1
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Hahn A, Hung GCC, Ahier A, Dai CY, Kirmes I, Forde BM, Campbell D, Lee RSY, Sucic J, Onraet T, Zuryn S. Misregulation of mitochondrial 6mA promotes the propagation of mutant mtDNA and causes aging in C. elegans. Cell Metab 2024:S1550-4131(24)00291-2. [PMID: 39173633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
In virtually all eukaryotes, the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes proteins necessary for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and RNAs required for their synthesis. The mechanisms of regulation of mtDNA copy number and expression are not completely understood but crucially ensure the correct stoichiometric assembly of OXPHOS complexes from nuclear- and mtDNA-encoded subunits. Here, we detect adenosine N6-methylation (6mA) on the mtDNA of diverse animal and plant species. This modification is regulated in C. elegans by the DNA methyltransferase DAMT-1 and demethylase ALKB-1. Misregulation of mtDNA 6mA through targeted modulation of these activities inappropriately alters mtDNA copy number and transcript levels, impairing OXPHOS function, elevating oxidative stress, and shortening lifespan. Compounding these defects, mtDNA 6mA hypomethylation promotes the cross-generational propagation of a deleterious mtDNA. Together, these results reveal that mtDNA 6mA is highly conserved among eukaryotes and regulates lifespan by influencing mtDNA copy number, expression, and heritable mutation levels in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Hahn
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Grace Ching Ching Hung
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Arnaud Ahier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Chuan-Yang Dai
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ina Kirmes
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Campbell
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel Shin Yie Lee
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Josiah Sucic
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tessa Onraet
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Steven Zuryn
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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2
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Liang Z, Chen S, Li Y, Lai W, Wang H. Adenosine Deaminase-Like Gene-Carried Lentivirus Toolkit for Identification of DNA N 6-Methyladenine Origins. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2403376. [PMID: 39023073 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Post-replicative DNA N6-methyladenine (pr6mdA) can form via bona fide methylase-catalyzed adenine methylation, playing a pivotal role in embryonic development and other biological processes. Surprisingly, pre-methylated adenine can be erroneously incorporated into DNA as misincorporated N6-methyladenine (i6mdA) via DNA polymerase-mediated replication. Despite pr6mdA and i6mdA sharing identical chemical structures, their biological functions diverge significantly, presenting a substantial challenge in distinguishing between the two. Here, for the first-time, it is exploited that the adenosine deaminase-like (Adal) protein and a corresponding activity-null mutant to construct an Adal lentivirus toolkit. With this newly designed toolkit, both pr6mdA and i6mdA can be identified and quantified simultaneously. The presence of 6mdA in the bone marrow cells of mice is shown, with its levels serving as indicators for growth with age, probably reflecting the cellular stress-caused changes in RNA decay, nucleotide pool sanitation, and transcription. Collectively, a powerful toolkit to advance understanding of both pr6mdA and i6mdA is demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyu Liang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shaokun Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, P. R. China
| | - Yao Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Weiyi Lai
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, P. R. China
| | - Hailin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10085, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
- Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
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3
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Lax C, Mondo SJ, Osorio-Concepción M, Muszewska A, Corrochano-Luque M, Gutiérrez G, Riley R, Lipzen A, Guo J, Hundley H, Amirebrahimi M, Ng V, Lorenzo-Gutiérrez D, Binder U, Yang J, Song Y, Cánovas D, Navarro E, Freitag M, Gabaldón T, Grigoriev IV, Corrochano LM, Nicolás FE, Garre V. Symmetric and asymmetric DNA N6-adenine methylation regulates different biological responses in Mucorales. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6066. [PMID: 39025853 PMCID: PMC11258239 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50365-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-adenine methylation (6mA) has recently gained importance as an epigenetic modification in eukaryotes. Its function in lineages with high levels, such as early-diverging fungi (EDF), is of particular interest. Here, we investigated the biological significance and evolutionary implications of 6mA in EDF, which exhibit divergent evolutionary patterns in 6mA usage. The analysis of two Mucorales species displaying extreme 6mA usage reveals that species with high 6mA levels show symmetric methylation enriched in highly expressed genes. In contrast, species with low 6mA levels show mostly asymmetric 6mA. Interestingly, transcriptomic regulation throughout development and in response to environmental cues is associated with changes in the 6mA landscape. Furthermore, we identify an EDF-specific methyltransferase, likely originated from endosymbiotic bacteria, as responsible for asymmetric methylation, while an MTA-70 methylation complex performs symmetric methylation. The distinct phenotypes observed in the corresponding mutants reinforced the critical role of both types of 6mA in EDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Lax
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Stephen J Mondo
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Macario Osorio-Concepción
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Anna Muszewska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5A, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Gabriel Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Robert Riley
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Anna Lipzen
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jie Guo
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Hope Hundley
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Mojgan Amirebrahimi
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Vivian Ng
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Damaris Lorenzo-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Ulrike Binder
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Junhuan Yang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, 524048, China
| | - Yuanda Song
- Colin Ratledge Center for Microbial Lipids, School of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, 255049, China
| | - David Cánovas
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eusebio Navarro
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Michael Freitag
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC-CNS), Plaça Eusebi Güell, 1-3, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Igor V Grigoriev
- U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Luis M Corrochano
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Francisco E Nicolás
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Victoriano Garre
- Departamento de Genética y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
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4
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Bubb KL, Hamm MO, Min JK, Ramirez-Corona B, Mueth NA, Ranchalis J, Vollger MR, Trapnell C, Cuperus JT, Queitsch C, Stergachis AB. The regulatory potential of transposable elements in maize. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.10.602892. [PMID: 39026747 PMCID: PMC11257541 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.10.602892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Since their initial discovery in maize, transposable elements (TEs) have emerged as being integral to the evolution of maize, accounting for 80% of its genome. However, the repetitive nature of TEs has hindered our understanding of their regulatory potential. Here, we demonstrate that long-read chromatin fiber sequencing (Fiber-seq) permits the comprehensive annotation of the regulatory potential of maize TEs. We uncover that only 94 LTR retrotransposons contain the functional epigenetic architecture required for mobilization within maize leaves. This epigenetic architecture degenerates with evolutionary age, resulting in solo TE enhancers being preferentially marked by simultaneous hyper-CpG methylation and chromatin accessibility, an architecture markedly divergent from canonical enhancers. We find that TEs shape maize gene regulation by creating novel promoters within the TE itself as well as through TE-mediated gene amplification. Lastly, we uncover a pervasive epigenetic code directing TEs to specific loci, including that locus that sparked McClintock's discovery of TEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry L. Bubb
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Morgan O. Hamm
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Joseph K. Min
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Nicholas A. Mueth
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Jane Ranchalis
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mitchell R. Vollger
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cole Trapnell
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Molecular & Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Josh T. Cuperus
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Molecular & Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Andrew B. Stergachis
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular & Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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5
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Wang J, Spanos M, Bei Y. Inhibition of METTL4: Targeting a Methyltransferase that Alleviates Heart Failure by Modulating Excess N6-Methyladenine in Mitochondrial DNA. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2024:10.1007/s12265-024-10535-5. [PMID: 38992315 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-024-10535-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Wang
- Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Joint International Research Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biotechnology in Organ Repair (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Michail Spanos
- Cardiovascular Division of the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Yihua Bei
- Shanghai Applied Radiation Institute, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, Joint International Research Laboratory of Biomaterials and Biotechnology in Organ Repair (Ministry of Education), School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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6
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Sheng Y, Wang Y, Yang W, Wang XQ, Lu J, Pan B, Nan B, Liu Y, Ye F, Li C, Song J, Dou Y, Gao S, Liu Y. Semiconservative transmission of DNA N 6-adenine methylation in a unicellular eukaryote. Genome Res 2024; 34:740-756. [PMID: 38744529 PMCID: PMC11216311 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277843.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Although DNA N 6-adenine methylation (6mA) is best known in prokaryotes, its presence in eukaryotes has recently generated great interest. Biochemical and genetic evidence supports that AMT1, an MT-A70 family methyltransferase (MTase), is crucial for 6mA deposition in unicellular eukaryotes. Nonetheless, the 6mA transmission mechanism remains to be elucidated. Taking advantage of single-molecule real-time circular consensus sequencing (SMRT CCS), here we provide definitive evidence for semiconservative transmission of 6mA in Tetrahymena thermophila In wild-type (WT) cells, 6mA occurs at the self-complementary ApT dinucleotide, mostly in full methylation (full-6mApT); after DNA replication, hemi-methylation (hemi-6mApT) is transiently present on the parental strand, opposite to the daughter strand readily labeled by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). In ΔAMT1 cells, 6mA predominantly occurs as hemi-6mApT. Hemi-to-full conversion in WT cells is fast, robust, and processive, whereas de novo methylation in ΔAMT1 cells is slow and sporadic. In Tetrahymena, regularly spaced 6mA clusters coincide with the linker DNA of nucleosomes arrayed in the gene body. Importantly, in vitro methylation of human chromatin by the reconstituted AMT1 complex recapitulates preferential targeting of hemi-6mApT sites in linker DNA, supporting AMT1's intrinsic and autonomous role in maintenance methylation. We conclude that 6mA is transmitted by a semiconservative mechanism: full-6mApT is split by DNA replication into hemi-6mApT, which is restored to full-6mApT by AMT1-dependent maintenance methylation. Our study dissects AMT1-dependent maintenance methylation and AMT1-independent de novo methylation, reveals a 6mA transmission pathway with a striking similarity to 5-methylcytosine (5mC) transmission at the CpG dinucleotide, and establishes 6mA as a bona fide eukaryotic epigenetic mark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Sheng
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Wentao Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Xue Qing Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Jiuwei Lu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Bo Pan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Bei Nan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yongqiang Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Fei Ye
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Chun Li
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Jikui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yali Dou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Shan Gao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity and Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Yifan Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA;
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7
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Geens B, Goossens S, Li J, Van de Peer Y, Vanden Broeck J. Untangling the gordian knot: The intertwining interactions between developmental hormone signaling and epigenetic mechanisms in insects. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 585:112178. [PMID: 38342134 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Hormones control developmental and physiological processes, often by regulating the expression of multiple genes simultaneously or sequentially. Crosstalk between hormones and epigenetics is pivotal to dynamically coordinate this process. Hormonal signals can guide the addition and removal of epigenetic marks, steering gene expression. Conversely, DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs can modulate regional chromatin structure and accessibility and regulate the expression of numerous (hormone-related) genes. Here, we provide a review of the interplay between the classical insect hormones, ecdysteroids and juvenile hormones, and epigenetics. We summarize the mode-of-action and roles of these hormones in post-embryonic development, and provide a general overview of epigenetic mechanisms. We then highlight recent advances on the interactions between these hormonal pathways and epigenetics, and their involvement in development. Furthermore, we give an overview of several 'omics techniques employed in the field. Finally, we discuss which questions remain unanswered and possible avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Geens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Stijn Goossens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Yves Van de Peer
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59 box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Paterson AH, Queitsch C. Genome organization and botanical diversity. THE PLANT CELL 2024; 36:1186-1204. [PMID: 38382084 PMCID: PMC11062460 DOI: 10.1093/plcell/koae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The rich diversity of angiosperms, both the planet's dominant flora and the cornerstone of agriculture, is integrally intertwined with a distinctive evolutionary history. Here, we explore the interplay between angiosperm genome organization and botanical diversity, empowered by genomic approaches ranging from genetic linkage mapping to analysis of gene regulation. Commonality in the genetic hardware of plants has enabled robust comparative genomics that has provided a broad picture of angiosperm evolution and implicated both general processes and specific elements in contributing to botanical diversity. We argue that the hardware of plant genomes-both in content and in dynamics-has been shaped by selection for rather substantial differences in gene regulation between plants and animals such as maize and human, organisms of comparable genome size and gene number. Their distinctive genome content and dynamics may reflect in part the indeterminate development of plants that puts strikingly different demands on gene regulation than in animals. Repeated polyploidization of plant genomes and multiplication of individual genes together with extensive rearrangement and differential retention provide rich raw material for selection of morphological and/or physiological variations conferring fitness in specific niches, whether natural or artificial. These findings exemplify the burgeoning information available to employ in increasing knowledge of plant biology and in modifying selected plants to better meet human needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Paterson
- Plant Genome Mapping Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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9
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Zhang L, Mu Y, Li T, Hu J, Lin H, Zhang L. Molecular basis of an atypical dsDNA 5mC/6mA bifunctional dioxygenase CcTet from Coprinopsis cinerea in catalyzing dsDNA 5mC demethylation. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:3886-3895. [PMID: 38324471 PMCID: PMC11040006 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The eukaryotic epigenetic modifications 5-methyldeoxycytosine (5mC) and N6-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) have indispensable regulatory roles in gene expression and embryonic development. We recently identified an atypical bifunctional dioxygenase CcTet from Coprinopsis cinerea that works on both 5mC and 6mA demethylation. The nonconserved residues Gly331 and Asp337 of CcTet facilitate 6mA accommodation, while D337F unexpectedly abolishes 5mC oxidation activity without interfering 6mA demethylation, indicating a prominent distinct but unclear 5mC oxidation mechanism to the conventional Tet enzymes. Here, we assessed the molecular mechanism of CcTet in catalyzing 5mC oxidation by representing the crystal structure of CcTet-5mC-dsDNA complex. We identified the distinct mechanism by which CcTet recognizes 5mC-dsDNA compared to 6mA-dsDNA substrate. Moreover, Asp337 was found to have a central role in compensating for the loss of a critical 5mC-stablizing H-bond observed in conventional Tet enzymes, and stabilizes 5mC and subsequent intermediates through an H-bond with the N4 atom of the substrates. These findings improve our understanding of Tet enzyme functions in the dsDNA 5mC and 6mA demethylation pathways, and provide useful information for future discovery of small molecular probes targeting Tet enzymes in DNA active demethylation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yajuan Mu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Jingyan Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Houwen Lin
- Research Centre for Marine Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Oncogene and Related Genes, Department of Pharmacy, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- Institute of Marine Biomedicine, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, State Key Laboratory of Systems Medicine for Cancer, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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10
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Meng WY, Wang ZX, Zhang Y, Hou Y, Xue JH. Epigenetic marks or not? The discovery of novel DNA modifications in eukaryotes. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:106791. [PMID: 38403247 PMCID: PMC11065753 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.106791] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA modifications add another layer of complexity to the eukaryotic genome to regulate gene expression, playing critical roles as epigenetic marks. In eukaryotes, the study of DNA epigenetic modifications has been confined to 5mC and its derivatives for decades. However, rapid developing approaches have witnessed the expansion of DNA modification reservoirs during the past several years, including the identification of 6mA, 5gmC, 4mC, and 4acC in diverse organisms. However, whether these DNA modifications function as epigenetic marks requires careful consideration. In this review, we try to present a panorama of all the DNA epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes, emphasizing recent breakthroughs in the identification of novel DNA modifications. The characterization of their roles in transcriptional regulation as potential epigenetic marks is summarized. More importantly, the pathways for generating or eliminating these DNA modifications, as well as the proteins involved are comprehensively dissected. Furthermore, we briefly discuss the potential challenges and perspectives, which should be taken into account while investigating novel DNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ying Meng
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunfang Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujun Hou
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jian-Huang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University, Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Cao L, Kong Y, Fan Y, Ni M, Tourancheau A, Ksiezarek M, Mead EA, Koo T, Gitman M, Zhang XS, Fang G. mEnrich-seq: methylation-guided enrichment sequencing of bacterial taxa of interest from microbiome. Nat Methods 2024; 21:236-246. [PMID: 38177508 DOI: 10.1038/s41592-023-02125-1] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Metagenomics has enabled the comprehensive study of microbiomes. However, many applications would benefit from a method that sequences specific bacterial taxa of interest, but not most background taxa. We developed mEnrich-seq (in which 'm' stands for methylation and seq for sequencing) for enriching taxa of interest from metagenomic DNA before sequencing. The core idea is to exploit the self versus nonself differentiation by natural bacterial DNA methylation and rationally choose methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, individually or in combination, to deplete host and background taxa while enriching targeted taxa. This idea is integrated with library preparation procedures and applied in several applications to enrich (up to 117-fold) pathogenic or beneficial bacteria from human urine and fecal samples, including species that are hard to culture or of low abundance. We assessed 4,601 bacterial strains with mapped methylomes so far and showed broad applicability of mEnrich-seq. mEnrich-seq provides microbiome researchers with a versatile and cost-effective approach for selective sequencing of diverse taxa of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Cao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yimeng Kong
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yu Fan
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mi Ni
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alan Tourancheau
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Magdalena Ksiezarek
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward A Mead
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tonny Koo
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Gitman
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xue-Song Zhang
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gang Fang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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12
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Feng X, Cui X, Zhang LS, Ye C, Wang P, Zhong Y, Wu T, Zheng Z, He C. Sequencing of N 6-methyl-deoxyadenosine at single-base resolution across the mammalian genome. Mol Cell 2024; 84:596-610.e6. [PMID: 38215754 PMCID: PMC10872247 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.12.021] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Although DNA N6-methyl-deoxyadenosine (6mA) is abundant in bacteria and protists, its presence and function in mammalian genomes have been less clear. We present Direct-Read 6mA sequencing (DR-6mA-seq), an antibody-independent method, to measure 6mA at base resolution. DR-6mA-seq employs a unique mutation-based strategy to reveal 6mA sites as misincorporation signatures without any chemical or enzymatic modulation of 6mA. We validated DR-6mA-seq through the successful mapping of the well-characterized G(6mA)TC motif in the E. coli DNA. As expected, when applying DR-6mA-seq to mammalian systems, we found that genomic DNA (gDNA) 6mA abundance is generally low in most mammalian tissues and cells; however, we did observe distinct gDNA 6mA sites in mouse testis and glioblastoma cells. DR-6mA-seq provides an enabling tool to detect 6mA at single-base resolution for a comprehensive understanding of DNA 6mA in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Feng
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiaolong Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Li-Sheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Chemistry, Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chang Ye
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Pingluan Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yuhao Zhong
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tong Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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13
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Boulet M, Gilbert G, Renaud Y, Schmidt-Dengler M, Plantié E, Bertrand R, Nan X, Jurkowski T, Helm M, Vandel L, Waltzer L. Adenine methylation is very scarce in the Drosophila genome and not erased by the ten-eleven translocation dioxygenase. eLife 2023; 12:RP91655. [PMID: 38126351 PMCID: PMC10735219 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91655] [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: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenine (6mA) DNA modification has recently been described in metazoans, including in Drosophila, for which the erasure of this epigenetic mark has been ascribed to the ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzyme. Here, we re-evaluated 6mA presence and TET impact on the Drosophila genome. Using axenic or conventional breeding conditions, we found traces of 6mA by LC-MS/MS and no significant increase in 6mA levels in the absence of TET, suggesting that this modification is present at very low levels in the Drosophila genome but not regulated by TET. Consistent with this latter hypothesis, further molecular and genetic analyses showed that TET does not demethylate 6mA but acts essentially in an enzymatic-independent manner. Our results call for further caution concerning the role and regulation of 6mA DNA modification in metazoans and underline the importance of TET non-enzymatic activity for fly development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Boulet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Guerric Gilbert
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Yoan Renaud
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Martina Schmidt-Dengler
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-UniversitätMainzGermany
| | - Emilie Plantié
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Romane Bertrand
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Xinsheng Nan
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Mark Helm
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Johannes Gutenberg-UniversitätMainzGermany
| | - Laurence Vandel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Lucas Waltzer
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, INSERM, iGReDClermont-FerrandFrance
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14
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Jha A, Bohaczuk SC, Mao Y, Ranchalis J, Mallory BJ, Min AT, Hamm MO, Swanson E, Dubocanin D, Finkbeiner C, Li T, Whittington D, Noble WS, Stergachis AB, Vollger MR. DNA-m6A calling and integrated long-read epigenetic and genetic analysis with fibertools. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.20.537673. [PMID: 37131601 PMCID: PMC10153250 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.20.537673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Long-read DNA sequencing has recently emerged as a powerful tool for studying both genetic and epigenetic architectures at single-molecule and single-nucleotide resolution. Long-read epigenetic studies encompass both the direct identification of native cytosine methylation as well as the identification of exogenously placed DNA N6-methyladenine (DNA-m6A). However, detecting DNA-m6A modifications using single-molecule sequencing, as well as co-processing single-molecule genetic and epigenetic architectures, is limited by computational demands and a lack of supporting tools. Here, we introduce fibertools, a state-of-the-art toolkit that features a semi-supervised convolutional neural network for fast and accurate identification of m6A-marked bases using PacBio single-molecule long-read sequencing, as well as the co-processing of long-read genetic and epigenetic data produced using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms. We demonstrate accurate DNA-m6A identification (>90% precision and recall) along >20 kilobase long DNA molecules with a ~1,000-fold improvement in speed. In addition, we demonstrate that fibertools can readily integrate genetic and epigenetic data at single-molecule resolution, including the seamless conversion between molecular and reference coordinate systems, allowing for accurate genetic and epigenetic analyses of long-read data within structurally and somatically variable genomic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Jha
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephanie C. Bohaczuk
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yizi Mao
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jane Ranchalis
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Alan T. Min
- Department of Statistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Morgan O. Hamm
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elliott Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Danilo Dubocanin
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Connor Finkbeiner
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tony Li
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dale Whittington
- Department of Medical Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - William Stafford Noble
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Andrew B. Stergachis
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Mitchell R. Vollger
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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15
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Lin L, Zhao Y, Zheng Q, Zhang J, Li H, Wu W. Epigenetic targeting of autophagy for cancer: DNA and RNA methylation. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1290330. [PMID: 38148841 PMCID: PMC10749975 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1290330] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Autophagy, a crucial cellular mechanism responsible for degradation and recycling of intracellular components, is modulated by an intricate network of molecular signals. Its paradoxical involvement in oncogenesis, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter, has been underscored in recent studies. Central to this regulatory network are the epigenetic modifications of DNA and RNA methylation, notably the presence of N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) in genomic DNA and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in eukaryotic mRNA. The 6mA modification in genomic DNA adds an extra dimension of epigenetic regulation, potentially impacting the transcriptional dynamics of genes linked to autophagy and, especially, cancer. Conversely, m6A modification, governed by methyltransferases and demethylases, influences mRNA stability, processing, and translation, affecting genes central to autophagic pathways. As we delve deeper into the complexities of autophagy regulation, the importance of these methylation modifications grows more evident. The interplay of 6mA, m6A, and autophagy points to a layered regulatory mechanism, illuminating cellular reactions to a range of conditions. This review delves into the nexus between DNA 6mA and RNA m6A methylation and their influence on autophagy in cancer contexts. By closely examining these epigenetic markers, we underscore their promise as therapeutic avenues, suggesting novel approaches for cancer intervention through autophagy modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luobin Lin
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuntao Zhao
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinzhou Zheng
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiayang Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huaqin Li
- School of Health Sciences, Guangzhou Xinhua University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenmei Wu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Biotechnology Drug Candidates, School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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16
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Liu Z, Li Y, Zhang X. DNA methylation on C5-Cytosine and N6-Adenine in the Bursaphelenchus xylophilus genome. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:671. [PMID: 37936063 PMCID: PMC10631105 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09783-7] [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: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pinewood nematode is the causal agent of the pine wilt disease, which causes severe ecological and economic losses in coniferous forests. The invasion of pine wood nematode has undergone various rapid adaptations to a wide range of temperatures and to new hosts and vector insects. DNA methylation may play crucial roles in the rapid adaptation of PWN during invasion. However, whether the PWN genome contins functional DNA modifications remains elusive. RESULTS Here, we detected the extensive presence of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and N6-methyladenine (6mA) in the B. xylophilus genome, with low methylation levels at most positions. Cytosines were methylated in the CpG, CHG. and CHH sequence contexts, with the lowest methylation levels at CpG sites. The methylation levels of CpG and 6mA in gene regions showed opposite trends. The changes in the abundance of 5mC and 6mA showed the same trends in response to temperature change, but opposite trends during development. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the proteins BxDAMT and BxNMAD have typical characteristics of a methylase and demethylase, respectively, and are conserved among species. CONCLUSIONS These findings shed light on the epigenetic modifications present in the genome of PWN, and will improve our understanding of its invasiveness and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenkai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, PR China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yongxia Li
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, PR China.
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, PR China.
| | - Xingyao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Forest Protection of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, PR China
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, Jiangsu, PR China
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17
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Zhang J, Peng Q, Ma C, Wang J, Xiao C, Li T, Liu X, Zhou L, Xu X, Zhou WZ, Ding W, An NA, Zhang L, Liu Y, Li CY. 6mA-Sniper: Quantifying 6mA sites in eukaryotes at single-nucleotide resolution. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadh7912. [PMID: 37862411 PMCID: PMC10588941 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh7912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
While N6-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) modification is a fundamental regulation in prokaryotes, its prevalence and functions in eukaryotes are controversial. Here, we report 6mA-Sniper to quantify 6mA sites in eukaryotes at single-nucleotide resolution, and delineate a 6mA profile in Caenorhabditis elegans with 2034 sites. Twenty-six of 39 events with Mnl I restriction endonuclease sites were verified, demonstrating the feasibility of this method. The levels of 6mA sites pinpointed by 6mA-Sniper are generally increased after Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, but decreased in strains with the removal of METL-9, the dominant 6mA methyltransferase. The enrichment of these sites on specific motif of [GC]GAG, the selective constrains on them, and their coordinated changes with METL-9 levels thus support an active shaping of the 6mA profile by methyltransferase. Moreover, for regions marked by 6mA sites that emerged after infection, an enrichment of up-regulated genes was detected, possibly mediated through a mutual exclusive cross-talk between 6mA and H3K27me3 modification. We thus highlight 6mA regulation as a previously neglected regulator in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qi Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chengchuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chunfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ting Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiaoge Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Liankui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xinwei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wei-Zhen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wanqiu Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Bioinformatics Core, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ni A. An
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Chuan-Yun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
- Southwest United Graduate School, Kunming 650092, China
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18
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Sturm Á, Sharma H, Bodnár F, Aslam M, Kovács T, Németh Á, Hotzi B, Billes V, Sigmond T, Tátrai K, Egyed B, Téglás-Huszár B, Schlosser G, Charmpilas N, Ploumi C, Perczel A, Tavernarakis N, Vellai T. N6-Methyladenine Progressively Accumulates in Mitochondrial DNA during Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14858. [PMID: 37834309 PMCID: PMC10573865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914858] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenine (6mA) in the DNA is a conserved epigenetic mark with various cellular, physiological and developmental functions. Although the presence of 6mA was discovered a few years ago in the nuclear genome of distantly related animal taxa and just recently in mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), accumulating evidence at present seriously questions the presence of N6-adenine methylation in these genetic systems, attributing it to methodological errors. In this paper, we present a reliable, PCR-based method to determine accurately the relative 6mA levels in the mtDNA of Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and dogs, and show that these levels gradually increase with age. Furthermore, daf-2(-)-mutant worms, which are defective for insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) signaling and live twice as long as the wild type, display a half rate at which 6mA progressively accumulates in the mtDNA as compared to normal values. Together, these results suggest a fundamental role for mtDNA N6-adenine methylation in aging and reveal an efficient diagnostic technique to determine age using DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Sturm
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
- Genetics Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network-Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Himani Sharma
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Ferenc Bodnár
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Maryam Aslam
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Ákos Németh
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Bernadette Hotzi
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
- Genetics Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network-Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktor Billes
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
- Genetics Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network-Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tímea Sigmond
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Kitti Tátrai
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Balázs Egyed
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Blanka Téglás-Huszár
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
| | - Gitta Schlosser
- Momentum Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences-Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nikolaos Charmpilas
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, P.O. Box 1385 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christina Ploumi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, P.O. Box 1385 Heraklion, Greece
| | - András Perczel
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nektarios Tavernarakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas, P.O. Box 1385 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Tibor Vellai
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/C, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (H.S.); (B.E.)
- Genetics Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network-Eötvös Loránd University, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
- Vellab Biotech Ltd., 6722 Szeged, Hungary
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19
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Ma CJ, Li G, Shao WX, Min YH, Wang P, Ding JH, Xie NB, Wang M, Tang F, Feng YQ, Ci W, Wang Y, Yuan BF. Single-Nucleotide Resolution Mapping of N6-Methyladenine in Genomic DNA. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:1799-1809. [PMID: 37780356 PMCID: PMC10540296 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
N6-Methyladenine (6mA) is a naturally occurring DNA modification in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Herein, we developed a deaminase-mediated sequencing (DM-seq) method for genome-wide mapping of 6mA at single-nucleotide resolution. The method capitalizes on the selective deamination of adenine, but not 6mA, in DNA mediated by an evolved adenine deaminase, ABE8e. By employing this method, we achieved genome-wide mapping of 6mA in Escherichia coli and in mammalian mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) at single-nucleotide resolution. We found that the 6mA sites are mainly located in the GATC motif in the E. coli genome. We also identified 17 6mA sites in mtDNA of HepG2 cells, where all of the 6mA sites are distributed in the heavy strand of mtDNA. We envision that DM-seq will be a valuable tool for uncovering new functions of 6mA in DNA and for exploring its potential roles in mitochondria-related human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Jie Ma
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Riverside, Riverside, California 92521-0403, United States
| | - Gaojie Li
- Key
Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, and China National
Center for Bioinformation, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wen-Xuan Shao
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yi-Hao Min
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Key
Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, and China National
Center for Bioinformation, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiang-Hui Ding
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Neng-Bin Xie
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Min Wang
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Feng Tang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Riverside, Riverside, California 92521-0403, United States
| | - Yu-Qi Feng
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Weimin Ci
- Key
Laboratory of Genomics and Precision Medicine, and China National
Center for Bioinformation, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University
of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Riverside, Riverside, California 92521-0403, United States
| | - Bi-Feng Yuan
- School
of Public Health, Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan
Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
- Sauvage
Center for Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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20
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Breger K, Kunkler CN, O'Leary NJ, Hulewicz JP, Brown JA. Ghost authors revealed: The structure and function of human N 6 -methyladenosine RNA methyltransferases. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2023; 15:e1810. [PMID: 37674370 PMCID: PMC10915109 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite the discovery of modified nucleic acids nearly 75 years ago, their biological functions are still being elucidated. N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant modification in eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and has also been detected in non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNA, ribosomal RNA, and small nuclear RNA. In general, m6 A marks can alter RNA secondary structure and initiate unique RNA-protein interactions that can alter splicing, mRNA turnover, and translation, just to name a few. Although m6 A marks in human RNAs have been known to exist since 1974, the structures and functions of methyltransferases responsible for writing m6 A marks have been established only recently. Thus far, there are four confirmed human methyltransferases that catalyze the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to the N6 position of adenosine, producing m6 A: methyltransferase-like protein (METTL) 3/METTL14 complex, METTL16, METTL5, and zinc-finger CCHC-domain-containing protein 4. Though the methyltransferases have unique RNA targets, all human m6 A RNA methyltransferases contain a Rossmann fold with a conserved SAM-binding pocket, suggesting that they utilize a similar catalytic mechanism for methyl transfer. For each of the human m6 A RNA methyltransferases, we present the biological functions and links to human disease, RNA targets, catalytic and kinetic mechanisms, and macromolecular structures. We also discuss m6 A marks in human viruses and parasites, assigning m6 A marks in the transcriptome to specific methyltransferases, small molecules targeting m6 A methyltransferases, and the enzymes responsible for hypermodified m6 A marks and their biological functions in humans. Understanding m6 A methyltransferases is a critical steppingstone toward establishing the m6 A epitranscriptome and more broadly the RNome. This article is categorized under: RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Recognition RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurtis Breger
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Charlotte N Kunkler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Nathan J O'Leary
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jacob P Hulewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Jessica A Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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21
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Hook PW, Timp W. Beyond assembly: the increasing flexibility of single-molecule sequencing technology. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:627-641. [PMID: 37161088 PMCID: PMC10169143 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00600-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The maturation of high-throughput short-read sequencing technology over the past two decades has shaped the way genomes are studied. Recently, single-molecule, long-read sequencing has emerged as an essential tool in deciphering genome structure and function, including filling gaps in the human reference genome, measuring the epigenome and characterizing splicing variants in the transcriptome. With recent technological developments, these single-molecule technologies have moved beyond genome assembly and are being used in a variety of ways, including to selectively sequence specific loci with long reads, measure chromatin state and protein-DNA binding in order to investigate the dynamics of gene regulation, and rapidly determine copy number variation. These increasingly flexible uses of single-molecule technologies highlight a young and fast-moving part of the field that is leading to a more accessible era of nucleic acid sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul W Hook
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Winston Timp
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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22
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Jia Q, Zhang X, Liu Q, Li J, Wang W, Ma X, Zhu B, Li S, Gong S, Tian J, Yuan M, Zhao Y, Zhou DX. A DNA adenine demethylase impairs PRC2-mediated repression of genes marked by a specific chromatin signature. Genome Biol 2023; 24:198. [PMID: 37649077 PMCID: PMC10469495 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03042-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Fe (II)- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent AlkB family dioxygenases are implicated in nucleotide demethylation. AlkB homolog1 (ALKBH1) is shown to demethylate DNA adenine methylation (6mA) preferentially from single-stranded or unpaired DNA, while its demethylase activity and function in the chromatin context are unclear. RESULTS Here, we find that loss-of-function of the rice ALKBH1 gene leads to increased 6mA in the R-loop regions of the genome but has a limited effect on the overall 6mA level. However, in the context of mixed tissues, rather than on individual loci, the ALKBH1 mutation or overexpression mainly affects the expression of genes with a specific combination of chromatin modifications in the body region marked with H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 but depleted of DNA CG methylation. In the similar context of mixed tissues, further analysis reveals that the ALKBH1 protein preferentially binds to genes marked by the chromatin signature and has a function to maintain a high H3K4me3/H3K27me3 ratio by impairing the binding of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to the targets, which is required for both the basal and stress-induced expression of the genes. CONCLUSION Our findings unravel a function of ALKBH1 to control the balance between the antagonistic histone methylations for gene activity and provide insight into the regulatory mechanism of PRC2-mediated H3K27me3 deposition within the gene body region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiao Jia
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xinran Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Qian Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Junjie Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xuan Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Sheng Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shicheng Gong
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jingjing Tian
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Meng Yuan
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Dao-Xiu Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China.
- Institute of Plant Science Paris-Saclay (IPS2), CNRS, INRAE, University Paris-Saclay, 91405, Orsay, France.
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23
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Sturm Á, Saskői É, Hotzi B, Tarnóci A, Barna J, Bodnár F, Sharma H, Kovács T, Ari E, Weinhardt N, Kerepesi C, Perczel A, Ivics Z, Vellai T. Downregulation of transposable elements extends lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5278. [PMID: 37644049 PMCID: PMC10465613 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40957-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Mobility of transposable elements (TEs) frequently leads to insertional mutations in functional DNA regions. In the potentially immortal germline, TEs are effectively suppressed by the Piwi-piRNA pathway. However, in the genomes of ageing somatic cells lacking the effects of the pathway, TEs become increasingly mobile during the adult lifespan, and their activity is associated with genomic instability. Whether the progressively increasing mobilization of TEs is a cause or a consequence of ageing remains a fundamental problem in biology. Here we show that in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the downregulation of active TE families extends lifespan. Ectopic activation of Piwi proteins in the soma also promotes longevity. Furthermore, DNA N6-adenine methylation at TE stretches gradually rises with age, and this epigenetic modification elevates their transcription as the animal ages. These results indicate that TEs represent a novel genetic determinant of ageing, and that N6-adenine methylation plays a pivotal role in ageing control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Sturm
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH)-ELTE Genetics Research Group, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Saskői
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bernadette Hotzi
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna Tarnóci
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH)-ELTE Genetics Research Group, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Barna
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH)-ELTE Genetics Research Group, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Bodnár
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Himani Sharma
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Ari
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
- HCEMM-BRC Metabolic Systems Biology Research Group, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
- Synthetic and Systems Biology Unit, Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Temesvári krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Nóra Weinhardt
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Kerepesi
- Institute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI), 1111, Budapest, Hungary
- Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - András Perczel
- Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Biology & Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA)-ELTE Protein Modelling Research Group, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös Loránd University, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Ivics
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul Ehrlich Institute, 63225, Langen, Germany
| | - Tibor Vellai
- Department of Genetics, Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH)-ELTE Genetics Research Group, 1117, Budapest, Hungary.
- Vellab Biotech Ltd., 6722, Szeged, Hungary.
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24
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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25
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Febrimarsa, Gornik SG, Barreira SN, Salinas‐Saavedra M, Schnitzler CE, Baxevanis AD, Frank U. Randomly incorporated genomic N6-methyldeoxyadenosine delays zygotic transcription initiation in a cnidarian. EMBO J 2023; 42:e112934. [PMID: 37708295 PMCID: PMC10390872 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022112934] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) is a chemical alteration of DNA, observed across all realms of life. Although the functions of 6mA are well understood in bacteria and protists, its roles in animal genomes have been controversial. We show that 6mA randomly accumulates in early embryos of the cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, with a peak at the 16-cell stage followed by clearance to background levels two cell cycles later, at the 64-cell stage-the embryonic stage at which zygotic genome activation occurs in this animal. Knocking down Alkbh1, a putative initiator of animal 6mA clearance, resulted in higher levels of 6mA at the 64-cell stage and a delay in the initiation of zygotic transcription. Our data are consistent with 6mA originating from recycled nucleotides of degraded m6A-marked maternal RNA postfertilization. Therefore, while 6mA does not function as an epigenetic mark in Hydractinia, its random incorporation into the early embryonic genome inhibits transcription. In turn, Alkbh1 functions as a genomic 6mA "cleaner," facilitating timely zygotic genome activation. Given the random nature of genomic 6mA accumulation and its ability to interfere with gene expression, defects in 6mA clearance may represent a hitherto unknown cause of various pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Febrimarsa
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical SciencesUniversity of GalwayGalwayRepublic of Ireland
| | - Sebastian G Gornik
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical SciencesUniversity of GalwayGalwayRepublic of Ireland
- Present address:
Centre for Organismal StudiesHeidelberg UniversityHeidelbergGermany
| | - Sofia N Barreira
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, Division of Intramural ResearchNational Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Miguel Salinas‐Saavedra
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical SciencesUniversity of GalwayGalwayRepublic of Ireland
| | - Christine E Schnitzler
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine BioscienceUniversity of FloridaSt. AugustineFLUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Andreas D Baxevanis
- Computational and Statistical Genomics Branch, Division of Intramural ResearchNational Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Uri Frank
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Biological and Chemical SciencesUniversity of GalwayGalwayRepublic of Ireland
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26
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Ma C, Xue T, Peng Q, Zhang J, Guan J, Ding W, Li Y, Xia P, Zhou L, Zhao T, Wang S, Quan L, Li CY, Liu Y. A novel N 6-Deoxyadenine methyltransferase METL-9 modulates C. elegans immunity via dichotomous mechanisms. Cell Res 2023; 33:628-639. [PMID: 37271765 PMCID: PMC10397248 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-023-00826-y] [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: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-Methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) has been rediscovered as a DNA modification with potential biological function in metazoans. However, the physiological function and regulatory mechanisms regarding the establishment, maintenance and removal of 6mA in eukaryotes are still poorly understood. Here we show that genomic 6mA levels change in response to pathogenic infection in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). We further identify METL-9 as the methyltransferase that catalyzes DNA 6mA modifications upon pathogen infection. Deficiency of METL-9 impairs the induction of innate immune response genes and renders the animals more susceptible to pathogen infection. Interestingly, METL-9 functions through both 6mA-dependent and -independent mechanisms to transcriptionally regulate innate immunity. Our findings reveal that 6mA is a functional DNA modification in immunomodulation in C. elegans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengchuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China.
- Research Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Blood Transfusion, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Tingling Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Peng
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jialiang Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- PKU-Tsinghua-NIBS Graduate Program, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanqiu Ding
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Peixue Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Liankui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- Shanghai Zelixir Biotech Company Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Li Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuan-Yun Li
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Genomic Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Ying Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, China.
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Kaur G, Chen Q, Li X, Mendoza F, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Biochemical and structural characterization of the first-discovered metazoan DNA cytosine-N4 methyltransferase from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105017. [PMID: 37414145 PMCID: PMC10406627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105017] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Much is known about the generation, removal, and roles of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in eukaryote DNA, and there is a growing body of evidence regarding N6-methyladenine, but very little is known about N4-methylcytosine (4mC) in the DNA of eukaryotes. The gene for the first metazoan DNA methyltransferase generating 4mC (N4CMT) was reported and characterized recently by others, in tiny freshwater invertebrates called bdelloid rotifers. Bdelloid rotifers are ancient, apparently asexual animals, and lack canonical 5mC DNA methyltransferases. Here, we characterize the kinetic properties and structural features of the catalytic domain of the N4CMT protein from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. We find that N4CMT generates high-level methylation at preferred sites, (a/c)CG(t/c/a), and low-level methylation at disfavored sites, exemplified by ACGG. Like the mammalian de novo 5mC DNA methyltransferase 3A/3B (DNMT3A/3B), N4CMT methylates CpG dinucleotides on both DNA strands, generating hemimethylated intermediates and eventually fully methylated CpG sites, particularly in the context of favored symmetric sites. In addition, like DNMT3A/3B, N4CMT methylates non-CpG sites, mainly CpA/TpG, though at a lower rate. Both N4CMT and DNMT3A/3B even prefer similar CpG-flanking sequences. Structurally, the catalytic domain of N4CMT closely resembles the Caulobacter crescentus cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase. The symmetric methylation of CpG, and similarity to a cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase, together suggest that N4CMT might also carry out DNA synthesis-dependent methylation following DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gundeep Kaur
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xuwen Li
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fabian Mendoza
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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28
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Chen S, Lai W, Li Y, Liu Y, Jiang J, Li X, Jiang G, Wang H. Aberrant DNA N 6 -methyladenine incorporation via adenylate kinase 1 is suppressed by ADAL deaminase-dependent 2'-deoxynucleotide pool sanitation. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113684. [PMID: 37366109 PMCID: PMC10390868 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113684] [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: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracellular decay of N6 -methyladenine (m6A)-containing RNA potentially induces aberrant N6 -methyl-2'-adenine (6mdA) misincorporation into DNA. Biophysically, misincorporated 6mdA may destabilize the DNA duplex in a manner similar to bona fide methylated 6mdA DNA, thereby affecting DNA replication and transcription. Utilizing heavy stable isotope labeling and ultrasensitive UHPLC-MS/MS assay, we demonstrate that intracellular m6A-RNA decay does not generate free 6mdA species, nor lead to any misincorporated DNA 6mdA in most mammalian cell lines tested, unveiling the existence of a sanitation mechanism that prevents 6mdA misincorporation. Depletion of deaminase ADAL increases the levels of free 6mdA species, concomitant with the presence of DNA-misincorporated 6mdA resulting from intracellular RNA m6A decay, suggesting that ADAL catabolizes 6mdAMP in vivo. Furthermore, we show that the overexpression of adenylate kinase 1 (AK1) promotes 6mdA misincorporation, while AK1 knockdown diminishes 6mdA incorporation, in ADAL-deficient cells. We conclude that ADAL together with other factors (such as MTH1) contributes to 2'-deoxynucleotide pool sanitation in most cells but compromised sanitation (e.g., in NIH3T3 cells) and increased AK1 expression may facilitate aberrant 6mdA incorporation. This sanitation mechanism may provide a framework for the maintenance of the epigenetic 6mdA landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaokun Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco‐Environmental SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Weiyi Lai
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco‐Environmental SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanan Li
- Institute of Environment and Health, Institute for Advanced StudyUCASHangzhouChina
| | - Yan Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco‐Environmental SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Jie Jiang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and PreventionShenzhenChina
| | - Xiangjun Li
- School of Chemical SciencesUniversity of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guibin Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco‐Environmental SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Institute of Environment and Health, Institute for Advanced StudyUCASHangzhouChina
| | - Hailin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco‐Environmental SciencesChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- Institute of Environment and Health, Institute for Advanced StudyUCASHangzhouChina
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29
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Ni P, Nie F, Zhong Z, Xu J, Huang N, Zhang J, Zhao H, Zou Y, Huang Y, Li J, Xiao CL, Luo F, Wang J. DNA 5-methylcytosine detection and methylation phasing using PacBio circular consensus sequencing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4054. [PMID: 37422489 PMCID: PMC10329642 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39784-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Long single-molecular sequencing technologies, such as PacBio circular consensus sequencing (CCS) and nanopore sequencing, are advantageous in detecting DNA 5-methylcytosine in CpGs (5mCpGs), especially in repetitive genomic regions. However, existing methods for detecting 5mCpGs using PacBio CCS are less accurate and robust. Here, we present ccsmeth, a deep-learning method to detect DNA 5mCpGs using CCS reads. We sequence polymerase-chain-reaction treated and M.SssI-methyltransferase treated DNA of one human sample using PacBio CCS for training ccsmeth. Using long (≥10 Kb) CCS reads, ccsmeth achieves 0.90 accuracy and 0.97 Area Under the Curve on 5mCpG detection at single-molecule resolution. At the genome-wide site level, ccsmeth achieves >0.90 correlations with bisulfite sequencing and nanopore sequencing using only 10× reads. Furthermore, we develop a Nextflow pipeline, ccsmethphase, to detect haplotype-aware methylation using CCS reads, and then sequence a Chinese family trio to validate it. ccsmeth and ccsmethphase can be robust and accurate tools for detecting DNA 5-methylcytosines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ni
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Xiangjiang Laboratory, Changsha, 410205, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Fan Nie
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Xiangjiang Laboratory, Changsha, 410205, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Zeyu Zhong
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Jinrui Xu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Neng Huang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Haochen Zhao
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - You Zou
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Yuanfeng Huang
- Bioinformatics Center, National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Jinchen Li
- Bioinformatics Center, National Clinical Research Centre for Geriatric Disorders, Department of Geriatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
- Centre for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Chuan-Le Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, #7 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Feng Luo
- School of Computing, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634-0974, USA.
| | - Jianxin Wang
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
- Xiangjiang Laboratory, Changsha, 410205, China.
- Hunan Provincial Key Lab on Bioinformatics, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China.
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30
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Arkhipova IR, Yushenova IA, Rodriguez F. Shaping eukaryotic epigenetic systems by horizontal gene transfer. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200232. [PMID: 37339822 PMCID: PMC10287040 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200232] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation constitutes one of the pillars of epigenetics, relying on covalent bonds for addition and/or removal of chemically distinct marks within the major groove of the double helix. DNA methyltransferases, enzymes which introduce methyl marks, initially evolved in prokaryotes as components of restriction-modification systems protecting host genomes from bacteriophages and other invading foreign DNA. In early eukaryotic evolution, DNA methyltransferases were horizontally transferred from bacteria into eukaryotes several times and independently co-opted into epigenetic regulatory systems, primarily via establishing connections with the chromatin environment. While C5-methylcytosine is the cornerstone of plant and animal epigenetics and has been investigated in much detail, the epigenetic role of other methylated bases is less clear. The recent addition of N4-methylcytosine of bacterial origin as a metazoan DNA modification highlights the prerequisites for foreign gene co-option into the host regulatory networks, and challenges the existing paradigms concerning the origin and evolution of eukaryotic regulatory systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina R Arkhipova
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Irina A Yushenova
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fernando Rodriguez
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Josephine Bay Paul Center for Comparative Molecular Biology and Evolution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Liu S, Su J, Xie X, Huang R, Li H, Luo R, Li J, Liu X, He J, Huang Y, Wu P. Detection of methyltransferase activity and inhibitor screening based on rGO-mediated silver enhancement signal amplification strategy. Anal Biochem 2023:115207. [PMID: 37290576 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2023.115207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation refers to the chemical modification process of obtaining a methyl group by the covalent bonding of a specific base in DNA sequence with S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor under the catalysis of methyltransferase (MTase), which is related to the occurrence of multiple diseases. Therefore, the detection of MTase activity is of great significance for disease diagnosis and drug screening. Because reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has a unique planar structure and remarkable catalytic performance, it is not clear whether rGO can rapidly catalyze silver deposition as an effective way of signal amplification. However, in this study, we were pleasantly surprised to find that using H2O2 as a reducing agent, rGO can rapidly catalyze silver deposition, and its catalytic efficiency of silver deposition is significantly better than that of GO. Therefore, based on further verifying the mechanism of catalytic properties of rGO, we constructed a novel electrochemical biosensor (rGO/silver biosensor) for the detection of dam MTase activity, which has high selectivity and sensitivity to MTase in the range of 0.1 U/mL to 10.0 U/mL, and the detection limit is as low as 0.07 U/mL. Besides, this study also used Gentamicin and 5-Fluorouracil as inhibitor models, confirming that the biosensor has a good application prospect in the high-throughput screening of dam MTase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyan Liu
- Center for Medical Genetics & Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China; State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Jing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China; College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
| | - Xixiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Rongping Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Haiping Li
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Ruiyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Jinghua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Xiyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China
| | - Jian He
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China.
| | - Yong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China.
| | - Pan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Targeting Oncology, National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, China.
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32
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Kong Y, Mead EA, Fang G. Navigating the pitfalls of mapping DNA and RNA modifications. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:363-381. [PMID: 36653550 PMCID: PMC10722219 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-022-00559-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modifications to nucleic acids occur across the kingdoms of life and carry important regulatory information. Reliable high-resolution mapping of these modifications is the foundation of functional and mechanistic studies, and recent methodological advances based on next-generation sequencing and long-read sequencing platforms are critical to achieving this aim. However, mapping technologies may have limitations that sometimes lead to inconsistent results. Some of these limitations are technical in nature and specific to certain types of technology. Here, however, we focus on common (yet not always widely recognized) pitfalls that are shared among frequently used mapping technologies and discuss strategies to help technology developers and users mitigate their effects. Although the emphasis is primarily on DNA modifications, RNA modifications are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimeng Kong
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward A Mead
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gang Fang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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33
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Pan B, Ye F, Li T, Wei F, Warren A, Wang Y, Gao S. Potential role of N 6-adenine DNA methylation in alternative splicing and endosymbiosis in Paramecium bursaria. iScience 2023; 26:106676. [PMID: 37182097 PMCID: PMC10173741 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-adenine DNA methylation (6mA), a rediscovered epigenetic mark in eukaryotic organisms, diversifies in abundance, distribution, and function across species, necessitating its study in more taxa. Paramecium bursaria is a typical model organism with endosymbiotic algae of the species Chlorella variabilis. This consortium therefore serves as a valuable system to investigate the functional role of 6mA in endosymbiosis, as well as the evolutionary importance of 6mA among eukaryotes. In this study, we report the first genome-wide, base pair-resolution map of 6mA in P. bursaria and identify its methyltransferase PbAMT1. Functionally, 6mA exhibits a bimodal distribution at the 5' end of RNA polymerase II-transcribed genes and possibly participates in transcription by facilitating alternative splicing. Evolutionarily, 6mA co-evolves with gene age and likely serves as a reverse mark of endosymbiosis-related genes. Our results offer new insights for the functional diversification of 6mA in eukaryotes as an important epigenetic mark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Pan
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Tao Li
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Fan Wei
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Alan Warren
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
- Corresponding author
| | - Shan Gao
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao 266237, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
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34
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Ping D, Pu X, Ding G, Zhang C, Jin J, Xu C, Liu J, Jia S, Cao L. Sirtuin4 impacts mitochondrial homeostasis in pancreatic cancer cells by reducing the stability of AlkB homolog 1 via deacetylation of the HRD1-SEL1L complex. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2023; 1866:194941. [PMID: 37146713 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2023.194941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. As a tumor inhibitor, the specific tumor suppressor mechanism of Sirtuin4(SIRT4) in PDAC remains elusive. In this study, SIRT4 was found to inhibit PDAC by impacting mitochondrial homeostasis. SIRT4 deacetylated lysine 547 of SEL1L and increased the protein level of an E3 ubiquitin ligase HRD1. As a central member of ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD), HRD1-SEL1L complex is recently reported to regulate the mitochondria, though the mechanism is not fully delineated. Here, we found the increase in SEL1L-HRD1 complex decreased the stability of a mitochondrial protein, ALKBH1. Downregulation of ALKBH1 subsequently blocked the transcription of mitochondrial DNA-coded genes, and resulted in mitochondrial damage. Lastly, a putative SIRT4 stimulator, Entinostat, was identified, which upregulated the expression of SIRT4 and effectively inhibited pancreatic cancer in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongnan Ping
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofan Pu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoping Ding
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaolei Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junbin Jin
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengjie Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiazheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Respiratory Infectious Disease, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao
| | - Shengnan Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Cognitive Healthcare, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.
| | - Liping Cao
- Department of General Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 3, Qingchun Road, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Cognitive Healthcare, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China.
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35
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Lyu C, Wang HD, Lai W, Wang H. Identification and quantification of DNA N 6-methyladenine modification in mammals: A challenge to modern analytical technologies. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2023; 73:102259. [PMID: 36652775 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2022.102259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
DNA N6-methyladenine modification (6mA) is a predominant epigenetic mark in prokaryotes but rarely present in multicellular metazoa. The analytical technologies have been developed for sensitive detection of 6mA, including ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRTseq). However, it remains challenging to detect 6mA at global level and/or in the context of sequence in multicellular metazoa (including mammals). This mini-review brings insights into current dilemma and potential solutions for the identification and quantifications of 6mA in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Lyu
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Hui-Dong Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Weiyi Lai
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Hailin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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36
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Debo BM, Mallory BJ, Stergachis AB. Evaluation of N 6-methyldeoxyadenosine antibody-based genomic profiling in eukaryotes. Genome Res 2023; 33:427-434. [PMID: 36788024 PMCID: PMC10078290 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276696.122] [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: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Low-level DNA N 6-methyldeoxyadenosine (DNA-m6A) has recently been reported across various eukaryotes. Although anti-m6A antibody-based approaches are commonly used to measure DNA-m6A levels, this approach is known to be confounded by DNA secondary structures, RNA contamination, and bacterial contamination. To evaluate for these confounding features, we introduce an approach for systematically validating the selectivity of antibody-based DNA-m6A methods and use a highly selective anti-DNA-m6A antibody to reexamine patterns of DNA-m6A in C. reinhardtii, A. thaliana, and D. melanogaster Our findings raise caution about the use of antibody-based methods for endogenous m6A quantification and mapping in eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Debo
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - Benjamin J Mallory
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
| | - Andrew B Stergachis
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA;
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-7720, USA
- Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA
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37
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Feng X, He C. Mammalian DNA N 6-methyladenosine: Challenges and new insights. Mol Cell 2023; 83:343-351. [PMID: 36736309 PMCID: PMC10182828 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (6mA) modification was first discovered in Bacterium coli in the 1950s. Over the next several decades, 6mA was recognized as a critical DNA modification in the genomes of prokaryotes and protists. While important in prokaryotes, less is known about the presence and functional roles of DNA 6mA in eukaryotes, particularly in mammals. Taking advantage of recent technology advances that made 6mA detection and sequencing possible, studies over the past several years have brought new insights into 6mA biology in mammals. In this perspective, we present recent progress, discuss challenges, and pose four questions for future research regarding mammalian DNA 6mA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinran Feng
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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38
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Broche J, Köhler AR, Kühnel F, Osteresch B, Chandrasekaran TT, Adam S, Brockmeyer J, Jeltsch A. Genome-wide deposition of 6-methyladenine in human DNA reduces the viability of HEK293 cells and directly influences gene expression. Commun Biol 2023; 6:138. [PMID: 36732350 PMCID: PMC9895073 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04466-1] [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: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
While cytosine-C5 methylation of DNA is an essential regulatory system in higher eukaryotes, the presence and relevance of 6-methyladenine (m6dA) in human cells is controversial. To study the role of m6dA in human DNA, we introduced it in human cells at a genome-wide scale at GANTC and GATC sites by expression of bacterial DNA methyltransferases and observed concomitant reductions in cell viability, in particular after global GANTC methylation. We identified several genes that are directly regulated by m6dA in a GANTC context. Upregulated genes showed m6dA-dependent reduction of H3K27me3 suggesting that the PRC2 complex is inhibited by m6dA. Genes downregulated by m6dA showed enrichment of JUN family transcription factor binding sites. JUN binds m6dA containing DNA with reduced affinity suggesting that m6dA can reduce the recruitment of JUN transcription factors to target genes. Our study documents that global introduction of m6dA in human DNA has physiological effects. Furthermore, we identified a set of target genes which are directly regulated by m6dA in human cells, and we defined two molecular pathways with opposing effects by which artificially introduced m6dA in GANTC motifs can directly control gene expression and phenotypes of human cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Broche
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany ,grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Present Address: Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Calwerstr. 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anja R. Köhler
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Fiona Kühnel
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Bernd Osteresch
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Food Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 5b, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thyagarajan T. Chandrasekaran
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sabrina Adam
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jens Brockmeyer
- grid.5719.a0000 0004 1936 9713Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Food Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 5b, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
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39
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Structural insights into DNA N 6-adenine methylation by the MTA1 complex. Cell Discov 2023; 9:8. [PMID: 36658132 PMCID: PMC9852454 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00516-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
N6-methyldeoxyadenine (6mA) has recently been reported as a prevalent DNA modification in eukaryotes. The Tetrahymena thermophila MTA1 complex consisting of four subunits, namely MTA1, MTA9, p1, and p2, is the first identified eukaryotic 6mA methyltransferase (MTase) complex. Unlike the prokaryotic 6mA MTases which have been biochemically and structurally characterized, the operation mode of the MTA1 complex remains largely elusive. Here, we report the cryogenic electron microscopy structures of the quaternary MTA1 complex in S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-bound (2.6 Å) and S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH)-bound (2.8 Å) states. Using an AI-empowered integrative approach based on AlphaFold prediction and chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry, we further modeled a near-complete structure of the quaternary complex. Coupled with biochemical characterization, we revealed that MTA1 serves as the catalytic core, MTA1, MTA9, and p1 likely accommodate the substrate DNA, and p2 may facilitate the stabilization of MTA1. These results together offer insights into the molecular mechanism underpinning methylation by the MTA1 complex and the potential diversification of MTases for N6-adenine methylation.
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Chen LQ, Zhang Z, Chen HX, Xi JF, Liu XH, Ma DZ, Zhong YH, Ng WH, Chen T, Mak DW, Chen Q, Chen YQ, Luo GZ. High-precision mapping reveals rare N 6-deoxyadenosine methylation in the mammalian genome. Cell Discov 2022; 8:138. [PMID: 36575183 PMCID: PMC9794812 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00484-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
N6-deoxyadenosine methylation (6mA) is the most widespread type of DNA modification in prokaryotes and is also abundantly distributed in some unicellular eukaryotes. However, 6mA levels are remarkably low in mammals. The lack of a precise and comprehensive mapping method has hindered more advanced investigations of 6mA. Here, we report a new method MM-seq (modification-induced mismatch sequencing) for genome-wide 6mA mapping based on a novel detection principle. We found that modified DNA bases are prone to form a local open region that allows capture by antibody, for example, via a DNA breathing or base-flipping mechanism. Specified endonuclease or exonuclease can recognize the antibody-stabilized mismatch-like structure and mark the exact modified sites for sequencing readout. Using this method, we examined the genomic positions of 6mA in bacteria (E. coli), green algae (C. reinhardtii), and mammalian cells (HEK239T, Huh7, and HeLa cells). In contrast to bacteria and green algae, human cells possess a very limited number of 6mA sites which are sporadically distributed across the genome of different cell types. After knocking out the RNA m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in mouse ES cells, 6mA becomes mostly diminished. Our results imply that rare 6mA in the mammalian genome is introduced by RNA m6A machinery via a non-targeted mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Qian Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China ,grid.410643.4Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Zhang Zhang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Hong-Xuan Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Jian-Fei Xi
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Xue-Hong Liu
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Dong-Zhao Ma
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Yu-Hao Zhong
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Wen Hui Ng
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Tao Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
| | - Daniel W. Mak
- grid.194645.b0000000121742757School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Qi Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Yao-Qing Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XSchool of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong China
| | - Guan-Zheng Luo
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XMOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Functional Genes, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong China
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41
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Wei A, Wu H. Mammalian DNA methylome dynamics: mechanisms, functions and new frontiers. Development 2022; 149:dev182683. [PMID: 36519514 PMCID: PMC10108609 DOI: 10.1242/dev.182683] [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: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a highly conserved epigenetic modification that plays essential roles in mammalian gene regulation, genome stability and development. Despite being primarily considered a stable and heritable epigenetic silencing mechanism at heterochromatic and repetitive regions, whole genome methylome analysis reveals that DNA methylation can be highly cell-type specific and dynamic within proximal and distal gene regulatory elements during early embryonic development, stem cell differentiation and reprogramming, and tissue maturation. In this Review, we focus on the mechanisms and functions of regulated DNA methylation and demethylation, highlighting how these dynamics, together with crosstalk between DNA methylation and histone modifications at distinct regulatory regions, contribute to mammalian development and tissue maturation. We also discuss how recent technological advances in single-cell and long-read methylome sequencing, along with targeted epigenome-editing, are enabling unprecedented high-resolution and mechanistic dissection of DNA methylome dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Wei
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Penn Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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42
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Eprintsev AT, Fedorin DN, Igamberdiev AU. Light Dependent Changes in Adenylate Methylation of the Promoter of the Mitochondrial Citrate Synthase Gene in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Leaves. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13495. [PMID: 36362281 PMCID: PMC9653993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited methyl-specific restriction of genomic DNA by endonuclease MAL1 revealed the changes in its methyl status caused by adenine modification in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves under different light conditions (dark, light, irradiation by red and far-red light). Incubation in the light and irradiation by red light exhibited an activating effect on DNA adenine methylase activity, which was reflected in an increase in the number of methylated adenines in GATC sites. Far-red light and darkness exhibited an opposite effect. The use of nitrite conversion of DNA followed by methyladenine-dependent restriction by MboI nuclease revealed a phytochrome B-dependent mechanism of regulation of the methyl status of adenine in the GATC sites in the promoter of the gene encoding the mitochondrial isoform of citrate synthase. Irradiation of plants with red light caused changes in the adenine methyl status of the analyzed amplicon, as evidenced by the presence of restriction products of 290, 254, and 121 nucleotides. Adenine methylation occurred at all three GATC sites in the analyzed DNA sequence. It is concluded that adenylate methylation is controlled by phytochrome B via the transcription factor PIF4 and represents an important mechanism for the tricarboxylic acid cycle regulation by light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T. Eprintsev
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Physiology, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Dmitry N. Fedorin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Physiology, Voronezh State University, 394018 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Abir U. Igamberdiev
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1C 5S7, Canada
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43
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Dynamic changes in genomic 5-hydroxymethyluracil and N6-methyladenine levels in the Drosophila melanogaster life cycle and in response to different temperature conditions. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17552. [PMID: 36266436 PMCID: PMC9584883 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22490-9] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the level of DNA modifications was investigated in three developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster (larvae, pupae, imago) and in an in vitro model (Schneider 2 cells). Analysis was carried out using two-dimensional ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Our method made it possible, for the first time, to analyze a broad spectrum of DNA modifications in the three stages of Drosophila. Each stage was characterized by a specific modification pattern, and the levels of these compounds fluctuated throughout the D. melanogaster life cycle. The level of DNA modification was also compared between insects bred at 25 °C (optimal temperature) and at 18 °C, and the groups differed significantly. The profound changes in N6-methyladenine and 5-hydroxymethyluracil levels during the Drosophila life cycle and as a result of breeding temperature changes indicate that these DNA modifications can play important regulatory roles in response to environmental changes and/or biological conditions. Moreover, the supplementation of Schneider 2 cells with 1 mM L-ascorbic acid caused a time-dependent increase in the level of 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine. These data suggest that a certain pool of this compound may arise from the enzymatic activity of the dTET protein.
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Varma SJ, Calvani E, Grüning NM, Messner CB, Grayson N, Capuano F, Mülleder M, Ralser M. Global analysis of cytosine and adenine DNA modifications across the tree of life. eLife 2022; 11:81002. [PMID: 35900202 PMCID: PMC9333990 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Interpreting the function and metabolism of enzymatic DNA modifications requires both position-specific and global quantities. Sequencing-based techniques that deliver the former have become broadly accessible, but analytical methods for the global quantification of DNA modifications have thus far been applied mostly to individual problems. We established a mass spectrometric method for the sensitive and accurate quantification of multiple enzymatic DNA modifications. Then, we isolated DNA from 124 archean, bacterial, fungal, plant, and mammalian species, and several tissues and created a resource of global DNA modification quantities. Our dataset provides insights into the general nature of enzymatic DNA modifications, reveals unique biological cases, and provides complementary quantitative information to normalize and assess the accuracy of sequencing-based detection of DNA modifications. We report that only three of the studied DNA modifications, methylcytosine (5mdC), methyladenine (N6mdA) and hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmdC), were detected above a picomolar detection limit across species, and dominated in higher eukaryotes (5mdC), in bacteria (N6mdA), or the vertebrate central nervous systems (5hmdC). All three modifications were detected simultaneously in only one of the tested species, Raphanus sativus. In contrast, these modifications were either absent or detected only at trace quantities, across all yeasts and insect genomes studied. Further, we reveal interesting biological cases. For instance, in Allium cepa, Helianthus annuus, or Andropogon gerardi, more than 35% of cytosines were methylated. Additionally, next to the mammlian CNS, 5hmdC was also detected in plants like Lepidium sativum and was found on 8% of cytosines in the Garra barreimiae brain samples. Thus, identifying unexpected levels of DNA modifications in several wild species, our resource underscores the need to address biological diversity for studying DNA modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrica Calvani
- The Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Center, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nana-Maria Grüning
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph B Messner
- The Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Center, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas Grayson
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, United Kingdom
| | - Floriana Capuano
- Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Center, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Mülleder
- Core Facility-High Throughput Mass Spectrometry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Markus Ralser
- Department of Biochemistry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany.,The Molecular Biology of Metabolism Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Biochemistry and Cambridge Systems Biology Center, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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45
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Li H, Zhang N, Wang Y, Xia S, Zhu Y, Xing C, Tian X, Du Y. DNA N6-Methyladenine Modification in Eukaryotic Genome. Front Genet 2022; 13:914404. [PMID: 35812743 PMCID: PMC9263368 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.914404] [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: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is treated as an important epigenetic mark in various biological activities. In the past, a large number of articles focused on 5 mC while lacking attention to N6-methyladenine (6 mA). The presence of 6 mA modification was previously discovered only in prokaryotes. Recently, with the development of detection technologies, 6 mA has been found in several eukaryotes, including protozoans, metazoans, plants, and fungi. The importance of 6 mA in prokaryotes and single-celled eukaryotes has been widely accepted. However, due to the incredibly low density of 6 mA and restrictions on detection technologies, the prevalence of 6 mA and its role in biological processes in eukaryotic organisms are highly debated. In this review, we first summarize the advantages and disadvantages of 6 mA detection methods. Then, we conclude existing reports on the prevalence of 6 mA in eukaryotic organisms. Next, we highlight possible methyltransferases, demethylases, and the recognition proteins of 6 mA. In addition, we summarize the functions of 6 mA in eukaryotes. Last but not least, we summarize our point of view and put forward the problems that need further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yuechen Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Siyuan Xia
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yating Zhu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chen Xing
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xuefeng Tian
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yinan Du
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Yinan Du,
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Jiménez-Ramírez IA, Pijeira-Fernández G, Moreno-Cálix DM, De-la-Peña C. Same modification, different location: the mythical role of N 6-adenine methylation in plant genomes. PLANTA 2022; 256:9. [PMID: 35696004 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-022-03926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The present review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of 6mA in DNA as an emergent epigenetic mark with distinctive characteristics, discusses its importance in plant genomes, and highlights its chemical nature and functions. Adenine methylation is an epigenetic modification present in DNA (6mA) and RNA (m6A) that has a regulatory function in many cellular processes. This modification occurs through a reversible reaction that covalently binds a methyl group, usually at the N6 position of the purine ring. This modification carries biophysical properties that affect the stability of nucleic acids as well as their binding affinity with other molecules. DNA 6mA has been related to genome stability, gene expression, DNA replication, and repair mechanisms. Recent advances have shown that 6mA in plant genomes is related to development and stress response. In this review, we present recent advances in the understanding of 6mA in DNA as an emergent epigenetic mark with distinctive characteristics. We discuss the key elements of this modification, focusing mainly on its importance in plant genomes. Furthermore, we highlight its chemical nature and the regulatory effects that it exerts on gene expression and plant development. Finally, we emphasize the functions of 6mA in photosynthesis, stress, and flowering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma A Jiménez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Calle 43 No. 130 x 32 y 34. Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Gema Pijeira-Fernández
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Calle 43 No. 130 x 32 y 34. Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Delia M Moreno-Cálix
- Unidad de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular de Plantas, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Calle 43 No. 130 x 32 y 34. Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Clelia De-la-Peña
- Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Unidad de Biotecnología, Calle 43 No. 130 x 32 y 34. Col. Chuburná de Hidalgo, 97205, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
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Chen J, Hu R, Chen Y, Lin X, Xiang W, Chen H, Yao C, Liu L. Structural basis for MTA1c-mediated DNA N6-adenine methylation. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3257. [PMID: 35672411 PMCID: PMC9174199 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31060-6] [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: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA N6-adenine methylation (6 mA) has recently been found to play a crucial role in epigenetic regulation in eukaryotes. MTA1c, a newly discovered 6 mA methyltransferase complex in ciliates, is composed of MTA1, MTA9, p1 and p2 subunits and specifically methylates ApT dinucleotides, yet its mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, we report the structures of Tetrahymena thermophila MTA1 (TthMTA1), Paramecium tetraurelia MTA9 (PteMTA9)-TthMTA1 binary complex, as well as the structures of TthMTA1-p1-p2 and TthMTA1-p2 complexes in apo, S-adenosyl methionine-bound and S-adenosyl homocysteine-bound states. We show that MTA1 is the catalytically active subunit, p1 and p2 are involved in the formation of substrate DNA-binding channel, and MTA9 plays a structural role in the stabilization of substrate binding. We identify that MTA1 is a cofactor-dependent catalytically active subunit, which exhibits stable SAM-binding activity only after assembly with p2. Our structures and corresponding functional studies provide a more detailed mechanistic understanding of 6 mA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyun Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Rong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaofeng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Wenwen Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Canglin Yao
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, China.
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A fungal dioxygenase CcTet serves as a eukaryotic 6mA demethylase on duplex DNA. Nat Chem Biol 2022; 18:733-741. [PMID: 35654845 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01041-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (6mA) is a DNA modification that has recently been found to play regulatory roles during mammalian early embryo development and mitochondrial transcription. We found that a dioxygenase CcTet from the fungus Coprinopsis cinerea is also a dsDNA 6mA demethylase. It oxidizes 6mA to the intermediate N6-hydroxymethyladenosine (6hmA) with robust activity of 6mA-containing duplex DNA (dsDNA) as well as isolated genomics DNA. Structural characterization revealed that CcTet utilizes three flexible loop regions and two key residues-D337 and G331-in the active pocket to preferentially recognize substrates on dsDNA. A CcTet D337F mutant protein retained the catalytic activity on 6mA but lost activity on 5-methylcytosine. Our findings uncovered a 6mA demethylase that works on dsDNA, suggesting potential 6mA demethylation in fungi and elucidating 6mA recognition and the catalytic mechanism of CcTet. The CcTet D337F mutant protein also provides a chemical biology tool for future functional manipulation of DNA 6mA in vivo.
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Yu D, Zhou J, Chen Q, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Enzymatic Characterization of In Vitro Activity of RNA Methyltransferase PCIF1 on DNA. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1005-1013. [PMID: 35605980 PMCID: PMC9178792 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PCIF1 and FTO are a pair of human mRNA cap-specific modification enzymes that have opposing activities. PCIF1 adds a methyl group to the N6-position of 2'O-methyladenosine (Am), generating N6, 2'O-dimethyladenosine (m6Am), when Am is the cap-proximal nucleotide. FTO removes the N6-methyl group from m6Am. In addition, FTO has a demethylase activity on a broad spectrum of various RNA substrates, as well as on DNA N6-methyldeoxyadenosine (m6dA). While the existence of m6dA in mammalian DNA remains controversial, we show here that PCIF1 has significant methylation activity on single stranded DNA deoxyadenosine, double stranded RNA/DNA hybrids, and double stranded DNA, though with lower catalytic efficiency than that on its preferred RNA substrate. PCIF1 has activities in the order ssRNA > RNA/DNA hybrid > ssDNA > dsDNA. We discuss the implications of PCIF1 generation, and FTO removal, of DNA adenine methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yu
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Jujun Zhou
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Qin Chen
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Tao Wu
- Department
of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor
College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life
Sciences, Toledo, Ohio 43614, United States
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department
of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, United States
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