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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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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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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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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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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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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