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Slongo F, Hauke P, Faccioli P, Micheletti C. Quantum-inspired encoding enhances stochastic sampling of soft matter systems. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi0204. [PMID: 37878707 PMCID: PMC10599611 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Quantum advantage in solving physical problems is still hard to assess due to hardware limitations. However, algorithms designed for quantum computers may engender transformative frameworks for modeling and simulating paradigmatically hard systems. Here, we show that the quadratic unconstrained binary optimization encoding enables tackling classical many-body systems that are challenging for conventional Monte Carlo. Specifically, in self-assembled melts of rigid lattice ring polymers, the combination of high density, chain stiffness, and topological constraints results in divergent autocorrelation times for real-space Monte Carlo. Our quantum-inspired encoding overcomes this problem and enables sampling melts of lattice rings with fixed curvature and compactness, unveiling counterintuitive topological effects. Tackling the same problems with the D-Wave quantum annealer leads to substantial performance improvements and advantageous scaling of sampling computational cost with the size of the self-assembled ring melts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Slongo
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Philipp Hauke
- Pitaevskii BEC Center, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
- INFN-TIFPA, Via Sommarive 14, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Pietro Faccioli
- Department of Physics and BiQuTe Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, I-20126 Milan, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, I-38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Cristian Micheletti
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Italy
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2
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Herbert A. Flipons and small RNAs accentuate the asymmetries of pervasive transcription by the reset and sequence-specific microcoding of promoter conformation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105140. [PMID: 37544644 PMCID: PMC10474125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105140] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of alternate DNA conformations such as Z-DNA in the regulation of transcription is currently underappreciated. These structures are encoded by sequences called flipons, many of which are enriched in promoter and enhancer regions. Through a change in their conformation, flipons provide a tunable mechanism to mechanically reset promoters for the next round of transcription. They act as actuators that capture and release energy to ensure that the turnover of the proteins at promoters is optimized to cell state. Likewise, the single-stranded DNA formed as flipons cycle facilitates the docking of RNAs that are able to microcode promoter conformations and canalize the pervasive transcription commonly observed in metazoan genomes. The strand-specific nature of the interaction between RNA and DNA likely accounts for the known asymmetry of epigenetic marks present on the histone tetramers that pair to form nucleosomes. The role of these supercoil-dependent processes in promoter choice and transcriptional interference is reviewed. The evolutionary implications are examined: the resilience and canalization of flipon-dependent gene regulation is contrasted with the rapid adaptation enabled by the spread of flipon repeats throughout the genome. Overall, the current findings underscore the important role of flipons in modulating the readout of genetic information and how little we know about their biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Herbert
- Discovery Division, InsideOutBio, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
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3
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Bartas M, Slychko K, Červeň J, Pečinka P, Arndt-Jovin DJ, Jovin TM. Extensive Bioinformatics Analyses Reveal a Phylogenetically Conserved Winged Helix (WH) Domain (Zτ) of Topoisomerase IIα, Elucidating Its Very High Affinity for Left-Handed Z-DNA and Suggesting Novel Putative Functions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10740. [PMID: 37445918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The dynamic processes operating on genomic DNA, such as gene expression and cellular division, lead inexorably to topological challenges in the form of entanglements, catenanes, knots, "bubbles", R-loops, and other outcomes of supercoiling and helical disruption. The resolution of toxic topological stress is the function attributed to DNA topoisomerases. A prominent example is the negative supercoiling (nsc) trailing processive enzymes such as DNA and RNA polymerases. The multiple equilibrium states that nscDNA can adopt by redistribution of helical twist and writhe include the left-handed double-helical conformation known as Z-DNA. Thirty years ago, one of our labs isolated a protein from Drosophila cells and embryos with a 100-fold greater affinity for Z-DNA than for B-DNA, and identified it as topoisomerase II (gene Top2, orthologous to the human UniProt proteins TOP2A and TOP2B). GTP increased the affinity and selectivity for Z-DNA even further and also led to inhibition of the isomerase enzymatic activity. An allosteric mechanism was proposed, in which topoII acts as a Z-DNA-binding protein (ZBP) to stabilize given states of topological (sub)domains and associated multiprotein complexes. We have now explored this possibility by comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of the available protein sequences of topoII representing organisms covering the whole tree of life. Multiple alignment of these sequences revealed an extremely high level of evolutionary conservation, including a winged-helix protein segment, here denoted as Zτ, constituting the putative structural homolog of Zα, the canonical Z-DNA/Z-RNA binding domain previously identified in the interferon-inducible RNA Adenosine-to-Inosine-editing deaminase, ADAR1p150. In contrast to Zα, which is separate from the protein segment responsible for catalysis, Zτ encompasses the active site tyrosine of topoII; a GTP-binding site and a GxxG sequence motif are in close proximity. Quantitative Zτ-Zα similarity comparisons and molecular docking with interaction scoring further supported the "B-Z-topoII hypothesis" and has led to an expanded mechanism for topoII function incorporating the recognition of Z-DNA segments ("Z-flipons") as an inherent and essential element. We further propose that the two Zτ domains of the topoII homodimer exhibit a single-turnover "conformase" activity on given G(ate) B-DNA segments ("Z-flipins"), inducing their transition to the left-handed Z-conformation. Inasmuch as the topoII-Z-DNA complexes are isomerase inactive, we infer that they fulfill important structural roles in key processes such as mitosis. Topoisomerases are preeminent targets of anti-cancer drug discovery, and we anticipate that detailed elucidation of their structural-functional interactions with Z-DNA and GTP will facilitate the design of novel, more potent and selective anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bartas
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Slychko
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Červeň
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Pečinka
- Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava, 710 00 Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Donna J Arndt-Jovin
- Emeritus Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas M Jovin
- Emeritus Laboratory of Cellular Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
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4
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Tagliabue A, Micheletti C, Mella M. Tuning Knotted Copolyelectrolyte Conformations via Solution Properties. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Tagliabue
- Dipartimento di Scienza ed Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100Como, Italy
- SISSA (Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati), via Bonomea 265, 34136Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristian Micheletti
- SISSA (Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati), via Bonomea 265, 34136Trieste, Italy
| | - Massimo Mella
- Dipartimento di Scienza ed Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell’Insubria, via Valleggio 11, 22100Como, Italy
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5
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Morao AK, Kim J, Obaji D, Sun S, Ercan S. Topoisomerases I and II facilitate condensin DC translocation to organize and repress X chromosomes in C. elegans. Mol Cell 2022; 82:4202-4217.e5. [PMID: 36302374 PMCID: PMC9837612 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.10.002] [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: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Condensins are evolutionarily conserved molecular motors that translocate along DNA and form loops. To address how DNA topology affects condensin translocation, we applied auxin-inducible degradation of topoisomerases I and II and analyzed the binding and function of an interphase condensin that mediates X chromosome dosage compensation in C. elegans. TOP-2 depletion reduced long-range spreading of condensin-DC (dosage compensation) from its recruitment sites and shortened 3D DNA contacts measured by Hi-C. TOP-1 depletion did not affect long-range spreading but resulted in condensin-DC accumulation within expressed gene bodies. Both TOP-1 and TOP-2 depletion resulted in X chromosome derepression, indicating that condensin-DC translocation at both scales is required for its function. Together, the distinct effects of TOP-1 and TOP-2 suggest two distinct modes of condensin-DC association with chromatin: long-range DNA loop extrusion that requires decatenation/unknotting of DNA and short-range translocation across genes that requires resolution of transcription-induced supercoiling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Karina Morao
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
| | - Jun Kim
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Daniel Obaji
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Siyu Sun
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Sevinç Ercan
- Department of Biology, Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
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6
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Jeong J, Lee JH, Carcamo CC, Parker MW, Berger JM. DNA-Stimulated Liquid-Liquid phase separation by eukaryotic topoisomerase ii modulates catalytic function. eLife 2022; 11:e81786. [PMID: 36342377 PMCID: PMC9674351 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81786] [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: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II topoisomerases modulate chromosome supercoiling, condensation, and catenation by moving one double-stranded DNA segment through a transient break in a second duplex. How DNA strands are chosen and selectively passed to yield appropriate topological outcomes - for example, decatenation vs. catenation - is poorly understood. Here, we show that at physiological enzyme concentrations, eukaryotic type IIA topoisomerases (topo IIs) readily coalesce into condensed bodies. DNA stimulates condensation and fluidizes these assemblies to impart liquid-like behavior. Condensation induces both budding yeast and human topo IIs to switch from DNA unlinking to active DNA catenation, and depends on an unstructured C-terminal region, the loss of which leads to high levels of knotting and reduced catenation. Our findings establish that local protein concentration and phase separation can regulate how topo II creates or dissolves DNA links, behaviors that can account for the varied roles of the enzyme in supporting transcription, replication, and chromosome compaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Jeong
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Joyce H Lee
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Claudia C Carcamo
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Matthew W Parker
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasUnited States
| | - James M Berger
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreUnited States
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7
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Abstract
The compaction of linear DNA into micrometer-sized nuclear boundaries involves the establishment of specific three-dimensional (3D) DNA structures complexed with histone proteins that form chromatin. The resulting structures modulate essential nuclear processes such as transcription, replication, and repair to facilitate or impede their multi-step progression and these contribute to dynamic modification of the 3D-genome organization. It is generally accepted that protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions form the basis of 3D-genome organization. However, the constant generation of mechanical forces, torques, and other stresses produced by various proteins translocating along DNA could be playing a larger role in genome organization than currently appreciated. Clearly, a thorough understanding of the mechanical determinants imposed by DNA transactions on the 3D organization of the genome is required. We provide here an overview of our current knowledge and highlight the importance of DNA and chromatin mechanics in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Kumar Jha
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Nci/nih, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - David Levens
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Nci/nih, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Fedor Kouzine
- Gene Regulation Section, Laboratory of Pathology, Nci/nih, Bethesda, MD USA
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8
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Roca J, Dyson S, Segura J, Valdés A, Martínez-García B. Keeping intracellular DNA untangled: A new role for condensin? Bioessays 2021; 44:e2100187. [PMID: 34761394 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The DNA-passage activity of topoisomerase II accidentally produces DNA knots and interlinks within and between chromatin fibers. Fortunately, these unwanted DNA entanglements are actively removed by some mechanism. Here we present an outline on DNA knot formation and discuss recent studies that have investigated how intracellular DNA knots are removed. First, although topoisomerase II is able to minimize DNA entanglements in vitro to below equilibrium values, it is unclear whether such capacity performs equally in vivo in chromatinized DNA. Second, DNA supercoiling could bias topoisomerase II to untangle the DNA. However, experimental evidence indicates that transcriptional supercoiling of intracellular DNA boosts knot formation. Last, cohesin and condensin could tighten DNA entanglements via DNA loop extrusion (LE) and force their dissolution by topoisomerase II. Recent observations indicate that condensin activity promotes the removal of DNA knots during interphase and mitosis. This activity might facilitate the spatial organization and dynamics of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Roca
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Dyson
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joana Segura
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Valdés
- Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Belén Martínez-García
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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9
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Orlandini E, Micheletti C. Topological and physical links in soft matter systems. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 34:013002. [PMID: 34547745 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/ac28bf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Linking, or multicomponent topological entanglement, is ubiquitous in soft matter systems, from mixtures of polymers and DNA filaments packedin vivoto interlocked line defects in liquid crystals and intertwined synthetic molecules. Yet, it is only relatively recently that theoretical and experimental advancements have made it possible to probe such entanglements and elucidate their impact on the physical properties of the systems. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of this rapidly expanding subject and organize it as follows. First, we present the main concepts and notions, from topological linking to physical linking and then consider the salient manifestations of molecular linking, from synthetic to biological ones. We next cover the main physical models addressing mutual entanglements in mixtures of polymers, both linear and circular. Finally, we consider liquid crystals, fluids and other non-filamentous systems where topological or physical entanglements are observed in defect or flux lines. We conclude with a perspective on open challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Orlandini
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padova and Sezione INFN, Via Marzolo 8, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristian Micheletti
- SISSA, International School for Advanced Studies, via Bonomea 265, Trieste, Italy
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10
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Neguembor MV, Martin L, Castells-García Á, Gómez-García PA, Vicario C, Carnevali D, AlHaj Abed J, Granados A, Sebastian-Perez R, Sottile F, Solon J, Wu CT, Lakadamyali M, Cosma MP. Transcription-mediated supercoiling regulates genome folding and loop formation. Mol Cell 2021; 81:3065-3081.e12. [PMID: 34297911 PMCID: PMC9482096 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The chromatin fiber folds into loops, but the mechanisms controlling loop extrusion are still poorly understood. Using super-resolution microscopy, we visualize that loops in intact nuclei are formed by a scaffold of cohesin complexes from which the DNA protrudes. RNA polymerase II decorates the top of the loops and is physically segregated from cohesin. Augmented looping upon increased loading of cohesin on chromosomes causes disruption of Lamin at the nuclear rim and chromatin blending, a homogeneous distribution of chromatin within the nucleus. Altering supercoiling via either transcription or topoisomerase inhibition counteracts chromatin blending, increases chromatin condensation, disrupts loop formation, and leads to altered cohesin distribution and mobility on chromatin. Overall, negative supercoiling generated by transcription is an important regulator of loop formation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Neguembor
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Martin
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Álvaro Castells-García
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, China
| | - Pablo Aurelio Gómez-García
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Vicario
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Davide Carnevali
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Alba Granados
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruben Sebastian-Perez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesco Sottile
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jérôme Solon
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), Basque Excellence Research Centre, Barrio Sarriena, 48940, Leioa, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Chao-Ting Wu
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Melike Lakadamyali
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Maria Pia Cosma
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 510005, China; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Dr Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain; CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.
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11
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DNA-Topology Simplification by Topoisomerases. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113375. [PMID: 34204901 PMCID: PMC8199745 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The topological properties of DNA molecules, supercoiling, knotting, and catenation, are intimately connected with essential biological processes, such as gene expression, replication, recombination, and chromosome segregation. Non-trivial DNA topologies present challenges to the molecular machines that process and maintain genomic information, for example, by creating unwanted DNA entanglements. At the same time, topological distortion can facilitate DNA-sequence recognition through localized duplex unwinding and longer-range loop-mediated interactions between the DNA sequences. Topoisomerases are a special class of essential enzymes that homeostatically manage DNA topology through the passage of DNA strands. The activities of these enzymes are generally investigated using circular DNA as a model system, in which case it is possible to directly assay the formation and relaxation of DNA supercoils and the formation/resolution of knots and catenanes. Some topoisomerases use ATP as an energy cofactor, whereas others act in an ATP-independent manner. The free energy of ATP hydrolysis can be used to drive negative and positive supercoiling or to specifically relax DNA topologies to levels below those that are expected at thermodynamic equilibrium. The latter activity, which is known as topology simplification, is thus far exclusively associated with type-II topoisomerases and it can be understood through insight into the detailed non-equilibrium behavior of type-II enzymes. We use a non-equilibrium topological-network approach, which stands in contrast to the equilibrium models that are conventionally used in the DNA-topology field, to gain insights into the rates that govern individual transitions between topological states. We anticipate that our quantitative approach will stimulate experimental work and the theoretical/computational modeling of topoisomerases and similar enzyme systems.
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12
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Di Stefano M, Nützmann HW, Marti-Renom M, Jost D. Polymer modelling unveils the roles of heterochromatin and nucleolar organizing regions in shaping 3D genome organization in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:1840-1858. [PMID: 33444439 PMCID: PMC7913674 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa1275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3D genome is characterized by a complex organization made of genomic and epigenomic layers with profound implications on gene regulation and cell function. However, the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms driving the crosstalk between nuclear architecture and (epi)genomic information is still lacking. The plant Arabidopsis thaliana is a powerful model organism to address these questions owing to its compact genome for which we have a rich collection of microscopy, chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and ChIP-seq experiments. Using polymer modelling, we investigate the roles of nucleolus formation and epigenomics-driven interactions in shaping the 3D genome of A. thaliana. By validation of several predictions with published data, we demonstrate that self-attracting nucleolar organizing regions and repulsive constitutive heterochromatin are major mechanisms to regulate the organization of chromosomes. Simulations also suggest that interphase chromosomes maintain a partial structural memory of the V-shapes, typical of (sub)metacentric chromosomes in anaphase. Additionally, self-attraction between facultative heterochromatin regions facilitates the formation of Polycomb bodies hosting H3K27me3-enriched gene-clusters. Since nucleolus and heterochromatin are highly-conserved in eukaryotic cells, our findings pave the way for a comprehensive characterization of the generic principles that are likely to shape and regulate the 3D genome in many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Di Stefano
- CNAG-CRG, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hans-Wilhelm Nützmann
- The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Marc A Marti-Renom
- CNAG-CRG, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- CRG, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Jost
- Université de Lyon, ENS de Lyon, Univ Claude Bernard, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, Lyon, France
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13
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Dyson S, Segura J, Martínez‐García B, Valdés A, Roca J. Condensin minimizes topoisomerase II-mediated entanglements of DNA in vivo. EMBO J 2021; 40:e105393. [PMID: 33155682 PMCID: PMC7780148 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2020105393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The juxtaposition of intracellular DNA segments, together with the DNA-passage activity of topoisomerase II, leads to the formation of DNA knots and interlinks, which jeopardize chromatin structure and gene expression. Recent studies in budding yeast have shown that some mechanism minimizes the knotting probability of intracellular DNA. Here, we tested whether this is achieved via the intrinsic capacity of topoisomerase II for simplifying the equilibrium topology of DNA; or whether it is mediated by SMC (structural maintenance of chromosomes) protein complexes like condensin or cohesin, whose capacity to extrude DNA loops could enforce dissolution of DNA knots by topoisomerase II. We show that the low knotting probability of DNA does not depend on the simplification capacity of topoisomerase II nor on the activities of cohesin or Smc5/6 complexes. However, inactivation of condensin increases the occurrence of DNA knots throughout the cell cycle. These results suggest an in vivo role for the DNA loop extrusion activity of condensin and may explain why condensin disruption produces a variety of alterations in interphase chromatin, in addition to persistent sister chromatid interlinks in mitotic chromatin.
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Grants
- BFU2015-67007-P Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO)
- PID2019-109482GB-I00 Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO)
- BES-2016-077806 Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO)
- BES-2012-061167 Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO)
- BES-2015-071597 Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, Gobierno de España (MINECO)
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Dyson
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB)Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Joana Segura
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB)Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Belén Martínez‐García
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB)Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Antonio Valdés
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB)Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Joaquim Roca
- Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB)Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
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14
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El Houdaigui B, Meyer S. TwisTranscripT: stochastic simulation of the transcription-supercoiling coupling. Bioinformatics 2020; 36:3899-3901. [PMID: 32232442 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaa221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Transcription and DNA supercoiling are involved in a complex, dynamical and non-linear coupling that results from the basal interaction between DNA and RNA polymerase. We present the first software to simulate this coupling, applicable to a wide range of bacterial organisms. TwisTranscripT allows quantifying its contribution in global transcriptional regulation, and provides a mechanistic basis for the widely observed, evolutionarily conserved and currently unexplained co-regulation of adjacent operons that might play an important role in genome evolution. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION TwisTranscripT is freely available at https://github.com/sammeyer2017/TwisTranscripT. It is implemented in Python3 and supported on MacOS X, Linux and Windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilal El Houdaigui
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Adaptation et Pathogénie, CNRS UMR5240, Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Sam Meyer
- Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Adaptation et Pathogénie, CNRS UMR5240, Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
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15
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Abstract
DNA-replication machinery introduces intertwining and supercoiling of DNA strands as it traverses the double helix, which could impede replication and compromise genome stability. A new study in Cell shows that the intrinsic physical properties of chromatin fibers dictate how torsional stress is partitioned to minimize these risks and facilitate DNA replication.
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16
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Le TT, Gao X, Park SH, Lee J, Inman JT, Lee JH, Killian JL, Badman RP, Berger JM, Wang MD. Synergistic Coordination of Chromatin Torsional Mechanics and Topoisomerase Activity. Cell 2020; 179:619-631.e15. [PMID: 31626768 PMCID: PMC6899335 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
DNA replication in eukaryotes generates DNA supercoiling, which may intertwine (braid) daughter chromatin fibers to form precatenanes, posing topological challenges during chromosome segregation. The mechanisms that limit precatenane formation remain unclear. By making direct torque measurements, we demonstrate that the intrinsic mechanical properties of chromatin play a fundamental role in dictating precatenane formation and regulating chromatin topology. Whereas a single chromatin fiber is torsionally soft, a braided fiber is torsionally stiff, indicating that supercoiling on chromatin substrates is preferentially directed in front of the fork during replication. We further show that topoisomerase II relaxation displays a strong preference for a single chromatin fiber over a braided fiber. These results suggest a synergistic coordination-the mechanical properties of chromatin inherently suppress precatenane formation during replication elongation by driving DNA supercoiling ahead of the fork, where supercoiling is more efficiently removed by topoisomerase II. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung T Le
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Xiang Gao
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Seong Ha Park
- Biophysics Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jaeyoon Lee
- Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - James T Inman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Joyce H Lee
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jessica L Killian
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ryan P Badman
- Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - James M Berger
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Michelle D Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Physics Department & LASSP, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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17
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Rosa A, Di Stefano M, Micheletti C. Topological Constraints in Eukaryotic Genomes and How They Can Be Exploited to Improve Spatial Models of Chromosomes. Front Mol Biosci 2019; 6:127. [PMID: 31803755 PMCID: PMC6873889 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2019.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Rosa
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco Di Stefano
- Centre Nacional d'Anàlisi Genòmica-Centre de Regulació Genòmica, Barcelona, Spain
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