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Taglini F, Kafetzopoulos I, Rolls W, Musialik KI, Lee HY, Zhang Y, Marenda M, Kerr L, Finan H, Rubio-Ramon C, Gautier P, Wapenaar H, Kumar D, Davidson-Smith H, Wills J, Murphy LC, Wheeler A, Wilson MD, Sproul D. DNMT3B PWWP mutations cause hypermethylation of heterochromatin. EMBO Rep 2024; 25:1130-1155. [PMID: 38291337 PMCID: PMC7615734 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00061-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The correct establishment of DNA methylation patterns is vital for mammalian development and is achieved by the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B. DNMT3B localises to H3K36me3 at actively transcribing gene bodies via its PWWP domain. It also functions at heterochromatin through an unknown recruitment mechanism. Here, we find that knockout of DNMT3B causes loss of methylation predominantly at H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin and that DNMT3B PWWP domain mutations or deletion result in striking increases of methylation in H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin. Removal of the N-terminal region of DNMT3B affects its ability to methylate H3K9me3-marked regions. This region of DNMT3B directly interacts with HP1α and facilitates the bridging of DNMT3B with H3K9me3-marked nucleosomes in vitro. Our results suggest that DNMT3B is recruited to H3K9me3-marked heterochromatin in a PWWP-independent manner that is facilitated by the protein's N-terminal region through an interaction with a key heterochromatin protein. More generally, we suggest that DNMT3B plays a role in DNA methylation homeostasis at heterochromatin, a process which is disrupted in cancer, aging and Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial Anomalies (ICF) syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Taglini
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ioannis Kafetzopoulos
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Willow Rolls
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kamila Irena Musialik
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences and Institute of Clinical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Heng Yang Lee
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yujie Zhang
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mattia Marenda
- IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Department of Experimental Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Lyndsay Kerr
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hannah Finan
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, ETH Zürich, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Cristina Rubio-Ramon
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Institut Jacques Monod, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hannah Wapenaar
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Dhananjay Kumar
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hazel Davidson-Smith
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jimi Wills
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Laura C Murphy
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ann Wheeler
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marcus D Wilson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Duncan Sproul
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Behluli L, Fontanilla AM, Andessner-Angleitner L, Tolar N, Molina JM, Gahurova L. Expression analysis suggests that DNMT3L is required for oocyte de novo DNA methylation only in Muridae and Cricetidae rodents. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:43. [PMID: 37924163 PMCID: PMC10625200 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00518-2] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During early mammalian development, DNA methylation undergoes two waves of reprogramming, enabling transitions between somatic cells, oocyte and embryo. The first wave of de novo DNA methylation establishment occurs in oocytes. Its molecular mechanisms have been studied in mouse, a classical mammalian model. Current model describes DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and its cofactor DNMT3L as two essential factors for oocyte DNA methylation-the ablation of either leads to nearly complete abrogation of DNA methylation. However, DNMT3L is not expressed in human oocytes, suggesting that the mechanism uncovered in mouse is not universal across mammals. RESULTS We analysed available RNA-seq data sets from oocytes of multiple mammals, including our novel data sets of several rodent species, and revealed that Dnmt3l is expressed only in the oocytes of mouse, rat and golden hamster, and at a low level in guinea pigs. We identified a specific promoter sequence recognised by an oocyte transcription factor complex associated with strong Dnmt3l activity and demonstrated that it emerged in the rodent clade Eumuroida, comprising the families Muridae (mice, rats, gerbils) and Cricetidae (hamsters). In addition, an evolutionarily novel promoter emerged in the guinea pig, driving weak Dnmt3l expression, likely without functional relevance. Therefore, Dnmt3l is expressed and consequently plays a role in oocyte de novo DNA methylation only in a small number of rodent species, instead of being an essential pan-mammalian factor. In contrast to somatic cells, where catalytically inactive DNMT3B interacts with DNMT3A, forming a heterotetramer, we did not find evidence for the expression of such inactive Dnmt3b isoforms in the oocytes of the tested species. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of RNA-seq data and genomic sequences revealed that DNMT3L is likely to play a role in oocytes de novo DNA methylation only in mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters. The mechanism governing de novo DNA methylation in the oocytes of most mammalian species, including humans, occurs through a yet unknown mechanism that differs from the current model discovered in mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lirik Behluli
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alyssa M Fontanilla
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Laura Andessner-Angleitner
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Nikolas Tolar
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Julia M Molina
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Languages, São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lenka Gahurova
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovska 1760, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
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Sergeeva A, Davydova K, Perenkov A, Vedunova M. Mechanisms of human DNA methylation, alteration of methylation patterns in physiological processes and oncology. Gene 2023:147487. [PMID: 37211289 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147487] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic modifications of the genome, the essence of which is the attachment of a methyl group to nitrogenous bases. In the eukaryote genome, cytosine is methylated in the vast majority of cases. About 98% of cytosines are methylated as part of CpG dinucleotides. They, in turn, form CpG islands, which are clusters of these dinucleotides. Islands located in the regulatory elements of genes are in particular interest. They are assumed to play an important role in the regulation of gene expression in humans. Besides that, cytosine methylation serves the functions of genomic imprinting, transposon suppression, epigenetic memory maintenance, X- chromosome inactivation, and embryonic development. Of particular interest are the enzymatic processes of methylation and demethylation. The methylation process always depends on the work of enzymatic complexes and is very precisely regulated. The methylation process largely depends on the functioning of three groups of enzymes: writers, readers and erasers. Writers include proteins of the DNMT family, readers are proteins containing the MBD, BTB/POZ or SET- and RING-associated domains and erasers are proteins of the TET family. Whereas demethylation can be performed not only by enzymatic complexes, but also passively during DNA replication. Hence, the maintenance of DNA methylation is important. Changes in methylation patterns are observed during embryonic development, aging, and cancers. In both aging and cancer, massive hypomethylation of the genome with local hypermethylation is observed. In this review, we will review the current understanding of the mechanisms of DNA methylation and demethylation in humans, the structure and distribution of CpG islands, the role of methylation in the regulation of gene expression, embryogenesis, aging, and cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sergeeva
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
| | - K Davydova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
| | - A Perenkov
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
| | - M Vedunova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, 603022, Russia
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Baral I, Shirude MB, Jothi DL, Mukherjee A, Dutta D. Characterization of a Distinct State in the Continuum of Pluripotency Facilitated by Inhibition of PKCζ in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:1098-1115. [PMID: 36781773 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of PKC (PKCi) signaling maintains pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) across different mammalian species. However, the position of PKCi maintained ESCs in the pluripotency continuum is largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that mouse ESCs when cultured continuously, with PKCi, for 75 days are retained in naïve state of pluripotency. Gene expression analysis and proteomics studies demonstrated enhanced naïve character of PKCi maintained ESCs in comparison to classical serum/LIF (S/L) supported ESCs. Molecular analysis revealed that activation of PKCζ isoform associate with primed state of pluripotency, present in epiblast-like stem cells generated in vitro while inhibition of PKCζ phosphorylation associated with naïve state of pluripotency in vitro and in vivo. Phosphoproteomics and chromatin modification enzyme array based studies showed loss in DNA methyl transferase 3B (DNMT3B) and its phosphorylation level upon functional inhibition of PKCζ as one of the crucial components of this regulatory pathway. Unlike ground state of pluripotency maintained by MEK/GSK3 inhibitor in addition to LIF (2i/LIF), loss in DNMT3B is a reversible phenomenon in PKCi maintained ESCs. Absence of phosphorylation of c-MYC, RAF1, SPRY4 while presence of ERF, DUSP6, CIC and YAP1 phosphorylation underlined the phosphoproteomics signature of PKCi mediated maintenance of naïve pluripotency. States of pluripotency represent the developmental continuum and the existence of PKCi mediated mouse ESCs in a distinct state in the continuum of pluripotency (DiSCo) might contribute to the establishment of stages of murine embryonic development that were non-permissible till date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishita Baral
- Regenerative Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka State, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Mayur Balkrishna Shirude
- Regenerative Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.,Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka State, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Dhana Lakshmi Jothi
- Regenerative Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Ananda Mukherjee
- Cancer Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India
| | - Debasree Dutta
- Regenerative Biology Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.
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5
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PGC7 Regulates Genome-Wide DNA Methylation by Regulating ERK-Mediated Subcellular Localization of DNMT1. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043093. [PMID: 36834503 PMCID: PMC9958980 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043093] [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: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays a vital role in a variety of biological processes, including the regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, early embryonic development, genomic imprinting, and X chromosome inactivation. PGC7 is a maternal factor that maintains DNA methylation during early embryonic development. One mechanism of action has been identified by analyzing the interactions between PGC7 and UHRF1, H3K9 me2, or TET2/TET3, which reveals how PGC7 regulates DNA methylation in oocytes or fertilized embryos. However, the mechanism by which PGC7 regulates the post-translational modification of methylation-related enzymes remains to be elucidated. This study focused on F9 cells (embryonic cancer cells), which display high levels of PGC7 expression. We found that both knockdown of Pgc7 and inhibition of ERK activity resulted in increased genome-wide DNA methylation levels. Mechanistic experiments confirmed that inhibition of ERK activity led to the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus, ERK phosphorylated DNMT1 at ser717, and DNMT1 Ser717-Ala mutation promoted the nuclear localization of DNMT1. Moreover, knockdown of Pgc7 also caused downregulation of ERK phosphorylation and promoted the accumulation of DNMT1 in the nucleus. In conclusion, we reveal a new mechanism by which PGC7 regulates genome-wide DNA methylation via phosphorylation of DNMT1 at ser717 by ERK. These findings may provide new insights into treatments for DNA methylation-related diseases.
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6
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The Mutagenic Consequences of DNA Methylation within and across Generations. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:epigenomes6040033. [PMID: 36278679 PMCID: PMC9624357 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6040033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification with wide-ranging consequences across the life of an organism. This modification can be stable, persisting through development despite changing environmental conditions. However, in other contexts, DNA methylation can also be flexible, underlying organismal phenotypic plasticity. One underappreciated aspect of DNA methylation is that it is a potent mutagen; methylated cytosines mutate at a much faster rate than other genetic motifs. This mutagenic property of DNA methylation has been largely ignored in eco-evolutionary literature, despite its prevalence. Here, we explore how DNA methylation induced by environmental and other factors could promote mutation and lead to evolutionary change at a more rapid rate and in a more directed manner than through stochastic genetic mutations alone. We argue for future research on the evolutionary implications of DNA methylation driven mutations both within the lifetime of organisms, as well as across timescales.
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7
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Patel I, Parchem RJ. Regulation of Oct4 in stem cells and neural crest cells. Birth Defects Res 2022; 114:983-1002. [PMID: 35365980 PMCID: PMC9525453 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
During embryonic development, cells gradually restrict their developmental potential as they exit pluripotency and differentiate into various cell types. The POU transcription factor Oct4 (encoded by Pou5f1) lies at the center of the pluripotency machinery that regulates stemness and differentiation in stem cells, and is required for reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Several studies have revealed that Oct4 and other stemness genes are also expressed in multipotent cell populations such as neural crest cells (NCCs), and are required to expand the NCC developmental potential. Transcriptional regulation of Oct4 has been studied extensively in stem cells during early embryonic development and reprogramming, but not in NCCs. Here, we review how Oct4 is regulated in pluripotent stem cells, and address some of the gaps in knowledge about regulation of the pluripotency network in NCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanshi Patel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA,Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene TherapyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer CenterBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
| | - Ronald J. Parchem
- Department of Molecular and Cellular BiologyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA,Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Center for Cell and Gene TherapyBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA,Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer CenterBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexasUSA
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8
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F. V, V. D. P, C. M, M. LI, C. D, G. P, D. C, A. T, M. G, S. DF, M. T, V. V, G. S. Targeting epigenetic alterations in cancer stem cells. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2022; 2:1011882. [PMID: 39086963 PMCID: PMC11285701 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.1011882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are rarely mutated in several pediatric tumors and some early stage adult cancers. This suggests that an aberrant epigenetic reprogramming may crucially affect the tumorigenesis of these tumors. Compelling evidence support the hypothesis that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a cell subpopulation within the tumor bulk characterized by self-renewal capacity, metastatic potential and chemo-resistance, may derive from normal stem cells (NSCs) upon an epigenetic deregulation. Thus, a better understanding of the specific epigenetic alterations driving the transformation from NSCs into CSCs may help to identify efficacious treatments to target this aggressive subpopulation. Moreover, deepening the knowledge about these alterations may represent the framework to design novel therapeutic approaches also in the field of regenerative medicine in which bioengineering of NSCs has been evaluated. Here, we provide a broad overview about: 1) the role of aberrant epigenetic modifications contributing to CSC initiation, formation and maintenance, 2) the epigenetic inhibitors in clinical trial able to specifically target the CSC subpopulation, and 3) epigenetic drugs and stem cells used in regenerative medicine for cancer and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verona F.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Pantina V. D.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Modica C.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lo Iacono M.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D’Accardo C.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Porcelli G.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Cricchio D.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Turdo A.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gaggianesi M.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Di Franco S.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Todaro M.
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veschi V.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stassi G.
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Sciences (DICHIRONS), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Mitochondrial genome undergoes de novo DNA methylation that protects mtDNA against oxidative damage during the peri-implantation window. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201168119. [PMID: 35858425 PMCID: PMC9335330 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201168119] [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] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial remodeling during the peri-implantation stage is the hallmark event essential for normal embryogenesis. Among the changes, enhanced oxidative phosphorylation is critical for supporting high energy demands of postimplantation embryos, but increases mitochondrial oxidative stress, which in turn threatens mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) stability. However, how mitochondria protect their own histone-lacking mtDNA, during this stage remains unclear. Concurrently, the mitochondrial genome gain DNA methylation by this stage. Its spatiotemporal coincidence with enhanced mitochondrial stress led us to ask if mtDNA methylation has a role in maintaining mitochondrial genome stability. Herein, we report that mitochondrial genome undergoes de novo mtDNA methylation that can protect mtDNA against enhanced oxidative damage during the peri-implantation window. Mitochondrial genome gains extensive mtDNA methylation during transition from blastocysts to postimplantation embryos, thus establishing relatively hypermethylated mtDNA from hypomethylated state in blastocysts. Mechanistic study revealed that DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and DNMT3B enter mitochondria during this process and bind to mtDNA, via their unique mitochondrial targeting sequences. Importantly, loss- and gain-of-function analyses indicated that DNMT3A and DNMT3B are responsible for catalyzing de novo mtDNA methylation, in a synergistic manner. Finally, we proved, in vivo and in vitro, that increased mtDNA methylation functions to protect mitochondrial genome against mtDNA damage induced by increased mitochondrial oxidative stress. Together, we reveal mtDNA methylation dynamics and its underlying mechanism during the critical developmental window. We also provide the functional link between mitochondrial epigenetic remodeling and metabolic changes, which reveals a role for nuclear-mitochondrial crosstalk in establishing mitoepigenetics and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis.
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Ding L, Schmitt LT, Brux M, Sürün D, Augsburg M, Lansing F, Mircetic J, Theis M, Buchholz F. DNA methylation-independent long-term epigenetic silencing with dCRISPR/Cas9 fusion proteins. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:e202101321. [PMID: 35288457 PMCID: PMC8921183 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The programmable CRISPR/Cas9 DNA nuclease is a versatile genome editing tool, but it requires the host cell DNA repair machinery to alter genomic sequences. This fact leads to unpredictable changes of the genome at the cut sites. Genome editing tools that can alter the genome without causing DNA double-strand breaks are therefore in high demand. Here, we show that expression of promoter-associated short guide (sg)RNAs together with dead Cas9 (dCas9) fused to a Krüppel-associated box domains (KRABd) in combination with the transcription repression domain of methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) can lead to persistent gene silencing in mouse embryonic stem cells and in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. Surprisingly, this effect is achievable and even enhanced in DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A and 3B (Dnmt3A-/-, Dnmt3b-/-) depleted cells. Our results suggest that dCas9-KRABd-MeCP2 fusions are useful for long-term epigenetic gene silencing with utility in cell biology and potentially in therapeutical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ding
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lukas Theo Schmitt
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melanie Brux
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC) Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Duran Sürün
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martina Augsburg
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Felix Lansing
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jovan Mircetic
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Mildred Scheel Early Career Center, National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko Theis
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC) Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
| | - Frank Buchholz
- Medical Systems Biology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC) Dresden, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), Dresden, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Dogan F, Aljumaily RMK, Kitchen M, Forsyth NR. Physoxia Influences Global and Gene-Specific Methylation in Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5854. [PMID: 35628663 PMCID: PMC9148100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSC) possess unlimited proliferation, self-renewal, and a differentiation capacity spanning all germ layers. Appropriate culture conditions are important for the maintenance of self-renewal, pluripotency, proliferation, differentiation, and epigenetic states. Oxygen concentrations vary across different human tissues depending on precise cell location and proximity to vascularisation. The bulk of PSC culture-based research is performed in a physiologically hyperoxic, air oxygen (21% O2) environment, with numerous reports now detailing the impact of a physiologic normoxia (physoxia), low oxygen culture in the maintenance of stemness, survival, morphology, proliferation, differentiation potential, and epigenetic profiles. Epigenetic mechanisms affect multiple cellular characteristics including gene expression during development and cell-fate determination in differentiated cells. We hypothesized that epigenetic marks are responsive to a reduced oxygen microenvironment in PSCs and their differentiation progeny. Here, we evaluated the role of physoxia in PSC culture, the regulation of DNA methylation (5mC (5-methylcytosine) and 5hmC (5-hydroxymethylcytosine)), and the expression of regulatory enzyme DNMTs and TETs. Physoxia enhanced the functional profile of PSC including proliferation, metabolic activity, and stemness attributes. PSCs cultured in physoxia revealed the significant downregulation of DNMT3B, DNMT3L, TET1, and TET3 vs. air oxygen, accompanied by significantly reduced 5mC and 5hmC levels. The downregulation of DNMT3B was associated with an increase in its promoter methylation. Coupled with the above, we also noted decreased HIF1A but increased HIF2A expression in physoxia-cultured PSCs versus air oxygen. In conclusion, PSCs display oxygen-sensitive methylation patterns that correlate with the transcriptional and translational regulation of the de novo methylase DNMT3B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Dogan
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Rakad M. Kh Aljumaily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 17635, Iraq;
| | - Mark Kitchen
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Nicholas R. Forsyth
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
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12
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The disordered N-terminal domain of DNMT3A recognizes H2AK119ub and is required for postnatal development. Nat Genet 2022; 54:625-636. [PMID: 35534561 PMCID: PMC9295050 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-022-01063-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
DNA methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3A) plays a crucial role during mammalian development. Two isoforms of DNMT3A are differentially expressed from stem cells to somatic tissues, but their individual functions remain largely uncharacterized. Here we report that the long isoform DNMT3A1, but not the short DNMT3A2, is essential for mouse postnatal development. DNMT3A1 binds to and regulates bivalent neurodevelopmental genes in the brain. Strikingly, Dnmt3a1 knockout perinatal lethality could be partially rescued by DNMT3A1 restoration in the nervous system. We further show that the intrinsically disordered N terminus of DNMT3A1 is required for normal development and DNA methylation at DNMT3A1-enriched regions. Mechanistically, a ubiquitin-interacting motif embedded in a putative α-helix within the N terminus binds to mono-ubiquitinated histone H2AK119, probably mediating recruitment of DNMT3A1 to Polycomb-regulated regions. These data demonstrate an isoform-specific role for DNMT3A1 in mouse postnatal development and reveal the N terminus as a necessary regulatory domain for DNMT3A1 chromatin occupancy and functions in the nervous system.
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13
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Canals J, Navarro A, Vila C, Canals JM, Díaz T, Acosta-Plasencia M, Cros-Font C, Han B, He Y, Monzó M. Human embryonic mesenchymal lung-conditioned medium promotes differentiation to myofibroblast and loss of stemness phenotype in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:37. [PMID: 35081981 PMCID: PMC8790861 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background When genes responsible for normal embryonic development are abnormally expressed in adults, it can lead to tumor development. This can suggest that the same mechanism that controls embryonic differentiation can also control tumor differentiation. We hypothesize that the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells could acquire benign characteristics when in contact with an embryonic lung microenvironment. We cultured two lung cancer cell lines in embryonic lung mesenchyme-conditioned medium and evaluated morphological, functional and molecular changes. Methods The human embryonic mesenchymal lung-conditioned medium (hEML-CM) was obtained by culturing lung cells from embryos in the pseudoglandular stage of development. The NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299 we cultured in the hEML-CM and in a tumor-conditioned medium. Morphological changes were analyzed with optical and transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the functional effect of conditioned medium in tumor cells, we analyzed cell proliferation, migration, colony formation capacity in 2D and 3D and in vivo tumor growth capacity. The expression of the pluripotency genes OSKM, the adenocarcinoma marker NKX2-1, the lung surfactant proteins SFTP, the myofibroblast marker MYH and DNMT3A/3B was analyzed with qRT-PCR and the presence of the myofibroblast markers vimentin and α-SMA with immunofluorescence. Transcriptomic analysis was performed using Affymetrix arrays. Results The A549 and H1299 cells cultured in hEML-CM lost their epithelial morphology, acquired mesodermal characteristics, and decreased proliferation, migration, and colony formation capacity in 2D and 3D, as well as reduced its capacity to growth in vivo. The expression of OSKM, NKX2-1 and SFTP decreased, while that of DNMT3A/3B, vimentin, α-SMA and MYH increased. Distant matrix analysis based on transcriptomic profile showed that conditioned cells were closer to myoblast and human lung fibroblast than to normal epithelial immortalized lung cells. A total of 1631 for A549 and 866 for H1299 differentially expressed genes between control and conditioned cells were identified. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report that stimuli from the embryonic lung can modulate the malignant phenotype of lung cancer cells, control their growth capacity and activate their differentiation into myofibroblasts. These findings could lead to new strategies for lung cancer management. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-02206-z.
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Tajima S, Suetake I, Takeshita K, Nakagawa A, Kimura H, Song J. Domain Structure of the Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:45-68. [PMID: 36350506 PMCID: PMC11025882 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, three major DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b, have been identified. Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b are responsible for establishing DNA methylation patterns produced through their de novo-type DNA methylation activity in implantation stage embryos and during germ cell differentiation. Dnmt3-like (Dnmt3l), which is a member of the Dnmt3 family but does not possess DNA methylation activity, was reported to be indispensable for global methylation in germ cells. Once the DNA methylation patterns are established, maintenance-type DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1 faithfully propagates them to the next generation via replication. All Dnmts possess multiple domains. For instance, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b each contain a Pro-Trp-Trp-Pro (PWWP) domain that recognizes the histone H3K36me2/3 mark, an Atrx-Dnmt3-Dnmt3l (ADD) domain that recognizes unmodified histone H3 tail, and a catalytic domain that methylates CpG sites. Dnmt1 contains an N-terminal independently folded domain (NTD) that interacts with a variety of regulatory factors, a replication foci-targeting sequence (RFTS) domain that recognizes the histone H3K9me3 mark and H3 ubiquitylation, a CXXC domain that recognizes unmodified CpG DNA, two tandem Bromo-Adjacent-homology (BAH1 and BAH2) domains that read the H4K20me3 mark with BAH1, and a catalytic domain that preferentially methylates hemimethylated CpG sites. In this chapter, the structures and functions of these domains are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoji Tajima
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Isao Suetake
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Nutritional Sciences, Nakamura Gakuen University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Atsushi Nakagawa
- Laboratory of Supramolecular Crystallography, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hironobu Kimura
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jikui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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15
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Jurkowska RZ, Jeltsch A. Enzymology of Mammalian DNA Methyltransferases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1389:69-110. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-11454-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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16
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Altundag Ö, Canpinar H, Çelebi-Saltik B. Methionine affects the expression of pluripotency genes and protein levels associated with methionine metabolism in adult, fetal, and cancer stem cells. J Cell Biochem 2021; 123:406-416. [PMID: 34783058 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular and extracellular regulatory factors promote the potency and self-renewal property of stem cells. Methionine is fundamental for protein synthesis and regulation of methylation reactions. Specifically, methionine metabolism in embryonic and fetal development processes regulates gene expression profile/epigenetic identity of stem cells to achieve pluripotency and cellular functions. We aimed to reveal the differences in methionine metabolism of bone marrow (BM)-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), umbilical cord blood (UCB)-MSCs, and cancer stem cells (CSCs), which reflect different metabolic profiles and developmental stages of stem cells. UCB-MSC, BM-MSCs, and breast CSCs were treated with different doses (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 µM) of l-methionine. Cell surface marker and cell cycle assessment were performed by flow cytometry. Changes in gene expressions (OCT3/4, NANOG, DMNT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B, MAT2A, and MAT2B) with methionine supplementation were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the changes in histone methylation (H3K4me3, H3K27me3) levels were demonstrated by western blot analysis. S-adenosylmethionine//S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAM/SAH) levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cells that were exposed to different concentrations of l-methionine, were mostly arrested in the G0/G1 phase for each stem cell group. It was evaluated that BM-MSCs increased all gene expressions in the culture medium-containing 100 µM methionine, in addition to SAM/SAH levels. On the other hand, UCB-MSCs were found to increase OCT3/4, NANOG, and DNMT1 gene expressions and decrease MAT2A and MAT2B expressions in the culture medium containing 10 µM methionine. Moreover, an increase was observed in the He3K4me3 methylation profile. In addition, OCT3/4, NANOG, DNMT1, and MAT2B gene expressions in CSCs increased starting from the addition of 25 µM methionine. An increase was determined in H3K4me3 protein expression at 50 and 100 µM methionine-supplemented culture condition. This study demonstrates that methionine plays a critical role in metabolism and epigenetic regulation in different stem cell groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özlem Altundag
- Department of Stem Cell Sciences, Hacettepe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara, Sihhiye, Turkey.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Development, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Sihhiye, Turkey
| | - Hande Canpinar
- Department of Basic Oncology, Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, Ankara, Sihhiye, Turkey
| | - Betül Çelebi-Saltik
- Department of Stem Cell Sciences, Hacettepe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Ankara, Sihhiye, Turkey.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Development, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Sihhiye, Turkey
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17
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Sin RWY, Foo DCC, Iyer DN, Fan MSY, Li X, Lo OSH, Law WL, Ng L. A Pilot Study Investigating the Expression Levels of Pluripotency-Associated Genes in Rectal Swab Samples for Colorectal Polyp and Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:4139528. [PMID: 34335790 PMCID: PMC8324395 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4139528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Change in gene expression is inevitable in cancer development. With more studies demonstrating the contributions of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, this study is aimed at investigating whether rectal swab specimen serves as a tool for detection of dysregulation of CSC or stem cell (SC) markers and at evaluating its potential as a new promising screening method for high-risk patients. Expression levels of 15 pluripotency-associated genes were assessed by quantitative PCR in 53 rectal swab specimens referred for endoscopic screening. Dysregulated genes and joint panels based on such genes were examined for their diagnostic potentials for both polyp and CRC. Out of 15 genes, Oct4, CD26, c-MYC, and CXCR4 showed significantly differential expression among normal, polyp, and CRC patients. A panel of Oct4 and CD26 showed an AUC value of 0.80 (p = 0.003) in identifying CRC patients from polyp/normal subjects, with sensitivity and specificity of 84.6% and 69.2%. A panel of c-MYC and CXCR4 achieved CRC/polyp identification with an AUC value of 0.79 (p = 0.002), with a sensitivity of 82.8% and specificity of 80.0%. The sensitivity for polyp and CRC was 80.0% and 85.7%, respectively. Further analysis showed that higher c-MYC and CXCR4 level was detected in normal subjects who developed polyps after 5-6 years, in comparison with subjects with no lesion developed, and the AUC of the c-MYC and CXCR4 panel increased to 0.88 (p < 0.001), with sensitivity and specificity of 84.4% and 92.3%, respectively, when these patients were included in the polyp group. This study suggests that the Oct4 and CD26 panel is a promising biomarker for distinguishing CRC from normal and polyp patients, whereas the c-MYC and CXCR4 panel may identify polyp and CRC from normal individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Wai-Yan Sin
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dominic Chi-Chung Foo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Deepak Narayanan Iyer
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - May Sau-Yee Fan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Oswens Siu-Hung Lo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Lun Law
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Dogan F, Aljumaily RMK, Kitchen M, Forsyth NR. DNMT3B Is an Oxygen-Sensitive De Novo Methylase in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:1032. [PMID: 33925659 PMCID: PMC8145390 DOI: 10.3390/cells10051032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of physiological oxygen (physoxia) concentrations is becoming increasingly commonplace within a mammalian stem cell culture. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) attract widespread interest for clinical application due to their unique immunomodulatory, multi-lineage potential, and regenerative capacities. Descriptions of the impact of physoxia on global DNA methylation patterns in hMSCs and the activity of enzymatic machinery responsible for its regulation remain limited. Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs, passage 1) isolated in reduced oxygen conditions displayed an upregulation of SOX2 in reduced oxygen conditions vs. air oxygen (21% O2, AO), while no change was noted for either OCT-4 or NANOG. DNA methylation marks 5-methylcytosine (5mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) showed decreases in 2% O2 environment (workstation) (2% WKS). DNMT3B (DNA methyltransferase 3B) and TET1 (Ten-eleven translocation enzyme 1) displayed reduced transcription in physoxia. Consistent with transcriptional downregulation, we noted increased promoter methylation levels of DNMT3B in 2% WKS accompanied by reduced DNMT3B and TET1 protein expression. Finally, a decrease in HIF1A (Hypoxia-inducible factor 1A) gene expression in 2% WKS environment correlated with protein levels, while HIF2A was significantly higher in physoxia correlated with protein expression levels vs. AO. Together, these data have demonstrated, for the first time, that global 5mC, 5hmC, and DNMT3B are oxygen-sensitive in hMSCs. Further insights into the appropriate epigenetic regulation within hMSCs may enable increased safety and efficacy development within the therapeutic ambitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Dogan
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST5 5BG, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Rakad M Kh Aljumaily
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 17635, Iraq;
| | - Mark Kitchen
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST5 5BG, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
| | - Nicholas R. Forsyth
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST5 5BG, UK; (F.D.); (M.K.)
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Cruciform Formable Sequences within Pou5f1 Enhancer Are Indispensable for Mouse ES Cell Integrity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22073399. [PMID: 33810223 PMCID: PMC8036336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA can adopt various structures besides the B-form. Among them, cruciform structures are formed on inverted repeat (IR) sequences. While cruciform formable IRs (CFIRs) are sometimes found in regulatory regions of transcription, their function in transcription remains elusive, especially in eukaryotes. We found a cluster of CFIRs within the mouse Pou5f1 enhancer. Here, we demonstrate that this cluster or some member(s) plays an active role in the transcriptional regulation of not only Pou5f1, but also Sox2, Nanog, Klf4 and Esrrb. To clarify in vivo function of the cluster, we performed genome editing using mouse ES cells, in which each of the CFIRs was altered to the corresponding mirror repeat sequence. The alterations reduced the level of the Pou5f1 transcript in the genome-edited cell lines, and elevated those of Sox2, Nanog, Klf4 and Esrrb. Furthermore, transcription of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) within the enhancer was also upregulated in the genome-edited cell lines, in a similar manner to Sox2, Nanog, Klf4 and Esrrb. These ncRNAs are hypothesized to control the expression of these four pluripotency genes. The CFIRs present in the Pou5f1 enhancer seem to be important to maintain the integrity of ES cells.
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20
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AlAbdi L, Saha D, He M, Dar MS, Utturkar SM, Sudyanti PA, McCune S, Spears BH, Breedlove JA, Lanman NA, Gowher H. Oct4-Mediated Inhibition of Lsd1 Activity Promotes the Active and Primed State of Pluripotency Enhancers. Cell Rep 2021; 30:1478-1490.e6. [PMID: 32023463 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An aberrant increase in pluripotency gene (PpG) expression due to enhancer reactivation could induce stemness and enhance the tumorigenicity of cancer stem cells. Silencing of PpG enhancers (PpGe) during embryonic stem cell differentiation involves Lsd1-mediated H3K4me1 demethylation and DNA methylation. Here, we observed retention of H3K4me1 and DNA hypomethylation at PpGe associated with a partial repression of PpGs in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) post-differentiation. H3K4me1 demethylation in F9 ECCs could not be rescued by Lsd1 overexpression. Given our observation that H3K4me1 demethylation is accompanied by strong Oct4 repression in P19 ECCs, we tested if Oct4 interaction with Lsd1 affects its catalytic activity. Our data show a dose-dependent inhibition of Lsd1 activity by Oct4 and retention of H3K4me1 at PpGe in Oct4-overexpressing P19 ECCs. These data suggest that Lsd1-Oct4 interaction in cancer stem cells could establish a "primed" enhancer state that is susceptible to reactivation, leading to aberrant PpG expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lama AlAbdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Debapriya Saha
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Ming He
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Mohd Saleem Dar
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Sagar M Utturkar
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Putu Ayu Sudyanti
- Department of Statistics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Stephen McCune
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Brice H Spears
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - James A Breedlove
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Nadia A Lanman
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Humaira Gowher
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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21
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Dogan F, Forsyth NR. Telomerase Regulation: A Role for Epigenetics. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13061213. [PMID: 33802026 PMCID: PMC8000866 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Maintenance of telomeres is a fundamental step in human carcinogenesis and is primarily regulated by telomerase and the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (TERT). Improved understanding of the transcriptional control of this gene may provide potential therapeutic targets. Epigenetic modifications are a prominent mechanism to control telomerase activity and regulation of the TERT gene. TERT-targeting miRNAs have been widely studied and their function explained through pre-clinical in vivo model-based validation studies. Further, histone deacetylase inhibitors are now in pre and early clinical trials with significant clinical success. Importantly, TERT downregulation through epigenetic modifications including TERT promoter methylation, histone deacetylase inhibitors, and miRNA activity might contribute to clinical study design. This review provides an overview of the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the regulation of TERT expression and telomerase activity. Abstract Telomerase was first described by Greider and Blackburn in 1984, a discovery ultimately recognized by the Nobel Prize committee in 2009. The three decades following on from its discovery have been accompanied by an increased understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of telomerase activity, and its role in telomere biology. Telomerase has a clearly defined role in telomere length maintenance and an established influence on DNA replication, differentiation, survival, development, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, and a further role in therapeutic resistance in human stem and cancer cells including those of breast and cervical origin. TERT encodes the catalytic subunit and rate-limiting factor for telomerase enzyme activity. The mechanisms of activation or silencing of TERT remain open to debate across somatic, cancer, and stem cells. Promoter mutations upstream of TERT may promote dysregulated telomerase activation in tumour cells but additional factors including epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional modifications also have a role to play. Previous systematic analysis indicated methylation and mutation of the TERT promoter in 53% and 31%, respectively, of TERT expressing cancer cell lines supporting the concept of a key role for epigenetic alteration associated with TERT dysregulation and cellular transformation. Epigenetic regulators including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs are now emerging as drivers in the regulation of telomeres and telomerase activity. Epigenetic regulation may be responsible for reversible silencing of TERT in several biological processes including development and differentiation, and increased TERT expression in cancers. Understanding the epigenetic mechanisms behind telomerase regulation holds important prospects for cancer treatment, diagnosis and prognosis. This review will focus on the role of epigenetics in telomerase regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Dogan
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK;
| | - Nicholas R. Forsyth
- The Guy Hilton Research Laboratories, School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Keele University, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK;
- School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Correspondence:
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22
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Masalmeh RHA, Taglini F, Rubio-Ramon C, Musialik KI, Higham J, Davidson-Smith H, Kafetzopoulos I, Pawlicka KP, Finan HM, Clark R, Wills J, Finch AJ, Murphy L, Sproul D. De novo DNA methyltransferase activity in colorectal cancer is directed towards H3K36me3 marked CpG islands. Nat Commun 2021; 12:694. [PMID: 33514701 PMCID: PMC7846778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant gain of DNA methylation at CpG islands is frequently observed in colorectal tumours and may silence the expression of tumour suppressors such as MLH1. Current models propose that these CpG islands are targeted by de novo DNA methyltransferases in a sequence-specific manner, but this has not been tested. Using ectopically integrated CpG islands, here we find that aberrantly methylated CpG islands are subject to low levels of de novo DNA methylation activity in colorectal cancer cells. By delineating DNA methyltransferase targets, we find that instead de novo DNA methylation activity is targeted primarily to CpG islands marked by the histone modification H3K36me3, a mark associated with transcriptional elongation. These H3K36me3 marked CpG islands are heavily methylated in colorectal tumours and the normal colon suggesting that de novo DNA methyltransferase activity at CpG islands in colorectal cancer is focused on similar targets to normal tissues and not greatly remodelled by tumourigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Taglini
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Cristina Rubio-Ramon
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kamila I Musialik
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan Higham
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Ioannis Kafetzopoulos
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kamila P Pawlicka
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Hannah M Finan
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard Clark
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jimi Wills
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew J Finch
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Lee Murphy
- Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Duncan Sproul
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- CRUK Edinburgh Centre, IGMM, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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23
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Lopusna K, Nowialis P, Opavska J, Abraham A, Riva A, Opavsky R. Dnmt3b catalytic activity is critical for its tumour suppressor function in lymphomagenesis and is associated with c-Met oncogenic signalling. EBioMedicine 2021; 63:103191. [PMID: 33418509 PMCID: PMC7804970 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2020.103191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND DNA methylation regulates gene transcription in many physiological processes in mammals including development and haematopoiesis. It is catalysed by several DNA methyltransferases, including Dnmt3b that mediates both methylation-dependant and independent gene repression. Dnmt3b is critical for mouse embryogenesis and functions as a tumour suppressor in haematologic malignancies in mice. However, the extent to which Dnmt3b's catalytic activity (CA) is involved in development and cancer is unclear. METHODS We used a mouse model expressing catalytically inactive Dnmt3b (Dnmt3bCI) to study a role of Dnmt3b's CA in development and cancer. We utilized global approaches including Whole-genome Bisulfite sequencing and RNA-seq to analyse DNA methylation and gene expression to identify putative targets of Dnmt3b's CA. To analyse postnatal development and haematopoiesis, we used tissue staining, histological and FACS analysis. To determine potential involvement of selected genes in lymphomagenesis, we used overexpression and knock down approaches followed by in vitro growth assays. FINDINGS We show that mice expressing Dnmt3bCI only, survive postnatal development and develop ICF (the immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies) -like syndrome. The lack of Dnmt3b's CA promoted fibroblasts transformation in vitro, accelerated MLL-AF9 driven Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and MYC-induced T-cell lymphomagenesis in vivo. The elimination of Dnmt3b's CA resulted in decreased methylation of c-Met promoter and its upregulation, activated oncogenic Met signalling, Stat3 phosphorylation and up-regulation of Lin28b promoting lymphomagenesis. INTERPRETATION Our data demonstrates that Dnmt3b's CA is largely dispensable for mouse development but critical to prevent tumourigenesis by controlling events involved in cellular transformation. FUNDING This study was supported by Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Cancer Centre at the University of Florida start-up funds, NIH/NCI grant 1R01CA188561-01A1 (R.O.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Lopusna
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Rd, CGRC 258, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Pawel Nowialis
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Rd, CGRC 258, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Jana Opavska
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Rd, CGRC 258, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Ajay Abraham
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Rd, CGRC 258, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Alberto Riva
- ICBR Bioinformatics, Cancer and Genetics Research Complex, University of Florida, P.O. Box 103622. Gainesville, FL 32610, United States
| | - Rene Opavsky
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, 2033 Mowry Rd, CGRC 258, Gainesville, FL 32610, United States.
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24
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Abstract
Methylation of DNA at cytosine bases is an important DNA modification underlying normal development and disease states. Despite decades of research into the biological function of DNA methylation, most of the observations so far have relied primarily on associative data between observed changes in DNA methylation states and local changes in transcriptional activity or chromatin state processes. This is primarily due to the lack of molecular tools to precisely modify DNA methylation in the genome. Recent advances in genome editing technologies have allowed repurposing the CRISPR-Cas9 system for epigenome editing by fusing the catalytically dead Cas9 (dCas9) to epigenome modifying enzymes. Moreover, methods of recruiting multiple protein domains, including the SunTag system, have increased the efficacy of epigenome editing at target sites. Here, we describe an end-to-end protocol for efficient targeted removal of DNA methylation by recruiting multiple catalytic domain of TET1 enzymes to the target sites with the dCas9-SunTag system, including sgRNA design, molecular cloning, delivery of plasmid into mammalian cells, and targeted DNA methylation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trung Viet Nguyen
- ARC Center of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Ryan Lister
- ARC Center of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
- The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Perth, WA, Australia.
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25
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Saha D, Norvil AB, Lanman NA, Gowher H. Simplified MethylRAD Sequencing to Detect Changes in DNA Methylation at Enhancer Elements in Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells. EPIGENOMES 2020; 4:24. [PMID: 33828860 PMCID: PMC8023688 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes4040024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential DNA methylation is characteristic of gene regulatory regions, such as enhancers, which mostly constitute low or intermediate CpG content in their DNA sequence. Consequently, quantification of changes in DNA methylation at these sites is challenging. Given that DNA methylation across most of the mammalian genome is maintained, the use of genome-wide bisulfite sequencing to measure fractional changes in DNA methylation at specific sites is an overexertion which is both expensive and cumbersome. Here, we developed a MethylRAD technique with an improved experimental plan and bioinformatic analysis tool to examine regional DNA methylation changes in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) during differentiation. The transcriptional silencing of pluripotency genes (PpGs) during ESC differentiation is accompanied by PpG enhancer (PpGe) silencing mediated by the demethylation of H3K4me1 by LSD1. Our MethylRAD data show that in the presence of LSD1 inhibitor, a significant fraction of LSD1-bound PpGe fails to gain DNA methylation. We further show that this effect is mostly observed in PpGes with low/intermediate CpG content. Underscoring the sensitivity and accuracy of MethylRAD sequencing, our study demonstrates that this method can detect small changes in DNA methylation in regulatory regions, including those with low/intermediate CpG content, thus asserting its use as a method of choice for diagnostic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debapriya Saha
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (D.S.); (A.B.N.)
| | - Allison B. Norvil
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (D.S.); (A.B.N.)
| | - Nadia A. Lanman
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Humaira Gowher
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (D.S.); (A.B.N.)
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
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26
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Sharma S, Bhonde R. Genetic and epigenetic stability of stem cells: Epigenetic modifiers modulate the fate of mesenchymal stem cells. Genomics 2020; 112:3615-3623. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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27
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Li K, Ning T, Wang H, Jiang Y, Zhang J, Ge Z. Nanosecond pulsed electric fields enhance mesenchymal stem cells differentiation via DNMT1-regulated OCT4/NANOG gene expression. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:308. [PMID: 32698858 PMCID: PMC7374836 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01821-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Multiple strategies have been proposed to promote the differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which is the fundamental property in tissue formation and regeneration. However, these strategies are relatively inefficient that limit the application. In this study, we reported a novel and efficient strategy, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) stimulation, which can enhance the trilineage differentiation potential of MSCs, and further explained the mechanism behind. Methods We used histological staining to screen out the nsPEFs parameters that promoted the trilineage differentiation potential of MSCs, and further proved the effect of nsPEFs by detecting the functional genes. In order to explore the corresponding mechanism, we examined the expression of pluripotency genes and the methylation status of their promoters. Finally, we targeted the DNA methyltransferase which was affected by nsPEFs. Results The trilineage differentiation of bone marrow-derived MSCs was significantly enhanced in vitro by simply pre-treating with 5 pulses of nsPEFs stimulation (energy levels as 10 ns, 20 kV/cm; 100 ns, 10 kV/cm), due to that the nsPEFs demethylated the promoters of stem cell pluripotency genes OCT4 and NANOG through instantaneous downregulation of DNA methylation transferase 1 (DNMT1), thereby increasing the expression of OCT4 and NANOG for up to 3 days, and created a treatment window period of stem cells. Conclusions In summary, nsPEFs can enhance MSCs differentiation via the epigenetic regulation and could be a safe and effective strategy for future stem cell application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejia Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Tong Ning
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yangzi Jiang
- Institute for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jue Zhang
- Institute of Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zigang Ge
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
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28
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Shanak S, Helms V. DNA methylation and the core pluripotency network. Dev Biol 2020; 464:145-160. [PMID: 32562758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
From the onset of fertilization, the genome undergoes cell division and differentiation. All of these developmental transitions and differentiation processes include cell-specific signatures and gradual changes of the epigenome. Understanding what keeps stem cells in the pluripotent state and what leads to differentiation are fascinating and biomedically highly important issues. Numerous studies have identified genes, proteins, microRNAs and small molecules that exert essential effects. Notably, there exists a core pluripotency network that consists of several transcription factors and accessory proteins. Three eminent transcription factors, OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG, serve as hubs in this core pluripotency network. They bind to the enhancer regions of their target genes and modulate, among others, the expression levels of genes that are associated with Gene Ontology terms related to differentiation and self-renewal. Also, much has been learned about the epigenetic rewiring processes during these changes of cell fate. For example, DNA methylation dynamics is pivotal during embryonic development. The main goal of this review is to highlight an intricate interplay of (a) DNA methyltransferases controlling the expression levels of core pluripotency factors by modulation of the DNA methylation levels in their enhancer regions, and of (b) the core pluripotency factors controlling the transcriptional regulation of DNA methyltransferases. We discuss these processes both at the global level and in atomistic detail based on information from structural studies and from computer simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siba Shanak
- Faculty of Science, Arab-American University, Jenin, Palestine; Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Volkhard Helms
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany.
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29
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All roads lead to Rome: the many ways to pluripotency. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1029-1036. [PMID: 32198717 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01744-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell pluripotency, spatial restriction, and development are spatially and temporally controlled by epigenetic regulatory mechanisms that occur without any permanent loss or alteration of genetic material, but rather through modifications "on top of it." These changes modulate the accessibility to transcription factors, either allowing or repressing their activity, thus shaping cell phenotype. Several studies have demonstrated the possibility to interact with these processes, reactivating silenced genes and inducing a high plasticity state, via an active demethylating effect, driven by ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes and an overall decrease of global methylation. In agreement with this, TET activities have been shown to be indispensable for mesenchymal to epithelial transition of somatic cells into iPSCs and for small molecule-driven epigenetic erasure. Beside the epigenetic mechanisms, growing evidences highlight the importance of mechanical forces in supporting cell pluripotency, which is strongly influenced by 3D rearrangement and mechanical properties of the surrounding microenvironment, through the activation of specific mechanosensing-related pathways. In this review, we discuss and provide an overview of small molecule ability to modulate cell plasticity and define cell fate through the activation of direct demethylating effects. In addition, we describe the contribution of the Hippo signaling mechanotransduction pathway as one of the mechanisms involved in the maintenance of pluripotency during embryo development and its induction in somatic cells.
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30
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Li T, Garcia-Gomez A, Morante-Palacios O, Ciudad L, Özkaramehmet S, Van Dijck E, Rodríguez-Ubreva J, Vaquero A, Ballestar E. SIRT1/2 orchestrate acquisition of DNA methylation and loss of histone H3 activating marks to prevent premature activation of inflammatory genes in macrophages. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:665-681. [PMID: 31799621 PMCID: PMC6954413 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz1127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sirtuins 1 and 2 (SIRT1/2) are two NAD-dependent deacetylases with major roles in inflammation. In addition to deacetylating histones and other proteins, SIRT1/2-mediated regulation is coupled with other epigenetic enzymes. Here, we investigate the links between SIRT1/2 activity and DNA methylation in macrophage differentiation due to their relevance in myeloid cells. SIRT1/2 display drastic upregulation during macrophage differentiation and their inhibition impacts the expression of many inflammation-related genes. In this context, SIRT1/2 inhibition abrogates DNA methylation gains, but does not affect demethylation. Inhibition of hypermethylation occurs at many inflammatory loci, which results in more drastic upregulation of their expression upon macrophage polarization following bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. SIRT1/2-mediated gains of methylation concur with decreases in activating histone marks, and their inhibition revert these histone marks to resemble an open chromatin. Remarkably, specific inhibition of DNA methyltransferases is sufficient to upregulate inflammatory genes that are maintained in a silent state by SIRT1/2. Both SIRT1 and SIRT2 directly interact with DNMT3B, and their binding to proinflammatory genes is lost upon exposure to LPS or through pharmacological inhibition of their activity. In all, we describe a novel role for SIRT1/2 to restrict premature activation of proinflammatory genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianlu Li
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Garcia-Gomez
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Octavio Morante-Palacios
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Ciudad
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sevgi Özkaramehmet
- Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Evelien Van Dijck
- Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez-Ubreva
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Vaquero
- Chromatin Biology Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Ballestar
- Epigenetics and Immune Disease Group, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Chromatin and Disease Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Programme (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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31
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Ghazimoradi MH, Farivar S. The role of DNA demethylation in induction of stem cells. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 153:17-22. [PMID: 31901417 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic factor, which plays important roles in embryo and many other diseases development. This factor determines gene expression, and when half of them have CpG islands, DNA methylation and its enzyme effectors have been under the vast studies. Whole genome DNA demethylation is a crucial step of embryogenesis and also cell fate determination in embryos. Therefore, demethylation agents were used as a tool for dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation. Although many of these efforts have been successful, but using this method gave us a vast spectral cell type which is confusing. In this article, we briefly reviewed DNA methylation, and its role in embryogenesis and gene expression. In addition to that, we introduce studies that used this action as a direct method in induction of stem cells and cell fate decision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Ghazimoradi
- Genetics, Stem Cells, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 1983963113, Iran
| | - Shirin Farivar
- Genetics, Stem Cells, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, 1983963113, Iran.
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32
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Brumbaugh J, Di Stefano B, Hochedlinger K. Reprogramming: identifying the mechanisms that safeguard cell identity. Development 2019; 146:146/23/dev182170. [PMID: 31792064 DOI: 10.1242/dev.182170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Development and homeostasis rely upon concerted regulatory pathways to establish the specialized cell types needed for tissue function. Once a cell type is specified, the processes that restrict and maintain cell fate are equally important in ensuring tissue integrity. Over the past decade, several approaches to experimentally reprogram cell fate have emerged. Importantly, efforts to improve and understand these approaches have uncovered novel molecular determinants that reinforce lineage commitment and help resist cell fate changes. In this Review, we summarize recent studies that have provided insights into the various chromatin factors, post-transcriptional processes and features of genomic organization that safeguard cell identity in the context of reprogramming to pluripotency. We also highlight how these factors function in other experimental, physiological and pathological cell fate transitions, including direct lineage conversion, pluripotency-to-totipotency reversion and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Brumbaugh
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Bruno Di Stefano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Konrad Hochedlinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA .,Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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33
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Gandolfi F, Arcuri S, Pennarossa G, Brevini TAL. New tools for cell reprogramming and conversion: Possible applications to livestock. Anim Reprod 2019; 16:475-484. [PMID: 32435291 PMCID: PMC7234139 DOI: 10.21451/1984-3143-ar2019-0043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer and iPS are both forms of radical cell reprogramming able to transform a fully differentiated cell type into a totipotent or pluripotent cell. Both processes, however, are hampered by low efficiency and, in the case of iPS, the application to livestock species is uncertain. Epigenetic manipulation has recently emerged as an efficient and robust alternative method for cell reprogramming. It is based upon the use of small molecules that are able to modify the levels of DNA methylation with 5-azacitidyne as one of the most widely used. Among a number of advantages, it includes the fact that it can be applied to domestic species including pig, dog and cat. Treated cells undergo a widespread demethylation which is followed by a renewed methylation pattern induced by specific chemical stimuli that lead to the desired phenotype. A detailed study of the mechanisms of epigenetic manipulation revealed that cell plasticity is achieved through the combined action of a reduced DNA methyl transferase activity with an active demethylation driven by the TET protein family. Surprisingly the same combination of molecular processes leads to the transformation of fibroblasts into iPS and regulate the epigenetic changes that take place during early development and, hence, during reprogramming following SCNT. Finally, it has recently emerged that mechanic stimuli in the form of a 3D cell rearrangement can significantly enhance the efficiency of epigenetic reprogramming as well as of maintenance of pluripotency. Interestingly these mechanic stimuli act on the same mechanisms both in epigenetic cell conversion with 5-Aza-CR and in iPS. We suggest that the balanced combination of epigenetic erasing, 3D cell rearrangement and chemical induction can go a long way to obtain ad hoc cell types that can fully exploit the current exiting development brought by gene editing and animal cloning in livestock production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Gandolfi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Sharon Arcuri
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Georgia Pennarossa
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Italy
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34
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Nomura Y, Hara ES, Yoshioka Y, Nguyen HT, Nosho S, Komori T, Ishibashi K, Oohashi T, Ono M, Kuboki T. DNA Methylation-Based Regulation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Progenitor Cell Chondrogenic Differentiation. Cells Tissues Organs 2019; 207:115-126. [PMID: 31574516 DOI: 10.1159/000502885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have essential applications in in vitro tissue engineering or regenerative medicine. However, there is still a need to understand more deeply the mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and to optimize the methods to control stem cell function. In this study, we first investigated the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) during chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (hBMSCs) and found that DNMT3A and DNMT3B were markedly upregulated during hBMSC chondrogenic differentiation. In an attempt to understand the effect of DNMT3A and DNMT3B on the chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, we transiently transfected the cells with expression vectors for the two enzymes. Interestingly, DNMT3A overexpression strongly enhanced the chondrogenesis of hBMSCs, by increasing the gene expression of the mature chondrocyte marker, collagen type II, more than 200-fold. Analysis of the methylation condition in the cells revealed that DNMT3A and DNMT3B methylated the promoter sequence of early stem cell markers, NANOG and POU5F1(OCT-4). Conversely, the suppression of chondrogenic differentiation and the increase in stem cell markers of hBMSCs were obtained by chemical stimulation with the demethylating agent, 5-azacitidine. Loss-of-function assays with siRNAs targeting DNMT3A also significantly suppressed the chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Together, these results not only show the critical roles of DNMTs in regulating the chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs, but also suggest that manipulation of DNMT activity can be important tools to enhance the differentiation of hBMSCs towards chondrogenesis for potential application in cartilage tissue engineering or cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Nomura
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Emilio Satoshi Hara
- Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan,
| | - Yuya Yoshioka
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Há Thi Nguyen
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shuji Nosho
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Taishi Komori
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kei Ishibashi
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Oohashi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Ono
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Takuo Kuboki
- Department of Oral Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Sánchez O, Mendonca A, Min A, Liu J, Yuan C. Monitoring Histone Methylation (H3K9me3) Changes in Live Cells. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:13250-13259. [PMID: 31460452 PMCID: PMC6705211 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b01413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
H3K9me3 (methylation of lysine 9 of histone H3) is an epigenetic modification that acts as a repressor mark. Several diseases, including cancers and neurological disorders, have been associated with aberrant changes in H3K9me3 levels. Different tools have been developed to enable detection and quantification of H3K9me3 levels in cells. Most techniques, however, lack live cell compatibility. To address this concern, we have engineered recombinant protein sensors for probing H3K9me3 in situ. A heterodimeric sensor containing a chromodomain and chromo shadow domain from HP1a was found to be optimal in recognizing H3K9me3 and exhibited similar spatial resolution to commercial antibodies. Our sensor offers similar quantitative accuracy in characterizing changes in H3K9me3 compared to antibodies but claims single cell resolution. The sensor was applied to evaluate changes in H3K9me3 responding to environmental chemical atrazine (ATZ). ATZ was found to result in significant reductions in H3K9me3 levels after 24 h of exposure. Its impact on the distribution of H3K9me3 among cell populations was also assessed and found to be distinctive. We foresee the application of our sensors in multiple toxicity and drug-screening applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar
F. Sánchez
- Davidson
School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette 47907, Indiana, United States
| | - Agnes Mendonca
- Davidson
School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette 47907, Indiana, United States
| | - Alan Min
- Department
of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette 47907, Indiana, United States
| | - Jichang Liu
- State
Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Davidson
School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, 480 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette 47907, Indiana, United States
- Purdue
University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette 47907, Indiana, United States
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Sendžikaitė G, Hanna CW, Stewart-Morgan KR, Ivanova E, Kelsey G. A DNMT3A PWWP mutation leads to methylation of bivalent chromatin and growth retardation in mice. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1884. [PMID: 31015495 PMCID: PMC6478690 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09713-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) deposit DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression and is essential for mammalian development. Histone post-translational modifications modulate the recruitment and activity of DNMTs. The PWWP domains of DNMT3A and DNMT3B are posited to interact with histone 3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3); however, the functionality of this interaction for DNMT3A remains untested in vivo. Here we present a mouse model carrying a D329A point mutation in the DNMT3A PWWP domain. The mutation causes dominant postnatal growth retardation. At the molecular level, it results in progressive DNA hypermethylation across domains marked by H3K27me3 and bivalent chromatin, and de-repression of developmental regulatory genes in adult hypothalamus. Evaluation of non-CpG methylation, a marker of de novo methylation, further demonstrates the altered recruitment and activity of DNMT3AD329A at bivalent domains. This work provides key molecular insights into the function of the DNMT3A-PWWP domain and role of DNMT3A in regulating postnatal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Courtney W Hanna
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Kathleen R Stewart-Morgan
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Ivanova
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
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Gowher H, Jeltsch A. Mammalian DNA methyltransferases: new discoveries and open questions. Biochem Soc Trans 2018; 46:1191-1202. [PMID: 30154093 PMCID: PMC6581191 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
As part of the epigenetic network, DNA methylation is a major regulator of chromatin structure and function. In mammals, it mainly occurs at palindromic CpG sites, but asymmetric methylation at non-CpG sites is also observed. Three enzymes are involved in the generation and maintenance of DNA methylation patterns. DNMT1 has high preference for hemimethylated CpG sites, and DNMT3A and DNMT3B equally methylate unmethylated and hemimethylated DNA, and also introduce non-CpG methylation. Here, we review recent observations and novel insights into the structure and function of mammalian DNMTs (DNA methyltransferases), including new structures of DNMT1 and DNMT3A, data on their mechanism, regulation by post-translational modifications and on the function of DNMTs in cells. In addition, we present news findings regarding the allosteric regulation and targeting of DNMTs by chromatin modifications and chromatin proteins. In combination, the recent publications summarized here impressively illustrate the intensity of ongoing research in this field. They provide a deeper understanding of key mechanistic properties of DNMTs, but they also document still unsolved issues, which need to be addressed in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Gowher
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S.A
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Kameswaran V, Golson ML, Ramos-Rodríguez M, Ou K, Wang YJ, Zhang J, Pasquali L, Kaestner KH. The Dysregulation of the DLK1- MEG3 Locus in Islets From Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Is Mimicked by Targeted Epimutation of Its Promoter With TALE-DNMT Constructs. Diabetes 2018; 67:1807-1815. [PMID: 30084829 PMCID: PMC6110314 DOI: 10.2337/db17-0682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by the inability of the insulin-producing β-cells to overcome insulin resistance. We previously identified an imprinted region on chromosome 14, the DLK1-MEG3 locus, as being downregulated in islets from humans with T2DM. In this study, using targeted epigenetic modifiers, we prove that increased methylation at the promoter of Meg3 in mouse βTC6 β-cells results in decreased transcription of the maternal transcripts associated with this locus. As a result, the sensitivity of β-cells to cytokine-mediated oxidative stress was increased. Additionally, we demonstrate that an evolutionarily conserved intronic region at the MEG3 locus can function as an enhancer in βTC6 β-cells. Using circular chromosome conformation capture followed by high-throughput sequencing, we demonstrate that the promoter of MEG3 physically interacts with this novel enhancer and other putative regulatory elements in this imprinted region in human islets. Remarkably, this enhancer is bound in an allele-specific manner by the transcription factors FOXA2, PDX1, and NKX2.2. Overall, these data suggest that the intronic MEG3 enhancer plays an important role in the regulation of allele-specific expression at the imprinted DLK1-MEG3 locus in human β-cells, which in turn impacts the sensitivity of β-cells to cytokine-mediated oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasumathi Kameswaran
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Maria L Golson
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mireia Ramos-Rodríguez
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Department of Endocrinology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital and Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kristy Ou
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Yue J Wang
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jia Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lorenzo Pasquali
- Program of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer, Department of Endocrinology, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital and Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain
- CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Klaus H Kaestner
- Department of Genetics and Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Xu T, Wang C, Shen J, Tong P, O’Keefe R. Ablation of Dnmt3b in chondrocytes suppresses cell maturation during embryonic development. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:5852-5863. [PMID: 29637597 PMCID: PMC5993586 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a major mode of epigenetic regulation in the mammalian genome and is essential for embryonic development. The three catalytic DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b, catalyze the methylation of cytosine. Dnmt3b is highly expressed in chondrocytes and global knockout of Dnmt3b led to skeletal deformations and embryonic lethality, suggesting an essential role of Dnmt3b in endochondral bone formation. To further define the role of Dnmt3b in skeletal development, Dnmt3b was deleted in Col2 positive chondrocyte lineage cells. Both axial and appendicular skeletal size were reduced and bone mineralization was delayed in Col2Cre+ ;Dnmt3bf/f (Dnmt3bCol2 ) mice at E14.5 and E18.5. While Alcian Blue Hematoxylin/Orange G (ABH/OG) staining showed normal chondrocyte columns in control growth plates, the length of hypertrophic chondrocyte zone and type X collagen expression were decreased in E18.5 growth plates from Dnmt3bCol2 mice. TUNEL and PCNA staining demonstrated that the delay in chondrocyte maturation observed in the Dnmt3bCol2 growth plates was not secondary to altered chondrocyte apoptosis or proliferation. Complementary in vitro experiments were performed on primary sternal chondrocytes isolated from control and Dnmt3bCol2 mice. Gene expression studies confirmed delayed terminal maturation as Mmp13 and Col10a1 expression was down-regulated in Dnmt3bCol2 chondrocytes. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red staining confirmed that Dnmt3b deletion in chondrocytes delays in vitro chondrocyte hypertrophic differentiation and matrix mineralization. Mechanistically, Dnmt3b gene deletion resulted in decreased BMP signaling through reduction of Smad1 phosphorylation. These findings show that epigenetic factor, Dnmt3b is necessary for normal chondrocyte hypertrophic maturation and limb development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Xu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Cuicui Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
| | - Peijian Tong
- Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Regis O’Keefe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110
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40
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Nguyen T, Li GE, Chen H, Cranfield CG, McGrath KC, Gorrie CA. Maternal E-Cigarette Exposure Results in Cognitive and Epigenetic Alterations in Offspring in a Mouse Model. Chem Res Toxicol 2018; 31:601-611. [PMID: 29863869 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is on the rise worldwide and is particularly attractive to young people and as a smoking substitute by pregnant woman. There is a perception in pregnant women and women of child-bearing age that the use of e-cigarettes (vaping) is safer than smoking tobacco cigarettes during pregnancy. However, there is little evidence to support this perception. Here, we examined the offspring from mouse dams that had been exposed during and after pregnancy to ambient air (sham) ( n = 8), e-cigarette aerosols with nicotine ( n = 8), or e-cigarette aerosols without nicotine ( n = 8). Offspring underwent cognitive testing at 12 weeks of age and epigenetic testing of brain tissues at 1 day, 20 days, and 13 weeks after birth. The findings showed deficits in short-term memory, reduced anxiety, and hyperactivity in offspring following maternal e-cigarette exposure using the novel object recognition and elevated plus maze tests. In addition, global DNA methylation was increased in the brains of offspring soon after birth. Using a quantitative-PCR array specific to chromatin modification enzymes on genomic DNA and histones,13 key genes were identified to be significantly altered in the offspring brains from the e-cigarette groups compared to the nonexposed groups. The changes to genes Aurka, Aurkb, Aurkc, Kdm5c, Kdm6b, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Atf2, all associated with modulating neurological activity, were validated using RT-qPCR. In conclusion, in a mouse model, maternal exposure to e-cigarette aerosols resulted in both cognitive and epigenetic changes in offspring. This suggests that the use of e-cigarettes during pregnancy may have hitherto undetected neurological consequences on newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Nguyen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Gerard E Li
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Charles G Cranfield
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Kristine C McGrath
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
| | - Catherine A Gorrie
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Sydney , New South Wales , Australia
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41
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Canon E, Jouneau L, Blachère T, Peynot N, Daniel N, Boulanger L, Maulny L, Archilla C, Voisin S, Jouneau A, Godet M, Duranthon V. Progressive methylation of POU5F1 regulatory regions during blastocyst development. Reproduction 2018; 156:145-161. [PMID: 29866767 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The POU5F1 gene encodes one of the 'core' transcription factors necessary to establish and maintain pluripotency in mammals. Its function depends on its precise level of expression, so its transcription has to be tightly regulated. To date, few conserved functional elements have been identified in its 5' regulatory region: a distal and a proximal enhancer, and a minimal promoter, epigenetic modifications of which interfere with POU5F1 expression and function in in vitro-derived cell lines. Also, its permanent inactivation in differentiated cells depends on de novo methylation of its promoter. However, little is known about the epigenetic regulation of POU5F1 expression in the embryo itself. We used the rabbit blastocyst as a model to analyze the methylation dynamics of the POU5F1 5' upstream region, relative to its regulated expression in different compartments of the blastocyst over a 2-day period of development. We evidenced progressive methylation of the 5' regulatory region and the first exon accompanying differentiation and the gradual repression of POU5F1 Methylation started in the early trophectoderm before complete transcriptional inactivation. Interestingly, the distal enhancer, which is known to be active in naïve pluripotent cells only, retained a very low level of methylation in primed pluripotent epiblasts and remained less methylated in differentiated compartments than the proximal enhancer. This detailed study identified CpGs with the greatest variations in methylation, as well as groups of CpGs showing a highly correlated behavior, during differentiation. Moreover, our findings evidenced few CpGs with very specific behavior during this period of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Canon
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - L Jouneau
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - T Blachère
- Univ LyonUniversité Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France
| | - N Peynot
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - N Daniel
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - L Boulanger
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - L Maulny
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - C Archilla
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - S Voisin
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - A Jouneau
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
| | - M Godet
- Univ LyonUniversité Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, Bron, France
| | - V Duranthon
- UMR BDRINRA, ENVA, Université Paris Saclay, 78350, Jouy en Josas, France
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Fang TK, Yan CJ, Du J. CTLA-4 methylation regulates the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis and the expression of related cytokines. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e0620. [PMID: 29718870 PMCID: PMC6393147 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000010620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a progressive autoimmune disease that occurs as a result of the failure of neuromuscular transmission and is characterized by muscle weakness. There has been evidence on the correlations between the genetic predisposition of cytotoxic T lymphocyte and the antigen-4 (CTLA-4) and MG. Thus, the present study was conducted to study is designed to examine the effects of CTLA-4 methylation on the pathogenesis of MG and the expressions of related cytokines. METHODS The CTLA-4 methylation levels in peripheral blood were quantified in 103 samples collected from MG patients and 86 samples from healthy individiuals. The expression of serum-related cytokines as well as the Treg cell ratio were examined so as to define the contributory role of CTLA-4 methylation in MG and to identify the interaction between CTLA-4 methylation and related factors, the expressions of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)l, DNMT3A and DNMT3B, CTLA-4, AchR-Ab, Titin-Ab, RyR-Ab, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-β, activity of P- acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and E-AchE. RESULTS The results indicated that the incidence of CTLA-4 methylation was significantly higher in the control group when compared with the MG group, and CTLA-4 methylation was also found to be associated with the thymus status of MG patients. It was also observed from the experiment data that the expressions of DNMTl, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B, along with the expressions of AchR-Ab, Titin-Ab, RyR-Ab, IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ and TGF-β, and the activity of P-AchE and E-AchE were all higher in the MG group than in the control group, with a reduction of CTLA-4 expression. Another key finding from this study revealed that methylation interference can lead to the suppression in the expression of AchR-Ab, the activity of E-AchE, the expression of IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TGF-β and the Treg cell ratio in lymphocytes. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the results obtained from the present study highly indicated that CTLA-4 methylation might play a role in facilitating the occurrence of MG and increasing the expressions of related cytokines through the upregulation of AchR-Ab and E-Ach.
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Epigenetics of Circadian Rhythms in Imprinted Neurodevelopmental Disorders. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2018; 157:67-92. [PMID: 29933957 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
DNA sequence information alone cannot account for the immense variability between chromosomal alleles within diverse cell types in the brain, whether these differences are observed across time, cell type, or parental origin. The complex control and maintenance of gene expression and modulation are regulated by a multitude of molecular and cellular mechanisms that layer on top of the genetic code. The integration of genetic and environmental signals required for regulating brain development and function is achieved in part by a dynamic epigenetic landscape that includes DNA methylation, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. These epigenetic mechanisms establish and maintain core biological processes, including genomic imprinting and entrainment of circadian rhythms. This chapter will focus on how the epigenetic layers of DNA methylation and long, noncoding RNAs interact with circadian rhythms at specific imprinted chromosomal loci associated with the human neurodevelopmental disorders Prader-Willi, Angelman, Kagami-Ogata, and Temple syndromes.
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44
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Global and Complement Gene-Specific DNA Methylation in Grass Carp after Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV) Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19041110. [PMID: 29642440 PMCID: PMC5979442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) causes huge economic loss to the grass carp cultivation industry but the mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the global and complement gene-specific DNA methylation in grass carp after GCRV infection aimed to uncover the mechanism underlying GCRV infection. The global DNA methylation level was increased after GCRV infection. Expression levels of enzymes involved in DNA methylation including DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), ten-eleven translocation proteins (TETs), and glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) were significantly altered after GCRV infection. In order to investigate the relationship between the gene expression level and DNA methylation level, two representative complement genes, complement component 3 (C3) and kininogen-1 (KNG1), were selected for further analysis. mRNA expression levels of the two genes were significantly increased at 5 and 7 days after GCRV infection, whereas the DNA methylation level at the 5′ flanking regions of the two genes were down-regulated at the same time-points. Moreover, a negative correlation was detected between gene expression levels and DNA methylation levels of the two genes. Therefore, the current data revealed a global and complement gene-specific DNA methylation profile after GCRV infection. Our study would provide new insights into understanding the mechanism underlying GCRV infection.
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45
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Zhou Y, Song N, Li X, Han Y, Ren Z, Xu JX, Han YC, Li F, Jia X. Changes in the methylation status of the Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2 promoters in stem cells during regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium after injury. Oncotarget 2018; 8:2984-2994. [PMID: 27935870 PMCID: PMC5356857 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between promoter methylation and tracheal stem cell activation. We developed a model of rat tracheal epithelium regeneration after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced injury. Using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, the expression levels of the stem cell pluripotency regulator Oct3/4 and differentiation marker CK14 were measured after 5-FU treatment. The methylation status of the Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2 promoters was investigated using methylation-specific PCR. Additionally, the effects of 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), a demethylating agent, on Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2 mRNA and protein expression were evaluated. Finally, we measured the activity of the maintenance and de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. Our data indicate that Oct3/4, Sox2, and Nanog are transiently expressed in response to 5-FU-induced injury, and then they are gradually silenced as the cells differentiate. DNA methylation can result in silencing of gene expression, and it can determine whether tracheal stem cells are in an active or dormant state. Treatment with 5-FU reversed the methylation of the Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2 promoters, which corresponded to increases in Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox2 mRNA and protein. Thus, both maintenance and de novo methyltransferases are involved in regulating tracheal stem cell dormancy and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Emergency, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Nan Song
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Physiology, College of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics of Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, 110016, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Zihan Ren
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Jing-Xian Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The 4th Affiliated Hospital, Eye Institute, China Medical University, The Key Laboratory of Lens Research, Shenyang 110005, China
| | - Yu-Chen Han
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,IVF Michigan, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48304, USA
| | - Xinshan Jia
- Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China.,Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, China
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46
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Kar S, Patra SK. Overexpression of OCT4 induced by modulation of histone marks plays crucial role in breast cancer progression. Gene 2018; 643:35-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.11.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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47
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Api M, Biondi P, Olivotto I, Terzibasi E, Cellerino A, Carnevali O. Effects of Parental Aging During Embryo Development and Adult Life: The Case of Nothobranchius furzeri. Zebrafish 2018; 15:112-123. [PMID: 29304310 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2017.1494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on parental aging are a very attractive field, although it is poorly understood how parental age affects embryonic development and adult traits of the offspring. In this study, we used the turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri, as is the vertebrate with shortest captive lifespan and an interesting model. The embryos of N. furzeri can follow two distinct developmental pathways either entering diapause or proceeding through direct development. Thus, this embryonic plasticity allows this model to be used to study different factors that could affect their embryonic development, including parental age. The first goal of the present study was to investigate whether parental aging could affect the embryo development. To do this, we collected F1 embryos from two breeder groups (old parents and young parents). We monitored the duration of embryonic development and analyzed genes involved in dorsalization process. The second goal was to investigate if embryonic developmental plasticity could be modulated by an epigenetic process. To this end, the expression of DNMTs genes was examined. Our data support the hypothesis that diapause, occurring more frequently in embryos from old parents, is associated with increased expression of DNMT3A and DNMT3B suggesting an epigenetic control. Finally, we analyzed whether parental age could affect metabolism and growth during adult life. Morphometric results and qPCR analysis of genes from IGF system showed a slower growth in adults from old breeders. Moreover, a gender-specificity effect on growth emerged. In conclusion, these results may contribute to the better understanding of the complex mechanism of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Api
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona, Italy
| | - Piera Biondi
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona, Italy
| | - Ike Olivotto
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona, Italy
| | | | | | - Oliana Carnevali
- 1 Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona, Italy
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48
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Rodas-Junco BA, Canul-Chan M, Rojas-Herrera RA, De-la-Peña C, Nic-Can GI. Stem Cells from Dental Pulp: What Epigenetics Can Do with Your Tooth. Front Physiol 2017; 8:999. [PMID: 29270128 PMCID: PMC5724083 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult stem cells have attracted scientific attention because they are able to self-renew and differentiate into several specialized cell types. In this context, human dental tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hDT-MSCs) have emerged as a possible solution for repairing or regenerating damaged tissues. These cells can be isolated from primary teeth that are naturally replaced, third molars, or other dental tissues and exhibit self-renewal, a high proliferative rate and a great multilineage potential. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine lineage specification are still largely unknown. It is known that a change in cell fate requires the deletion of existing transcriptional programs, followed by the establishment of a new developmental program to give rise to a new cell lineage. Increasing evidence indicates that chromatin structure conformation can influence cell fate. In this way, reversible chemical modifications at the DNA or histone level, and combinations thereof can activate or inactivate cell-type-specific gene sequences, giving rise to an alternative cell fates. On the other hand, miRNAs are starting to emerge as a possible player in establishing particular somatic lineages. In this review, we discuss two new and promising research fields in medicine and biology, epigenetics and stem cells, by summarizing the properties of hDT-MSCs and highlighting the recent findings on epigenetic contributions to the regulation of cellular differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz A Rodas-Junco
- CONACYT-Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Campus de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Michel Canul-Chan
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Campus de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Rafael A Rojas-Herrera
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Campus de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Clelia De-la-Peña
- Unidad de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
| | - Geovanny I Nic-Can
- CONACYT-Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Campus de Ciencias Exactas e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Mexico
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49
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King AD, Huang K, Rubbi L, Liu S, Wang CY, Wang Y, Pellegrini M, Fan G. Reversible Regulation of Promoter and Enhancer Histone Landscape by DNA Methylation in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Cell Rep 2017; 17:289-302. [PMID: 27681438 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.08.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is one of a number of modes of epigenetic gene regulation. Here, we profile the DNA methylome, transcriptome, and global occupancy of histone modifications (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K27me3, and H3K27ac) in a series of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with varying DNA methylation levels to study the effects of DNA methylation on deposition of histone modifications. We find that genome-wide DNA demethylation alters occupancy of histone modifications at both promoters and enhancers. This is reversed upon remethylation by Dnmt expression. DNA methylation promotes H3K27me3 deposition at bivalent promoters, while opposing H3K27me3 at silent promoters. DNA methylation also reversibly regulates H3K27ac and H3K27me3 at previously identified tissue-specific enhancers. These effects require DNMT catalytic activity. Collectively, our data show that DNA methylation is essential and instructive for deposition of specific histone modifications across regulatory regions, which together influences gene expression patterns in mESCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D King
- Department of Human Genetics and Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Molecular Biology Interdepartmental Doctoral Program, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Kevin Huang
- Department of Human Genetics and Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Liudmilla Rubbi
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Shuo Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Cun-Yu Wang
- Division of Oral Biology and Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Guoping Fan
- Department of Human Genetics and Broad Stem Cell Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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50
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Manzo M, Wirz J, Ambrosi C, Villaseñor R, Roschitzki B, Baubec T. Isoform-specific localization of DNMT3A regulates DNA methylation fidelity at bivalent CpG islands. EMBO J 2017; 36:3421-3434. [PMID: 29074627 PMCID: PMC5709737 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 10/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification involved in transcriptional regulation and essential for mammalian development. While the genome-wide distribution of this mark has been studied to great detail, the mechanisms responsible for its correct deposition, as well as the cause for its aberrant localization in cancers, have not been fully elucidated. Here, we have compared the activity of individual DNMT3A isoforms in mouse embryonic stem and neuronal progenitor cells and report that these isoforms differ in their genomic binding and DNA methylation activity at regulatory sites. We identify that the longer isoform DNMT3A1 preferentially localizes to the methylated shores of bivalent CpG island promoters in a tissue-specific manner. The isoform-specific targeting of DNMT3A1 coincides with elevated hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) deposition, suggesting an involvement of this isoform in mediating turnover of DNA methylation at these sites. Through genetic deletion and rescue experiments, we demonstrate that this isoform-specific recruitment plays a role in de novo DNA methylation at CpG island shores, with potential implications on H3K27me3-mediated regulation of developmental genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Manzo
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Molecular Life Sciences, PhD Program of the Life Sciences, Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joël Wirz
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christina Ambrosi
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Molecular Life Sciences, PhD Program of the Life Sciences, Zurich Graduate School, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rodrigo Villaseñor
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Roschitzki
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, ETH and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tuncay Baubec
- Department of Molecular Mechanisms of Disease, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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