Blocking promiscuous activation at cryptic promoters directs cell type-specific gene expression

Two distinct waves of transcriptome and translatome changes drive Drosophila germline stem cell differentiation

The tight control of fate transitions during stem cell differentiation is essential for proper tissue development and maintenance. However, the challenges in studying sparsely distributed adult stem cells in a systematic manner have hindered efforts to identify how the multilayered regulation of gene expression programs orchestrates stem cell differentiation in vivo. Here, we synchronised Drosophila female germline stem cell (GSC) differentiation in vivo to perform in-depth transcriptome and translatome analyses at high temporal resolution. This characterisation revealed widespread and dynamic changes in mRNA level, promoter usage, exon inclusion, and translation efficiency. Transient expression of the master regulator, Bam, drives a first wave of expression changes, primarily modifying the cell cycle program. Surprisingly, as Bam levels recede, differentiating cells return to a remarkably stem cell-like transcription and translation program, with a few crucial changes feeding into a second phase driving terminal differentiation to form the oocyte. Altogether, these findings reveal that rather than a unidirectional accumulation of changes, the in vivo differentiation of stem cells relies on distinctly regulated and developmentally sequential waves.

Gene regulation during meiosis

Meiosis is essential for gamete production in all sexually reproducing organisms. It entails two successive cell divisions without DNA replication, producing haploid cells from diploid ones. This process involves complex morphological and molecular differentiation that varies across species and between sexes. Specialized genomic events like meiotic recombination and chromosome segregation are tightly regulated, including preparation for post-meiotic development. Research in model organisms, notably yeast, has shed light on the genetic and molecular aspects of meiosis and its regulation. Although mammalian meiosis research faces challenges, particularly in replicating gametogenesis in vitro, advances in genetic and genomic technologies are providing mechanistic insights. Here we review the genetics and molecular biology of meiotic gene expression control, focusing on mammals.

Kdm1a safeguards the topological boundaries of PRC2-repressed genes and prevents aging-related euchromatinization in neurons

Kdm1a is a histone demethylase linked to intellectual disability with essential roles during gastrulation and the terminal differentiation of specialized cell types, including neurons, that remains highly expressed in the adult brain. To explore Kdm1a's function in adult neurons, we develop inducible and forebrain-restricted Kdm1a knockouts. By applying multi-omic transcriptome, epigenome and chromatin conformation data, combined with super-resolution microscopy, we find that Kdm1a elimination causes the neuronal activation of nonneuronal genes that are silenced by the polycomb repressor complex and interspersed with active genes. Functional assays demonstrate that the N-terminus of Kdm1a contains an intrinsically disordered region that is essential to segregate Kdm1a-repressed genes from the neighboring active chromatin environment. Finally, we show that the segregation of Kdm1a-target genes is weakened in neurons during natural aging, underscoring the role of Kdm1a safeguarding neuronal genome organization and gene silencing throughout life.

Canalizing cell fate by transcriptional repression

Precision in the establishment and maintenance of cellular identities is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms and requires tight regulation of gene expression. While extensive research has focused on understanding cell type-specific gene activation, the complex mechanisms underlying the transcriptional repression of alternative fates are not fully understood. Here, we provide an overview of the repressive mechanisms involved in cell fate regulation. We discuss the molecular machinery responsible for suppressing alternative fates and highlight the crucial role of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) in this process. Depletion of these TFs can result in unwanted gene expression and increased cellular plasticity. We suggest that these TFs recruit cell type-specific repressive complexes to their cis-regulatory elements, enabling them to modulate chromatin accessibility in a context-dependent manner. This modulation effectively suppresses master regulators of alternative fate programs and their downstream targets. The modularity and dynamic behavior of these repressive complexes enables a limited number of repressors to canalize and maintain major and minor cell fate decisions at different stages of development.

Cell-type-specific interacting proteins collaborate to regulate the timing of Cyclin B protein expression in male meiotic prophase

During meiosis, germ cell and stage-specific components impose additional layers of regulation on the core cell cycle machinery to set up an extended G2 period termed meiotic prophase. In Drosophila males, meiotic prophase lasts 3.5 days, during which spermatocytes upregulate over 1800 genes and grow 25-fold. Previous work has shown that the cell cycle regulator Cyclin B (CycB) is subject to translational repression in immature spermatocytes, mediated by the RNA-binding protein Rbp4 and its partner Fest. Here, we show that the spermatocyte-specific protein Lut is required for translational repression of cycB in an 8-h window just before spermatocytes are fully mature. In males mutant for rbp4 or lut, spermatocytes enter and exit meiotic division 6-8 h earlier than in wild type. In addition, spermatocyte-specific isoforms of Syncrip (Syp) are required for expression of CycB protein in mature spermatocytes and normal entry into the meiotic divisions. Lut and Syp interact with Fest independent of RNA. Thus, a set of spermatocyte-specific regulators choreograph the timing of expression of CycB protein during male meiotic prophase.

Conserved mechanisms of NuRD function in hematopoetic gene expression

The Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylating Complex (NuRD) is ubiquitously expressed in all metazoans. It combines nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylating activities to generate inaccessible chromatin structures and to repress gene transcription. NuRD is involved in the generation and maintenance of a wide variety of lineage-specific gene expression programs during differentiation and in differentiated cells. A close cooperation with a large number of lineage-specific transcription factors is key to allow NuRD to function in many distinct differentiation contexts. The molecular nature of this interplay between transcription factors and NuRD is complex and not well understood. This review uses hematopoiesis as a paradigm to highlight recent advances in our understanding of how transcription factors and NuRD cooperate at the molecular level during differentiation. A comparison of vertebrate and invertebrate systems serves to identify the conserved and fundamental concepts guiding functional interactions between transcription factors and NuRD. We also discuss how the transcription factor-NuRD axis constitutes a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hemoglobinopathies.

A cell-type-specific multi-protein complex regulates expression of Cyclin B protein in Drosophila male meiotic prophase

During meiosis, germ cell and stage-specific components impose additional layers of regulation on the core cell cycle machinery to set up an extended G2 period termed meiotic prophase. In Drosophila males, meiotic prophase lasts 3.5 days, during which spermatocytes turn up expression of over 3000 genes and grow 25-fold in volume. Previous work showed that the core cell cycle regulator Cyclin B (CycB) is subject to translational repression in immature Drosophila spermatocytes, mediated by the RNA-binding protein Rbp4 and its partner Fest. Here we show that another spermatocyte-specific protein, Lut, is required for translational repression of cycB in an 8-hour window just before spermatocytes are fully mature. In males mutant for rbp4 or lut , spermatocytes enter and exit the meiotic divisions 6-8 hours earlier than in wild-type. In addition, we show that spermatocyte-specific isoforms of Syncrip (Syp) are required for expression of CycB protein and normal entry into the meiotic divisions. Both Lut and Syp interact with Fest in an RNA-independent manner. Thus a complex of spermatocyte-specific regulators choreograph the timing of expression of CycB protein during male meiotic prophase.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

Expression of a conserved cell cycle component, Cyclin B, is regulated by multiple mechanisms in the Drosophila male germline to dictate the correct timing of meiotic division.

Emergent dynamics of adult stem cell lineages from single nucleus and single cell RNA-Seq of Drosophila testes

Proper differentiation of sperm from germline stem cells, essential for production of the next generation, requires dramatic changes in gene expression that drive remodeling of almost all cellular components, from chromatin to organelles to cell shape itself. Here, we provide a single nucleus and single cell RNA-seq resource covering all of spermatogenesis in Drosophila starting from in-depth analysis of adult testis single nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) data from the Fly Cell Atlas (FCA) study. With over 44,000 nuclei and 6000 cells analyzed, the data provide identification of rare cell types, mapping of intermediate steps in differentiation, and the potential to identify new factors impacting fertility or controlling differentiation of germline and supporting somatic cells. We justify assignment of key germline and somatic cell types using combinations of known markers, in situ hybridization, and analysis of extant protein traps. Comparison of single cell and single nucleus datasets proved particularly revealing of dynamic developmental transitions in germline differentiation. To complement the web-based portals for data analysis hosted by the FCA, we provide datasets compatible with commonly used software such as Seurat and Monocle. The foundation provided here will enable communities studying spermatogenesis to interrogate the datasets to identify candidate genes to test for function in vivo.

Developmentally regulated alternate 3' end cleavage of nascent transcripts controls dynamic changes in protein expression in an adult stem cell lineage

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) generates transcript isoforms that differ in the position of the 3' cleavage site, resulting in the production of mRNA isoforms with different length 3' UTRs. Although widespread, the role of APA in the biology of cells, tissues, and organisms has been controversial. We identified >500 Drosophila genes that express mRNA isoforms with a long 3' UTR in proliferating spermatogonia but a short 3' UTR in differentiating spermatocytes due to APA. We show that the stage-specific choice of the 3' end cleavage site can be regulated by the arrangement of a canonical polyadenylation signal (PAS) near the distal cleavage site but a variant or no recognizable PAS near the proximal cleavage site. The emergence of transcripts with shorter 3' UTRs in differentiating cells correlated with changes in expression of the encoded proteins, either from off in spermatogonia to on in spermatocytes or vice versa. Polysome gradient fractionation revealed >250 genes where the long 3' UTR versus short 3' UTR mRNA isoforms migrated differently, consistent with dramatic stage-specific changes in translation state. Thus, the developmentally regulated choice of an alternative site at which to make the 3' end cut that terminates nascent transcripts can profoundly affect the suite of proteins expressed as cells advance through sequential steps in a differentiation lineage.

RNA inhibits dMi-2/CHD4 chromatin binding and nucleosome remodeling

The ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeler Mi-2/CHD4 broadly modulates chromatin landscapes to repress transcription and to maintain genome integrity. Here we use individual nucleotide resolution crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) to show that Drosophila Mi-2 associates with thousands of mRNA molecules in vivo. Biochemical data reveal that recombinant dMi-2 preferentially binds to G-rich RNA molecules using two intrinsically disordered regions of unclear function. Pharmacological inhibition of transcription and RNase digestion approaches establish that RNA inhibits the association of dMi-2 with chromatin. We also show that RNA inhibits dMi-2-mediated nucleosome mobilization by competing with the nucleosome substrate. Importantly, this activity is shared by CHD4, the human homolog of dMi-2, strongly suggesting that RNA-mediated regulation of remodeler activity is an evolutionary conserved mechanism. Our data support a model in which RNA serves to protect actively transcribed regions of the genome from dMi-2/CHD4-mediated establishment of repressive chromatin structures.

OUP accepted manuscript

Eukaryotic chromosomes are spatially segregated into topologically associating domains (TADs). Some TADs are attached to the nuclear lamina (NL) through lamina-associated domains (LADs). Here, we identified LADs and TADs at two stages of Drosophila spermatogenesis – in bam^Δ86 mutant testes which is the commonly used model of spermatogonia (SpG) and in larval testes mainly filled with spermatocytes (SpCs). We found that initiation of SpC-specific transcription correlates with promoters’ detachment from the NL and with local spatial insulation of adjacent regions. However, this insulation does not result in the partitioning of inactive TADs into sub-TADs. We also revealed an increased contact frequency between SpC-specific genes in SpCs implying their de novo gathering into transcription factories. In addition, we uncovered the specific X chromosome organization in the male germline. In SpG and SpCs, a single X chromosome is stronger associated with the NL than autosomes. Nevertheless, active chromatin regions in the X chromosome interact with each other more frequently than in autosomes. Moreover, despite the absence of dosage compensation complex in the male germline, randomly inserted SpG-specific reporter is expressed higher in the X chromosome than in autosomes, thus evidencing that non-canonical dosage compensation operates in SpG.

A transposon expression burst accompanies the activation of Y-chromosome fertility genes during Drosophila spermatogenesis

Transposable elements (TEs) must replicate in germline cells to pass novel insertions to offspring. In Drosophila melanogaster ovaries, TEs can exploit specific developmental windows of opportunity to evade host silencing and increase their copy numbers. However, TE activity and host silencing in the distinct cell types of Drosophila testis are not well understood. Here, we reanalyze publicly available single-cell RNA-seq datasets to quantify TE expression in the distinct cell types of the Drosophila testis. We develop a method for identification of TE and host gene expression modules and find that a distinct population of early spermatocytes expresses a large number of TEs at much higher levels than other germline and somatic components of the testes. This burst of TE expression coincides with the activation of Y chromosome fertility factors and spermatocyte-specific transcriptional regulators, as well as downregulation of many components of the piRNA pathway. The TEs expressed by this cell population are specifically enriched on the Y chromosome and depleted on the X chromosome, relative to other active TEs. These data suggest that some TEs may achieve high insertional activity in males by exploiting a window of opportunity for mobilization created by the activation of spermatocyte-specific and Y chromosome-specific transcriptional programs.

Ush regulates hemocyte-specific gene expression, fatty acid metabolism and cell cycle progression and cooperates with dNuRD to orchestrate hematopoiesis

The generation of lineage-specific gene expression programmes that alter proliferation capacity, metabolic profile and cell type-specific functions during differentiation from multipotent stem cells to specialised cell types is crucial for development. During differentiation gene expression programmes are dynamically modulated by a complex interplay between sequence-specific transcription factors, associated cofactors and epigenetic regulators. Here, we study U-shaped (Ush), a multi-zinc finger protein that maintains the multipotency of stem cell-like hemocyte progenitors during Drosophila hematopoiesis. Using genomewide approaches we reveal that Ush binds to promoters and enhancers and that it controls the expression of three gene classes that encode proteins relevant to stem cell-like functions and differentiation: cell cycle regulators, key metabolic enzymes and proteins conferring specific functions of differentiated hemocytes. We employ complementary biochemical approaches to characterise the molecular mechanisms of Ush-mediated gene regulation. We uncover distinct Ush isoforms one of which binds the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylation (NuRD) complex using an evolutionary conserved peptide motif. Remarkably, the Ush/NuRD complex specifically contributes to the repression of lineage-specific genes but does not impact the expression of cell cycle regulators or metabolic genes. This reveals a mechanism that enables specific and concerted modulation of functionally related portions of a wider gene expression programme. Finally, we use genetic assays to demonstrate that Ush and NuRD regulate enhancer activity during hemocyte differentiation in vivo and that both cooperate to suppress the differentiation of lamellocytes, a highly specialised blood cell type. Our findings reveal that Ush coordinates proliferation, metabolism and cell type-specific activities by isoform-specific cooperation with an epigenetic regulator.

Developmental regulation of cell type-specific transcription by novel promoter-proximal sequence elements

Here, Lu et al. use Drosophila to show that opening of promoters from their closed state in precursor cells requires function of the spermatocyte-specific tMAC complex, localized at the promoters. Their findings provide novel insight into how promoter-proximal sequence elements that recruit and are acted on by cell type-specific chromatin-binding complexes help establish a robust, cell type-specific transcription program for terminal differentiation.

Cell type-specific transcriptional programs that drive differentiation of specialized cell types are key players in development and tissue regeneration. One of the most dramatic changes in the transcription program in Drosophila occurs with the transition from proliferating spermatogonia to differentiating spermatocytes, with >3000 genes either newly expressed or expressed from new alternative promoters in spermatocytes. Here we show that opening of these promoters from their closed state in precursor cells requires function of the spermatocyte-specific tMAC complex, localized at the promoters. The spermatocyte-specific promoters lack the previously identified canonical core promoter elements except for the Inr. Instead, these promoters are enriched for the binding site for the TALE-class homeodomain transcription factors Achi/Vis and for a motif originally identified under tMAC ChIP-seq peaks. The tMAC motif resembles part of the previously identified 14-bp β2UE1 element critical for spermatocyte-specific expression. Analysis of downstream sequences relative to transcription start site usage suggested that ACA and CNAAATT motifs at specific positions can help promote efficient transcription initiation. Our results reveal how promoter-proximal sequence elements that recruit and are acted upon by cell type-specific chromatin binding complexes help establish a robust, cell type-specific transcription program for terminal differentiation.

Distinct CoREST complexes act in a cell-type-specific manner

CoREST has been identified as a subunit of several protein complexes that generate transcriptionally repressive chromatin structures during development. However, a comprehensive analysis of the CoREST interactome has not been carried out. We use proteomic approaches to define the interactomes of two dCoREST isoforms, dCoREST-L and dCoREST-M, in Drosophila. We identify three distinct histone deacetylase complexes built around a common dCoREST/dRPD3 core: A dLSD1/dCoREST complex, the LINT complex and a dG9a/dCoREST complex. The latter two complexes can incorporate both dCoREST isoforms. By contrast, the dLSD1/dCoREST complex exclusively assembles with the dCoREST-L isoform. Genome-wide studies show that the three dCoREST complexes associate with chromatin predominantly at promoters. Transcriptome analyses in S2 cells and testes reveal that different cell lineages utilize distinct dCoREST complexes to maintain cell-type-specific gene expression programmes: In macrophage-like S2 cells, LINT represses germ line-related genes whereas other dCoREST complexes are largely dispensable. By contrast, in testes, the dLSD1/dCoREST complex prevents transcription of germ line-inappropriate genes and is essential for spermatogenesis and fertility, whereas depletion of other dCoREST complexes has no effect. Our study uncovers three distinct dCoREST complexes that function in a lineage-restricted fashion to repress specific sets of genes thereby maintaining cell-type-specific gene expression programmes.

Cellular and epigenetic drivers of stem cell ageing

Adult tissue stem cells have a pivotal role in tissue maintenance and regeneration throughout the lifespan of multicellular organisms. Loss of tissue homeostasis during post-reproductive lifespan is caused, at least in part, by a decline in stem cell function and is associated with an increased incidence of diseases. Hallmarks of ageing include the accumulation of molecular damage, failure of quality control systems, metabolic changes and alterations in epigenome stability. In this Review, we discuss recent evidence in support of a novel concept whereby cell-intrinsic damage that accumulates during ageing and cell-extrinsic changes in ageing stem cell niches and the blood result in modifications of the stem cell epigenome. These cumulative epigenetic alterations in stem cells might be the cause of the deregulation of developmental pathways seen during ageing. In turn, they could confer a selective advantage to mutant and epigenetically drifted stem cells with altered self-renewal and functions, which contribute to the development of ageing-associated organ dysfunction and disease.

DREF Genetically Counteracts Mi-2 and Caf1 to Regulate Adult Stem Cell Maintenance

Active adult stem cells maintain a bipotential state with progeny able to either self-renew or initiate differentiation depending on extrinsic signals from the surrounding microenvironment. However, the intrinsic gene regulatory networks and chromatin states that allow adult stem cells to make these cell fate choices are not entirely understood. Here we show that the transcription factor DNA Replication-related Element Factor (DREF) regulates adult stem cell maintenance in the Drosophila male germline. A temperature-sensitive allele of DREF described in this study genetically separated a role for DREF in germline stem cell self-renewal from the general roles of DREF in cell proliferation. The DREF temperature-sensitive allele caused defects in germline stem cell self-renewal but allowed viability and division of germline stem cells as well as cell viability, growth and division of somatic cyst stem cells in the testes and cells in the Drosophila eye. Germline stem cells mutant for the temperature sensitive DREF allele exhibited lower activation of a TGF-beta reporter, and their progeny turned on expression of the differentiation factor Bam prematurely. Results of genetic interaction analyses revealed that Mi-2 and Caf1/p55, components of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex, genetically antagonize the role of DREF in germline stem cell maintenance. Taken together, these data suggest that DREF contributes to intrinsic components of the germline stem cell regulatory network that maintains competence to self-renew.

Many adult tissues are maintained throughout life by the dual ability of adult stem cells to produce progeny that either self-renew or differentiate to replace specialized cells lost to turnover or damage. Although signals from the surrounding microenvironment have been shown to regulate the choice between self-renewal and onset of differentiation, the intrinsic gene regulatory programs that set up and maintain this bipotential state are not well understood. In this report we describe antagonistic components of an intrinsic stem cell program important for maintaining the balance between self-renewal and differentiation in Drosophila male germline adult stem cell lineage. We identified a temperature-sensitive mutant in the transcription factor DNA Replication-related Element Factor (DREF) gene that disrupts the ability of germline stem cells to self-renew, but not stem cell viability, ability to divide or differentiate under the same conditions. DREF mutant germline stem cells showed defects in the TGF-beta signaling pathway, a pathway that is critical for maintaining the stem cell population. Genetic interaction analyses revealed that Mi-2 and Caf1/p55, components of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase complex genetically antagonize the role of DREF in germline stem cell maintenance. We propose that DREF contributes to a transcriptional environment necessary for maintaining a bi-potential stem cell state able to properly respond to extrinsic niche signals.

Somatic support cells regulate germ cell survival through the Baz/aPKC/Par6 complex

Local signals and structural support from the surrounding cellular microenvironment play key roles in directing development in both embryonic organs and adult tissues. In Drosophila, male germ cells are intimately associated and co-differentiate with supporting somatic cells. Here, we show that the function of the Baz/aPKC/Par6 apical polarity complex in somatic cyst cells is required stage specifically for survival of the germ cells they enclose. Although spermatogonia enclosed by cyst cells in which the function of the Par complex had been knocked down survived and proliferated, newly formed spermatocytes enclosed by cyst cells lacking Par complex proteins died soon after onset of meiotic prophase. Loss of Par complex function resulted in stage-specific overactivation of the Jun-kinase (JNK) pathway in cyst cells. Knocking down expression of JNK pathway components or the GTPase Rab35 in cyst cells lacking Par complex function rescued the survival of neighboring spermatocytes, suggesting that action of the apical polarity complex ensures germ cell survival by preventing JNK pathway activation, and that the mechanism by which cyst cells lacking Par complex function kill neighboring spermatocytes requires intracellular trafficking in somatic cyst cells.

Summary: The Par polarity complex suppresses JNK pathway activity in Drosophila somatic support cells to allow stage-specific germ cell survival.

Contribution of spurious transcription to intellectual disability disorders

During the development of multicellular organisms, chromatin-modifying enzymes orchestrate the establishment of gene expression programmes that characterise each differentiated cell type. These enzymes also contribute to the maintenance of cell type-specific transcription profiles throughout life. But what happens when epigenomic regulation goes awry? Genomic screens in experimental models of intellectual disability disorders (IDDs) caused by mutations in epigenetic machinery-encoding genes have shown that transcriptional dysregulation constitutes a hallmark of these conditions. Here, we underscore the connections between a subset of chromatin-linked IDDs and spurious transcription in brain cells. We also propose that aberrant gene expression in neurons, including both the ectopic transcription of non-neuronal genes and the activation of cryptic promoters, may importantly contribute to the pathoaetiology of these disorders.

Spt6 Is Required for the Fidelity of Promoter Selection

Spt6 is a conserved factor that controls transcription and chromatin structure across the genome. Although Spt6 is viewed as an elongation factor, spt6 mutations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae allow elevated levels of transcripts from within coding regions, suggesting that Spt6 also controls initiation. To address the requirements for Spt6 in transcription and chromatin structure, we have combined four genome-wide approaches. Our results demonstrate that Spt6 represses transcription initiation at thousands of intragenic promoters. We characterize these intragenic promoters and find sequence features conserved with genic promoters. Finally, we show that Spt6 also regulates transcription initiation at most genic promoters and propose a model of initiation site competition to account for this. Together, our results demonstrate that Spt6 controls the fidelity of transcription initiation throughout the genome.

Protecting and Diversifying the Germline

Gametogenesis represents the most dramatic cellular differentiation pathways in both female and male flies. At the genome level, meiosis ensures that diploid germ cells become haploid gametes. At the epigenome level, extensive changes are required to turn on and shut off gene expression in a precise spatiotemporally controlled manner. Research applying conventional molecular genetics and cell biology, in combination with rapidly advancing genomic tools have helped us to investigate (1) how germ cells maintain lineage specificity throughout their adult reproductive lifetime; (2) what molecular mechanisms ensure proper oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as protect genome integrity of the germline; (3) how signaling pathways contribute to germline-soma communication; and (4) if such communication is important. In this chapter, we highlight recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of these questions. On the other hand, restarting a new life cycle upon fertilization is a unique challenge faced by gametes, raising questions that involve intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, we also discuss new developments that link changes during gametogenesis to early embryonic development-a rapidly growing field that promises to bring more understanding to some fundamental questions regarding metazoan development.

Eukaryotic core promoters and the functional basis of transcription initiation

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) core promoters are specialized DNA sequences at transcription start sites of protein-coding and non-coding genes that support the assembly of the transcription machinery and transcription initiation. They enable the highly regulated transcription of genes by selectively integrating regulatory cues from distal enhancers and their associated regulatory proteins. In this Review, we discuss the defining properties of gene core promoters, including their sequence features, chromatin architecture and transcription initiation patterns. We provide an overview of molecular mechanisms underlying the function and regulation of core promoters and their emerging functional diversity, which defines distinct transcription programmes. On the basis of the established properties of gene core promoters, we discuss transcription start sites within enhancers and integrate recent results obtained from dedicated functional assays to propose a functional model of transcription initiation. This model can explain the nature and function of transcription initiation at gene starts and at enhancers and can explain the different roles of core promoters, of Pol II and its associated factors and of the activating cues provided by enhancers and the transcription factors and cofactors they recruit.

Tumour-associated missense mutations in the dMi-2 ATPase alters nucleosome remodelling properties in a mutation-specific manner

ATP-dependent chromatin remodellers are mutated in more than 20% of human cancers. The consequences of these mutations on enzyme function are poorly understood. Here, we characterise the effects of CHD4 mutations identified in endometrial carcinoma on the remodelling properties of dMi-2, the highly conserved Drosophila homologue of CHD4. Mutations from different patients have surprisingly diverse defects on nucleosome binding, ATPase activity and nucleosome remodelling. Unexpectedly, we identify both mutations that decrease and increase the enzyme activity. Our results define the chromodomains and a novel regulatory region as essential for nucleosome remodelling. Genetic experiments in Drosophila demonstrate that expression of cancer-derived dMi-2 mutants misregulates differentiation of epithelial wing structures and produces phenotypes that correlate with their nucleosome remodelling properties. Our results help to define the defects of CHD4 in cancer at the mechanistic level and provide the basis for the development of molecular approaches aimed at restoring their activity.

ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers are often found mutated in human cancers. Here, the authors characterize the nucleosome remodelling properties of cancer-associated mutants of the Drosophila Chd4 homolog dMi-2.

Spermiogenesis and Male Fertility Require the Function of Suppressor of Hairy-Wing in Somatic Cyst Cells of Drosophila

Drosophila Suppressor of Hairy-wing [Su(Hw)] protein is an example of a multivalent transcription factor. Although best known for its role in establishing the chromatin insulator of the gypsy retrotransposon, Su(Hw) functions as an activator and repressor at non-gypsy genomic sites. It remains unclear how the different regulatory activities of Su(Hw) are utilized during development. Motivated from observations of spatially restricted expression of Su(Hw) in the testis, we investigated the role of Su(Hw) in spermatogenesis to advance an understanding of its developmental contributions as an insulator, repressor, and activator protein. We discovered that Su(Hw) is required for sustained male fertility. Although dynamics of Su(Hw) expression coincide with changes in nuclear architecture and activation of coregulated testis-specific gene clusters, we show that loss of Su(Hw) does not disrupt meiotic chromosome pairing or transcription of testis-specific genes, suggesting that Su(Hw) has minor architectural or insulator functions in the testis. Instead, Su(Hw) has a prominent role as a repressor of neuronal genes, consistent with suggestions that Su(Hw) is a functional homolog of mammalian REST, a repressor of neuronal genes in non-neuronal tissues. We show that Su(Hw) regulates transcription in both germline and somatic cells. Surprisingly, the essential spermatogenesis function of Su(Hw) resides in somatic cyst cells, implying context-specific consequences due to loss of this transcription factor. Together, our studies highlight that Su(Hw) has a major developmental function as a transcriptional repressor, with the effect of its loss dependent upon the cell-specific factors.

Genome-wide analysis of gene regulation mechanisms during Drosophila spermatogenesis

BACKGROUND

During Drosophila spermatogenesis, testis-specific meiotic arrest complex (tMAC) and testis-specific TBP-associated factors (tTAF) contribute to activation of hundreds of genes required for meiosis and spermiogenesis. Intriguingly, tMAC is paralogous to the broadly expressed complex Myb-MuvB (MMB)/dREAM and Mip40 protein is shared by both complexes. tMAC acts as a gene activator in spermatocytes, while MMB/dREAM was shown to repress gene activity in many cell types.

RESULTS

Our study addresses the intricate interplay between tMAC, tTAF, and MMB/dREAM during spermatogenesis. We used cell type-specific DamID to build the DNA-binding profiles of Cookie monster (tMAC), Cannonball (tTAF), and Mip40 (MMB/dREAM and tMAC) proteins in male germline cells. Incorporating the whole transcriptome analysis, we characterized the regulatory effects of these proteins and identified their gene targets. This analysis revealed that tTAFs complex is involved in activation of achi, vis, and topi meiosis arrest genes, implying that tTAFs may indirectly contribute to the regulation of Achi, Vis, and Topi targets. To understand the relationship between tMAC and MMB/dREAM, we performed Mip40 DamID in tTAF- and tMAC-deficient mutants demonstrating meiosis arrest phenotype. DamID profiles of Mip40 were highly dynamic across the stages of spermatogenesis and demonstrated a strong dependence on tMAC in spermatocytes. Integrative analysis of our data indicated that MMB/dREAM represses genes that are not expressed in spermatogenesis, whereas tMAC recruits Mip40 for subsequent gene activation in spermatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Discovered interdependencies allow to formulate a renewed model for tMAC and tTAFs action in Drosophila spermatogenesis demonstrating how tissue-specific genes are regulated.