chromatin remodelers HELLS, WDHD1 and BAZ1A are dynamically expressed during mouse spermatogenesis. Reproduction 2023; 165:49-63. [PMID: 36194437 PMCID: PMC9782464 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
In brief Proper regulation of heterochromatin is critical for spermatogenesis. This study reveals the dynamic localization patterns of distinct chromatin regulators during spermatogenesis and disrupted sex chromatin status in spermatocytes in the absence of DICER. Abstract Heterochromatin is dynamically formed and organized in differentiating male germ cells, and its proper regulation is a prerequisite for normal spermatogenesis. While heterochromatin is generally transcriptionally silent, we have previously shown that major satellite repeat (MSR) DNA in the pericentric heterochromatin (PCH) is transcribed during spermatogenesis. We have also shown that DICER associates with PCH and is involved in the regulation of MSR-derived transcripts. To shed light on the heterochromatin regulation in the male germline, we studied the expression, localization and heterochromatin association of selected testis-enriched chromatin regulators in the mouse testis. Our results show that HELLS, WDHD1 and BAZ1A are dynamically expressed during spermatogenesis. They display limited overlap in expression, suggesting involvement in distinct heterochromatin-associated processes at different steps of differentiation. We also show that HELLS and BAZ1A interact with DICER and MSR chromatin. Interestingly, deletion of Dicer1 affects the sex chromosome heterochromatin status in late pachytene spermatocytes, as demonstrated by mislocalization of Polycomb protein family member SCML1 to the sex body. These data substantiate the importance of dynamic heterochromatin regulation during spermatogenesis and emphasize the key role of DICER in the maintenance of chromatin status in meiotic male germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Prakash Yadav
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sini Leskinen
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Lin Ma
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Noora Kotaja
- 1Institute of Biomedicine, Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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6
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Askari H, Raeis-Abdollahi E, Abazari MF, Akrami H, Vakili S, Savardashtaki A, Tajbakhsh A, Sanadgol N, Azarnezhad A, Rahmati L, Abdullahi PR, Zare Karizi S, Safarpour AR. Recent findings on the role of microRNAs in genetic kidney diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:7039-7056. [PMID: 35717474 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07620-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding, endogenous, single-stranded, small (21-25 nucleotides) RNAs. Various target genes at the post-transcriptional stage are modulated by miRNAs that are involved in the regulation of a variety of biological processes such as embryonic development, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and metabolic homeostasis. Abnormal miRNA expression is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of multiple common human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, hepatitis, and metabolic diseases. METHODS AND RESULTS Various signaling pathways including transforming growth factor-β, apoptosis, and Wnt signaling pathways have also been characterized to play an essential role in kidney diseases. Most importantly, miRNA-targeted pharmaceutical manipulation has represented a promising new therapeutic approach against kidney diseases. Furthermore, miRNAs such as miR-30e-5p, miR-98-5p, miR-30d-5p, miR-30a-5p, miR-194-5p, and miR-192-5p may be potentially employed as biomarkers for various human kidney diseases. CONCLUSIONS A significant correlation has also been found between some miRNAs and the clinical markers of renal function like baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Classification of miRNAs in different genetic renal disorders may promote discoveries in developing innovative therapeutic interventions and treatment tools. Herein, the recent advances in miRNAs associated with renal pathogenesis, emphasizing genetic kidney diseases and development, have been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Askari
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Raeis-Abdollahi
- Applied Physiology Research Center, Qom Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Qom Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
| | - Mohammad Foad Abazari
- Research Center for Clinical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hassan Akrami
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sina Vakili
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Tajbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nima Sanadgol
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Asaad Azarnezhad
- Liver and Digestive Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Leila Rahmati
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Payman Raise Abdullahi
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shohreh Zare Karizi
- Department of Biology, Varamin Pishva Branch, Islamic Azad University, Pishva, Varamin, Iran.
| | - Ali Reza Safarpour
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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7
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Crisóstomo L, Bourgery M, Rato L, Raposo JF, Batterham RL, Kotaja N, Alves MG. Testicular “Inherited Metabolic Memory” of Ancestral High-Fat Diet Is Associated with Sperm sncRNA Content. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040909. [PMID: 35453658 PMCID: PMC9027117 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive adiposity caused by high-fat diets (HFDs) is associated with testicular metabolic and functional abnormalities up to grand-offspring, but the mechanisms of this epigenetic inheritance are unclear. Here we describe an association of sperm small non-coding RNA (sncRNA) with testicular “inherited metabolic memory” of ancestral HFD, using a transgenerational rodent model. Male founders were fed a standard chow for 200 days (CTRL), HFD for 200 days (HFD), or standard chow for 60 days followed by HFD for 140 days (HFDt). The male offspring and grand-offspring were fed standard chow for 200 days. The sncRNA sequencing from epidydimal spermatozoa revealed signatures associated with testicular metabolic plasticity in HFD-exposed mice and in the unexposed progeny. Sperm tRNA-derived RNA (tsRNA) and repeat-derived small RNA (repRNA) content were specially affected by HFDt and in the offspring of HFD and HFDt mice. The grand-offspring of HFD and HFDt mice showed lower sperm counts than CTRL descendants, whereas the sperm miRNA content was affected. Although the causality between sperm sncRNAs content and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of HFD-related traits remains elusive, our results suggest that sperm sncRNA content is influenced by ancestral exposure to HFD, contributing to the sperm epigenome up to the grand-offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís Crisóstomo
- Departamento de Anatomia, e UMIB—Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação em Biomedicina, ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.B.); (N.K.)
| | - Matthieu Bourgery
- Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.B.); (N.K.)
| | - Luís Rato
- Polytechnic Institute of Guarda, School of Health, 6300-035 Guarda, Portugal;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - João F. Raposo
- NOVA Medical School, New University Lisbon, 1250-189 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associação Protetora dos Diabéticos de Portugal (APDP), 1250-189 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rachel L. Batterham
- Centre for Obesity Research, Department of Medicine, University College London (UCL), London WC1E 6JF, UK;
- National Institute for Health Research, Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospital (UCLH), London W1T 7DN, UK
| | - Noora Kotaja
- Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.B.); (N.K.)
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Departamento de Anatomia, e UMIB—Unidade Multidisciplinar de Investigação em Biomedicina, ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Unit of Cell Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-967245248
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8
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Dicer promotes genome stability via the bromodomain transcriptional co-activator BRD4. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1001. [PMID: 35194019 PMCID: PMC8863982 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28554-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA interference is required for post-transcriptional silencing, but also has additional roles in transcriptional silencing of centromeres and genome stability. However, these roles have been controversial in mammals. Strikingly, we found that Dicer-deficient embryonic stem cells have strong proliferation and chromosome segregation defects as well as increased transcription of centromeric satellite repeats, which triggers the interferon response. We conducted a CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screen to restore viability and identified transcriptional activators, histone H3K9 methyltransferases, and chromosome segregation factors as suppressors, resembling Dicer suppressors identified in independent screens in fission yeast. The strongest suppressors were mutations in the transcriptional co-activator Brd4, which reversed the strand-specific transcription of major satellite repeats suppressing the interferon response, and in the histone acetyltransferase Elp3. We show that identical mutations in the second bromodomain of Brd4 rescue Dicer-dependent silencing and chromosome segregation defects in both mammalian cells and fission yeast. This remarkable conservation demonstrates that RNA interference has an ancient role in transcriptional silencing and in particular of satellite repeats, which is essential for cell cycle progression and proper chromosome segregation. Our results have pharmacological implications for cancer and autoimmune diseases characterized by unregulated transcription of satellite repeats. While RNA interference is conserved across species, small RNA pathways are very diverse. In this study, Gutbrod et al. find that non-canonical roles of Dicer in genome stability are in fact deeply conserved from yeast to humans.
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9
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Mäkelä JA, Toppari J. Retinoblastoma-E2F Transcription Factor Interplay Is Essential for Testicular Development and Male Fertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:903684. [PMID: 35663332 PMCID: PMC9161260 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.903684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The retinoblastoma (RB) protein family members (pRB, p107 and p130) are key regulators of cell cycle progression, but also play crucial roles in apoptosis, and stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. RB proteins exert their effects through binding to E2F transcription factors, which are essential developmental and physiological regulators of tissue and organ homeostasis. According to the canonical view, phosphorylation of RB results in release of E2Fs and induction of genes needed for progress of the cell cycle. However, there are eight members in the E2F transcription factor family with both activator (E2F1-3a) and repressor (E2F3b-E2F8) roles, highlighting the functional diversity of RB-E2F pathway. In this review article we summarize the data showing that RB-E2F interaction is a key cell-autonomous mechanism responsible for establishment and maintenance of lifelong male fertility. We also review the expression pattern of RB proteins and E2F transcription factors in the testis and male germ cells. The available evidence supports that RB and E2F family members are widely and dynamically expressed in the testis, and they are known to have versatile roles during spermatogenesis. Knowledge of the function and significance of RB-E2F interplay for testicular development and spermatogenesis comes primarily from gene knock-out (KO) studies. Several studies conducted in Sertoli cell-specific pRB-KO mice have demonstrated that pRB-mediated inhibition of E2F3 is essential for Sertoli cell functional maturation and cell cycle exit, highlighting that RB-E2F interaction in Sertoli cells is paramount to male fertility. Similarly, ablation of either pRB or E2F1 in the germline results in progressive testicular atrophy due to germline stem cell (GSC) depletion, emphasizing the importance of proper RB-E2F interplay for germline maintenance and lifelong sperm production. In summary, while balanced RB-E2F interplay is essential for cell-autonomous maintenance of GSCs and, the pRB-E2F3 system in Sertoli cells is critical for providing GSC niche thus laying the basis for spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juho-Antti Mäkelä
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Population Health Research, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
- *Correspondence: Jorma Toppari,
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10
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Chen B, Zhu G, Yan A, He J, Liu Y, Li L, Yang X, Dong C, Kee K. IGSF11 is required for pericentric heterochromatin dissociation during meiotic diplotene. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009778. [PMID: 34491997 PMCID: PMC8448346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Meiosis initiation and progression are regulated by both germ cells and gonadal somatic cells. However, little is known about what genes or proteins connecting somatic and germ cells are required for this regulation. Our results show that deficiency for adhesion molecule IGSF11, which is expressed in both Sertoli cells and germ cells, leads to male infertility in mice. Combining a new meiotic fluorescent reporter system with testicular cell transplantation, we demonstrated that IGSF11 is required in both somatic cells and spermatogenic cells for primary spermatocyte development. In the absence of IGSF11, spermatocytes proceed through pachytene, but the pericentric heterochromatin of nonhomologous chromosomes remains inappropriately clustered from late pachytene onward, resulting in undissolved interchromosomal interactions. Hi-C analysis reveals elevated levels of interchromosomal interactions occurring mostly at the chromosome ends. Collectively, our data elucidates that IGSF11 in somatic cells and germ cells is required for pericentric heterochromatin dissociation during diplotene in mouse primary spermatocytes. For sexually reproducing species, the number of chromosomes in a mature germ cell is half that of a typical somatic cell, and its chromosome sequence is not identical to that of parental cell, these changes result from a highly specialized cell division process named meiosis. In contrast to mitosis, germ cells undergo many meiotic-specific regulatory processes during prophase I of meiosis. In mammals, the development of male and female meiotic germ cells relies on completely different microenvironment provided by sexually specialized gonadal somatic cells, but what gene is required for germ cells and gonadal somatic cells to mediate meiosis progression is largely unclear. Here, we construct a fluorescent reporter to trace meiotic prophase in mice, and use it to examine the requirement of IGSF11 in mediating pericentric heterochromatin dissociation during meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Gengzhen Zhu
- Institute of Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - An Yan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing He
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic & Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuerui Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic & Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Institute of Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Kehkooi Kee
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Thakur J, Packiaraj J, Henikoff S. Sequence, Chromatin and Evolution of Satellite DNA. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094309. [PMID: 33919233 PMCID: PMC8122249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Satellite DNA consists of abundant tandem repeats that play important roles in cellular processes, including chromosome segregation, genome organization and chromosome end protection. Most satellite DNA repeat units are either of nucleosomal length or 5–10 bp long and occupy centromeric, pericentromeric or telomeric regions. Due to high repetitiveness, satellite DNA sequences have largely been absent from genome assemblies. Although few conserved satellite-specific sequence motifs have been identified, DNA curvature, dyad symmetries and inverted repeats are features of various satellite DNAs in several organisms. Satellite DNA sequences are either embedded in highly compact gene-poor heterochromatin or specialized chromatin that is distinct from euchromatin. Nevertheless, some satellite DNAs are transcribed into non-coding RNAs that may play important roles in satellite DNA function. Intriguingly, satellite DNAs are among the most rapidly evolving genomic elements, such that a large fraction is species-specific in most organisms. Here we describe the different classes of satellite DNA sequences, their satellite-specific chromatin features, and how these features may contribute to satellite DNA biology and evolution. We also discuss how the evolution of functional satellite DNA classes may contribute to speciation in plants and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Thakur
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Jenika Packiaraj
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Genetic Insight into the Domain Structure and Functions of Dicer-Type Ribonucleases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020616. [PMID: 33435485 PMCID: PMC7827160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ribonuclease Dicer belongs to the family of RNase III endoribonucleases, the enzymes that specifically hydrolyze phosphodiester bonds found in double-stranded regions of RNAs. Dicer enzymes are mostly known for their essential role in the biogenesis of small regulatory RNAs. A typical Dicer-type RNase consists of a helicase domain, a domain of unknown function (DUF283), a PAZ (Piwi-Argonaute-Zwille) domain, two RNase III domains, and a double-stranded RNA binding domain; however, the domain composition of Dicers varies among species. Dicer and its homologues developed only in eukaryotes; nevertheless, the two enzymatic domains of Dicer, helicase and RNase III, display high sequence similarity to their prokaryotic orthologs. Evolutionary studies indicate that a combination of the helicase and RNase III domains in a single protein is a eukaryotic signature and is supposed to be one of the critical events that triggered the consolidation of the eukaryotic RNA interference. In this review, we provide the genetic insight into the domain organization and structure of Dicer proteins found in vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants and fungi. We also discuss, in the context of the individual domains, domain deletion variants and partner proteins, a variety of Dicers’ functions not only related to small RNA biogenesis pathways.
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Wang C, Lin H. Roles of piRNAs in transposon and pseudogene regulation of germline mRNAs and lncRNAs. Genome Biol 2021; 22:27. [PMID: 33419460 PMCID: PMC7792047 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-020-02221-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins, a subfamily of PAZ/PIWI Domain family RNA-binding proteins, are best known for their function in silencing transposons and germline development by partnering with small noncoding RNAs called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). However, recent studies have revealed multifaceted roles of the PIWI-piRNA pathway in regulating the expression of other major classes of RNAs in germ cells. In this review, we summarize how PIWI proteins and piRNAs regulate the expression of many disparate RNAs, describing a highly complex global genomic regulatory relationship at the RNA level through which piRNAs functionally connect all major constituents of the genome in the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Haifan Lin
- Yale Stem Cell Center and Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06519, USA.
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