1
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Wang X, Heckel G. Genome-wide relaxation of selection and the evolution of the island syndrome in Orkney voles. Genome Res 2024; 34:851-862. [PMID: 38955466 PMCID: PMC11293545 DOI: 10.1101/gr.278487.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Island populations often experience different ecological and demographic conditions than their counterparts on the continent, resulting in divergent evolutionary forces affecting their genomes. Random genetic drift and selection both may leave their imprints on island populations, although the relative impact depends strongly on the specific conditions. Here we address their contributions to the island syndrome in a rodent with an unusually clear history of isolation. Common voles (Microtus arvalis) were introduced by humans on the Orkney archipelago north of Scotland >5000 years ago and rapidly evolved to exceptionally large size. Our analyses show that the genomes of Orkney voles were dominated by genetic drift, with extremely low diversity, variable Tajima's D, and very high divergence from continental conspecifics. Increased d N/d S ratios over a wide range of genes in Orkney voles indicated genome-wide relaxation of purifying selection. We found evidence of hard sweeps on key genes of the lipid metabolism pathway only in continental voles. The marked increase of body size in Orkney-a typical phenomenon of the island syndrome-may thus be associated to the relaxation of positive selection on genes related to this pathway. On the other hand, a hard sweep on immune genes of Orkney voles likely reflects the divergent ecological conditions and possibly the history of human introduction. The long-term isolated Orkney voles show that adaptive changes may still impact the evolutionary trajectories of such populations despite the pervasive consequences of genetic drift at the genome level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejing Wang
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gerald Heckel
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland;
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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2
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Haase MAB, Lazar-Stefanita L, Ólafsson G, Wudzinska A, Shen MJ, Truong DM, Boeke JD. macroH2A1 drives nucleosome dephasing and genome instability in histone humanized yeast. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114472. [PMID: 38990716 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114472] [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: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In addition to replicative histones, eukaryotic genomes encode a repertoire of non-replicative variant histones, providing additional layers of structural and epigenetic regulation. Here, we systematically replace individual replicative human histones with non-replicative human variant histones using a histone replacement system in yeast. We show that variants H2A.J, TsH2B, and H3.5 complement their respective replicative counterparts. However, macroH2A1 fails to complement, and its overexpression is toxic in yeast, negatively interacting with yeast's native histones and kinetochore genes. To isolate yeast with macroH2A1 chromatin, we uncouple the effects of its macro and histone fold domains, revealing that both domains suffice to override native nucleosome positioning. Furthermore, both uncoupled constructs of macroH2A1 exhibit lower nucleosome occupancy, decreased short-range chromatin interactions (<20 kb), disrupted centromeric clustering, and increased chromosome instability. Our observations demonstrate that lack of a canonical histone H2A dramatically alters chromatin organization in yeast, leading to genome instability and substantial fitness defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max A B Haase
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Luciana Lazar-Stefanita
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Guðjón Ólafsson
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Aleksandra Wudzinska
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael J Shen
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - David M Truong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
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3
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Singh S, Anderson N, Chu D, Roy SW. Nematode histone H2A variant evolution reveals diverse histories of retention and loss and evidence for conserved core-like variant histone genes. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300190. [PMID: 38814971 PMCID: PMC11139335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone variants are paralogs that replace canonical histones in nucleosomes, often imparting novel functions. However, how histone variants arise and evolve is poorly understood. Reconstruction of histone protein evolution is challenging due to large differences in evolutionary rates across gene lineages and sites. Here we used intron position data from 108 nematode genomes in combination with amino acid sequence data to find disparate evolutionary histories of the three H2A variants found in Caenorhabditis elegans: the ancient H2A.ZHTZ-1, the sperm-specific HTAS-1, and HIS-35, which differs from the canonical S-phase H2A by a single glycine-to-alanine C-terminal change. Although the H2A.ZHTZ-1 protein sequence is highly conserved, its gene exhibits recurrent intron gain and loss. This pattern suggests that specific intron sequences or positions may not be important to H2A.Z functionality. For HTAS-1 and HIS-35, we find variant-specific intron positions that are conserved across species. Patterns of intron position conservation indicate that the sperm-specific variant HTAS-1 arose more recently in the ancestor of a subset of Caenorhabditis species, while HIS-35 arose in the ancestor of Caenorhabditis and its sister group, including the genus Diploscapter. HIS-35 exhibits gene retention in some descendent lineages but gene loss in others, suggesting that histone variant use or functionality can be highly flexible. Surprisingly, we find the single amino acid differentiating HIS-35 from core H2A is ancestral and common across canonical Caenorhabditis H2A sequences. Thus, we speculate that the role of HIS-35 lies not in encoding a functionally distinct protein, but instead in enabling H2A expression across the cell cycle or in distinct tissues. This work illustrates how genes encoding such partially-redundant functions may be advantageous yet relatively replaceable over evolutionary timescales, consistent with the patchwork pattern of retention and loss of both genes. Our study shows the utility of intron positions for reconstructing evolutionary histories of gene families, particularly those undergoing idiosyncratic sequence evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swadha Singh
- Quantitative & Systems Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, California, United States of America
| | - Noelle Anderson
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Diana Chu
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Scott W. Roy
- Quantitative & Systems Biology, University of California, Merced, Merced, California, United States of America
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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4
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Bell CG. Epigenomic insights into common human disease pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:178. [PMID: 38602535 PMCID: PMC11008083 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05206-2] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The epigenome-the chemical modifications and chromatin-related packaging of the genome-enables the same genetic template to be activated or repressed in different cellular settings. This multi-layered mechanism facilitates cell-type specific function by setting the local sequence and 3D interactive activity level. Gene transcription is further modulated through the interplay with transcription factors and co-regulators. The human body requires this epigenomic apparatus to be precisely installed throughout development and then adequately maintained during the lifespan. The causal role of the epigenome in human pathology, beyond imprinting disorders and specific tumour suppressor genes, was further brought into the spotlight by large-scale sequencing projects identifying that mutations in epigenomic machinery genes could be critical drivers in both cancer and developmental disorders. Abrogation of this cellular mechanism is providing new molecular insights into pathogenesis. However, deciphering the full breadth and implications of these epigenomic changes remains challenging. Knowledge is accruing regarding disease mechanisms and clinical biomarkers, through pathogenically relevant and surrogate tissue analyses, respectively. Advances include consortia generated cell-type specific reference epigenomes, high-throughput DNA methylome association studies, as well as insights into ageing-related diseases from biological 'clocks' constructed by machine learning algorithms. Also, 3rd-generation sequencing is beginning to disentangle the complexity of genetic and DNA modification haplotypes. Cell-free DNA methylation as a cancer biomarker has clear clinical utility and further potential to assess organ damage across many disorders. Finally, molecular understanding of disease aetiology brings with it the opportunity for exact therapeutic alteration of the epigenome through CRISPR-activation or inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Bell
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
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5
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Henriques WS, Young JM, Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Wiedenheft B, Malik HS. The Diverse Evolutionary Histories of Domesticated Metaviral Capsid Genes in Mammals. Mol Biol Evol 2024; 41:msae061. [PMID: 38507667 PMCID: PMC11011659 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msae061] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Selfish genetic elements comprise significant fractions of mammalian genomes. In rare instances, host genomes domesticate segments of these elements for function. Using a complete human genome assembly and 25 additional vertebrate genomes, we re-analyzed the evolutionary trajectories and functional potential of capsid (CA) genes domesticated from Metaviridae, a lineage of retrovirus-like retrotransposons. Our study expands on previous analyses to unearth several new insights about the evolutionary histories of these ancient genes. We find that at least five independent domestication events occurred from diverse Metaviridae, giving rise to three universally retained single-copy genes evolving under purifying selection and two gene families unique to placental mammals, with multiple members showing evidence of rapid evolution. In the SIRH/RTL family, we find diverse amino-terminal domains, widespread loss of protein-coding capacity in RTL10 despite its retention in several mammalian lineages, and differential utilization of an ancient programmed ribosomal frameshift in RTL3 between the domesticated CA and protease domains. Our analyses also reveal that most members of the PNMA family in mammalian genomes encode a conserved putative amino-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD) both adjoining and independent from domesticated CA domains. Our analyses lead to a significant correction of previous annotations of the essential CCDC8 gene. We show that this putative RBD is also present in several extant Metaviridae, revealing a novel protein domain configuration in retrotransposons. Collectively, our study reveals the divergent outcomes of multiple domestication events from diverse Metaviridae in the common ancestor of placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Henriques
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Janet M Young
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Harmit S Malik
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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6
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Lai PM, Chan KM. Roles of Histone H2A Variants in Cancer Development, Prognosis, and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3144. [PMID: 38542118 PMCID: PMC10969971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Histones are nuclear proteins essential for packaging genomic DNA and epigenetic gene regulation. Paralogs that can substitute core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4), named histone variants, are constitutively expressed in a replication-independent manner throughout the cell cycle. With specific chaperones, they can be incorporated to chromatin to modify nucleosome stability by modulating interactions with nucleosomal DNA. This allows the regulation of essential fundamental cellular processes for instance, DNA damage repair, chromosomal segregation, and transcriptional regulation. Among all the histone families, histone H2A family has the largest number of histone variants reported to date. Each H2A variant has multiple functions apart from their primary role and some, even be further specialized to perform additional tasks in distinct lineages, such as testis specific shortH2A (sH2A). In the past decades, the discoveries of genetic alterations and mutations in genes encoding H2A variants in cancer had revealed variants' potentiality in driving carcinogenesis. In addition, there is growing evidence that H2A variants may act as novel prognostic indicators or biomarkers for both early cancer detection and therapeutic treatments. Nevertheless, no studies have ever concluded all identified variants in a single report. Here, in this review, we summarize the respective functions for all the 19 mammalian H2A variants and their roles in cancer biology whilst potentiality being used in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kui Ming Chan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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7
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Liu Y, Bai S, Li X, Jin C, Wang Z, Zhai J, Li W, Li H, Liu J, Zhang Q. Chronic low salinity stress rescued masculinization effect in farmed Cynoglossus semilaevis population. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116074. [PMID: 38290369 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Salinity, being an indispensable abiotic factor crucial for the survival of marine organisms, has demonstrated diverse alterations globally in response to the current trend of global warming. In this study, the effect of chronic low salinity stress on teleosts' sex differentiation was investigated using Cynoglossus semilaevis, an economically important fish with both genetic and environmental sex determination system. The cultivation experiment was conducted employing artificially simulated seawater of 20 ppt and ambient sea water of 30 ppt to rear juveniles C. semilaevis. Throughout the experiment, the growth performance was assessed and the histology of gonadal development was examined, a significantly lower masculinization rate was observed in LS group. To gain further insights, transcriptome analysis was conducted using raw reads obtained from 53 libraries derived from gonads of 55 days post fertilization (dpf) and 100 dpf juveniles in both LS and CT groups. GO/KEGG enrichment were further proceeded, Terms and pathways involved in reproduction ability, germ cell proliferation, immune function, steroid metabolism etc., were illuminated and a possible crosstalk between HPI and HPG axis was proposed. WGCNA was conducted and two hub genes, hspb8-like and Histone H2A.V were exhibited to be of great significance in the changes of masculinization rate. Our findings provided solid reference for sex differentiation study of GSD + ESD species in a constantly changing ocean environment, as well as practice guiding significance for the environmental management for the culture of C. semilaevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shujun Bai
- Laboratory of Fisheries Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Chaofan Jin
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Zhigang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jieming Zhai
- Laizhou Mingbo Aquatic Co., Ltd., Laizhou, China
| | - Wensheng Li
- Laizhou Mingbo Aquatic Co., Ltd., Laizhou, China
| | - Hengde Li
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genomics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing Key Laboratory of Fishery Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141, China
| | - Jinxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, China.
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory of Tropical Marine Germplasm Resources and Breeding Engineering, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya, China.
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8
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Oleinikov PD, Fedulova AS, Armeev GA, Motorin NA, Singh-Palchevskaia L, Sivkina AL, Feskin PG, Glukhov GS, Afonin DA, Komarova GA, Kirpichnikov MP, Studitsky VM, Feofanov AV, Shaytan AK. Interactions of Nucleosomes with Acidic Patch-Binding Peptides: A Combined Structural Bioinformatics, Molecular Modeling, Fluorescence Polarization, and Single-Molecule FRET Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15194. [PMID: 37894874 PMCID: PMC10606924 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015194] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic organisms, genomic DNA associates with histone proteins to form nucleosomes. Nucleosomes provide a basis for genome compaction, epigenetic markup, and mediate interactions of nuclear proteins with their target DNA loci. A negatively charged (acidic) patch located on the H2A-H2B histone dimer is a characteristic feature of the nucleosomal surface. The acidic patch is a common site in the attachment of various chromatin proteins, including viral ones. Acidic patch-binding peptides present perspective compounds that can be used to modulate chromatin functioning by disrupting interactions of nucleosomes with natural proteins or alternatively targeting artificial moieties to the nucleosomes, which may be beneficial for the development of new therapeutics. In this work, we used several computational and experimental techniques to improve our understanding of how peptides may bind to the acidic patch and what are the consequences of their binding. Through extensive analysis of the PDB database, histone sequence analysis, and molecular dynamic simulations, we elucidated common binding patterns and key interactions that stabilize peptide-nucleosome complexes. Through MD simulations and FRET measurements, we characterized changes in nucleosome dynamics conferred by peptide binding. Using fluorescence polarization and gel electrophoresis, we evaluated the affinity and specificity of the LANA1-22 peptide to DNA and nucleosomes. Taken together, our study provides new insights into the different patterns of intermolecular interactions that can be employed by natural and designed peptides to bind to nucleosomes, and the effects of peptide binding on nucleosome dynamics and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel D. Oleinikov
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Grigoriy A. Armeev
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Nikita A. Motorin
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Anastasiia L. Sivkina
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Structural-Functional Organization of Chromosomes, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334 Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel G. Feskin
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Grigory S. Glukhov
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, MSU-BIT Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Dmitry A. Afonin
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina A. Komarova
- Department of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasily M. Studitsky
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
| | - Alexey V. Feofanov
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey K. Shaytan
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
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9
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Henriques WS, Young JM, Nemudryi A, Nemudraia A, Wiedenheft B, Malik HS. The diverse evolutionary histories of domesticated metaviral capsid genes in mammals. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.17.558119. [PMID: 37745568 PMCID: PMC10516033 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.17.558119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Selfish genetic elements and their remnants comprise at least half of the human genome. Active transposons duplicate by inserting copies at new sites in a host genome. Following insertion, transposons can acquire mutations that render them inactive; the accrual of additional mutations can render them unrecognizable over time. However, in rare instances, segments of transposons become useful for the host, in a process called gene domestication. Using the first complete human genome assembly and 25 additional vertebrate genomes, we analyzed the evolutionary trajectories and functional potential of genes domesticated from the capsid genes of Metaviridae, a retroviral-like retrotransposon family. Our analysis reveals four families of domesticated capsid genes in placental mammals with varied evolutionary outcomes, ranging from universal retention to lineage-specific duplications or losses and from purifying selection to lineage-specific rapid evolution. The four families of domesticated capsid genes have divergent amino-terminal domains, inherited from four distinct ancestral metaviruses. Structural predictions reveal that many domesticated genes encode a previously unrecognized RNA-binding domain retained in multiple paralogs in mammalian genomes both adjacent to and independent from the capsid domain. Collectively, our study reveals diverse outcomes of domestication of diverse metaviruses, which led to structurally and evolutionarily diverse genes that encode important, but still largely-unknown functions in placental mammals. (207).
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Affiliation(s)
- William S. Henriques
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Janet M. Young
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109
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10
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Kirkiz E, Meers O, Grebien F, Buschbeck M. Histone Variants and Their Chaperones in Hematological Malignancies. Hemasphere 2023; 7:e927. [PMID: 37449197 PMCID: PMC10337764 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation occurs on the level of compacting DNA into chromatin. The functional unit of chromatin is the nucleosome, which consists of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins. While canonical histone proteins are incorporated into chromatin through a replication-coupled process, structural variants of histones, commonly named histone variants, are deposited into chromatin in a replication-independent manner. Specific chaperones and chromatin remodelers mediate the locus-specific deposition of histone variants. Although histone variants comprise one of the least understood layers of epigenetic regulation, it has been proposed that they play an essential role in directly regulating gene expression in health and disease. Here, we review the emerging evidence suggesting that histone variants have a role at different stages of hematopoiesis, with a particular focus on the histone variants H2A, H3, and H1. Moreover, we discuss the current knowledge on how the dysregulation of histone variants can contribute to hematopoietic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecem Kirkiz
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Oliver Meers
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- PhD Programme in Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florian Grebien
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (CCRI), Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Badalona, Spain
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11
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Karam G, Molaro A. Casting histone variants during mammalian reproduction. Chromosoma 2023:10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9. [PMID: 37347315 PMCID: PMC10356639 DOI: 10.1007/s00412-023-00803-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian reproduction, germ cell chromatin packaging is key to prepare parental genomes for fertilization and to initiate embryonic development. While chromatin modifications such as DNA methylation and histone post-translational modifications are well known to carry regulatory information, histone variants have received less attention in this context. Histone variants alter the stability, structure and function of nucleosomes and, as such, contribute to chromatin organization in germ cells. Here, we review histone variants expression dynamics during the production of male and female germ cells, and what is currently known about their parent-of-origin effects during reproduction. Finally, we discuss the apparent conundrum behind these important functions and their recent evolutionary diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germaine Karam
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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12
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Haase MAB, Lazar-Stefanita L, Ólafsson G, Wudzinska A, Shen MJ, Truong DM, Boeke JD. Human macroH2A1 drives nucleosome dephasing and genome instability in histone-humanized yeast. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.06.538725. [PMID: 37205538 PMCID: PMC10187286 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.06.538725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In addition to replicative histones, eukaryotic genomes encode a repertoire of non-replicative variant histones providing additional layers of structural and epigenetic regulation. Here, we systematically replaced individual replicative human histones with non-replicative human variant histones using a histone replacement system in yeast. Variants H2A.J, TsH2B, and H3.5 complemented for their respective replicative counterparts. However, macroH2A1 failed to complement and its expression was toxic in yeast, negatively interacting with native yeast histones and kinetochore genes. To isolate yeast with "macroH2A1 chromatin" we decoupled the effects of its macro and histone fold domains, which revealed that both domains sufficed to override native yeast nucleosome positioning. Furthermore, both modified constructs of macroH2A1 exhibited lower nucleosome occupancy that correlated with decreased short-range chromatin interactions (<20 Kb), disrupted centromeric clustering, and increased chromosome instability. While supporting viability, macroH2A1 dramatically alters chromatin organization in yeast, leading to genome instability and massive fitness defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max A. B. Haase
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
- Vilcek Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Luciana Lazar-Stefanita
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Guðjón Ólafsson
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Aleksandra Wudzinska
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
| | - Michael J. Shen
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
| | - David M. Truong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jef D. Boeke
- Institute for Systems Genetics and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, 430 East 29th Street, New York, 10016, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
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13
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Sokolova V, Sarkar S, Tan D. Histone variants and chromatin structure, update of advances. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 21:299-311. [PMID: 36582440 PMCID: PMC9764139 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone proteins are highly conserved among all eukaryotes. They have two important functions in the cell: to package the genomic DNA and to regulate gene accessibility. Fundamental to these functions is the ability of histone proteins to interact with DNA and to form the nucleoprotein complex called chromatin. One of the mechanisms the cells use to regulate chromatin and gene expression is through replacing canonical histones with their variants at specific loci to achieve functional consequence. Recent cryo-electron microscope (cryo-EM) studies of chromatin containing histone variants reveal new details that shed light on how variant-specific features influence the structures and functions of chromatin. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge on histone variants biochemistry and discuss the implication of these new structural information on histone variant biology and their functions in transcription.
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14
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Seal RL, Denny P, Bruford EA, Gribkova AK, Landsman D, Marzluff WF, McAndrews M, Panchenko AR, Shaytan AK, Talbert PB. A standardized nomenclature for mammalian histone genes. Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:34. [PMID: 36180920 PMCID: PMC9526256 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00467-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [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: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Histones have a long history of research in a wide range of species, leaving a legacy of complex nomenclature in the literature. Community-led discussions at the EMBO Workshop on Histone Variants in 2011 resulted in agreement amongst experts on a revised systematic protein nomenclature for histones, which is based on a combination of phylogenetic classification and historical symbol usage. Human and mouse histone gene symbols previously followed a genome-centric system that was not applicable across all vertebrate species and did not reflect the systematic histone protein nomenclature. This prompted a collaboration between histone experts, the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) and Mouse Genomic Nomenclature Committee (MGNC) to revise human and mouse histone gene nomenclature aiming, where possible, to follow the new protein nomenclature whilst conforming to the guidelines for vertebrate gene naming. The updated nomenclature has also been applied to orthologous histone genes in chimpanzee, rhesus macaque, dog, cat, pig, horse and cattle, and can serve as a framework for naming other vertebrate histone genes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth L Seal
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK.
- Department of Haematology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK.
| | - Paul Denny
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Elspeth A Bruford
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SD, UK
- Department of Haematology, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0PT, UK
| | - Anna K Gribkova
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia
| | - David Landsman
- Intramural Research Program, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - William F Marzluff
- Integrated Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Monica McAndrews
- Mouse Genome Informatics, The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Anna R Panchenko
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alexey K Shaytan
- Department of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234, Moscow, Russia
| | - Paul B Talbert
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
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15
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Talbert PB, Armache KJ, Henikoff S. Viral histones: pickpocket's prize or primordial progenitor? Epigenetics Chromatin 2022; 15:21. [PMID: 35624484 PMCID: PMC9145170 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-022-00454-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The common histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4 are the characteristic components of eukaryotic nucleosomes, which function to wrap DNA and compact the genome as well as to regulate access to DNA for transcription and replication in all eukaryotes. In the past two decades, histones have also been found to be encoded in some DNA viruses, where their functions and properties are largely unknown, though recently histones from two related viruses have been shown to form nucleosome-like structures in vitro. Viral histones can be highly similar to eukaryotic histones in primary sequence, suggesting they have been recently picked up from eukaryotic hosts, or they can be radically divergent in primary sequence and may occur as conjoined histone doublets, triplets, or quadruplets, suggesting ancient origins prior to the divergence of modern eukaryotes. Here, we review what is known of viral histones and discuss their possible origins and functions. We consider how the viral life cycle may affect their properties and histories, and reflect on the possible roles of viruses in the origin of the nucleus of modern eukaryotic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Talbert
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Karim-Jean Armache
- Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 550 First Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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16
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Osakabe A, Molaro A. Histone renegades: Unusual H2A histone variants in plants and animals. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 135:35-42. [PMID: 35570098 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
H2A variants are histones that carry out specialized nucleosome function during the eukaryote genome packaging. Most genes encoding H2A histone variants arose in the distant past, and have highly conserved domains and structures. Yet, novel H2A variants have continued to arise throughout the radiation of eukaryotes and disturbed the apparent tranquility of nucleosomes. These species-specific H2A variants contributed to the functional diversification of nucleosomes through changes in both their structure and expression patterns. In this short review, we discuss the evolutionary trajectories of these histone renegades in plants and animal genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Osakabe
- Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Genetics, Reproduction & Development Institute (iGReD), CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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17
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Herchenröther A, Wunderlich TM, Lan J, Hake SB. Spotlight on histone H2A variants: From B to X to Z. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 135:3-12. [PMID: 35365397 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin, the functional organization of DNA with histone proteins in eukaryotic nuclei, is the tightly-regulated template for several biological processes, such as transcription, replication, DNA damage repair, chromosome stability and sister chromatid segregation. In order to achieve a reversible control of local chromatin structure and DNA accessibility, various interconnected mechanisms have evolved. One of such processes includes the deposition of functionally-diverse variants of histone proteins into nucleosomes, the building blocks of chromatin. Among core histones, the family of H2A histone variants exhibits the largest number of members and highest sequence-divergence. In this short review, we report and discuss recent discoveries concerning the biological functions of the animal histone variants H2A.B, H2A.X and H2A.Z and how dysregulation or mutation of the latter impacts the development of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim M Wunderlich
- Institute for Genetics, Justus Liebig University, 35390 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jie Lan
- Institute for Genetics, Justus Liebig University, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Sandra B Hake
- Institute for Genetics, Justus Liebig University, 35390 Giessen, Germany.
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18
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Liu Y, Bai S, Wang Y, Li X, Qu J, Han M, Zhai J, Li W, Liu J, Zhang Q. Intensive masculinization caused by chronic heat stress in juvenile Cynoglossus semilaevis: Growth performance, gonadal histology and gene responses. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 232:113250. [PMID: 35121259 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The sea temperature has been observed to chronically increase during the past decades, leaving unpredictable influences to the marine biological resources. Thus, it is of vital significance to study the biological responses of ocean inhabited organisms with the artificially stimulated heat stress environment. Cynoglossus semilaevis provides us with an ideal model to study the influence of chronic heat stress on the sexual differentiation in marine teleosts for its genetic sex determination (GSD) + environmental effected (EE) sex determination system. In this study, the comparative experiment was conducted employing heated seawater (HT group) and ambient seawater (CT group) to cultivate juvenile C. semilaevis respectively. Significant differences were exhibited in growth performance and a delayed germ cell development effect was found in pseudomales formed under chronic heat stress. Using transcriptome analysis, the transcription profile of 55 days post fertilization (dpf) and 100 dpf juveniles' gonads were studied. A total of 47 libraries were constructed with an average mapping rate of 94.63% after assembling. GO and KEGG enrichment were proceeded using DEGs screened out between (1) pseudomale gonads at 55 dpf and 100 dpf in HT and CT group (2) pseudomale and female gonads at 55 dpf and 100 dpf in HT and CT group. Terms and pathways involved in steroid stimulation, reproduction ability, germ cell proliferation et al. were shed light on. The expression pattern of 29 DEGs including amh, hsp90b1, pgr et al. were also provided to supplement the results of functional enrichment. Weighted gene co-expression networks analysis (WGCNA) was constructed and hspb8-like, histone H2A.V were exhibited to play vital roles in the heat-induced masculinization. Our findings facilitate the understanding for transcriptional variations in intensive masculinization cause by chronic heat stress of C. semilaevis and provide referable study of the influences on the teleosts in elevated sea temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Shujun Bai
- Laboratory of Fisheries Oceanography, College of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Yujue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaoqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China
| | - Jiangbo Qu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Miao Han
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jieming Zhai
- Laizhou Mingbo Aquatic Co., Ltd., Laizhou, China
| | - Wensheng Li
- Laizhou Mingbo Aquatic Co., Ltd., Laizhou, China
| | - Jinxiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China.
| | - Quanqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Aquatic Germplasm of Hainan Province, Sanya Oceanographic Institution, Ocean University of China, Sanya 572000, China.
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19
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Raman P, Rominger MC, Young JM, Molaro A, Tsukiyama T, Malik HS. Novel classes and evolutionary turnover of histone H2B variants in the mammalian germline. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6517784. [PMID: 35099534 PMCID: PMC8857922 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Histones and their posttranslational modifications facilitate diverse chromatin functions in eukaryotes. Core histones (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) package genomes after DNA replication. In contrast, variant histones promote specialized chromatin functions, including DNA repair, genome stability, and epigenetic inheritance. Previous studies have identified only a few H2B variants in animals; their roles and evolutionary origins remain largely unknown. Here, using phylogenomic analyses, we reveal the presence of five H2B variants broadly present in mammalian genomes. Three of these variants have been previously described: H2B.1, H2B.L (also called subH2B), and H2B.W. In addition, we identify and describe two new variants: H2B.K and H2B.N. Four of these variants originated in mammals, whereas H2B.K arose prior to the last common ancestor of bony vertebrates. We find that though H2B variants are subject to high gene turnover, most are broadly retained in mammals, including humans. Despite an overall signature of purifying selection, H2B variants evolve more rapidly than core H2B with considerable divergence in sequence and length. All five H2B variants are expressed in the germline. H2B.K and H2B.N are predominantly expressed in oocytes, an atypical expression site for mammalian histone variants. Our findings suggest that H2B variants likely encode potentially redundant but vital functions via unusual chromatin packaging or nonchromatin functions in mammalian germline cells. Our discovery of novel histone variants highlights the advantages of comprehensive phylogenomic analyses and provides unique opportunities to study how innovations in chromatin function evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravrutha Raman
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
| | - Mary C Rominger
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington, 99362, USA
| | - Janet M Young
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GReD) Institute, CNRS UMR 6293, INSERM U1103, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Toshio Tsukiyama
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
| | - Harmit S Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, 98109, USA
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20
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Analysis of histone variant constraint and tissue expression suggests five potential novel human disease genes: H2AFY2, H2AFZ, H2AFY, H2AFV, H1F0. Hum Genet 2022; 141:1409-1421. [DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02432-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Moritz L, Hammoud SS. The Art of Packaging the Sperm Genome: Molecular and Structural Basis of the Histone-To-Protamine Exchange. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:895502. [PMID: 35813619 PMCID: PMC9258737 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.895502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Male fertility throughout life hinges on the successful production of motile sperm, a developmental process that involves three coordinated transitions: mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. Germ cells undergo both mitosis and meiosis to generate haploid round spermatids, in which histones bound to the male genome are replaced with small nuclear proteins known as protamines. During this transformation, the chromatin undergoes extensive remodeling to become highly compacted in the sperm head. Despite its central role in spermiogenesis and fertility, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the remodeling process, including which remodelers/chaperones are involved, and whether intermediate chromatin proteins function as discrete steps, or unite simultaneously to drive successful exchange. Furthermore, it remains largely unknown whether more nuanced interactions instructed by protamine post-translational modifications affect chromatin dynamics or gene expression in the early embryo. Here, we bring together past and more recent work to explore these topics and suggest future studies that will elevate our understanding of the molecular basis of the histone-to-protamine exchange and the underlying etiology of idiopathic male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Moritz
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Lindsay Moritz, ; Saher Sue Hammoud,
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- *Correspondence: Lindsay Moritz, ; Saher Sue Hammoud,
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22
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Özdemir I, Steiner FA. Transmission of chromatin states across generations in C. elegans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 127:133-141. [PMID: 34823984 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of phenotypes across generations without affecting the genomic DNA sequence. Even though it has been documented in many species in fungi, animals and plants, the mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance are not fully uncovered. Epialleles, the heritable units of epigenetic information, can take the form of several biomolecules, including histones and their post-translational modifications (PTMs). Here, we review the recent advances in the understanding of the transmission of histone variants and histone PTM patterns across generations in C. elegans. We provide a general overview of the intergenerational and transgenerational inheritance of histone PTMs and their modifiers and discuss the interplay among different histone PTMs. We also evaluate soma-germ line communication and its impact on the inheritance of epigenetic traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isa Özdemir
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Florian A Steiner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, Section of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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23
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Jiang X, Wen J, Paver E, Wu YH, Sun G, Bullman A, Dahlstrom JE, Tremethick DJ, Soboleva TA. H2A.B is a cancer/testis factor involved in the activation of ribosome biogenesis in Hodgkin lymphoma. EMBO Rep 2021; 22:e52462. [PMID: 34350706 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202152462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Testis-specific regulators of chromatin function are commonly ectopically expressed in human cancers, but their roles are poorly understood. Examination of 81 primary Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) samples showed that the ectopic expression of the eutherian testis-specific histone variant H2A.B is an inherent feature of HL. In experiments using two HL cell lines derived from different subtypes of HL, H2A.B knockdown inhibited cell proliferation. H2A.B was enriched in both nucleoli of these HL cell lines and primary HL samples. We found that H2A.B enhanced ribosomal DNA (rDNA) transcription, was enriched at the rDNA promoter and transcribed regions, and interacted with RNA Pol I. Depletion of H2A.B caused the loss of RNA Pol I from rDNA chromatin. Remarkably, H2A.B was also required for high levels of ribosomal protein gene expression being located at the transcriptional start site and within the gene body. H2A.B knockdown reduced gene body chromatin accessibility of active RNA Pol II genes concurrent with a decrease in transcription. Taken together, our data show that in HL H2A.B has acquired a new function, the ability to increase ribosome biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanzhao Jiang
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jiayu Wen
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Paver
- Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yu-Huan Wu
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Gege Sun
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Amanda Bullman
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jane E Dahlstrom
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, ACT Pathology, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, ACT, Australia.,Australian National University Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - David J Tremethick
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Tatiana A Soboleva
- The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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24
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Hsu CJ, Meers O, Buschbeck M, Heidel FH. The Role of MacroH2A Histone Variants in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123003. [PMID: 34203934 PMCID: PMC8232725 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The structural unit of chromatin is the nucleosome that is composed of DNA wrapped around a core of eight histone proteins. Histone variants can replace ‘standard’ histones at specific sites of the genome. Thus, histone variants modulate all functions in the context of chromatin, such as gene expression. Here, we provide a concise review on a group of histone variants termed macroH2A. They contain two additional domains that contribute to their increased size. We discuss how these domains mediate molecular functions in normal cells and the role of macroH2As in gene expression and cancer. Abstract The epigenome regulates gene expression and provides a molecular memory of cellular events. A growing body of evidence has highlighted the importance of epigenetic regulation in physiological tissue homeostasis and malignant transformation. Among epigenetic mechanisms, the replacement of replication-coupled histones with histone variants is the least understood. Due to differences in protein sequence and genomic distribution, histone variants contribute to the plasticity of the epigenome. Here, we focus on the family of macroH2A histone variants that are particular in having a tripartite structure consisting of a histone fold, an intrinsically disordered linker and a globular macrodomain. We discuss how these domains mediate different molecular functions related to chromatin architecture, transcription and DNA repair. Dysregulated expression of macroH2A histone variants has been observed in different subtypes of cancer and has variable prognostic impact, depending on cellular context and molecular background. We aim to provide a concise review regarding the context- and isoform-dependent contributions of macroH2A histone variants to cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Jen Hsu
- Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medicine, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
| | - Oliver Meers
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | - Marcus Buschbeck
- Cancer and Leukaemia Epigenetics and Biology Program, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
- Program for Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (PMPPC-IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (F.H.H.); Tel.: +34-935-572-800 (M.B.); +49-383-486-6698 (F.H.H.); Fax: +49-383-486-6713 (F.H.H.)
| | - Florian H. Heidel
- Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medicine, 17475 Greifswald, Germany;
- Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz-Lipmann Institute, 07745 Jena, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.B.); (F.H.H.); Tel.: +34-935-572-800 (M.B.); +49-383-486-6698 (F.H.H.); Fax: +49-383-486-6713 (F.H.H.)
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25
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Moretti C, Blanco M, Ialy-Radio C, Serrentino ME, Gobé C, Friedman R, Battail C, Leduc M, Ward MA, Vaiman D, Tores F, Cocquet J. Battle of the Sex Chromosomes: Competition between X and Y Chromosome-Encoded Proteins for Partner Interaction and Chromatin Occupancy Drives Multicopy Gene Expression and Evolution in Muroid Rodents. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 37:3453-3468. [PMID: 32658962 PMCID: PMC7743899 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msaa175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission distorters (TDs) are genetic elements that favor their own transmission to the detriments of others. Slx/Slxl1 (Sycp3-like-X-linked and Slx-like1) and Sly (Sycp3-like-Y-linked) are TDs, which have been coamplified on the X and Y chromosomes of Mus species. They are involved in an intragenomic conflict in which each favors its own transmission, resulting in sex ratio distortion of the progeny when Slx/Slxl1 versus Sly copy number is unbalanced. They are specifically expressed in male postmeiotic gametes (spermatids) and have opposite effects on gene expression: Sly knockdown leads to the upregulation of hundreds of spermatid-expressed genes, whereas Slx/Slxl1-deficiency downregulates them. When both Slx/Slxl1 and Sly are knocked down, sex ratio distortion and gene deregulation are corrected. Slx/Slxl1 and Sly are, therefore, in competition but the molecular mechanism remains unknown. By comparing their chromatin-binding profiles and protein partners, we show that SLX/SLXL1 and SLY proteins compete for interaction with H3K4me3-reader SSTY1 (Spermiogenesis-specific-transcript-on-the-Y1) at the promoter of thousands of genes to drive their expression, and that the opposite effect they have on gene expression is mediated by different abilities to recruit SMRT/N-Cor transcriptional complex. Their target genes are predominantly spermatid-specific multicopy genes encoded by the sex chromosomes and the autosomal Speer/Takusan. Many of them have coamplified with not only Slx/Slxl1/Sly but also Ssty during muroid rodent evolution. Overall, we identify Ssty as a key element of the X versus Y intragenomic conflict, which may have influenced gene content and hybrid sterility beyond Mus lineage since Ssty amplification on the Y predated that of Slx/Slxl1/Sly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Moretti
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Université de Lyon, CNRS UMR 5242, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Mélina Blanco
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Côme Ialy-Radio
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Clara Gobé
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Christophe Battail
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, INSERM, IRIG, Biology of Cancer and Infection UMR_S 1036, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Marjorie Leduc
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Plateforme Protéomique 3P5, Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Monika A Ward
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Daniel Vaiman
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Frederic Tores
- Plateforme de Bio-informatique, Institut Imagine, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Julie Cocquet
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université de Paris, Paris, France
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26
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Abstract
Eukaryotic nucleosomes organize chromatin by wrapping 147 bp of DNA around a histone core particle comprising two molecules each of histone H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. The DNA entering and exiting the particle may be bound by the linker histone H1. Whereas deposition of bulk histones is confined to S-phase, paralogs of the common histones, known as histone variants, are available to carry out functions throughout the cell cycle and accumulate in post-mitotic cells. Histone variants confer different structural properties on nucleosomes by wrapping more or less DNA or by altering nucleosome stability. They carry out specialized functions in DNA repair, chromosome segregation and regulation of transcription initiation, or perform tissue-specific roles. In this Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster, we briefly examine new insights into histone origins and discuss variants from each of the histone families, focusing on how structural differences may alter their functions. Summary: Histone variants change the structural properties of nucleosomes by wrapping more or less DNA, altering nucleosome stability or carrying out specialized functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Talbert
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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27
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Kohestani H, Wereszczynski J. Effects of H2A.B incorporation on nucleosome structures and dynamics. Biophys J 2021; 120:1498-1509. [PMID: 33609493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2021.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The H2A.B histone variant is an epigenetic regulator involved in transcriptional upregulation, DNA synthesis, and splicing that functions by replacing the canonical H2A histone in the nucleosome core particle. Introduction of H2A.B results in less compact nucleosome states with increased DNA unwinding and accessibility at the nucleosomal entry and exit sites. Despite being well characterized experimentally, the molecular mechanisms by which H2A.B incorporation alters nucleosome stability and dynamics remain poorly understood. To study the molecular mechanisms of H2A.B, we have performed a series of conventional and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulation of H2A.B- and canonical H2A-containing nucleosomes. Results of conventional simulations show that H2A.B weakens protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions at specific locations throughout the nucleosome. These weakened interactions result in significantly more DNA opening from both the entry and exit sites in enhanced sampling simulations. Furthermore, free energy profiles show that H2A.B-containing nucleosomes have significantly broader free wells and that H2A.B allows for sampling of states with increased DNA breathing, which are shown to be stable on the hundreds of nanoseconds timescale with further conventional simulations. Together, our results show the molecular mechanisms by which H2A.B creates less compacted nucleosome states as a means of increasing genetic accessibility and gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Havva Kohestani
- Department of Biology, Center for Molecular Study of Condensed Soft Matter, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jeff Wereszczynski
- Department of Physics, Center for Molecular Study of Condensed Soft Matter, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois.
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28
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Histone variant H2A.B-H2B dimers are spontaneously exchanged with canonical H2A-H2B in the nucleosome. Commun Biol 2021; 4:191. [PMID: 33580188 PMCID: PMC7881002 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01707-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
H2A.B is an evolutionarily distant histone H2A variant that accumulates on DNA repair sites, DNA replication sites, and actively transcribing regions in genomes. In cells, H2A.B exchanges rapidly in chromatin, but the mechanism has remained enigmatic. In the present study, we found that the H2A.B-H2B dimer incorporated within the nucleosome exchanges with the canonical H2A-H2B dimer without assistance from additional factors, such as histone chaperones and nucleosome remodelers. High-speed atomic force microscopy revealed that the H2A.B nucleosome, but not the canonical H2A nucleosome, transiently forms an intermediate "open conformation", in which two H2A.B-H2B dimers may be detached from the H3-H4 tetramer and bind to the DNA regions near the entry/exit sites. Mutational analyses revealed that the H2A.B C-terminal region is responsible for the adoption of the open conformation and the H2A.B-H2B exchange in the nucleosome. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the histone exchange of the H2A.B nucleosome.
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29
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Chew GL, Bleakley M, Bradley RK, Malik HS, Henikoff S, Molaro A, Sarthy J. Short H2A histone variants are expressed in cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:490. [PMID: 33473122 PMCID: PMC7817690 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20707-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Short H2A (sH2A) histone variants are primarily expressed in the testes of placental mammals. Their incorporation into chromatin is associated with nucleosome destabilization and modulation of alternate splicing. Here, we show that sH2As innately possess features similar to recurrent oncohistone mutations associated with nucleosome instability. Through analyses of existing cancer genomics datasets, we find aberrant sH2A upregulation in a broad array of cancers, which manifest splicing patterns consistent with global nucleosome destabilization. We posit that short H2As are a class of "ready-made" oncohistones, whose inappropriate expression contributes to chromatin dysfunction in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Liang Chew
- The Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marie Bleakley
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Harmit S Malik
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Antoine Molaro
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Genetics, Reproduction and Development (GReD) Institute, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Jay Sarthy
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
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30
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Molaro A, Wood AJ, Janssens D, Kindelay SM, Eickbush MT, Wu S, Singh P, Muller CH, Henikoff S, Malik HS. Biparental contributions of the H2A.B histone variant control embryonic development in mice. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3001001. [PMID: 33362208 PMCID: PMC7757805 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone variants expand chromatin functions in eukaryote genomes. H2A.B genes are testis-expressed short histone H2A variants that arose in placental mammals. Their biological functions remain largely unknown. To investigate their function, we generated a knockout (KO) model that disrupts all 3 H2A.B genes in mice. We show that H2A.B KO males have globally altered chromatin structure in postmeiotic germ cells. Yet, they do not show impaired spermatogenesis or testis function. Instead, we find that H2A.B plays a crucial role postfertilization. Crosses between H2A.B KO males and females yield embryos with lower viability and reduced size. Using a series of genetic crosses that separate parental and zygotic contributions, we show that the H2A.B status of both the father and mother, but not of the zygote, affects embryonic viability and growth during gestation. We conclude that H2A.B is a novel parental-effect gene, establishing a role for short H2A histone variants in mammalian development. We posit that parental antagonism over embryonic growth drove the origin and ongoing diversification of short histone H2A variants in placental mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Molaro
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Anna J. Wood
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Derek Janssens
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Selina M. Kindelay
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Michael T. Eickbush
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Wu
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Priti Singh
- Comparative Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Charles H. Muller
- Male Fertility Laboratory, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Harmit S. Malik
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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31
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Kurumizaka H, Kujirai T, Takizawa Y. Contributions of Histone Variants in Nucleosome Structure and Function. J Mol Biol 2020; 433:166678. [PMID: 33065110 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin compacts genomic DNA in eukaryotes. The primary chromatin unit is the nucleosome core particle, composed of four pairs of the core histones, H2A, H2B, H3, and H4, and 145-147 base pairs of DNA. Since replication, recombination, repair, and transcription take place in chromatin, the structure and dynamics of the nucleosome must be versatile. These nucleosome characteristics underlie the epigenetic regulation of genomic DNA. In higher eukaryotes, many histone variants have been identified as non-allelic isoforms, which confer nucleosome diversity. In this article, we review the manifold types of nucleosomes produced by histone variants, which play important roles in the epigenetic regulation of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitoshi Kurumizaka
- Laboratory of Chromatin Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
| | - Tomoya Kujirai
- Laboratory of Chromatin Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Takizawa
- Laboratory of Chromatin Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
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32
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Martire S, Banaszynski LA. The roles of histone variants in fine-tuning chromatin organization and function. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:522-541. [PMID: 32665685 PMCID: PMC8245300 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0262-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 194] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Histones serve to both package and organize DNA within the nucleus. In addition to histone post-translational modification and chromatin remodelling complexes, histone variants contribute to the complexity of epigenetic regulation of the genome. Histone variants are characterized by a distinct protein sequence and a selection of designated chaperone systems and chromatin remodelling complexes that regulate their localization in the genome. In addition, histone variants can be enriched with specific post-translational modifications, which in turn can provide a scaffold for recruitment of variant-specific interacting proteins to chromatin. Thus, through these properties, histone variants have the capacity to endow specific regions of chromatin with unique character and function in a regulated manner. In this Review, we provide an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the contribution of histone variants to chromatin function in mammalian systems. First, we discuss new molecular insights into chaperone-mediated histone variant deposition. Next, we discuss mechanisms by which histone variants influence chromatin properties such as nucleosome stability and the local chromatin environment both through histone variant sequence-specific effects and through their role in recruiting different chromatin-associated complexes. Finally, we focus on histone variant function in the context of both embryonic development and human disease, specifically developmental syndromes and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Martire
- Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Laura A Banaszynski
- Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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33
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Jiang D, Borg M, Lorković ZJ, Montgomery SA, Osakabe A, Yelagandula R, Axelsson E, Berger F. The evolution and functional divergence of the histone H2B family in plants. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008964. [PMID: 32716939 PMCID: PMC7410336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin regulation of eukaryotic genomes depends on the formation of nucleosome complexes between histone proteins and DNA. Histone variants, which are diversified by sequence or expression pattern, can profoundly alter chromatin properties. While variants in histone H2A and H3 families are well characterized, the extent of diversification of histone H2B proteins is less understood. Here, we report a systematic analysis of the histone H2B family in plants, which have undergone substantial divergence during the evolution of each major group in the plant kingdom. By characterising Arabidopsis H2Bs, we substantiate this diversification and reveal potential functional specialization that parallels the phylogenetic structure of emergent clades in eudicots. In addition, we identify a new class of highly divergent H2B variants, H2B.S, that specifically accumulate during chromatin compaction of dry seed embryos in multiple species of flowering plants. Our findings thus identify unsuspected diverse properties among histone H2B proteins in plants that has manifested into potentially novel groups of histone variants. In addition to well-studied variants from core histones families H2A and H3, we report that land plants diversified their H2B family, leading to specialized H2B variants with specific patterns of expression, genomic distributions and properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danhua Jiang
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Michael Borg
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zdravko J. Lorković
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sean A. Montgomery
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Akihisa Osakabe
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ramesh Yelagandula
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elin Axelsson
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Dr. Bohr-Gasse, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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34
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Short Histone H2A Variants: Small in Stature but not in Function. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040867. [PMID: 32252453 PMCID: PMC7226823 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic packaging of DNA into chromatin regulates all aspects of genome function by altering the accessibility of DNA and by providing docking pads to proteins that copy, repair and express the genome. Different epigenetic-based mechanisms have been described that alter the way DNA is organised into chromatin, but one fundamental mechanism alters the biochemical composition of a nucleosome by substituting one or more of the core histones with their variant forms. Of the core histones, the largest number of histone variants belong to the H2A class. The most divergent class is the designated “short H2A variants” (H2A.B, H2A.L, H2A.P and H2A.Q), so termed because they lack a H2A C-terminal tail. These histone variants appeared late in evolution in eutherian mammals and are lineage-specific, being expressed in the testis (and, in the case of H2A.B, also in the brain). To date, most information about the function of these peculiar histone variants has come from studies on the H2A.B and H2A.L family in mice. In this review, we describe their unique protein characteristics, their impact on chromatin structure, and their known functions plus other possible, even non-chromatin, roles in an attempt to understand why these peculiar histone variants evolved in the first place.
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35
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RNA-Guided Genomic Localization of H2A.L.2 Histone Variant. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020474. [PMID: 32085641 PMCID: PMC7072763 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of residual histone retention after the nearly genome-wide histone-to-protamine replacement during late spermatogenesis is a critical and open question. Our previous investigations showed that in postmeiotic male germ cells, the genome-scale incorporation of histone variants TH2B-H2A.L.2 allows a controlled replacement of histones by protamines to occur. Here, we highlight the intrinsic ability of H2A.L.2 to specifically target the pericentric regions of the genome and discuss why pericentric heterochromatin is a privileged site of histone retention in mature spermatozoa. We observed that the intranuclear localization of H2A.L.2 is controlled by its ability to bind RNA, as well as by an interplay between its RNA-binding activity and its tropism for pericentric heterochromatin. We identify the H2A.L.2 RNA-binding domain and demonstrate that in somatic cells, the replacement of H2A.L.2 RNA-binding motif enhances and stabilizes its pericentric localization, while the forced expression of RNA increases its homogenous nuclear distribution. Based on these data, we propose that the specific accumulation of RNA on pericentric regions combined with H2A.L.2 tropism for these regions are responsible for stabilizing H2A.L.2 on these regions in mature spermatozoa. This situation would favor histone retention on pericentric heterochromatin.
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36
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Del Amparo R, Vicens A, Arenas M. The influence of heterogeneous codon frequencies along sequences on the estimation of molecular adaptation. Bioinformatics 2020; 36:430-436. [PMID: 31304972 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION The nonsynonymous/synonymous substitution rate ratio (dN/dS) is a commonly used parameter to quantify molecular adaptation in protein-coding data. It is known that the estimation of dN/dS can be biased if some evolutionary processes are ignored. In this concern, common ML methods to estimate dN/dS assume invariable codon frequencies among sites, despite this characteristic is rare in nature, and it could bias the estimation of this parameter. RESULTS Here we studied the influence of variable codon frequencies among genetic regions on the estimation of dN/dS. We explored scenarios varying the number of genetic regions that differ in codon frequencies, the amount of variability of codon frequencies among regions and the nucleotide frequencies at each codon position among regions. We found that ignoring heterogeneous codon frequencies among regions overall leads to underestimation of dN/dS and the bias increases with the level of heterogeneity of codon frequencies. Interestingly, we also found that varying nucleotide frequencies among regions at the first or second codon position leads to underestimation of dN/dS while variation at the third codon position leads to overestimation of dN/dS. Next, we present a methodology to reduce this bias based on the analysis of partitions presenting similar codon frequencies and we applied it to analyze four real datasets. We conclude that accounting for heterogeneous codon frequencies along sequences is required to obtain realistic estimates of molecular adaptation through this relevant evolutionary parameter. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The applied frameworks for the computer simulations of protein-coding data and estimation of molecular adaptation are SGWE and PAML, respectively. Both are publicly available and referenced in the study. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Del Amparo
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology.,Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Vicens
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology.,Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Miguel Arenas
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology.,Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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37
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Lei B, Berger F. H2A Variants in Arabidopsis: Versatile Regulators of Genome Activity. PLANT COMMUNICATIONS 2020; 1:100015. [PMID: 33404536 PMCID: PMC7747964 DOI: 10.1016/j.xplc.2019.100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The eukaryotic nucleosome prevents access to the genome. Convergently evolving histone isoforms, also called histone variants, form diverse families that are enriched over distinct features of plant genomes. Among the diverse families of plant histone variants, H2A.Z exclusively marks genes. Here we review recent research progress on the genome-wide distribution patterns and deposition of H2A.Z in plants as well as its association with histone modifications and roles in plant chromatin regulation. We also discuss some hypotheses that explain the different findings about the roles of H2A.Z in plants.
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Abstract
In eukaryotes, DNA is highly compacted within the nucleus into a structure known as chromatin. Modulation of chromatin structure allows for precise regulation of gene expression, and thereby controls cell fate decisions. Specific chromatin organization is established and preserved by numerous factors to generate desired cellular outcomes. In embryonic stem (ES) cells, chromatin is precisely regulated to preserve their two defining characteristics: self-renewal and pluripotent state. This action is accomplished by a litany of nucleosome remodelers, histone variants, epigenetic marks, and other chromatin regulatory factors. These highly dynamic regulatory factors come together to precisely define a chromatin state that is conducive to ES cell maintenance and development, where dysregulation threatens the survival and fitness of the developing organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Klein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah J Hainer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
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Talbert PB, Meers MP, Henikoff S. Old cogs, new tricks: the evolution of gene expression in a chromatin context. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:283-297. [PMID: 30886348 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0105-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Sophisticated gene-regulatory mechanisms probably evolved in prokaryotes billions of years before the emergence of modern eukaryotes, which inherited the same basic enzymatic machineries. However, the epigenomic landscapes of eukaryotes are dominated by nucleosomes, which have acquired roles in genome packaging, mitotic condensation and silencing parasitic genomic elements. Although the molecular mechanisms by which nucleosomes are displaced and modified have been described, just how transcription factors, histone variants and modifications and chromatin regulators act on nucleosomes to regulate transcription is the subject of considerable ongoing study. We explore the extent to which these transcriptional regulatory components function in the context of the evolutionarily ancient role of chromatin as a barrier to processes acting on DNA and how chromatin proteins have diversified to carry out evolutionarily recent functions that accompanied the emergence of differentiation and development in multicellular eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul B Talbert
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael P Meers
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Steven Henikoff
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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Wang T, Chuffart F, Bourova-Flin E, Wang J, Mi J, Rousseaux S, Khochbin S. Histone variants: critical determinants in tumour heterogeneity. Front Med 2019; 13:289-297. [PMID: 30280307 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-018-0667-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Malignant cell transformation could be considered as a series of cell reprogramming events driven by oncogenic transcription factors and upstream signalling pathways. Chromatin plasticity and dynamics are critical determinants in the control of cell reprograming. An increase in chromatin dynamics could therefore constitute an essential step in driving oncogenesis and in generating tumour cell heterogeneity, which is indispensable for the selection of aggressive properties, including the ability of cells to disseminate and acquire resistance to treatments. Histone supply and dosage, as well as histone variants, are the best-known regulators of chromatin dynamics. By facilitating cell reprogramming, histone under-dosage and histone variants should also be crucial in cell transformation and tumour metastasis. Here we summarize and discuss our knowledge of the role of histone supply and histone variants in chromatin dynamics and their ability to enhance oncogenic cell reprogramming and tumour heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, University of Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38706, Grenoble, France.,State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics and Department of Hematology, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Pôle Sino-Français des Sciences du Vivant et Genomique, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Florent Chuffart
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, University of Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38706, Grenoble, France
| | - Ekaterina Bourova-Flin
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, University of Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38706, Grenoble, France
| | - Jin Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics and Department of Hematology, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Pôle Sino-Français des Sciences du Vivant et Genomique, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jianqing Mi
- State Key Laboratory for Medical Genomics and Department of Hematology, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Systems Biomedicine, Pôle Sino-Français des Sciences du Vivant et Genomique, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Sophie Rousseaux
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, University of Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38706, Grenoble, France
| | - Saadi Khochbin
- CNRS UMR 5309, Inserm, U1209, University of Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 38706, Grenoble, France.
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Osakabe A, Lorković ZJ, Kobayashi W, Tachiwana H, Yelagandula R, Kurumizaka H, Berger F. Histone H2A variants confer specific properties to nucleosomes and impact on chromatin accessibility. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:7675-7685. [PMID: 29945241 PMCID: PMC6125630 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotes, variants of core histone H2A are selectively incorporated in distinct functional domains of chromatin and are distinguished by conserved sequences of their C-terminal tail, the L1 loop and the docking domain, suggesting that each variant confers specific properties to the nucleosome. Chromatin of flowering plants contains four types of H2A variants, which biochemical properties have not been characterized. We report that in contrast with animals, in Arabidopsis thaliana H2A variants define only four major types of homotypic nucleosomes containing exclusively H2A, H2A.Z, H2A.X or H2A.W. In vitro assays show that the L1 loop and the docking domain confer distinct stability of the nucleosome. In vivo and in vitro assays suggest that the L1 loop and the docking domain cooperate with the C-terminal tail to regulate chromatin accessibility. Based on these findings we conclude that the type of H2A variant in the nucleosome impacts on its interaction with DNA and propose that H2A variants regulate the dynamics of chromatin accessibility. In plants, the predominance of homotypic nucleosomes with specific physical properties and their specific localization to distinct domains suggest that H2A variants play a dominant role in chromatin dynamics and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Osakabe
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Zdravko J Lorković
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Wataru Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tachiwana
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Ramesh Yelagandula
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Hitoshi Kurumizaka
- Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan
| | - Frédéric Berger
- Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Studying the Evolution of Histone Variants Using Phylogeny. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1832:273-291. [PMID: 30073533 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8663-7_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Histones wrap DNA to form nucleosomes that package eukaryotic genomes. Histone variants have evolved for diverse functions including gene expression, DNA repair, epigenetic silencing, and chromosome segregation. With the rapid increase of newly sequenced genomes the repertoire of histone variants expands, demonstrating a great diversification of these proteins across eukaryotes. In this chapter, we are providing guidelines for the computational characterization and annotation of histone variants. We describe methods to predict the characteristic histone fold domain and list features specific to known histone variants that can be used to categorize newly identified histone fold proteins. We continue describing procedures to retrieve additional related histone variants for comparative sequence analyses and phylogenetic reconstructions to refine the annotation and to determine the evolutionary trajectories of the variant in question.
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