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Bondarieva A, Tachibana K. Genome folding and zygotic genome activation in mammalian preimplantation embryos. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 89:102268. [PMID: 39383545 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2024.102268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
The totipotent one-cell embryo, or zygote, gives rise to all germ layers and extraembryonic tissues that culminate in the development of a new organism. A zygote is produced at fertilisation by the fusion of differentiated germ cells, egg and sperm. The chromatin of parental genomes is reprogrammed and spatially reorganised in the early embryo. The 3D chromatin organisation is established de novo after fertilisation by a cohesin-dependent mechanism of loop extrusion that forms chromatin loops and topologically associating domains (TADs). Strengthening of TAD insulation is concomitant with the transcriptional 'awakening' of the embryo known as zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Whether and how these processes are causally linked remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss recent findings of 3D chromatin organisation in mammalian gametes and embryos and how these are potentially related to ZGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Bondarieva
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany
| | - Kikuë Tachibana
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Munich, Germany.
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2
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Zou Z, Wang Q, Wu X, Schultz RM, Xie W. Kick-starting the zygotic genome: licensors, specifiers, and beyond. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:4113-4130. [PMID: 39160344 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00223-5] [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: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA), the first transcription event following fertilization, kickstarts the embryonic program that takes over the control of early development from the maternal products. How ZGA occurs, especially in mammals, is poorly understood due to the limited amount of research materials. With the rapid development of single-cell and low-input technologies, remarkable progress made in the past decade has unveiled dramatic transitions of the epigenomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes associated with ZGA. Moreover, functional investigations are yielding insights into the key regulators of ZGA, among which two major classes of players are emerging: licensors and specifiers. Licensors would control the permission of transcription and its timing during ZGA. Accumulating evidence suggests that such licensors of ZGA include regulators of the transcription apparatus and nuclear gatekeepers. Specifiers would instruct the activation of specific genes during ZGA. These specifiers include key transcription factors present at this stage, often facilitated by epigenetic regulators. Based on data primarily from mammals but also results from other species, we discuss in this review how recent research sheds light on the molecular regulation of ZGA and its executors, including the licensors and specifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoning Zou
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuyan Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Wu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China
- Peking University-Tsinghua University-National Institute of Biological Sciences (PTN) Joint Graduate Program, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, 100871, Beijing, China
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, 100084, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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3
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Sharma A, Dsilva GJ, Deshpande G, Galande S. Exploring the versatility of zygotic genome regulators: A comparative and functional analysis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114680. [PMID: 39182225 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114680] [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: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The activation of the zygotic genome constitutes an essential process during early embryogenesis that determines the overall progression of embryonic development. Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is tightly regulated, involving a delicate interplay of activators and repressors, to precisely control the timing and spatial pattern of gene expression. While regulators of ZGA vary across species, they accomplish comparable outcomes. Recent studies have shed light on the unanticipated roles of ZGA components both during and after ZGA. Moreover, different ZGA regulators seem to have acquired unique functional modalities to manifest their regulatory potential. In this review, we explore these observations to assess whether these are simply anecdotal or contribute to a broader regulatory framework that employs a versatile means to arrive at the conserved outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Sharma
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India; Center of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR 201314, India
| | - Greg Jude Dsilva
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India; Center of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR 201314, India
| | - Girish Deshpande
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA.
| | - Sanjeev Galande
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr Homi Bhabha Road, Pune 411008, India; Center of Excellence in Epigenetics, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR 201314, India.
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4
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Woo SJ, Han JY. Epigenetic programming of chicken germ cells: a comparative review. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103977. [PMID: 38970845 PMCID: PMC11269908 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103977] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Chicken embryos serve as an important model for investigating germ cells due to their ease of accessibility and manipulation within the egg. Understanding the development of germ cells is particularly crucial, as they are the only cell types capable of transmitting genetic information to the next generation. Therefore, gene expression regulation in germ cells is important for genomic function. Epigenetic programming is a crucial biological process for the regulation of gene expression without altering the genome sequence. Although epigenetic programming is evolutionarily conserved, several differences between chickens and mammals have been revealed. In this review, we compared the epigenetic regulation of germ cells in chickens and mammals (mainly mice as a representative species). In mammals, migrating primordial germ cells (precursors for germ cells [PGCs]) undergo global DNA demethylation and persist until sexual differentiation, while in chickens, DNA is demethylated until reaching the gonad but remethylated when sexually differentiated. Prospermatogonia is methylated at the onset of mitotic arrest in mammals, while DNA is demethylated at mitotic arrest in chickens. Furthermore, genomic imprinting and inactivation of sex chromosomes are differentially regulated through DNA methylation in chickens and mammals. Chickens and mammals exhibit different patterns of histone modifications during germ cell development, and non-coding RNA, which is not involved in PGC differentiation in mice, plays an important role in chicken PGC development. Additionally, several chicken-specific non-coding RNAs have been identified. In conclusion, we summarized current knowledge of epigenetic gene regulation of chicken germ cells, comparing that of mammals, and highlighted notable differences between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Je Woo
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae Yong Han
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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5
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Hurton MD, Miller JM, Lee MT. H3K4me2 distinguishes a distinct class of enhancers during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.26.609713. [PMID: 39253505 PMCID: PMC11383010 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.26.609713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
After egg fertilization, an initially silent embryonic genome is transcriptionally activated during the maternal-to-zygotic transition. In zebrafish, maternal vertebrate pluripotency factors Nanog, Pou5f3 (OCT4 homolog), and Sox19b (SOX2 homolog) (NPS) play essential roles in orchestrating embryonic genome activation, acting as "pioneers" that open condensed chromatin and mediate acquisition of activating histone modifications. However, some embryonic gene transcription still occurs in the absence of these factors, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms regulating genome activation. To identify chromatin signatures of these unknown pathways, we profiled the histone modification landscape of zebrafish embryos using CUT&RUN. Our regulatory map revealed two subclasses of enhancers distinguished by presence or absence of H3K4me2. Enhancers lacking H3K4me2 tend to require NPS factors for de novo activation, while enhancers bearing H3K4me2 are epigenetically bookmarked by DNA hypomethylation to recapitulate gamete activity in the embryo, independent of NPS pioneering. Thus, parallel enhancer activation pathways combine to induce transcriptional reprogramming to pluripotency in the early embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Hurton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213 U.S.A
| | - Jennifer M Miller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213 U.S.A
| | - Miler T Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213 U.S.A
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6
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Tallan A, Kucinski J, Sunkel B, Taslim C, LaHaye S, Liu Q, Qi J, Wang M, Kendall GC, Stanton BZ. Highly quantitative measurement of differential protein-genome binding with PerCell chromatin sequencing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.12.603283. [PMID: 39071412 PMCID: PMC11275836 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.12.603283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
We report a universal strategy for 2D chromatin sequencing, to increase uniform data analyses and sharing across labs, and to facilitate highly quantitative comparisons across experimental conditions. Within our system, we provide wetlab and drylab tools for researchers to establish and analyze protein-genome binding data with PerCell ChIP-seq. Our methodology is virtually no cost and flexible, enabling rapid, quantitative, internally normalized chromatin sequencing to catalyze project development in a variety of systems, including in vivo zebrafish epigenomics and cancer cell epigenomics. While we highlight utility in these key areas, our methodology is flexible enough such that rapid comparisons of cellular spike-in versus non spike-in are possible, and generalizability to nuclease-based 2D chromatin sequencing would also be possible within the framework of our pipeline. Through the use of well-defined cellular ratios containing orthologous species' chromatin, we enable cross-species comparative epigenomics and highly quantitative low-cost chromatin sequencing with utility across a range of disciplines.
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Freund MM, Harrison MM, Torres-Zelada EF. Exploring the reciprocity between pioneer factors and development. Development 2024; 151:dev201921. [PMID: 38958075 PMCID: PMC11266817 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201921] [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] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Development is regulated by coordinated changes in gene expression. Control of these changes in expression is largely governed by the binding of transcription factors to specific regulatory elements. However, the packaging of DNA into chromatin prevents the binding of many transcription factors. Pioneer factors overcome this barrier owing to unique properties that enable them to bind closed chromatin, promote accessibility and, in so doing, mediate binding of additional factors that activate gene expression. Because of these properties, pioneer factors act at the top of gene-regulatory networks and drive developmental transitions. Despite the ability to bind target motifs in closed chromatin, pioneer factors have cell type-specific chromatin occupancy and activity. Thus, developmental context clearly shapes pioneer-factor function. Here, we discuss this reciprocal interplay between pioneer factors and development: how pioneer factors control changes in cell fate and how cellular environment influences pioneer-factor binding and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan M. Freund
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 52706, USA
| | - Melissa M. Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 52706, USA
| | - Eliana F. Torres-Zelada
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 52706, USA
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8
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Fu B, Ma H, Liu D. Pioneer Transcription Factors: The First Domino in Zygotic Genome Activation. Biomolecules 2024; 14:720. [PMID: 38927123 PMCID: PMC11202083 DOI: 10.3390/biom14060720] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a pivotal event in mammalian embryogenesis, marking the transition from maternal to zygotic control of development. During the ZGA process that is characterized by the intricate cascade of gene expression, who tipped the first domino in a meticulously arranged sequence is a subject of paramount interest. Recently, Dux, Obox and Nr5a2 were identified as pioneer transcription factors that reside at the top of transcriptional hierarchy. Through co-option of retrotransposon elements as hubs for transcriptional activation, these pioneer transcription factors rewire the gene regulatory network, thus initiating ZGA. In this review, we provide a snapshot of the mechanisms underlying the functions of these pioneer transcription factors. We propose that ZGA is the starting point where the embryo's own genome begins to influence development trajectory, therefore in-depth dissecting the functions of pioneer transcription factors during ZGA will form a cornerstone of our understanding for early embryonic development, which will pave the way for advancing our grasp of mammalian developmental biology and optimizing in vitro production (IVP) techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Fu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, HeiLongJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China; (B.F.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Hong Ma
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, HeiLongJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China; (B.F.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Di Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, HeiLongJiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China; (B.F.); (H.M.)
- Key Laboratory of Combining Farming and Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150086, China
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9
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Rother F, Depping R, Popova E, Huegel S, Heiler A, Hartmann E, Bader M. Karyopherin α2 is a maternal effect gene required for early embryonic development and female fertility in mice. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23623. [PMID: 38656660 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301572rr] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The nuclear transport of proteins plays an important role in mediating the transition from egg to embryo and distinct karyopherins have been implicated in this process. Here, we studied the impact of KPNA2 deficiency on preimplantation embryo development in mice. Loss of KPNA2 results in complete arrest at the 2cell stage and embryos exhibit the inability to activate their embryonic genome as well as a severely disturbed nuclear translocation of Nucleoplasmin 2. Our findings define KPNA2 as a new maternal effect gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Rother
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Elena Popova
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefanie Huegel
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ariane Heiler
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Enno Hartmann
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Bader
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Ugolini M, Kerlin MA, Kuznetsova K, Oda H, Kimura H, Vastenhouw NL. Transcription bodies regulate gene expression by sequestering CDK9. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:604-612. [PMID: 38589534 PMCID: PMC11021188 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01389-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The localization of transcriptional activity in specialized transcription bodies is a hallmark of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. It remains unclear, however, if and how transcription bodies affect gene expression. Here we disrupted the formation of two prominent endogenous transcription bodies that mark the onset of zygotic transcription in zebrafish embryos and analysed the effect on gene expression using enriched SLAM-seq and live-cell imaging. We find that the disruption of transcription bodies results in the misregulation of hundreds of genes. Here we focus on genes that are upregulated. These genes have accessible chromatin and are poised to be transcribed in the presence of the two transcription bodies, but they do not go into elongation. Live-cell imaging shows that disruption of the two large transcription bodies enables these poised genes to be transcribed in ectopic transcription bodies, suggesting that the large transcription bodies sequester a pause release factor. Supporting this hypothesis, we find that CDK9-the kinase that releases paused polymerase II-is highly enriched in the two large transcription bodies. Overexpression of CDK9 in wild-type embryos results in the formation of ectopic transcription bodies and thus phenocopies the removal of the two large transcription bodies. Taken together, our results show that transcription bodies regulate transcription by sequestering machinery, thereby preventing genes elsewhere in the nucleus from being transcribed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martino Ugolini
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany
| | - Maciej A Kerlin
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ksenia Kuznetsova
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany
| | - Haruka Oda
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
- Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Nadine L Vastenhouw
- Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG), University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany.
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11
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Gibson TJ, Larson ED, Harrison MM. Protein-intrinsic properties and context-dependent effects regulate pioneer factor binding and function. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2024; 31:548-558. [PMID: 38365978 PMCID: PMC11261375 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-024-01231-8] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin is a barrier to the binding of many transcription factors. By contrast, pioneer factors access nucleosomal targets and promote chromatin opening. Despite binding to target motifs in closed chromatin, many pioneer factors display cell-type-specific binding and activity. The mechanisms governing pioneer factor occupancy and the relationship between chromatin occupancy and opening remain unclear. We studied three Drosophila transcription factors with distinct DNA-binding domains and biological functions: Zelda, Grainy head and Twist. We demonstrated that the level of chromatin occupancy is a key determinant of pioneering activity. Multiple factors regulate occupancy, including motif content, local chromatin and protein concentration. Regions outside the DNA-binding domain are required for binding and chromatin opening. Our results show that pioneering activity is not a binary feature intrinsic to a protein but occurs on a spectrum and is regulated by a variety of protein-intrinsic and cell-type-specific features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Gibson
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth D Larson
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Melissa M Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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12
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Halblander FN, Meng FW, Murphy PJ. Anp32e protects against accumulation of H2A.Z at Sox motif containing promoters during zebrafish gastrulation. Dev Biol 2024; 507:34-43. [PMID: 38159623 PMCID: PMC10922954 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of chromatin states is crucial for proper gene expression programs and progression during development, but precise mechanisms by which epigenetic factors influence differentiation remain poorly understood. Here we find that the histone variant H2A.Z accumulates at Sox motif-containing promoters during zebrafish gastrulation while neighboring genes become transcriptionally active. These changes coincide with reduced expression of anp32e, the H2A.Z histone removal chaperone, suggesting that loss of Anp32e may lead to increases in H2A.Z binding during differentiation. Remarkably, genetic removal of Anp32e in embryos leads to H2A.Z accumulation prior to gastrulation and developmental genes become precociously active. Accordingly, H2A.Z accumulation occurs most extensively at Sox motif-associated genes, including many which are normally activated following gastrulation. Altogether, our results provide compelling evidence for a mechanism in which Anp32e preferentially restricts H2A.Z accumulation at Sox motifs to regulate the initial phases of developmental differentiation in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian N Halblander
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Fanju W Meng
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
| | - Patrick J Murphy
- Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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13
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MacCarthy CM, Wu G, Malik V, Menuchin-Lasowski Y, Velychko T, Keshet G, Fan R, Bedzhov I, Church GM, Jauch R, Cojocaru V, Schöler HR, Velychko S. Highly cooperative chimeric super-SOX induces naive pluripotency across species. Cell Stem Cell 2024; 31:127-147.e9. [PMID: 38141611 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.11.010] [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: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of pluripotency remains limited: iPSC generation has only been established for a few model species, pluripotent stem cell lines exhibit inconsistent developmental potential, and germline transmission has only been demonstrated for mice and rats. By swapping structural elements between Sox2 and Sox17, we built a chimeric super-SOX factor, Sox2-17, that enhanced iPSC generation in five tested species: mouse, human, cynomolgus monkey, cow, and pig. A swap of alanine to valine at the interface between Sox2 and Oct4 delivered a gain of function by stabilizing Sox2/Oct4 dimerization on DNA, enabling generation of high-quality OSKM iPSCs capable of supporting the development of healthy all-iPSC mice. Sox2/Oct4 dimerization emerged as the core driver of naive pluripotency with its levels diminished upon priming. Transient overexpression of the SK cocktail (Sox+Klf4) restored the dimerization and boosted the developmental potential of pluripotent stem cells across species, providing a universal method for naive reset in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangming Wu
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; International Bio Island, Guangzhou, China; MingCeler Biotech, Guangzhou, China
| | - Vikas Malik
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Taras Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gal Keshet
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rui Fan
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ivan Bedzhov
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ralf Jauch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Centre for Translational Stem Cell Biology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Hans R Schöler
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany.
| | - Sergiy Velychko
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
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14
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Perera CD, Idrees M, Khan AM, Haider Z, Ullah S, Kang JS, Lee SH, Kang SM, Kong IK. PDGFRβ Activation Induced the Bovine Embryonic Genome Activation via Enhanced NFYA Nuclear Localization. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17047. [PMID: 38069370 PMCID: PMC10707662 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242317047] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is a critical step during embryonic development. Several transcription factors have been identified that play major roles in initiating EGA; however, this gradual and complex mechanism still needs to be explored. In this study, we investigated the role of nuclear transcription factor Y subunit A (NFYA) in bovine EGA and bovine embryonic development and its relationship with the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) by using a potent selective activator (PDGF-BB) and inhibitor (CP-673451) of PDGF receptors. Activation and inhibition of PDGFRβ using PDGF-BB and CP-673451 revealed that NFYA expression is significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the PDGFRβ. In addition, PDGFRβ mRNA expression was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the activator group and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the inhibitor group when compared with PDGFRα. Downregulation of NFYA following PDGFRβ inhibition was associated with the expression of critical EGA-related genes, bovine embryo development rate, and implantation potential. Moreover, ROS and mitochondrial apoptosis levels and expression of pluripotency-related markers necessary for inner cell mass development were also significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the downregulation of NFYA while interrupting trophoblast cell (CDX2) differentiation. In conclusion, the PDGFRβ-NFYA axis is critical for bovine embryonic genome activation and embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chalani Dilshani Perera
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Muhammad Idrees
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Abdul Majid Khan
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Zaheer Haider
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Safeer Ullah
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Ji-Su Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Seo-Hyun Lee
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Seon-Min Kang
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21 Four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (C.D.P.); (M.I.); (A.M.K.); (Z.H.); (S.U.); (J.-S.K.); (S.-H.L.); (S.-M.K.)
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science (IALS), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
- The King Kong Corp. Ltd., Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
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15
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Takada Y, Fierro L, Sato K, Sanada T, Ishii A, Yamamoto T, Kotani T. Mature mRNA processing that deletes 3' end sequences directs translational activation and embryonic development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6532. [PMID: 38000026 PMCID: PMC10672166 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Eggs accumulate thousands of translationally repressed mRNAs that are translated into proteins after fertilization to direct diverse developmental processes. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the translation of stored mRNAs after fertilization remain unclear. Here, we report a previously unknown RNA processing of 3' end sequences of mature mRNAs that activates the translation of stored mRNAs. Specifically, 9 to 72 nucleotides at the 3' ends of zebrafish pou5f3 and mouse Pou5f1 mRNAs were deleted in the early stages of development. Reporter assays illustrated the effective translation of the truncated forms of mRNAs. Moreover, promotion and inhibition of the shortening of 3' ends accelerated and attenuated Pou5f3 accumulation, respectively, resulting in defective development. Identification of proteins binding to unprocessed and/or processed mRNAs revealed that mRNA shortening acts as molecular switches. Comprehensive analysis revealed that >250 mRNAs underwent this processing. Therefore, our results provide a molecular principle that triggers the translational activation and directs development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Takada
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Ludivine Fierro
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Keisuke Sato
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Takahiro Sanada
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Anna Ishii
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Takehiro Yamamoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kotani
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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16
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Phelps WA, Hurton MD, Ayers TN, Carlson AE, Rosenbaum JC, Lee MT. Hybridization led to a rewired pluripotency network in the allotetraploid Xenopus laevis. eLife 2023; 12:e83952. [PMID: 37787392 PMCID: PMC10569791 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83952] [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: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
After fertilization, maternally contributed factors to the egg initiate the transition to pluripotency to give rise to embryonic stem cells, in large part by activating de novo transcription from the embryonic genome. Diverse mechanisms coordinate this transition across animals, suggesting that pervasive regulatory remodeling has shaped the earliest stages of development. Here, we show that maternal homologs of mammalian pluripotency reprogramming factors OCT4 and SOX2 divergently activate the two subgenomes of Xenopus laevis, an allotetraploid that arose from hybridization of two diploid species ~18 million years ago. Although most genes have been retained as two homeologous copies, we find that a majority of them undergo asymmetric activation in the early embryo. Chromatin accessibility profiling and CUT&RUN for modified histones and transcription factor binding reveal extensive differences in predicted enhancer architecture between the subgenomes, which likely arose through genomic disruptions as a consequence of allotetraploidy. However, comparison with diploid X. tropicalis and zebrafish shows broad conservation of embryonic gene expression levels when divergent homeolog contributions are combined, implying strong selection to maintain dosage in the core vertebrate pluripotency transcriptional program, amid genomic instability following hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley A Phelps
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Matthew D Hurton
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Taylor N Ayers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Anne E Carlson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Joel C Rosenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
| | - Miler T Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of PittsburghPittsburghUnited States
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17
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Riesle AJ, Gao M, Rosenblatt M, Hermes J, Hass H, Gebhard A, Veil M, Grüning B, Timmer J, Onichtchouk D. Activator-blocker model of transcriptional regulation by pioneer-like factors. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5677. [PMID: 37709752 PMCID: PMC10502082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41507-z] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in the development of flies, fish, frogs and mammals depends on pioneer-like transcription factors (TFs). Those TFs create open chromatin regions, promote histone acetylation on enhancers, and activate transcription. Here, we use the panel of single, double and triple mutants for zebrafish genome activators Pou5f3, Sox19b and Nanog, multi-omics and mathematical modeling to investigate the combinatorial mechanisms of genome activation. We show that Pou5f3 and Nanog act differently on synergistic and antagonistic enhancer types. Pou5f3 and Nanog both bind as pioneer-like TFs on synergistic enhancers, promote histone acetylation and activate transcription. Antagonistic enhancers are activated by binding of one of these factors. The other TF binds as non-pioneer-like TF, competes with the activator and blocks all its effects, partially or completely. This activator-blocker mechanism mutually restricts widespread transcriptional activation by Pou5f3 and Nanog and prevents premature expression of late developmental regulators in the early embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Julia Riesle
- Department of Developmental Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Epigenetics and Neurobiology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, EMBL Rome, Adriano Buzzati-Traverso Campus, Via Ramarini 32, 00015, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Meijiang Gao
- Department of Developmental Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Signalling Research centers BIOSS and CIBSS, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Rosenblatt
- Institute of Physics, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jacques Hermes
- Institute of Physics, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Helge Hass
- Institute of Physics, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna Gebhard
- Department of Developmental Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marina Veil
- Department of Developmental Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Björn Grüning
- Department of Computer Science, University of Freiburg, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis (ZBSA), University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jens Timmer
- Signalling Research centers BIOSS and CIBSS, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute of Physics, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Freiburg Center for Data Analysis and Modelling (FDM), 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Daria Onichtchouk
- Department of Developmental Biology, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Signalling Research centers BIOSS and CIBSS, 79104, Freiburg, Germany.
- Institute of Developmental Biology RAS, 119991, Moscow, Russia.
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18
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Zhou CY, Heald R. Principles of genome activation in the early embryo. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 81:102062. [PMID: 37339553 PMCID: PMC11419330 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102062] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
A major hurdle in an embryo's life is the initiation of its own transcriptional program, a process termed Zygotic Genome Activation (ZGA). In many species, ZGA is intricately timed, with bulk transcription initiating at the end of a series of reductive cell divisions when cell cycle duration increases. At the same time, major changes in genome architecture give rise to chromatin states that are permissive to RNA polymerase II activity. Yet, we still do not understand the series of events that trigger gene expression at the right time and in the correct sequence. Here we discuss new discoveries that deepen our understanding of how zygotic genes are primed for transcription, and how these events are regulated by the cell cycle and nuclear import. Finally, we speculate on the evolutionary basis of ZGA timing as an exciting future direction for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coral Y Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
| | - Rebecca Heald
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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19
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Ji S, Chen F, Stein P, Wang J, Zhou Z, Wang L, Zhao Q, Lin Z, Liu B, Xu K, Lai F, Xiong Z, Hu X, Kong T, Kong F, Huang B, Wang Q, Xu Q, Fan Q, Liu L, Williams CJ, Schultz RM, Xie W. OBOX regulates mouse zygotic genome activation and early development. Nature 2023; 620:1047-1053. [PMID: 37459895 PMCID: PMC10528489 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06428-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) activates the quiescent genome to enable the maternal-to-zygotic transition1,2. However, the identity of transcription factors that underlie mammalian ZGA in vivo remains elusive. Here we show that OBOX, a PRD-like homeobox domain transcription factor family (OBOX1-OBOX8)3-5, are key regulators of mouse ZGA. Mice deficient for maternally transcribed Obox1/2/5/7 and zygotically expressed Obox3/4 had a two-cell to four-cell arrest, accompanied by impaired ZGA. The Obox knockout defects could be rescued by restoring either maternal and zygotic OBOX, which suggests that maternal and zygotic OBOX redundantly support embryonic development. Chromatin-binding analysis showed that Obox knockout preferentially affected OBOX-binding targets. Mechanistically, OBOX facilitated the 'preconfiguration' of RNA polymerase II, as the polymerase relocated from the initial one-cell binding targets to ZGA gene promoters and distal enhancers. Impaired polymerase II preconfiguration in Obox mutants was accompanied by defective ZGA and chromatin accessibility transition, as well as aberrant activation of one-cell polymerase II targets. Finally, ectopic expression of OBOX activated ZGA genes and MERVL repeats in mouse embryonic stem cells. These data thus demonstrate that OBOX regulates mouse ZGA and early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Ji
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengling Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Paula Stein
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jiacheng Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ziming Zhou
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhao
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zili Lin
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Bofeng Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fangnong Lai
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuqing Xiong
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianxiang Kong
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Kong
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiujun Wang
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhua Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Fan
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Richard M Schultz
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology School of Veterinary Medicine University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
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20
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Wu E, Vastenhouw NL. Sleeping embryonic genomes are awoken by OBOX proteins. Nature 2023; 620:956-957. [PMID: 37460688 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-01618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
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21
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Nie X, Xu Q, Xu C, Chen F, Wang Q, Qin D, Wang R, Gao Z, Lu X, Yang X, Wu Y, Gu C, Xie W, Li L. Maternal TDP-43 interacts with RNA Pol II and regulates zygotic genome activation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4275. [PMID: 37460529 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39924-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is essential for early embryonic development. However, the regulation of ZGA remains elusive in mammals. Here we report that a maternal factor TDP-43, a nuclear transactive response DNA-binding protein, regulates ZGA through RNA Pol II and is essential for mouse early embryogenesis. Maternal TDP-43 translocates from the cytoplasm into the nucleus at the early two-cell stage when minor to major ZGA transition occurs. Genetic deletion of maternal TDP-43 results in mouse early embryos arrested at the two-cell stage. TDP-43 co-occupies with RNA Pol II as large foci in the nucleus and also at the promoters of ZGA genes at the late two-cell stage. Biochemical evidence indicates that TDP-43 binds Polr2a and Cyclin T1. Depletion of maternal TDP-43 caused the loss of Pol II foci and reduced Pol II binding on chromatin at major ZGA genes, accompanied by defective ZGA. Collectively, our results suggest that maternal TDP-43 is critical for mouse early embryonic development, in part through facilitating the correct RNA Pol II configuration and zygotic genome activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhua Xu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chengpeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengling Chen
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qizhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xukun Lu
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xinai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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22
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Galitsyna A, Ulianov SV, Bykov NS, Veil M, Gao M, Perevoschikova K, Gelfand M, Razin SV, Mirny L, Onichtchouk D. Extrusion fountains are hallmarks of chromosome organization emerging upon zygotic genome activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.15.549120. [PMID: 37503128 PMCID: PMC10370019 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.15.549120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The first activation of gene expression during development (zygotic genome activation, ZGA) is accompanied by massive changes in chromosome organization. The connection between these two processes remains unknown. Using Hi-C for zebrafish embryos, we found that chromosome folding starts by establishing "fountains", novel elements of chromosome organization, emerging selectively at enhancers upon ZGA. Using polymer simulations, we demonstrate that fountains can emerge as sites of targeted cohesin loading and require two-sided, yet desynchronized, loop extrusion. Specific loss of fountains upon loss of pioneer transcription factors that drive ZGA reveals a causal connection between enhancer activity and fountain formation. Finally, we show that fountains emerge in early Medaka and Xenopus embryos; moreover, we found cohesin-dependent fountain pattern on enhancers of mouse embryonic stem cells. Taken together, fountains are the first enhancer-specific elements of chromosome organization; they constitute starting points of chromosome folding during early development, likely serving as sites of targeted cohesin loading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Galitsyna
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sergey V. Ulianov
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Nikolai S. Bykov
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems (the Kharkevich Institute), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127051, Russia
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG), Baldiri Reixac 4, Barcelona, 08028 Spain
| | - Marina Veil
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Meijiang Gao
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
| | - Kristina Perevoschikova
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Mikhail Gelfand
- Institute for Information Transmission Problems (the Kharkevich Institute), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 127051, Russia
| | - Sergey V. Razin
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119334, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Leonid Mirny
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Daria Onichtchouk
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, Freiburg, 79104, Germany
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology RAS, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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23
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Pownall ME, Miao L, Vejnar CE, M’Saad O, Sherrard A, Frederick MA, Benitez MD, Boswell CW, Zaret KS, Bewersdorf J, Giraldez AJ. Chromatin expansion microscopy reveals nanoscale organization of transcription and chromatin. Science 2023; 381:92-100. [PMID: 37410825 PMCID: PMC10372697 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade5308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Nanoscale chromatin organization regulates gene expression. Although chromatin is notably reprogrammed during zygotic genome activation (ZGA), the organization of chromatin regulatory factors during this universal process remains unclear. In this work, we developed chromatin expansion microscopy (ChromExM) to visualize chromatin, transcription, and transcription factors in vivo. ChromExM of embryos during ZGA revealed how the pioneer factor Nanog interacts with nucleosomes and RNA polymerase II (Pol II), providing direct visualization of transcriptional elongation as string-like nanostructures. Blocking elongation led to more Pol II particles clustered around Nanog, with Pol II stalled at promoters and Nanog-bound enhancers. This led to a new model termed "kiss and kick", in which enhancer-promoter contacts are transient and released by transcriptional elongation. Our results demonstrate that ChromExM is broadly applicable to study nanoscale nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E. Pownall
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Liyun Miao
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Charles E. Vejnar
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ons M’Saad
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Alice Sherrard
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Megan A. Frederick
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maria D.J. Benitez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Curtis W. Boswell
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Kenneth S. Zaret
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joerg Bewersdorf
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Department of Physics, Yale University; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Nanobiology Institute, Yale University; West Haven, CT 06477, USA
| | - Antonio J. Giraldez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine; New Haven, CT 06510, USA
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24
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Ayers TN, Nicotra ML, Lee MT. Parallels and contrasts between the cnidarian and bilaterian maternal-to-zygotic transition are revealed in Hydractinia embryos. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010845. [PMID: 37440598 PMCID: PMC10368294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010845] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryogenesis requires coordinated gene regulatory activities early on that establish the trajectory of subsequent development, during a period called the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). The MZT comprises transcriptional activation of the embryonic genome and post-transcriptional regulation of egg-inherited maternal mRNA. Investigation into the MZT in animals has focused almost exclusively on bilaterians, which include all classical models such as flies, worms, sea urchin, and vertebrates, thus limiting our capacity to understand the gene regulatory paradigms uniting the MZT across all animals. Here, we elucidate the MZT of a non-bilaterian, the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus. Using parallel poly(A)-selected and non poly(A)-dependent RNA-seq approaches, we find that the Hydractinia MZT is composed of regulatory activities similar to many bilaterians, including cytoplasmic readenylation of maternally contributed mRNA, delayed genome activation, and separate phases of maternal mRNA deadenylation and degradation that likely depend on both maternally and zygotically encoded clearance factors, including microRNAs. But we also observe massive upregulation of histone genes and an expanded repertoire of predicted H4K20 methyltransferases, aspects thus far particular to the Hydractinia MZT and potentially underlying a novel mode of early embryonic chromatin regulation. Thus, similar regulatory strategies with taxon-specific elaboration underlie the MZT in both bilaterian and non-bilaterian embryos, providing insight into how an essential developmental transition may have arisen in ancestral animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Ayers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew L. Nicotra
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Miler T. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, United States of America
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25
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Ayers TN, Nicotra ML, Lee MT. Parallels and contrasts between the cnidarian and bilaterian maternal-to-zygotic transition are revealed in Hydractinia embryos. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.09.540083. [PMID: 37214839 PMCID: PMC10197650 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.09.540083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Embryogenesis requires coordinated gene regulatory activities early on that establish the trajectory of subsequent development, during a period called the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT). The MZT comprises transcriptional activation of the embryonic genome and post-transcriptional regulation of egg-inherited maternal mRNA. Investigation into the MZT in animals has focused almost exclusively on bilaterians, which include all classical models such as flies, worms, sea urchin, and vertebrates, thus limiting our capacity to understand the gene regulatory paradigms uniting the MZT across all animals. Here, we elucidate the MZT of a non-bilaterian, the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus . Using parallel poly(A)-selected and non poly(A)-dependent RNA-seq approaches, we find that the Hydractinia MZT is composed of regulatory activities analogous to many bilaterians, including cytoplasmic readenylation of maternally contributed mRNA, delayed genome activation, and separate phases of maternal mRNA deadenylation and degradation that likely depend on both maternally and zygotically encoded clearance factors, including microRNAs. But we also observe massive upregulation of histone genes and an expanded repertoire of predicted H4K20 methyltransferases, aspects thus far unique to the Hydractinia MZT and potentially underlying a novel mode of early embryonic chromatin regulation. Thus, similar regulatory strategies with taxon-specific elaboration underlie the MZT in both bilaterian and non-bilaterian embryos, providing insight into how an essential developmental transition may have arisen in ancestral animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor N. Ayers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213 U.S.A
| | - Matthew L. Nicotra
- Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 U.S.A
| | - Miler T. Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15213 U.S.A
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26
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Gibson TJ, Harrison MM. Protein-intrinsic properties and context-dependent effects regulate pioneer-factor binding and function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.18.533281. [PMID: 37066406 PMCID: PMC10103944 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.18.533281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin is a barrier to the binding of many transcription factors. By contrast, pioneer factors access nucleosomal targets and promote chromatin opening. Despite binding to target motifs in closed chromatin, many pioneer factors display cell-type specific binding and activity. The mechanisms governing pioneer-factor occupancy and the relationship between chromatin occupancy and opening remain unclear. We studied three Drosophila transcription factors with distinct DNA-binding domains and biological functions: Zelda, Grainy head, and Twist. We demonstrated that the level of chromatin occupancy is a key determinant of pioneering activity. Multiple factors regulate occupancy, including motif content, local chromatin, and protein concentration. Regions outside the DNA-binding domain are required for binding and chromatin opening. Our results show that pioneering activity is not a binary feature intrinsic to a protein but occurs on a spectrum and is regulated by a variety of protein-intrinsic and cell-type-specific features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Gibson
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI
| | - Melissa M. Harrison
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI
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27
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Oh SH, Lee SE, Han DH, Yoon JW, Kim SH, Lim ES, Lee HB, Kim EY, Park SP. Treatments of Porcine Nuclear Recipient Oocytes and Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Generated Embryos with Various Reactive Oxygen Species Scavengers Lead to Improvements of Their Quality Parameters and Developmental Competences by Mitigating Oxidative Stress-Related Impacts. Cell Reprogram 2023; 25:73-81. [PMID: 36939858 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2022.0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the antioxidant effects of β-cryptoxanthin (BCX), hesperetin (HES), and icariin (ICA), and their effects on in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Treatment with 1 μM BCX (BCX-1) increased the developmental rate of porcine oocytes more than treatment with 100 μM HES (HES-100) or 5 μM ICA (ICA-5). The glutathione level and mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (NFE2L2, SOD1, and SOD2) were more increased in the BCX-1 group than in the HES-100 and ICA-5 groups, while the reactive oxygen species level was more decreased. Moreover, BCX improved the developmental capacity and quality of SCNT embryos. The total cell number, apoptotic cell rate, and development-related gene expression were modulated in the BCX-1 group to enhance embryonic development of SCNT. These results show that the antioxidant effects of BCX enhance in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes and subsequent embryonic development of SCNT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hwan Oh
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Seung-Eun Lee
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Dong-Hun Han
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Jae-Wook Yoon
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - So-Hee Kim
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Eun-Seo Lim
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Han-Bi Lee
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
| | - Eun-Young Kim
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Faculty of Biotechnology, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Mirae Cell Bio, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se-Pill Park
- Stem Cell Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.,Mirae Cell Bio, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Bio Medical Informatics, College of Applied Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea
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28
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Zhang X, Fang B, Huang YF. Transcription factor binding sites are frequently under accelerated evolution in primates. Nat Commun 2023; 14:783. [PMID: 36774380 PMCID: PMC9922303 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36421-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent comparative genomic studies have identified many human accelerated elements (HARs) with elevated substitution rates in the human lineage. However, it remains unknown to what extent transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) are under accelerated evolution in humans and other primates. Here, we introduce two pooling-based phylogenetic methods with dramatically enhanced sensitivity to examine accelerated evolution in TFBSs. Using these new methods, we show that more than 6000 TFBSs annotated in the human genome have experienced accelerated evolution in Hominini, apes, and Old World monkeys. Although these TFBSs individually show relatively weak signals of accelerated evolution, they collectively are more abundant than HARs. Also, we show that accelerated evolution in Pol III binding sites may be driven by lineage-specific positive selection, whereas accelerated evolution in other TFBSs might be driven by nonadaptive evolutionary forces. Finally, the accelerated TFBSs are enriched around developmental genes, suggesting that accelerated evolution in TFBSs may drive the divergence of developmental processes between primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Zhang
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Bioinformatics and Genomics Graduate Program, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Bohao Fang
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02135, USA
| | - Yi-Fei Huang
- Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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29
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Hadzhiev Y, Wheatley L, Cooper L, Ansaloni F, Whalley C, Chen Z, Finaurini S, Gustincich S, Sanges R, Burgess S, Beggs A, Müller F. The miR-430 locus with extreme promoter density forms a transcription body during the minor wave of zygotic genome activation. Dev Cell 2023; 58:155-170.e8. [PMID: 36693321 PMCID: PMC9904021 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.12.007] [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: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In anamniote embryos, the major wave of zygotic genome activation starts during the mid-blastula transition. However, some genes escape global genome repression, are activated substantially earlier, and contribute to the minor wave of genome activation. The mechanisms underlying the minor wave of genome activation are little understood. We explored the genomic organization and cis-regulatory mechanisms of a transcription body, in which the minor wave of genome activation is first detected in zebrafish. We identified the miR-430 cluster as having excessive copy number and the highest density of Pol-II-transcribed promoters in the genome, and this is required for forming the transcription body. However, this transcription body is not essential for, nor does it encompasse, minor wave transcription globally. Instead, distinct minor-wave-specific promoter architecture suggests that promoter-autonomous mechanisms regulate the minor wave of genome activation. The minor-wave-specific features also suggest distinct transcription initiation mechanisms between the minor and major waves of genome activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavor Hadzhiev
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Lucy Wheatley
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ledean Cooper
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Federico Ansaloni
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy; Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Celina Whalley
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Zhelin Chen
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2152, USA
| | - Sara Finaurini
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Gustincich
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Remo Sanges
- Area of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), 34136 Trieste, Italy; Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Shawn Burgess
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-2152, USA
| | - Andrew Beggs
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ferenc Müller
- Institute of Cancer and Genomics Sciences, Birmingham Centre for Genome Biology, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
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30
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Tan DS, Cheung SL, Gao Y, Weinbuch M, Hu H, Shi L, Ti SC, Hutchins AP, Cojocaru V, Jauch R. The homeodomain of Oct4 is a dimeric binder of methylated CpG elements. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1120-1138. [PMID: 36631980 PMCID: PMC9943670 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac1262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Oct4 is essential to maintain pluripotency and has a pivotal role in establishing the germline. Its DNA-binding POU domain was recently found to bind motifs with methylated CpG elements normally associated with epigenetic silencing. However, the mode of binding and the consequences of this capability has remained unclear. Here, we show that Oct4 binds to a compact palindromic DNA element with a methylated CpG core (CpGpal) in alternative states of pluripotency and during cellular reprogramming towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). During cellular reprogramming, typical Oct4 bound enhancers are uniformly demethylated, with the prominent exception of the CpGpal sites where DNA methylation is often maintained. We demonstrate that Oct4 cooperatively binds the CpGpal element as a homodimer, which contrasts with the ectoderm-expressed POU factor Brn2. Indeed, binding to CpGpal is Oct4-specific as other POU factors expressed in somatic cells avoid this element. Binding assays combined with structural analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that dimeric Oct4-binding to CpGpal is driven by the POU-homeodomain whilst the POU-specific domain is detached from DNA. Collectively, we report that Oct4 exerts parts of its regulatory function in the context of methylated DNA through a DNA recognition mechanism that solely relies on its homeodomain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisylyn Senna Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shun Lai Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Maike Weinbuch
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China,Institute for Molecular Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Haoqing Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liyang Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Shih-Chieh Ti
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Vlad Cojocaru
- STAR-UBB Institute, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Computational Structural Biology Group, Utrecht University, The Netherlands,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Jauch
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +852 3917 9511; Fax: +852 28559730;
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31
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Kuznetsova K, Chabot NM, Ugolini M, Wu E, Lalit M, Oda H, Sato Y, Kimura H, Jug F, Vastenhouw NL. Nanog organizes transcription bodies. Curr Biol 2023; 33:164-173.e5. [PMID: 36476751 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The localization of transcriptional activity in specialized transcription bodies is a hallmark of gene expression in eukaryotic cells.1-3 How proteins of the transcriptional machinery come together to form such bodies, however, is unclear. Here, we take advantage of two large, isolated, and long-lived transcription bodies that reproducibly form during early zebrafish embryogenesis to characterize the dynamics of transcription body formation. Once formed, these transcription bodies are enriched for initiating and elongating RNA polymerase II, as well as the transcription factors Nanog and Sox19b. Analyzing the events leading up to transcription, we find that Nanog and Sox19b cluster prior to transcription. The clustering of transcription factors is sequential; Nanog clusters first, and this is required for the clustering of Sox19b and the initiation of transcription. Mutant analysis revealed that both the DNA-binding domain as well as one of the two intrinsically disordered regions of Nanog are required to organize the two bodies of transcriptional activity. Taken together, our data suggest that the clustering of transcription factors dictates the formation of transcription bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenia Kuznetsova
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Noémie M Chabot
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Quartier Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Martino Ugolini
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Quartier Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Edlyn Wu
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Quartier Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Manan Lalit
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Haruka Oda
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Yuko Sato
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Cell Biology Center, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503, Japan
| | - Florian Jug
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Fondazione Human Technopole, Viale Rita Levi-Montalcini 1, Area MIND, 20157 Milano, Italy
| | - Nadine L Vastenhouw
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany; Center for Integrative Genomics, University of Lausanne, Quartier Sorge, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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32
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Gassler J, Kobayashi W, Gáspár I, Ruangroengkulrith S, Mohanan A, Gómez Hernández L, Kravchenko P, Kümmecke M, Lalic A, Rifel N, Ashburn RJ, Zaczek M, Vallot A, Cuenca Rico L, Ladstätter S, Tachibana K. Zygotic genome activation by the totipotency pioneer factor Nr5a2. Science 2022; 378:1305-1315. [PMID: 36423263 DOI: 10.1126/science.abn7478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Life begins with a switch in genetic control from the maternal to the embryonic genome during zygotic genome activation (ZGA). Despite its importance, the essential regulators of ZGA remain largely unknown in mammals. On the basis of de novo motif searches, we identified the orphan nuclear receptor Nr5a2 as a key activator of major ZGA in mouse two-cell embryos. Nr5a2 is required for progression beyond the two-cell stage. It binds to its motif within SINE B1/Alu retrotransposable elements found in cis-regulatory regions of ZGA genes. Chemical inhibition suggests that 72% of ZGA genes are regulated by Nr5a2 and potentially other orphan nuclear receptors. Nr5a2 promotes chromatin accessibility during ZGA and binds nucleosomal DNA in vitro. We conclude that Nr5a2 is an essential pioneer factor that regulates ZGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Gassler
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Wataru Kobayashi
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Imre Gáspár
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Adarsh Mohanan
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Gómez Hernández
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Pavel Kravchenko
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Kümmecke
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Aleksandar Lalic
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Nikita Rifel
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Robert John Ashburn
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany
| | - Maciej Zaczek
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Antoine Vallot
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Laura Cuenca Rico
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabrina Ladstätter
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
| | - Kikuë Tachibana
- Department of Totipotency, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry (MPIB), Munich, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria
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33
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Baniasadi F, Hajiaghalou S, Shahverdi A, Ghalamboran MR, Pirhajati V, Fathi R. The Beneficial Effects of Static Magnetic Field and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on the Vitrification of Mature Mice Oocytes. Reprod Sci 2022:10.1007/s43032-022-01144-1. [PMID: 36562985 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01144-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) and nanoparticles (NPs) on the vitrification of cumulus-oocyte-complex (COC). To this end, the non-vitrified (nVit) and vitrified groups (Vit) that contain NPs, with or without SMF were labeled nVit_NPs, nVit_NPs_SMF, Vit_NPs, and Vit_NPs_SMF, respectively. The non-toxic dosages of NPs were first determined to be 0.008% w/v. The survival, apoptosis, and necrosis, mitochondrial activity, fertilization rate, subsequent-derived embryo development, and gene expressions were examined. The viability rates obtained by trypan blue and Anx-PI staining were meaningfully smaller in the Vit groups, compared to the nVit groups. The JC1 red/green signal ratios were reduced considerably in the Vit group, compared to the nVit. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to assess the entry of the NPs into the oocytes. TEM images showed that NPs were present in nVit_NPs, and Vit_NPs. Thereafter, the effects of NPs and SMF on in vitro fertilization (IVF) were examined. The difference in blastocyst rates between nVit and Vit_NPs_SMF groups was significant. Finally, Nanog, Cdx2, Oct4, and Sox2 genes were evaluated. There were substantial differences in Cdx2 gene expressions between the Vit_NPs and nVit groups. The expression of Nanog in Vit was significantly higher than those of the Vit_NPs, Vit_NPs_SMF, and nVit groups. The data presented here provide deeper insight into the application of iron oxide nanoparticles in COC vitrification. It appears that using SMF and supplemented CPA by NPs inhibits cryoinjury and promote the embryo development capacity of vitrified-warmed COCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Baniasadi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - S Hajiaghalou
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - A Shahverdi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - M R Ghalamboran
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - V Pirhajati
- Neuroscience Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - R Fathi
- Department of Embryology, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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Shen W, Gong B, Xing C, Zhang L, Sun J, Chen Y, Yang C, Yan L, Chen L, Yao L, Li G, Deng H, Wu X, Meng A. Comprehensive maturity of nuclear pore complexes regulates zygotic genome activation. Cell 2022; 185:4954-4970.e20. [PMID: 36493774 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are channels for nucleocytoplasmic transport of proteins and RNAs. However, it remains unclear whether composition, structure, and permeability of NPCs dynamically change during the cleavage period of vertebrate embryos and affect embryonic development. Here, we report that the comprehensive NPC maturity (CNM) controls the onset of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) during zebrafish early embryogenesis. We show that more nucleoporin proteins are recruited to and assembled into NPCs with development, resulting in progressive increase of NPCs in size and complexity. Maternal transcription factors (TFs) transport into nuclei more efficiently with increasing CNM. Deficiency or dysfunction of Nup133 or Ahctf1/Elys impairs NPC assembly, maternal TFs nuclear transport, and ZGA onset, while nup133 overexpression promotes these processes. Therefore, CNM may act as a molecular timer for ZGA by controlling nuclear transport of maternal TFs that reach nuclear concentration thresholds at a given time to initiate ZGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Shen
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bo Gong
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cencan Xing
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuling Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Changmei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lu Yan
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Luxi Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Likun Yao
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Guangyuan Li
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haiteng Deng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiaotong Wu
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Anming Meng
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Developmental Diseases and Cancer Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Laboratory of Stem Cell Regulation, Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, China.
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35
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Zhai Y, Yu H, An X, Zhang Z, Zhang M, Zhang S, Li Q, Li Z. Profiling the transcriptomic signatures and identifying the patterns of zygotic genome activation - a comparative analysis between early porcine embryos and their counterparts in other three mammalian species. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:772. [PMID: 36434523 PMCID: PMC9700911 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-09015-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transcriptional changes around zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in preimplantation embryos are critical for studying mechanisms of embryonic developmental arrest and searching for key transcription factors. However, studies on the transcription profile of porcine ZGA are limited. RESULTS In this study, we performed RNA sequencing in porcine in vivo developed (IVV) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo at different stages and compared the transcriptional activity of porcine embryos with mouse, bovine and human embryos. The results showed that the transcriptome map of the early porcine embryos was significantly changed at the 4-cell stage, and 5821 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SCNT embryos failed to be reprogrammed or activated during ZGA, which mainly enrichment to metabolic pathways. c-MYC was identified as the highest expressed transcription factor during ZGA. By treating with 10,058-F4, an inhibitor of c-MYC, the cleavage rate (38.33 ± 3.4%) and blastocyst rate (23.33 ± 4.3%) of porcine embryos were significantly lower than those of the control group (50.82 ± 2.7% and 34.43 ± 1.9%). Cross-species analysis of transcriptome during ZGA showed that pigs and bovines had the highest similarity coefficient in biological processes. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that there were 10 co-shared pathways in the four species. CONCLUSIONS Our results reveal that embryos with impaired developmental competence may be arrested at an early stage of development. c-MYC helps promote ZGA and preimplantation embryonic development in pigs. Pigs and bovines have the highest coefficient of similarity in biological processes during ZGA. This study provides an important reference for further studying the reprogramming regulatory mechanism of porcine embryos during ZGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Zhai
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Hao Yu
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062 Jilin China
| | - Xinglan An
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Zhiren Zhang
- grid.452930.90000 0004 1757 8087Zhuhai People’s Hospital (Zhuhai hospital affiliated with Jinan University), Zhuhai, 519000 Guangdong China
| | - Meng Zhang
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Qi Li
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
| | - Ziyi Li
- grid.64924.3d0000 0004 1760 5735Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, First Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021 China
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Li C, Zhang Y, Leng L, Pan X, Zhao D, Li X, Huang J, Bolund L, Lin G, Luo Y, Xu F. The single-cell expression profile of transposable elements and transcription factors in human early biparental and uniparental embryonic development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1020490. [PMID: 36438554 PMCID: PMC9691860 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1020490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) and transcription factors (TFs) are involved in the precise regulation of gene expression during the preimplantation stage. Activation of TEs is a key event for mammalian embryonic genome activation and preimplantation early embryonic development. TFs are involved in the regulation of drastic changes in gene expression patterns, but an inventory of the interplay between TEs and TFs during normal/abnormal human embryonic development is still lacking. Here we used single-cell RNA sequencing data generated from biparental and uniparental embryos to perform an integrative analysis of TE and TF expression. Our results showed that endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are mainly expressed during the minor embryonic genome activation (EGA) process of early embryos, while Alu is gradually expressed in the middle and later stages. Some important ERVs (e.g., LTR5_Hs, MLT2A1) and Alu TEs are expressed at significantly lower levels in androgenic embryos. Integrative analysis revealed that the expression of the transcription factors CTCF and POU5F1 is correlated with the differential expression of ERV TEs. Comparative coexpression network analysis further showed distinct expression levels of important TFs (e.g., LEUTX and ZSCAN5A) in dizygotic embryos vs. parthenogenetic and androgenic embryos. This systematic investigation of TE and TF expression in human early embryonic development by single-cell RNA sequencing provides valuable insights into mammalian embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Li
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yue Zhang
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lizhi Leng
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cells Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoguang Pan
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
| | - Depeng Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuemei Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinrong Huang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Bolund
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Ge Lin
- Institute of Reproductive and Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive and Stem Cells Engineering, Ministry of Health, Changsha, China
- Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, China
| | - Yonglun Luo
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Fengping Xu
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI-Shenzhen, Beishan Industrial Zone, Shenzhen, China
- Qingdao-Europe Advanced Institute for Life Sciences, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- Lars Bolund Institute of Regenerative Medicine, BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao, China
- China National GeneBank, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Cell, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
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37
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Manikandan P, Sarmah S, Marrs JA. Ethanol Effects on Early Developmental Stages Studied Using the Zebrafish. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2555. [PMID: 36289818 PMCID: PMC9599251 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) results from prenatal ethanol exposure. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an outstanding in vivo FASD model. Early development produced the three germ layers and embryonic axes patterning. A critical pluripotency transcriptional gene circuit of sox2, pou5f1 (oct4; recently renamed pou5f3), and nanog maintain potency and self-renewal. Ethanol affects sox2 expression, which functions with pou5f1 to control target gene transcription. Various genes, like elf3, may interact and regulate sox2, and elf3 knockdown affects early development. Downstream of the pluripotency transcriptional circuit, developmental signaling activities regulate morphogenetic cell movements and lineage specification. These activities are also affected by ethanol exposure. Hedgehog signaling is a critical developmental signaling pathway that controls numerous developmental events, including neural axis specification. Sonic hedgehog activities are affected by embryonic ethanol exposure. Activation of sonic hedgehog expression is controlled by TGF-ß family members, Nodal and Bmp, during dorsoventral (DV) embryonic axis establishment. Ethanol may perturb TGF-ß family receptors and signaling activities, including the sonic hedgehog pathway. Significantly, experiments show that activation of sonic hedgehog signaling rescues some embryonic ethanol exposure effects. More research is needed to understand how ethanol affects early developmental signaling and morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James A. Marrs
- Department of Biology, School of Science, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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38
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Chen H, Good MC. Nascent transcriptome reveals orchestration of zygotic genome activation in early embryogenesis. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4314-4324.e7. [PMID: 36007528 PMCID: PMC9560990 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.07.078] [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: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Early embryo development requires maternal-to-zygotic transition, during which transcriptionally silent nuclei begin widespread gene expression during zygotic genome activation (ZGA).1-3 ZGA is vital for early cell fating and germ-layer specification,3,4 and ZGA timing is regulated by multiple mechanisms.1-5 However, controversies remain about whether these mechanisms are interrelated and vary among species6-10 and whether the timing of germ-layer-specific gene activation is temporally ordered.11,12 In some embryonic models, widespread ZGA onset is spatiotemporally graded,13,14 yet it is unclear whether the transcriptome follows this pattern. A major challenge in addressing these questions is to accurately measure the timing of each gene activation. Here, we metabolically label and identify the nascent transcriptome using 5-ethynyl uridine (5-EU) in Xenopus blastula embryos. We find that EU-RNA-seq outperforms total RNA-seq in detecting the ZGA transcriptome, which is dominated by transcription from maternal-zygotic genes, enabling improved ZGA timing determination. We uncover discrete spatiotemporal patterns for individual gene activation, a majority following a spatial pattern of ZGA that is correlated with a cell size gradient.14 We further reveal that transcription necessitates a period of developmental progression and that ZGA can be precociously induced by cycloheximide, potentially through elongation of interphase. Finally, most ectodermal genes are activated earlier than endodermal genes, suggesting a temporal orchestration of germ-layer-specific genes, potentially linked to the spatially graded pattern of ZGA. Together, our study provides fundamental new insights into the composition and dynamics of the ZGA transcriptome, mechanisms regulating ZGA timing, and its role in the onset of early cell fating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Chen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Matthew C Good
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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39
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Hagey DW, Bergsland M, Muhr J. SOX2 transcription factor binding and function. Development 2022; 149:276045. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The transcription factor SOX2 is a vital regulator of stem cell activity in various developing and adult tissues. Mounting evidence has demonstrated the importance of SOX2 in regulating the induction and maintenance of stemness as well as in controlling cell proliferation, lineage decisions and differentiation. Recent studies have revealed that the ability of SOX2 to regulate these stem cell features involves its function as a pioneer factor, with the capacity to target nucleosomal DNA, modulate chromatin accessibility and prepare silent genes for subsequent activation. Moreover, although SOX2 binds to similar DNA motifs in different stem cells, its multifaceted and cell type-specific functions are reliant on context-dependent features. These cell type-specific properties include variations in partner factor availability and SOX2 protein expression levels. In this Primer, we discuss recent findings that have increased our understanding of how SOX2 executes its versatile functions as a master regulator of stem cell activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Hagey
- Karolinska Institutet 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine , , SE-171 77 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Maria Bergsland
- Karolinska Institutet 2 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , , Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Jonas Muhr
- Karolinska Institutet 2 Department of Cell and Molecular Biology , , Solnavägen 9, SE-171 65 Stockholm , Sweden
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40
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Sequence, Expression, and Anti-GCRV Function of the Ferritin from the Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126835. [PMID: 35743279 PMCID: PMC9224801 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ferritin possesses an immune function to defend against pathogen infection. To elucidate the immunity-protecting roles of ferritin from Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Ciferritin) against virus infection, the cDNA and promoter sequences of Ciferritin were determined, and the correlations between Ciferrtin expressions and promoter methylation levels were analyzed. In addition, the functional role of Ciferrtin on GCRV (grass carp reovirus) infection was assessed. The full-length cDNA of Ciferritin is 1053 bp, consists of a 531 bp open-reading frame, and encodes 176 amino acids. Ciferritin showed the highest sequence identity with the ferritin middle subunit of Mylopharyngodon piceus (93.56%), followed by the subunits of Megalobrama amblycephala and Sinocyclocheilus rhinocerous. Ciferritin contains a conserved ferritin domain (interval: 10−94 aa), and the caspase recruitment domain (CARD) and Rubrerythrin domain were also predicted. In the spleen and kidney, significantly higher Ciferritin expressions were observed at 6, 12, 24, or 168 h post GCRV infection than those in the PBS injection group (p < 0.05). The Ciferrtin expression level in the progeny of maternal-immunized grass carp was significantly higher than that in the progeny of common grass carp (p < 0.05). Ciferritin promoter methylation level in the progeny from common grass carp was 1.27 ± 0.15, and in the progeny of the maternal-immunized group was 1.00 ± 0.14. In addition, methylation levels of “CpG9” and “CpG10” loci were significantly lower in the progeny of maternal-immunized fish than those in the common group. Except for the “CpG5”, methylation levels of all other detected “CpG” loci negatively correlated with Ciferritin expression levels. Furthermore, the total methylation level of “CpG1−10” negatively correlated with the Ciferritin expressions. The Ciferritin expression level was significantly up-regulated, and the VP7 protein levels were significantly reduced, at 24 h post GCRV infection in the Ciferritin over-expression cells (p < 0.05). The results from the present study provide sequence, epigenetic modification and expression, and anti-GCRV functional information of Ciferritin, which provide a basis for achieving resistance to GCRV in grass carp breeding.
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41
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Sato K, Sakai M, Ishii A, Maehata K, Takada Y, Yasuda K, Kotani T. Identification of embryonic RNA granules that act as sites of mRNA translation after changing their physical properties. iScience 2022; 25:104344. [PMID: 35620421 PMCID: PMC9127168 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fertilized eggs begin to translate mRNAs at appropriate times and placements to control development, but how the translation is regulated remains unclear. Here, we found that pou5f3 mRNA encoding a transcriptional factor essential for development formed granules in a dormant state in zebrafish oocytes. Although the number of pou5f3 granules remained constant, Pou5f3 protein accumulated after fertilization. Intriguingly, signals of newly synthesized peptides and a ribosomal protein became colocalized with pou5f3 granules after fertilization and, moreover, nascent Pou5f3 was shown to be synthesized in the granules. This functional change was accompanied by changes in the state and internal structure of granules. Dissolution of the granules reduced the rate of protein synthesis. Similarly, nanog and sox19b mRNAs in zebrafish and Pou5f1/Oct4 mRNA in mouse assembled into granules. Our results reveal that subcellular compartments, termed embryonic RNA granules, function as activation sites of translation after changing physical properties for directing vertebrate development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Sato
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Moeko Sakai
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Anna Ishii
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Kaori Maehata
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Yuki Takada
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
| | - Kyota Yasuda
- Department of Mathematical and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
- Research Center for the Mathematics on Chromatin Live Dynamics, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kotani
- Biosystems Science Course, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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42
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Abstract
POUV is a relatively newly emerged class of POU transcription factors present in jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). The function of POUV-class proteins is inextricably linked to zygotic genome activation (ZGA). A large body of evidence now extends the role of these proteins to subsequent developmental stages. While some functions resemble those of other POU-class proteins and are related to neuroectoderm development, others have emerged de novo. The most notable of the latter functions is pluripotency control by Oct4 in mammals. In this review, we focus on these de novo functions in the best-studied species harbouring POUV proteins-zebrafish, Xenopus (anamniotes) and mammals (amniotes). Despite the broad diversity of their biological functions in vertebrates, POUV proteins exert a common feature related to their role in safeguarding the undifferentiated state of cells. Here we summarize numerous pieces of evidence for these specific functions of the POUV-class proteins and recap available loss-of-function data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny I. Bakhmet
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexey N. Tomilin
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg, Russia
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Moazeny M, Salari A, Hojati Z, Esmaeili F. Comparative analysis of protein-protein interaction networks in neural differentiation mechanisms. Differentiation 2022; 126:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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44
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Miao L, Tang Y, Bonneau AR, Chan SH, Kojima ML, Pownall ME, Vejnar CE, Gao F, Krishnaswamy S, Hendry CE, Giraldez AJ. The landscape of pioneer factor activity reveals the mechanisms of chromatin reprogramming and genome activation. Mol Cell 2022; 82:986-1002.e9. [PMID: 35182480 PMCID: PMC9327391 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Upon fertilization, embryos undergo chromatin reprogramming and genome activation; however, the mechanisms that regulate these processes are poorly understood. Here, we generated a triple mutant for Nanog, Pou5f3, and Sox19b (NPS) in zebrafish and found that NPS pioneer chromatin opening at >50% of active enhancers. NPS regulate acetylation across core histones at enhancers and promoters, and their function in gene activation can be bypassed by recruiting histone acetyltransferase to individual genes. NPS pioneer chromatin opening individually, redundantly, or additively depending on sequence context, and we show that high nucleosome occupancy facilitates NPS pioneering activity. Nucleosome position varies based on the input of different transcription factors (TFs), providing a flexible platform to modulate pioneering activity. Altogether, our results illuminate the sequence of events during genome activation and offer a conceptual framework to understand how pioneer factors interpret the genome and integrate different TF inputs across cell types and developmental transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyun Miao
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Yin Tang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ashley R Bonneau
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Shun Hang Chan
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mina L Kojima
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mark E Pownall
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Charles E Vejnar
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Smita Krishnaswamy
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Computer Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Caroline E Hendry
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Antonio J Giraldez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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Pluripotency factors determine gene expression repertoire at zygotic genome activation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:788. [PMID: 35145080 PMCID: PMC8831532 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28434-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Awakening of zygotic transcription in animal embryos relies on maternal pioneer transcription factors. The interplay of global and specific functions of these proteins remains poorly understood. Here, we analyze chromatin accessibility and time-resolved transcription in single and double mutant zebrafish embryos lacking pluripotency factors Pou5f3 and Sox19b. We show that two factors modify chromatin in a largely independent manner. We distinguish four types of direct enhancers by differential requirements for Pou5f3 or Sox19b. We demonstrate that changes in chromatin accessibility of enhancers underlie the changes in zygotic expression repertoire in the double mutants. Pou5f3 or Sox19b promote chromatin accessibility of enhancers linked to the genes involved in gastrulation and ventral fate specification. The genes regulating mesendodermal and dorsal fates are primed for activation independently of Pou5f3 and Sox19b. Strikingly, simultaneous loss of Pou5f3 and Sox19b leads to premature expression of genes, involved in regulation of organogenesis and differentiation. Zygotic genome activation in zebrafish relies on pluripotency transcription factors Pou5f3 and Sox19b. Here the authors investigate how these factors interact in vivo by analyzing the changes in chromatin state and time-resolved transcription in Pou5f3 and Sox19b single and double mutant embryos.
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46
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Jones WD, Mullins MC. Cell signaling pathways controlling an axis organizing center in the zebrafish. Curr Top Dev Biol 2022; 150:149-209. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Wang X, Wang W, Wang Y, Chen J, Liu G, Zhang Y. Antibody-free profiling of transcription factor occupancy during early embryogenesis by FitCUT&RUN. Genome Res 2021; 32:378-388. [PMID: 34965941 PMCID: PMC8805719 DOI: 10.1101/gr.275837.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Key transcription factors (TFs) play critical roles in zygotic genome activation (ZGA) during early embryogenesis, while genome-wide occupancies of only a few factors have been profiled during ZGA due to the limitation of cell numbers or the lack of high-quality antibodies. Here, we present FitCUT&RUN, a modified CUT&RUN method, in which an Fc fragment of immunoglobulin G is used for tagging, to profile TF occupancy in an antibody-free manner and demonstrate its reliability and robustness using as few as five thousand K562 cells. We applied FitCUT&RUN to zebrafish undergoing embryogenesis to generate reliable occupancy profiles of three known activators of zebrafish ZGA: Nanog, Pou5f3 and Sox19b. By profiling the time-series occupancy of Nanog during zebrafish ZGA, we observed a clear trend toward a gradual increase in Nanog occupancy and found that Nanog occupancy prior to the major phase of ZGA is critical for the activation of a significant proportion of early transcribed genes. Our results further suggested that the sequential binding of Nanog may be controlled by replication timing and the presence of Nanog motifs.
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48
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Bakhmet EI, Tomilin AN. Key features of the POU transcription factor Oct4 from an evolutionary perspective. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7339-7353. [PMID: 34698883 PMCID: PMC11072838 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03975-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Oct4, a class V POU-domain protein that is encoded by the Pou5f1 gene, is thought to be a key transcription factor in the early development of mammals. This transcription factor plays indispensable roles in pluripotent stem cells as well as in the acquisition of pluripotency during somatic cell reprogramming. Oct4 has also been shown to play a role as a pioneer transcription factor during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) from zebrafish to human. However, during the past decade, several studies have brought these conclusions into question. It was clearly shown that the first steps in mouse development are not affected by the loss of Oct4. Subsequently, the role of Oct4 as a genome activator was brought into doubt. It was also found that the reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could proceed without Oct4. In this review, we summarize recent findings, reassess the role of Oct4 in reprogramming and ZGA, and point to structural features that may underlie this role. We speculate that pluripotent stem cells resemble neural stem cells more closely than previously thought. Oct4 orthologs within the POUV class hold key roles in genome activation during early development of species with late ZGA. However, in Placentalia, eutherian-specific proteins such as Dux overtake Oct4 in ZGA and endow them with the formation of an evolutionary new tissue-the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeny I Bakhmet
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - Alexey N Tomilin
- Laboratory of the Molecular Biology of Stem Cells, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Histone variant H2A.Z regulates zygotic genome activation. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7002. [PMID: 34853314 PMCID: PMC8636486 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27125-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryogenesis, the genome shifts from transcriptionally quiescent to extensively active in a process known as Zygotic Genome Activation (ZGA). In Drosophila, the pioneer factor Zelda is known to be essential for the progression of development; still, it regulates the activation of only a small subset of genes at ZGA. However, thousands of genes do not require Zelda, suggesting that other mechanisms exist. By conducting GRO-seq, HiC and ChIP-seq in Drosophila embryos, we demonstrate that up to 65% of zygotically activated genes are enriched for the histone variant H2A.Z. H2A.Z enrichment precedes ZGA and RNA Polymerase II loading onto chromatin. In vivo knockdown of maternally contributed Domino, a histone chaperone and ATPase, reduces H2A.Z deposition at transcription start sites, causes global downregulation of housekeeping genes at ZGA, and compromises the establishment of the 3D chromatin structure. We infer that H2A.Z is essential for the de novo establishment of transcriptional programs during ZGA via chromatin reorganization. During embryogenesis, the genome becomes transcriptionally active in a process known as zygotic genome activation (ZGA); how ZGA is initiated is still an open question. Here the authors show histone variant H2A.Z deposition precedes RNA polymerase II binding on chromatin, before ZGA. H2A.Z loss causes transcriptional downregulation of ZGA genes and leads to changes in the 3D genome organization.
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Satb2 acts as a gatekeeper for major developmental transitions during early vertebrate embryogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6094. [PMID: 34667153 PMCID: PMC8526749 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) initiates regionalized transcription underlying distinct cellular identities. ZGA is dependent upon dynamic chromatin architecture sculpted by conserved DNA-binding proteins. However, the direct mechanistic link between the onset of ZGA and the tissue-specific transcription remains unclear. Here, we have addressed the involvement of chromatin organizer Satb2 in orchestrating both processes during zebrafish embryogenesis. Integrative analysis of transcriptome, genome-wide occupancy and chromatin accessibility reveals contrasting molecular activities of maternally deposited and zygotically synthesized Satb2. Maternal Satb2 prevents premature transcription of zygotic genes by influencing the interplay between the pluripotency factors. By contrast, zygotic Satb2 activates transcription of the same group of genes during neural crest development and organogenesis. Thus, our comparative analysis of maternal versus zygotic function of Satb2 underscores how these antithetical activities are temporally coordinated and functionally implemented highlighting the evolutionary implications of the biphasic and bimodal regulation of landmark developmental transitions by a single determinant. Activation of the zygotic genome is a critical transition during development, though the link to tissue-specific gene regulation remains unclear. Here the authors demonstrate distinct functions for Satb2 before and after zygotic genome activation, highlighting the temporal coordination of these roles.
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