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Flury V, Groth A. Safeguarding the epigenome through the cell cycle: a multitasking game. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 85:102161. [PMID: 38447236 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Sustaining cell identity and function across cell division is germane to human development, healthspan, and cancer avoidance. This relies significantly on propagation of chromatin organization between cell generations, as chromatin presents a barrier to cell fate and cell state conversions. Inheritance of chromatin states across the many cell divisions required for development and tissue homeostasis represents a major challenge, especially because chromatin is disrupted to allow passage of the DNA replication fork to synthesize the two daughter strands. This process also leads to a twofold dilution of epigenetic information in histones, which needs to be accurately restored for faithful propagation of chromatin states across cell divisions. Recent research has identified distinct multilayered mechanisms acting to propagate epigenetic information to daughter strands. Here, we summarize key principles of how epigenetic information in parental histones is transferred across DNA replication and how new histones robustly acquire the same information postreplication, representing a core component of epigenetic cell memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentin Flury
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. https://twitter.com/@ValeFlury
| | - Anja Groth
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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McPherson JME, Grossmann LC, Salzler HR, Armstrong RL, Kwon E, Matera AG, McKay DJ, Duronio RJ. Reduced histone gene copy number disrupts Drosophila Polycomb function. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad106. [PMID: 37279945 PMCID: PMC10411577 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad106] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The chromatin of animal cells contains two types of histones: canonical histones that are expressed during S phase of the cell cycle to package the newly replicated genome, and variant histones with specialized functions that are expressed throughout the cell cycle and in non-proliferating cells. Determining whether and how canonical and variant histones cooperate to regulate genome function is integral to understanding how chromatin-based processes affect normal and pathological development. Here, we demonstrate that variant histone H3.3 is essential for Drosophila development only when canonical histone gene copy number is reduced, suggesting that coordination between canonical H3.2 and variant H3.3 expression is necessary to provide sufficient H3 protein for normal genome function. To identify genes that depend upon, or are involved in, this coordinate regulation we screened for heterozygous chromosome 3 deficiencies that impair development of flies bearing reduced H3.2 and H3.3 gene copy number. We identified two regions of chromosome 3 that conferred this phenotype, one of which contains the Polycomb gene, which is necessary for establishing domains of facultative chromatin that repress master regulator genes during development. We further found that reduction in Polycomb dosage decreases viability of animals with no H3.3 gene copies. Moreover, heterozygous Polycomb mutations result in de-repression of the Polycomb target gene Ubx and cause ectopic sex combs when either canonical or variant H3 gene copy number is reduced. We conclude that Polycomb-mediated facultative heterochromatin function is compromised when canonical and variant H3 gene copy number falls below a critical threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne-Marie E McPherson
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Lucy C Grossmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Harmony R Salzler
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robin L Armstrong
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Esther Kwon
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A Gregory Matera
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Daniel J McKay
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert J Duronio
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Zion E, Chen X. Studying histone inheritance in different systems using imaging-based methods and perspectives. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1035-1046. [PMID: 37171077 PMCID: PMC10317187 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220983] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cell identity is critically important in the fields of cell and developmental biology. During cell division, a mother cell duplicates the genetic material and cellular components to give rise to two daughter cells. While both cells receive the same genetic information, they can take on similar or different cell fates, resulting from a symmetric or asymmetric division. These fates can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms that can alter gene expression without changing genetic information. Histone proteins, which wrap DNA into fundamental units of chromatin, are major carriers of epigenetic information and can directly influence gene expression and other cellular functions through their interactions with DNA. While it has been well studied how the genetic information is duplicated and segregated, how epigenetic information, such as histones, are inherited through cell division is still an area of investigation. Since canonical histone proteins are incorporated into chromatin during DNA replication and can be modified over time, it is important to study their inheritance within the context of the cell cycle. Here, we outline the biological basis of histone inheritance as well as the imaging-based experimental design that can be used to study this process. Furthermore, we discuss various studies that have investigated this phenomenon with the focus on asymmetrically dividing cells in different systems. This synopsis provides insight into histone inheritance within the context of the cell cycle, along with the technical methods and considerations that must be taken when studying this process in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Zion
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, U.S.A
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, U.S.A
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, U.S.A
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McPherson JME, Grossmann LC, Armstrong RL, Kwon E, Salzler HR, Matera AG, McKay DJ, Duronio RJ. Reduced histone gene copy number disrupts Drosophila Polycomb function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534544. [PMID: 37034607 PMCID: PMC10081267 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The chromatin of animal cells contains two types of histones: canonical histones that are expressed during S phase of the cell cycle to package the newly replicated genome, and variant histones with specialized functions that are expressed throughout the cell cycle and in non-proliferating cells. Determining whether and how canonical and variant histones cooperate to regulate genome function is integral to understanding how chromatin-based processes affect normal and pathological development. Here, we demonstrate that variant histone H3.3 is essential for Drosophila development only when canonical histone gene copy number is reduced, suggesting that coordination between canonical H3.2 and variant H3.3 expression is necessary to provide sufficient H3 protein for normal genome function. To identify genes that depend upon, or are involved in, this coordinate regulation we screened for heterozygous chromosome 3 deficiencies that impair development of flies bearing reduced H3.2 and H3.3 gene copy number. We identified two regions of chromosome 3 that conferred this phenotype, one of which contains the Polycomb gene, which is necessary for establishing domains of facultative chromatin that repress master regulator genes during development. We further found that reduction in Polycomb dosage decreases viability of animals with no H3.3 gene copies. Moreover, heterozygous Polycomb mutations result in de-repression of the Polycomb target gene Ubx and cause ectopic sex combs when either canonical or variant H3 gene copy number is also reduced. We conclude that Polycomb-mediated facultative heterochromatin function is compromised when canonical and variant H3 gene copy number falls below a critical threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne-Marie E. McPherson
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Lucy C. Grossmann
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robin L. Armstrong
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Esther Kwon
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Harmony R. Salzler
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - A. Gregory Matera
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Daniel J. McKay
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Robert J. Duronio
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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