1
|
Mamontova V, Trifault B, Burger K. Nono induces Gadd45b to mediate DNA repair. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302555. [PMID: 38843934 PMCID: PMC11157152 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302555] [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: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins are frequently deregulated in cancer and emerge as effectors of the DNA damage response (DDR). The non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein NONO/p54nrb is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein that not only modulates the production and processing of mRNA, but also promotes the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Here, we investigate the impact of Nono deletion in the murine KP (KRas G12D , Trp53 -/- ) cell-based lung cancer model. We show that the deletion of Nono impairs the response to DNA damage induced by the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide or the radiomimetic drug bleomycin. Nono-deficient KP (KPN) cells display hyperactivation of DSB signalling and high levels of DSBs. The defects in the DDR are accompanied by reduced RNA polymerase II promoter occupancy, impaired nascent RNA synthesis, and attenuated induction of the DDR factor growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible beta (Gadd45b). Our data characterise Gadd45b as a putative Nono-dependent effector of the DDR and suggest that Nono mediates a genome-protective crosstalk of the DDR with the RNA metabolism via induction of Gadd45b.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Mamontova
- https://ror.org/03pvr2g57 Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Trifault
- https://ror.org/03pvr2g57 Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kaspar Burger
- https://ror.org/03pvr2g57 Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- https://ror.org/00fbnyb24 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu W, Liu X, Li J, Sun C, Chen L, Zhou J, Li K, Li Q, Meng A, Sun Q. ULI-ssDRIP-seq revealed R-loop dynamics during vertebrate early embryogenesis. CELL INSIGHT 2024; 3:100179. [PMID: 38974143 PMCID: PMC11225018 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2024.100179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
R-loop, a chromatin structure containing one RNA:DNA hybrid and one unpaired single-stranded DNA, plays multiple biological roles. However, due to technical limitations, the landscapes and potential functions of R-loops during embryogenesis remain elusive. Here, we developed a quantitative and high-resolution ultra-low input R-loop profiling method, named ULI-ssDRIP-seq, which can map global R-loops with as few as 1000 cells. By using ULI-ssDRIP-seq, we reveal the R-loop dynamics in the zebrafish from gametes to early embryos. In oocytes, the R-loop level is relatively low in most regions of the nuclear genome, except maternal-inherited rDNA and mitochondrial genome. The correlation between R-loop and CG methylation dynamics during early development is relatively weak. Furthermore, either up- or down-regulation of global R-loops by knockdown or overexpression of RNase H1 causes a delay of embryonic development with dramatic expression changes in zygotic and maternal genes. This study provides comprehensive R-loop landscapes during early vertebrate embryogenesis and demonstrates the implication of R-loops in embryonic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Xin Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinjin Li
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Changbin Sun
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, 518120, China
| | - Luxi Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jincong Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Kuan Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Anming Meng
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qianwen Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, 100084, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wulfridge P, Sarma K. Intertwining roles of R-loops and G-quadruplexes in DNA repair, transcription and genome organization. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:1025-1036. [PMID: 38914786 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01437-4] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
R-loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that are abundant and widespread across the genome and that have important physiological roles in many nuclear processes. Their accumulation is observed in cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent studies have implicated a function for R-loops and G-quadruplex (G4) structures, which can form on the displaced single strand of R-loops, in three-dimensional genome organization in both physiological and pathological contexts. Here we discuss the interconnected functions of DNA:RNA hybrids and G4s within R-loops, their impact on DNA repair and gene regulatory networks, and their emerging roles in genome organization during development and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Wulfridge
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kavitha Sarma
- Gene Expression and Regulation Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li T, Cheng C, Liu J. Chemical and Enzyme-Mediated Chemical Reactions for Studying Nucleic Acids and Their Modifications. Chembiochem 2024:e202400220. [PMID: 38742371 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Nucleic acids are genetic information-carrying molecules inside cells. Apart from basic nucleotide building blocks, there exist various naturally occurring chemical modifications on nucleobase and ribose moieties, which greatly increase the encoding complexity of nuclei acids, contribute to the alteration of nucleic acid structures, and play versatile regulation roles in gene expression. To study the functions of certain nucleic acids in various biological contexts, robust tools to specifically label and identify these macromolecules and their modifications, and to illuminate their structures are highly necessary. In this review, we summarize recent technique advances of using chemical and enzyme-mediated chemical reactions to study nucleic acids and their modifications and structures. By highlighting the chemical principles of these techniques, we aim to present a perspective on the advancement of the field as well as to offer insights into developing specific chemical reactions and precise enzyme catalysis utilized for nucleic acids and their modifications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tengwei Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chongguang Cheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jianzhao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Transvascular Implantation Devices, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Trifault B, Mamontova V, Cossa G, Ganskih S, Wei Y, Hofstetter J, Bhandare P, Baluapuri A, Nieto B, Solvie D, Ade CP, Gallant P, Wolf E, Larsen DH, Munschauer M, Burger K. Nucleolar detention of NONO shields DNA double-strand breaks from aberrant transcripts. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3050-3068. [PMID: 38224452 PMCID: PMC11014278 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae022] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins emerge as effectors of the DNA damage response (DDR). The multifunctional non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein NONO/p54nrb marks nuclear paraspeckles in unperturbed cells, but also undergoes re-localization to the nucleolus upon induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, NONO nucleolar re-localization is poorly understood. Here we show that the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide stimulates the production of RNA polymerase II-dependent, DNA damage-inducible antisense intergenic non-coding RNA (asincRNA) in human cancer cells. Such transcripts originate from distinct nucleolar intergenic spacer regions and form DNA-RNA hybrids to tether NONO to the nucleolus in an RNA recognition motif 1 domain-dependent manner. NONO occupancy at protein-coding gene promoters is reduced by etoposide, which attenuates pre-mRNA synthesis, enhances NONO binding to pre-mRNA transcripts and is accompanied by nucleolar detention of a subset of such transcripts. The depletion or mutation of NONO interferes with detention and prolongs DSB signalling. Together, we describe a nucleolar DDR pathway that shields NONO and aberrant transcripts from DSBs to promote DNA repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Trifault
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Victoria Mamontova
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Giacomo Cossa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sabina Ganskih
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz-Center for Infection Research, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Yuanjie Wei
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz-Center for Infection Research, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Hofstetter
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Pranjali Bhandare
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Apoorva Baluapuri
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Blanca Nieto
- Nucleolar Stress and Disease Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Strandboulevarden 49, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Solvie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Carsten P Ade
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Gallant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Elmar Wolf
- Cancer Systems Biology Group, Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dorthe H Larsen
- Nucleolar Stress and Disease Group, Danish Cancer Institute, Strandboulevarden 49, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathias Munschauer
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research, Helmholtz-Center for Infection Research, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kaspar Burger
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center for Cancer Research (Mildred-Scheel-Nachwuchszentrum, MSNZ) Würzburg, University Hospital Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Strasse 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biocenter of the University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, D-97074 Würzburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu X, He W, Hu L. Exploring transient global transcriptional changes induced by ascorbic acid revealed via atKAS-seq profiling. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:66. [PMID: 38526630 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01349-4] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Transcription initiates the formation of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) regions within the genome, delineating transcription bubbles, a highly dynamic genomic process. Kethoxal-assisted single-stranded DNA sequencing (KAS-seq) utilizing N3-kethoxal has emerged as a potent tool for mapping specific guanine positions in ssDNA on a genome-wide scale. However, the original KAS-seq method required the costly Accel-NGS Methyl-seq DNA library kit. This study introduces an optimized iteration of the KAS-seq technique, referred to as adapter-tagged KAS-seq (atKAS-seq), incorporating an adapter tagging strategy. This modification involves integrating sequencing adapters via complementary strand synthesis using random N9 tagging. Additionally, by harnessing the potential of ascorbic acid (ASC), recognized for inducing global epigenetic changes, we employed the atKAS-seq methodology to elucidate critical pathways influenced by short-term, high-dose ASC treatment. Our findings underscore that atKAS-seq enables rapid and precise analyses of transcription dynamics and enhancer activities concurrently. This method offers a streamlined, cost-efficient, and low-input approach, affirming its utility in probing intricate genomic regulatory mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyue Liu
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Weizhi He
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lulu Hu
- Cancer Institute, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Martin RM, de Almeida MR, Gameiro E, de Almeida SF. Live-cell imaging unveils distinct R-loop populations with heterogeneous dynamics. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:11010-11023. [PMID: 37819055 PMCID: PMC10639055 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad812] [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: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed RHINO, a genetically encoded sensor that selectively binds RNA:DNA hybrids enabling live-cell imaging of cellular R-loops. RHINO comprises a tandem array of three copies of the RNA:DNA hybrid binding domain of human RNase H1 connected by optimized linker segments and fused to a fluorescent protein. This tool allows the measurement of R-loop abundance and dynamics in live cells with high specificity and sensitivity. Using RHINO, we provide a kinetic framework for R-loops at nucleoli, telomeres and protein-coding genes. Our findings demonstrate that R-loop dynamics vary significantly across these regions, potentially reflecting the distinct roles R-loops play in different chromosomal contexts. RHINO is a powerful tool for investigating the role of R-loops in cellular processes and their contribution to disease development and progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert M Martin
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Madalena R de Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Gameiro
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sérgio F de Almeida
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Matos-Rodrigues G, Hisey JA, Nussenzweig A, Mirkin SM. Detection of alternative DNA structures and its implications for human disease. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3622-3641. [PMID: 37863029 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.018] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Around 3% of the genome consists of simple DNA repeats that are prone to forming alternative (non-B) DNA structures, such as hairpins, cruciforms, triplexes (H-DNA), four-stranded guanine quadruplexes (G4-DNA), and others, as well as composite RNA:DNA structures (e.g., R-loops, G-loops, and H-loops). These DNA structures are dynamic and favored by the unwinding of duplex DNA. For many years, the association of alternative DNA structures with genome function was limited by the lack of methods to detect them in vivo. Here, we review the recent advancements in the field and present state-of-the-art technologies and methods to study alternative DNA structures. We discuss the limitations of these methods as well as how they are beginning to provide insights into causal relationships between alternative DNA structures, genome function and stability, and human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia A Hisey
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - André Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lyu R, Wu T, Park G, He YY, Chen M, He C. KAS-Analyzer: a novel computational framework for exploring KAS-seq data. BIOINFORMATICS ADVANCES 2023; 3:vbad121. [PMID: 37745002 PMCID: PMC10516523 DOI: 10.1093/bioadv/vbad121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Motivation Kethoxal-assisted ssDNA sequencing (KAS-seq) is rapidly gaining popularity as a robust and effective approach to study the nascent dynamics of transcriptionally engaged RNA polymerases through profiling of genome-wide single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Its latest variant, spKAS-seq, a strand-specific version of KAS-seq, has been developed to map genome-wide R-loop structures by detecting imbalances of ssDNA on two strands. However, user-friendly, open-source computational tools tailored for KAS-seq data are still lacking. Results Here, we introduce KAS-Analyzer, the first comprehensive computational framework aimed at streamlining and enhancing the analysis and interpretation of KAS-seq and spKAS-seq data. In addition to standard analyses, KAS-Analyzer offers many novel tools specifically designed for KAS-seq data, including, but not limited to: calculation of transcription-related metrics, identification of single-stranded transcribing (SST) enhancers, high-resolution mapping of R-loops, and differential RNA polymerase activity analysis. We provided a detailed overview of KAS-seq data and its diverse applications through the implementation of KAS-Analyzer. Using the example time-course KAS-seq datasets, we further showcase the robust capabilities of KAS-Analyzer for investigating dynamic transcriptional regulatory programs in response to UVB radiation. Availability and implementation KAS-Analyzer is available at https://github.com/Ruitulyu/KAS-Analyzer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruitu Lyu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Gayoung Park
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Yu-Ying He
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Mengjie Chen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Herbert A. Flipons and small RNAs accentuate the asymmetries of pervasive transcription by the reset and sequence-specific microcoding of promoter conformation. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105140. [PMID: 37544644 PMCID: PMC10474125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of alternate DNA conformations such as Z-DNA in the regulation of transcription is currently underappreciated. These structures are encoded by sequences called flipons, many of which are enriched in promoter and enhancer regions. Through a change in their conformation, flipons provide a tunable mechanism to mechanically reset promoters for the next round of transcription. They act as actuators that capture and release energy to ensure that the turnover of the proteins at promoters is optimized to cell state. Likewise, the single-stranded DNA formed as flipons cycle facilitates the docking of RNAs that are able to microcode promoter conformations and canalize the pervasive transcription commonly observed in metazoan genomes. The strand-specific nature of the interaction between RNA and DNA likely accounts for the known asymmetry of epigenetic marks present on the histone tetramers that pair to form nucleosomes. The role of these supercoil-dependent processes in promoter choice and transcriptional interference is reviewed. The evolutionary implications are examined: the resilience and canalization of flipon-dependent gene regulation is contrasted with the rapid adaptation enabled by the spread of flipon repeats throughout the genome. Overall, the current findings underscore the important role of flipons in modulating the readout of genetic information and how little we know about their biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Herbert
- Discovery Division, InsideOutBio, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Umerenkov D, Herbert A, Konovalov D, Danilova A, Beknazarov N, Kokh V, Fedorov A, Poptsova M. Z-flipon variants reveal the many roles of Z-DNA and Z-RNA in health and disease. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301962. [PMID: 37164635 PMCID: PMC10172764 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301962] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying roles for Z-DNA remains challenging given their dynamic nature. Here, we perform genome-wide interrogation with the DNABERT transformer algorithm trained on experimentally identified Z-DNA forming sequences (Z-flipons). The algorithm yields large performance enhancements (F1 = 0.83) over existing approaches and implements computational mutagenesis to assess the effects of base substitution on Z-DNA formation. We show Z-flipons are enriched in promoters and telomeres, overlapping quantitative trait loci for RNA expression, RNA editing, splicing, and disease-associated variants. We cross-validate across a number of orthogonal databases and define BZ junction motifs. Surprisingly, many effects we delineate are likely mediated through Z-RNA formation. A shared Z-RNA motif is identified in SCARF2, SMAD1, and CACNA1 transcripts, whereas other motifs are present in noncoding RNAs. We provide evidence for a Z-RNA fold that promotes adaptive immunity through alternative splicing of KRAB domain zinc finger proteins. An analysis of OMIM and presumptive gnomAD loss-of-function datasets reveals an overlap of Z-flipons with disease-causing variants in 8.6% and 2.9% of Mendelian disease genes, respectively, greatly extending the range of phenotypes mapped to Z-flipons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Herbert
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
- InsideOutBio, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Dmitrii Konovalov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Danilova
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nazar Beknazarov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Aleksandr Fedorov
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Poptsova
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|