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Regmi S, Giha L, Ali A, Siebels-Lindquist C, Davis TL. Methylation is maintained specifically at imprinting control regions but not other DMRs associated with imprinted genes in mice bearing a mutation in the Dnmt1 intrinsically disordered domain. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1192789. [PMID: 37601113 PMCID: PMC10436486 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1192789] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential methylation of imprinting control regions in mammals is essential for distinguishing the parental alleles from each other and regulating their expression accordingly. To ensure parent of origin-specific expression of imprinted genes and thereby normal developmental progression, the differentially methylated states that are inherited at fertilization must be stably maintained by DNA methyltransferase 1 throughout subsequent somatic cell division. Further epigenetic modifications, such as the acquisition of secondary regions of differential methylation, are dependent on the methylation status of imprinting control regions and are important for achieving the monoallelic expression of imprinted genes, but little is known about how imprinting control regions direct the acquisition and maintenance of methylation at these secondary sites. Recent analysis has identified mutations that reduce DNA methyltransferase 1 fidelity at some genomic sequences but not at others, suggesting that it may function differently at different loci. We examined the impact of the mutant DNA methyltransferase 1 P allele on methylation at imprinting control regions as well as at secondary differentially methylated regions and non-imprinted sequences. We found that while the P allele results in a major reduction in DNA methylation levels across the mouse genome, methylation is specifically maintained at imprinting control regions but not at their corresponding secondary DMRs. This result suggests that DNA methyltransferase 1 may work differently at imprinting control regions or that there is an alternate mechanism for maintaining methylation at these critical regulatory regions and that maintenance of methylation at secondary DMRs is not solely dependent on the methylation status of the ICR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tamara L. Davis
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, United States
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2
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Dimond A, Van de Pette M, Taylor-Bateman V, Brown K, Sardini A, Whilding C, Feytout A, Prinjha RK, Merkenschlager M, Fisher AG. Drug-induced loss of imprinting revealed using bioluminescent reporters of Cdkn1c. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5626. [PMID: 37024615 PMCID: PMC10079848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32747-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically mediated mechanism that regulates allelic expression of genes based upon parent-of-origin and provides a paradigm for studying epigenetic silencing and release. Here, bioluminescent reporters for the maternally-expressed imprinted gene Cdkn1c are used to examine the capacity of chromatin-modifying drugs to reverse paternal Cdkn1c silencing. Exposure of reporter mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to 5-Azacytidine, HDAC inhibitors, BET inhibitors or GSK-J4 (KDM6A/B inhibitor) relieved repression of paternal Cdkn1c, either selectively or by inducing biallelic effects. Treatment of reporter fibroblasts with HDAC inhibitors or GSK-J4 resulted in similar paternal Cdkn1c activation, whereas BET inhibitor-induced loss of imprinting was specific to mESCs. Changes in allelic expression were generally not sustained in dividing cultures upon drug removal, indicating that the underlying epigenetic memory of silencing was maintained. In contrast, Cdkn1c de-repression by GSK-J4 was retained in both mESCs and fibroblasts following inhibitor removal, although this impact may be linked to cellular stress and DNA damage. Taken together, these data introduce bioluminescent reporter cells as tools for studying epigenetic silencing and disruption, and demonstrate that Cdkn1c imprinting requires distinct and cell-type specific chromatin features and modifying enzymes to enact and propagate a memory of silencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Dimond
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Mathew Van de Pette
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
- MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, Gleeson Building, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR, UK
| | - Victoria Taylor-Bateman
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Karen Brown
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chad Whilding
- Microscopy Facility, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amelie Feytout
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rab K Prinjha
- Immunology and Epigenetics Research Unit, Research, GlaxoSmithKline, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, Herts, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Epigenetic Memory Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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3
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Zfp57 inactivation illustrates the role of ICR methylation in imprinted gene expression during neural differentiation of mouse ESCs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13802. [PMID: 34226608 PMCID: PMC8257706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93297-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
ZFP57 is required to maintain the germline-marked differential methylation at imprinting control regions (ICRs) in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Although DNA methylation has a key role in genomic imprinting, several imprinted genes are controlled by different mechanisms, and a comprehensive study of the relationship between DMR methylation and imprinted gene expression is lacking. To address the latter issue, we differentiated wild-type and Zfp57-/- hybrid mouse ESCs into neural precursor cells (NPCs) and evaluated allelic expression of imprinted genes. In mutant NPCs, we observed a reduction of allelic bias of all the 32 genes that were imprinted in wild-type cells, demonstrating that ZFP57-dependent methylation is required for maintaining or acquiring imprinted gene expression during differentiation. Analysis of expression levels showed that imprinted genes expressed from the non-methylated chromosome were generally up-regulated, and those expressed from the methylated chromosome were down-regulated in mutant cells. However, expression levels of several imprinted genes acquiring biallelic expression were not affected, suggesting the existence of compensatory mechanisms that control their RNA level. Since neural differentiation was partially impaired in Zfp57-mutant cells, this study also indicates that imprinted genes and/or non-imprinted ZFP57-target genes are required for proper neurogenesis in cultured ESCs.
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Qiu W, Deng Y, Zhuang M, Wang P, Li C, Li Y, Zhu B, Zhang P, Li D, Sun Y, Yang J, Cao S, Sun Y. Identification of differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs in mice intestines after severe burns and a preliminary study into the key gene H19. J Burn Care Res 2021; 43:16-29. [PMID: 33512532 DOI: 10.1093/jbcr/irab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intestine is considered the key organ in stress response to severe burns and injury to intestine after severe burns can be fatal. However, the injury and subsequent repair of intestinal tissues after severe burns at the genetic level are poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have important functions in regulating many biological processes, including gene transcription and translation. Autophagy is a process of intracellular degradation and reutilization of cytoplasmic proteins and organelles. METHODS We herein analyzed the genome-wide expression profile of lncRNAs and mRNAs after severe burns in the intestines of mice by lncRNA microarray. qRT-PCR was performed to verify the reliability of microarray analysis results, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were used for bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed mRNAs. The common regulatory network between the top ten differentially expressed lncRNAs and trans-related mRNAs was visualized by Cytoscape (v3.7.2). Next, we hypothesized that H19 is the key gene for intestinal mucosal repair. After H19 was overexpressed, the changes in downstream autophagy protein expression levels were observed. RESULTS GO and KEGG analysis indicated that the differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly enriched in a cell cycle- and mitosis-related genes.Overexpression of lncRNA-H19 showed that the autophagy-related gene Trim21 was up-regulated, while HIF1α was down-regulated. CONCLUSION LncRNA-H19 played a key role in repairing the intestinal mucosa, and overexpression of lncRNA-H19 activated autophagy and migration of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qiu
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuequ Deng
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhuang
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Cuijie Li
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Bo Zhu
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Pan Zhang
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuan Sun
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Juan Yang
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Shuqin Cao
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yong Sun
- Department of Burn Surgery, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, China
- Department of Burn Surgery, The 71st Group Army Hospital of PLA, Xuzhou, China
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Takahashi K, Yoneyama Y, Koizumi N, Utoguchi N, Kanayama N, Higashi N. Expression of p57 KIP2 reduces growth and invasion, and induces syncytialization in a human placental choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo. Placenta 2020; 104:168-178. [PMID: 33360007 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Syncytiotrophoblasts are the major components of the human placenta involved in fetal maternal exchange and hormone secretion. The syncytiotrophoblasts arise from the fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts. The cell cycle suppressor p57KIP2 is known to be an essential molecule for proper trophoblast differentiation during placental formation. METHODS We generated p57KIP2-expressing BeWo transfectant cells. Proliferation assay and matrigel invasion assay were used to characterize p57KIP2-expressing BeWo transfectant cells. To reveal the role of p57KIP2 in syncytialization, we proceeded syncytium formation analysis and qRT-PCR for detection of the expression levels Syncytin-1, Syncytin-2 and their receptors. RESULTS The human choriocarcinoma cell line, BeWo has undetectable levels of p57KIP2 expression. Expression of p57KIP2 reduced cell proliferation rate and extracellular matrix invasion activity. p57KIP2 expressing cells displayed multinucleated cells associated with syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. In the syncytialization event, p57KIP2 was found to potentiate forskolin-induced upregulation of Syncytin-2 in a cAMP-independent manner. DISCUSSION These results indicate that the expression of p57KIP2 may act on the proliferation/invasion inhibitory factor and enhance the expression of Syncytin-2, which are associated with syncytialization in cytotrophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Takahashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy, Showa Univerisity School of Medicine, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8555, Japan.
| | - Yui Yoneyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
| | - Naoya Koizumi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan.
| | - Naoki Utoguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Showa Pharmaceutical University, 3-3165 Higashitamagawagakuen, Machida, Tokyo, 194-8543, Japan.
| | - Naohiro Kanayama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 3600, Handa-cho, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan.
| | - Nobuaki Higashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Hoshi University, 2-4-41, Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8501, Japan.
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Buza N, McGregor SM, Barroilhet L, Zheng X, Hui P. Paternal uniparental isodisomy of tyrosine hydroxylase locus at chromosome 11p15.4: spectrum of phenotypical presentations simulating hydatidiform moles. Mod Pathol 2019; 32:1180-1188. [PMID: 30952972 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-019-0266-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Uniparental disomy is an abnormal genetic condition in which both homologous chromosomes or part of the chromosome are inherited from one parent and the other parent's homologous chromosome is lost. We report three cases of gestations with paternal uniparental isodisomy at tyrosine hydroxylase or TH01 locus on chromosome 11p15.4 identified by DNA genotyping. The patients' age ranged from 32 to 35 years and all patients presented with missed abortion during the first trimester. Abnormal chorionic villi were seen in all cases with histomorphological and/or p57 immunohistochemical features simulating either partial or complete mole. While two patients had an uneventful clinical course, one patient presented with clinical complications simulating persistent gestational trophoblastic disease/neoplasia that required multiagent chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide (EMA-CO). In summary, paternal uniparental isodisomy of tyrosine hydroxylase locus at chromosome 11p15.4 may result in an abnormal gestation that simulates a hydatidiform mole both clinically and histologically. The presence of abnormal trophoblastic proliferation combined with loss of p57 expression in villous cytotrophoblast and stromal cells may be associated with an aggressive clinical behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Buza
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Lisa Barroilhet
- Department of Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Xingzheng Zheng
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Pei Hui
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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7
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Sachani SS, Landschoot LS, Zhang L, White CR, MacDonald WA, Golding MC, Mann MRW. Nucleoporin 107, 62 and 153 mediate Kcnq1ot1 imprinted domain regulation in extraembryonic endoderm stem cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2795. [PMID: 30022050 PMCID: PMC6052020 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05208-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a phenomenon that restricts transcription to predominantly one parental allele. How this transcriptional duality is regulated is poorly understood. Here we perform an RNA interference screen for epigenetic factors involved in paternal allelic silencing at the Kcnq1ot1 imprinted domain in mouse extraembryonic endoderm stem cells. Multiple factors are identified, including nucleoporin 107 (NUP107). To determine NUP107's role and specificity in Kcnq1ot1 imprinted domain regulation, we deplete Nup107, as well as Nup62, Nup98/96 and Nup153. Nup107, Nup62 and Nup153, but not Nup98/96 depletion, reduce Kcnq1ot1 noncoding RNA volume, displace the Kcnq1ot1 domain from the nuclear periphery, reactivate a subset of normally silent paternal alleles in the domain, alter histone modifications with concomitant changes in KMT2A, EZH2 and EHMT2 occupancy, as well as reduce cohesin interactions at the Kcnq1ot1 imprinting control region. Our results establish an important role for specific nucleoporins in mediating Kcnq1ot1 imprinted domain regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqib S Sachani
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Biochemistry, Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6C 2V5, Canada
- Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Lauren S Landschoot
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Biochemistry, Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Liyue Zhang
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Biochemistry, Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Carlee R White
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Biochemistry, Western University, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON, N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - William A MacDonald
- Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Michael C Golding
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Mellissa R W Mann
- Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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SanMiguel JM, Bartolomei MS. DNA methylation dynamics of genomic imprinting in mouse development. Biol Reprod 2018; 99:252-262. [PMID: 29462489 PMCID: PMC6044325 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic mark crucial for normal mammalian development. This modification controls the expression of a unique class of genes, designated as imprinted, which are expressed monoallelically and in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. Proper parental allele-specific DNA methylation at imprinting control regions (ICRs) is necessary for appropriate imprinting. Processes that deregulate DNA methylation of imprinted loci cause disease in humans. DNA methylation patterns dramatically change during mammalian development: first, the majority of the genome, with the exception of ICRs, is demethylated after fertilization, and subsequently undergoes genome-wide de novo DNA methylation. Secondly, after primordial germ cells are specified in the embryo, another wave of demethylation occurs, with ICR demethylation occurring late in the process. Lastly, ICRs reacquire DNA methylation imprints in developing germ cells. We describe the past discoveries and current literature defining these crucial dynamics in relation to imprinted genes and the rest of the genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M SanMiguel
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Epigenetics Institute, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Wanowska E, Kubiak MR, Rosikiewicz W, Makałowska I, Szcześniak MW. Natural antisense transcripts in diseases: From modes of action to targeted therapies. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2018; 9:e1461. [PMID: 29341438 PMCID: PMC5838512 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Antisense transcription is a widespread phenomenon in mammalian genomes, leading to production of RNAs molecules referred to as natural antisense transcripts (NATs). NATs apply diverse transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms to carry out a wide variety of biological roles that are important for the normal functioning of living cells, but their dysfunctions can be associated with human diseases. In this review, we attempt to provide a molecular basis for the involvement of NATs in the etiology of human disorders such as cancers and neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss the pros and cons of oligonucleotide-based therapies targeted against NATs, and we comment on state-of-the-art progress in this promising area of clinical research. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1461. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1461 This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Small Molecule-RNA Interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Wanowska
- Institute of Antropology, Laboratory of Integrative GenomicsAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
| | - Magdalena Regina Kubiak
- Institute of Antropology, Laboratory of Integrative GenomicsAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
| | - Wojciech Rosikiewicz
- Institute of Antropology, Laboratory of Integrative GenomicsAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
| | - Izabela Makałowska
- Institute of Antropology, Laboratory of Integrative GenomicsAdam Mickiewicz UniversityPoznanPoland
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10
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Park KS, Mitra A, Rahat B, Kim K, Pfeifer K. Loss of imprinting mutations define both distinct and overlapping roles for misexpression of IGF2 and of H19 lncRNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 45:12766-12779. [PMID: 29244185 PMCID: PMC5727439 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes occur in discrete clusters that are coordinately regulated by shared DNA elements called Imprinting Control Regions. H19 and Igf2 are linked imprinted genes that play critical roles in development. Loss of imprinting (LOI) at the IGF2/H19 locus on the maternal chromosome is associated with the developmental disorder Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS) and with several cancers. Here we use comprehensive genetic and genomic analyses to follow muscle development in a mouse model of BWS to dissect the separate and shared roles for misexpression of Igf2 and H19 in the disease phenotype. We show that LOI results in defects in muscle differentiation and hypertrophy and identify primary downstream targets: Igf2 overexpression results in over-activation of MAPK signaling while loss of H19 lncRNA prevents normal down regulation of p53 activity and therefore results in reduced AKT/mTOR signaling. Moreover, we demonstrate instances where H19 and Igf2 misexpression work separately, cooperatively, and antagonistically to establish the developmental phenotype. This study thus identifies new biochemical roles for the H19 lncRNA and underscores that LOI phenotypes are multigenic so that complex interactions will contribute to disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Sun Park
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Apratim Mitra
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Beenish Rahat
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Keekwang Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Republic of Korea
| | - Karl Pfeifer
- Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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11
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Van de Pette M, Abbas A, Feytout A, McNamara G, Bruno L, To WK, Dimond A, Sardini A, Webster Z, McGinty J, Paul EJ, Ungless MA, French PMW, Withers DJ, Uren A, Ferguson-Smith AC, Merkenschlager M, John RM, Fisher AG. Visualizing Changes in Cdkn1c Expression Links Early-Life Adversity to Imprint Mis-regulation in Adults. Cell Rep 2017; 18:1090-1099. [PMID: 28147266 PMCID: PMC5300902 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are regulated according to parental origin and can influence embryonic growth and metabolism and confer disease susceptibility. Here, we designed sensitive allele-specific reporters to non-invasively monitor imprinted Cdkn1c expression in mice and showed that expression was modulated by environmental factors encountered in utero. Acute exposure to chromatin-modifying drugs resulted in de-repression of paternally inherited (silent) Cdkn1c alleles in embryos that was temporary and resolved after birth. In contrast, deprivation of maternal dietary protein in utero provoked permanent de-repression of imprinted Cdkn1c expression that was sustained into adulthood and occurred through a folate-dependent mechanism of DNA methylation loss. Given the function of imprinted genes in regulating behavior and metabolic processes in adults, these results establish imprinting deregulation as a credible mechanism linking early-life adversity to later-life outcomes. Furthermore, Cdkn1c-luciferase mice offer non-invasive tools to identify factors that disrupt epigenetic processes and strategies to limit their long-term impact. Allele-specific expression of imprinted Cdkn1c imaged in vivo using bioluminescence Chromatin-modifying drugs applied in utero transiently de-repress Cdkn1c imprinting In utero exposure to low-protein diet permanently disrupts the Cdkn1c imprint Folate supplements during gestation protect against loss of Cdkn1c imprinting
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Van de Pette
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Allifia Abbas
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amelie Feytout
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Gráinne McNamara
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ludovica Bruno
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wilson K To
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Zoe Webster
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - James McGinty
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eleanor J Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paul M W French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anthony Uren
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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12
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McNamara GI, Davis BA, Dwyer DM, John RM, Isles AR. Behavioural abnormalities in a novel mouse model for Silver Russell Syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2017; 25:5407-5417. [PMID: 27798108 PMCID: PMC5418837 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Silver Russell Syndrome (SRS) syndrome is an imprinting disorder involving low birth weight with complex genetics and diagnostics. Some rare SRS patients carry maternally inherited microduplications spanning the imprinted genes CDKN1C, PHLDA2, SLC22A18 and KCNQ1, suggesting that overexpression of one of more of these genes contributes to the SRS phenotype. While this molecular alteration is very rare, feeding difficulties are a very common feature of this condition. Given that SRS children also have very low body mass index, understanding the underpinning biology of the eating disorder is important, as well as potential co-occurring behavioural alterations. Here, we report that a mouse model of this microduplication exhibits a number of behavioural deficits. The mice had a blunted perception of the palatability of a given foodstuff. This perception may underpin the fussiness with food. We additionally report hypoactivity, unrelated to anxiety or motoric function, and a deficit in the appropriate integration of incoming sensory information. Importantly, using a second genetic model, we were able to attribute all altered behaviours to elevated expression of a single gene, Cdkn1c. This is the first report linking elevated Cdkn1c to altered behaviour in mice. Importantly, the findings from our study may have relevance for SRS and highlight a potentially underreported aspect of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grainne Iseult McNamara
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Brittany Ann Davis
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | - Anthony Roger Isles
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Hui P, Buza N, Murphy KM, Ronnett BM. Hydatidiform Moles: Genetic Basis and Precision Diagnosis. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2017; 12:449-485. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-052016-100237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pei Hui
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510;
| | - Natalia Buza
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510;
| | | | - Brigitte M. Ronnett
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland 21231
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14
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López-Abad M, Iglesias-Platas I, Monk D. Epigenetic Characterization of CDKN1C in Placenta Samples from Non-syndromic Intrauterine Growth Restriction. Front Genet 2016; 7:62. [PMID: 27200075 PMCID: PMC4844605 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2016.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C) gene is expressed from the maternal allele and is located within the centromeric imprinted domain at chromosome 11p15. It is a negative regulator of proliferation, with loss-of-function mutations associated with the overgrowth disorder Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. Recently, gain-of-function mutations within the PCNA domain have been described in two disorders characterized by growth failure, namely IMAGe (intra-uterine growth restriction, metaphyseal dysplasia, adrenal hypoplasia congenita and genital abnormalities) syndrome and Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS). Over-expression of CDKN1C by maternally inherited microduplications also results in SRS, suggesting that in addition to activating mutations this gene may regulate growth by changes in dosage. To determine if CDKN1C is involved in non-syndromic IUGR we compared the expression and DNA methylation levels in a large cohort of placental biopsies from IUGR and uneventful pregnancies. We observe higher levels of expression of CDKN1C in IUGR placentas compared to those of controls. All placenta biopsies heterozygous for the PAPA repeat sequence in exon 2 showed appropriate monoallelic expression and no mutations in the PCNA domain were observed. The expression profile was independent of both genetic or methylation variation in the minimal CDKN1C promoter interval and of methylation of the cis-acting maternally methylated region associated with the neighboring KCNQ1OT1 non-coding RNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed binding sites for CTCF within the unmethylated CDKN1C gene body CpG island and putative enhancer regions, associated with the canonical enhancer histone signature, H3K4me1 and H3K27ac, located ∼58 and 360 kb away. Using 3C-PCR we identify constitutive higher-order chromatin loops that occur between one of these putative enhancer regions and CDKN1C in human placenta tissues, which we propose facilitates expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam López-Abad
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sant Joan de Déu, Centro de Medicina Maternofetal y Neonatal Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu y Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Iglesias-Platas
- Servicio de Neonatología, Sant Joan de Déu, Centro de Medicina Maternofetal y Neonatal Barcelona, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu y Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Monk
- Imprinting and Cancer group, Cancer Epigenetic and Biology Program, Institut d'Investigació Biomedica de Bellvitge Barcelona, Spain
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15
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Zhang E, Li W, Yin D, De W, Zhu L, Sun S, Han L. c-Myc-regulated long non-coding RNA H19 indicates a poor prognosis and affects cell proliferation in non-small-cell lung cancer. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:4007-15. [PMID: 26482621 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-4185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in human cancer biology. The purpose of this study was to assess the biological role of lncRNA H19 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of H19 in tumor tissues and corresponding non-tumor NSCLC tissues from 70 patients. The higher expression of H19 was positively correlated with advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and tumor size. Multivariate analyses found that H19 expression could serve as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival of NSCLC. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that H19 was a direct transcriptional target of c-Myc. And, knockdown of H19 significantly inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that H19 is involved in the oncogenesis of NSCLC, and H19 may be a potential diagnostic and target for new therapies in patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erbao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Yin
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei De
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangjun Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Cancer Hospital, Cancer Institute of Jiangsu Province, Baiziting 42, Nanjing, 210009, China.
| | - Sanyuan Sun
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Xuzhou Hospital, College of Medicine, Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Oncology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Affiliated Xuzhou Hospital, College of Medicine, Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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16
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Paternal allelic mutation at the Kcnq1 locus reduces pancreatic β-cell mass by epigenetic modification of Cdkn1c. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:8332-7. [PMID: 26100882 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1422104112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors are important determinants of the onset and progression of diabetes mellitus. Numerous susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes, including potassium voltage-gated channel, KQT-like subfamily Q, member1 (KCNQ1), have been identified in humans by genome-wide analyses and other studies. Experiments with genetically modified mice have also implicated various genes in the pathogenesis of diabetes. However, the possible effects of the parent of origin for diabetes susceptibility alleles on disease onset have remained unclear. Here, we show that a mutation at the Kcnq1 locus reduces pancreatic β-cell mass in mice by epigenetic modulation only when it is inherited from the father. The noncoding RNA KCNQ1 overlapping transcript1 (Kcnq1ot1) is expressed from the Kcnq1 locus and regulates the expression of neighboring genes on the paternal allele. We found that disruption of Kcnq1 results in reduced Kcnq1ot1 expression as well as the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (Cdkn1c), an imprinted gene that encodes a cell cycle inhibitor, only when the mutation is on the paternal allele. Furthermore, histone modification at the Cdkn1c promoter region in pancreatic islets was found to contribute to this phenomenon. Our observations suggest that the Kcnq1 genomic region directly regulates pancreatic β-cell mass and that genomic imprinting may be a determinant of the onset of diabetes mellitus.
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17
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Cheong CY, Chng K, Ng S, Chew SB, Chan L, Ferguson-Smith AC. Germline and somatic imprinting in the nonhuman primate highlights species differences in oocyte methylation. Genome Res 2015; 25:611-23. [PMID: 25862382 PMCID: PMC4417110 DOI: 10.1101/gr.183301.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism resulting in parental allele-specific gene expression. Defects in normal imprinting are found in cancer, assisted reproductive technologies, and several human syndromes. In mouse models, germline-derived DNA methylation is shown to regulate imprinting. Though imprinting is largely conserved between mammals, species- and tissue-specific domains of imprinted expression exist. Using the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) to assess primate-specific imprinting, we present a comprehensive view of tissue-specific imprinted expression and DNA methylation at established imprinted gene clusters. For example, like mouse and unlike human, macaque IGF2R is consistently imprinted, and the PLAGL1, INPP5F transcript variant 2, and PEG3 imprinting control regions are not methylated in the macaque germline but acquire this post-fertilization. Methylome data from human early embryos appear to support this finding. These suggest fundamental differences in imprinting control mechanisms between primate species and rodents at some imprinted domains, with implications for our understanding of the epigenetic programming process in humans and its influence on disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Y Cheong
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Keefe Chng
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Shilen Ng
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Siew Boom Chew
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Louiza Chan
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
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18
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Female tract cytokines and developmental programming in embryos. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 843:173-213. [PMID: 25956299 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2480-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the physiological situation, cytokines are pivotal mediators of communication between the maternal tract and the embryo. Compelling evidence shows that cytokines emanating from the oviduct and uterus confer a sophisticated mechanism for 'fine-tuning' of embryo development, influencing a range of cellular events from cell survival and metabolism, through division and differentiation, and potentially exerting long-term impact through epigenetic remodelling. The balance between survival agents, including GM-CSF, CSF1, LIF, HB-EGF and IGFII, against apoptosis-inducing factors such as TNFα, TRAIL and IFNg, influence the course of preimplantation development, causing embryos to develop normally, adapt to varying maternal environments, or in some cases to arrest and undergo demise. Maternal cytokine-mediated pathways help mediate the biological effects of embryo programming, embryo plasticity and adaptation, and maternal tract quality control. Thus maternal cytokines exert influence not only on fertility and pregnancy progression but on the developmental trajectory and health of offspring. Defining a clear understanding of the biology of cytokine networks influencing the embryo is essential to support optimal outcomes in natural and assisted conception.
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19
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Battistelli C, Busanello A, Maione R. Functional interplay between MyoD and CTCF in regulating long-range chromatin interactions during differentiation. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:3757-67. [PMID: 25002401 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.149427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Higher-order chromatin structures appear to be dynamically arranged during development and differentiation. However, the molecular mechanism underlying their maintenance or disruption and their functional relevance to gene regulation are poorly understood. We recently described a dynamic long-range chromatin interaction between the gene promoter of the cdk inhibitor p57(kip2) (also known as Cdkn1c) and the imprinting control region KvDMR1 in muscle cells. Here, we show that CTCF, the best characterized organizer of long-range chromatin interactions, binds to both the p57(kip2) promoter and KvDMR1 and is necessary for the maintenance of their physical contact. Moreover, we show that CTCF-mediated looping is required to prevent p57(kip2) expression before differentiation. Finally, we provide evidence that the induction of p57(kip2) during myogenesis involves the physical interaction of the muscle-regulatory factor MyoD with CTCF at KvDMR1, the displacement of the cohesin complex subunit Rad21 and the destabilization of the chromatin loop. The finding that MyoD affects chromatin looping at CTCF-binding sites represents the first evidence that a differentiation factor regulates chromatin-loop dynamics and provides a useful paradigm for gaining insights into the developmental regulation of long-range chromatin contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Battistelli
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Busanello
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Maione
- Pasteur Institute-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Haematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy
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20
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Zhang EB, Han L, Yin DD, Kong R, De W, Chen J. c-Myc-induced, long, noncoding H19 affects cell proliferation and predicts a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. Med Oncol 2014; 31:914. [PMID: 24671855 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0914-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequent cancers worldwide. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in multiple biological processes, including oncogenesis. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential role of lncRNA H19 in GC. qRT-PCR was performed to investigate the expression of H19 in tumor tissues and corresponding non-tumor lung tissues from 80 patients with GC and in GC cell lines. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to evaluate the association between H19 expression and overall survival time (OS). The biological significance of H19 was evaluated using siRNAs in vitro. We also constructed a c-Myc plasmid to investigate the cause of the altered expression of H19 in the progression of GC. The results show that lncRNA H19 is overexpressed in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. An advanced tumor-node-metastasis stage was positively correlated with increased H19 expression (P < 0.001), and a high H19 expression was associated with poor OS and can be regarded as an independent predictor of the OS of GC patients (P = 0.042). MTT and colony formation assays confirmed that H19 expression affects GC cell proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, exogenous c-Myc significantly induces H19 expression, and the expression of H19 was positively correlated with the c-Myc levels in the 80 samples used in our study (Pearson correlation coefficient = -0.687). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the altered expression of lncRNA H19, which is induced by c-Myc, is involved in the development and progression of GC by regulating cell proliferation and shows that H19 may be a potential diagnostic and prognostic target in patients with GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Er-Bao Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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21
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Weaver JR, Bartolomei MS. Chromatin regulators of genomic imprinting. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2013; 1839:169-77. [PMID: 24345612 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon in which genes are expressed monoallelically in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. Each chromosome is imprinted with its parental identity. Here we will discuss the nature of this imprinting mark. DNA methylation has a well-established central role in imprinting, and the details of DNA methylation dynamics and the mechanisms that target it to imprinted loci are areas of active investigation. However, there is increasing evidence that DNA methylation is not solely responsible for imprinted expression. At the same time, there is growing appreciation for the contributions of post-translational histone modifications to the regulation of imprinting. The integration of our understanding of these two mechanisms is an important goal for the future of the imprinting field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Chromatin and epigenetic regulation of animal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie R Weaver
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 9-123 Smilow Center for Translational Research, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 9-123 Smilow Center for Translational Research, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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22
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Abstract
Mounting evidence has recently underscored the importance of DNA methylation in normal brain functions. DNA methylation machineries are responsible for dynamic regulation of methylation patterns in discrete brain regions. In addition to methylation of cytosines in genomic DNA (5-methylcytosine; 5mC), other forms of modified cytosines, such as 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine, can potentially act as epigenetic marks that regulate gene expression. Importantly, epigenetic modifications require cognate binding proteins to read and translate information into gene expression regulation. Abnormal or incorrect interpretation of DNA methylation patterns can cause devastating consequences, including mental illnesses and neurological disorders. Although DNA methylation was generally considered to be a stable epigenetic mark in post-mitotic cells, recent studies have revealed dynamic DNA modifications in neurons. Such reversibility of 5mC sheds light on potential mechanisms underlying some neurological disorders and suggests a new route to correct aberrant methylation patterns associated with these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lan Weng
- />Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- />Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Ran An
- />Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- />Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Jaehoon Shin
- />Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- />Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- />Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- />Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
- />Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- />The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Guo-li Ming
- />Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
- />Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
- />Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- />The Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
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23
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Effects of DNMT1 and HDAC inhibitors on gene-specific methylation reprogramming during porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64705. [PMID: 23741375 PMCID: PMC3669391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in mammalian cloning currently remains inefficient. Incomplete or erroneous epigenetic reprogramming of specialized donor somatic nuclear and resulting aberrant gene expression during development of cloned embryos is commonly believed as the main reason that causes the low efficiency of SCNT. Use of small molecular reprogramming modifiers to assist the somatic nucleus to mimic naturally occurring DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling in nucleus of fertilization-derived zygotes, has been widely attempted to improve cloning efficiency. However, impacts of these small modifiers on gene-specific methylation dynamics and their potential effects on methylation of imprinted gene have rarely been traced. Here, we attempted two relatively novel DNMT1 inhibitor (DNMTi) and histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), scriptaid and RG108, and demonstrated their effects on dynamics of gene-specific DNA methylation and transcription of porcine SCNT embryos. We found that scriptaid and RG108 had synergetic effects on rescuing the disrupted methylation imprint of H19 during SCNT at least partially by repression over-expressed MBD3 in eight-cell cloned embryos. Furthermore, we firstly identified a differential methylation regions (DMRs) at 5′ flanking regions of XIST gene and found that scriptaid alone and its combination with RG108 modify the dynamics of both transcription and DNA methylation levels in cloned embryos, by different manners. Additionally, we found that scriptaid alone and its combination with RG108 can significantly promote the transcription of NANOG in cloned embryos and enhance their pre-implantation developmental capacity. Our results would contribute to uncovering the epigenetic reprogramming mechanisms underlying the effects of assisted small molecules on improvement of mammalian cloning efficiency.
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24
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Tunster SJ, Jensen AB, John RM. Imprinted genes in mouse placental development and the regulation of fetal energy stores. Reproduction 2013; 145:R117-37. [PMID: 23445556 DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Imprinted genes, which are preferentially expressed from one or other parental chromosome as a consequence of epigenetic events in the germline, are known to functionally converge on biological processes that enable in utero development in mammals. Over 100 imprinted genes have been identified in the mouse, the majority of which are both expressed and imprinted in the placenta. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the current knowledge regarding imprinted gene function in the mouse placenta. Few imprinted genes have been assessed with respect to their dosage-related action in the placenta. Nonetheless, current data indicate that imprinted genes converge on two key functions of the placenta, nutrient transport and placental signalling. Murine studies may provide a greater understanding of certain human pathologies, including low birth weight and the programming of metabolic diseases in the adult, and complications of pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, resulting from fetuses carrying abnormal imprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3AX, UK
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25
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Seo S, Grzenda A, Lomberk G, Ou XM, Cruciani RA, Urrutia R. Epigenetics: a promising paradigm for better understanding and managing pain. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2013; 14:549-57. [PMID: 23602266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2013.01.772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a rapidly growing area of research. Considering the longevity and plasticity of neurons, the studies on epigenetic pathways in the nervous system should be of special interest for both epigeneticists and neuroscientists. Activation or inactivation of different epigenetic pathways becomes more pronounced when the cells experience rapid changes in their environment, and such changes can be easily caused by injury and inflammation, resulting in pain perception or distortion of pain perception (eg, hyperalgesia). Therefore, in this regard, the field of pain is at an advantage to study the epigenetic pathways. More importantly, understanding pain from an epigenetics point of view would provide a new paradigm for developing drugs or strategies for pain management. In this review, we introduce basic concepts of epigenetics, including chromatin dynamics, histone modifications, DNA methylation, and RNA-induced gene silencing. In addition, we provide evidence from published studies suggesting wide implication of different epigenetic pathways within pain pathways. PERSPECTIVE This article provides a brief overview of epigenetic pathways for gene regulation and highlights their involvement in pain. Our goal is to expose the readers to these concepts so that pain-related phenotypes can be investigated from the epigenetic point of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungmae Seo
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Chromatin Dynamics, Translational Epigenomic Program, Center for Individualized Medicine, GIH Division, Department of Medicine, Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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26
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Jacob KJ, Robinson WP, Lefebvre L. Beckwith-Wiedemann and Silver-Russell syndromes: opposite developmental imbalances in imprinted regulators of placental function and embryonic growth. Clin Genet 2013; 84:326-34. [PMID: 23495910 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) and Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) are two congenital disorders with opposite outcomes on fetal growth, overgrowth and growth restriction, respectively. Although both disorders are heterogeneous, most cases of BWS and SRS are associated with opposite epigenetic or genetic abnormalities on 11p15.5 leading to opposite imbalances in the expression levels of imprinted genes. In this article, we review evidence implicating these genes in the developmental regulation of embryonic growth and placental function in mouse models. The emerging picture suggests that both SRS and BWS can be caused by the simultaneous and opposite deregulation of two groups of imprinted genes on 11p15.5. A detailed description of the phenotypic abnormalities associated with each syndrome must take into consideration the developmental functions of each gene involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Jacob
- Department of Medical Genetics; Life Sciences Institute, Molecular Epigenetics Group, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Moore LD, Le T, Fan G. DNA methylation and its basic function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2013; 38:23-38. [PMID: 22781841 PMCID: PMC3521964 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2012.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2364] [Impact Index Per Article: 214.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 05/07/2012] [Accepted: 05/08/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian genome, DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism involving the transfer of a methyl group onto the C5 position of the cytosine to form 5-methylcytosine. DNA methylation regulates gene expression by recruiting proteins involved in gene repression or by inhibiting the binding of transcription factor(s) to DNA. During development, the pattern of DNA methylation in the genome changes as a result of a dynamic process involving both de novo DNA methylation and demethylation. As a consequence, differentiated cells develop a stable and unique DNA methylation pattern that regulates tissue-specific gene transcription. In this chapter, we will review the process of DNA methylation and demethylation in the nervous system. We will describe the DNA (de)methylation machinery and its association with other epigenetic mechanisms such as histone modifications and noncoding RNAs. Intriguingly, postmitotic neurons still express DNA methyltransferases and components involved in DNA demethylation. Moreover, neuronal activity can modulate their pattern of DNA methylation in response to physiological and environmental stimuli. The precise regulation of DNA methylation is essential for normal cognitive function. Indeed, when DNA methylation is altered as a result of developmental mutations or environmental risk factors, such as drug exposure and neural injury, mental impairment is a common side effect. The investigation into DNA methylation continues to show a rich and complex picture about epigenetic gene regulation in the central nervous system and provides possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa D Moore
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience and Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thuc Le
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience and Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guoping Fan
- Interdepartmental Program in Neuroscience and Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Differentiation-driven nucleolar association of the mouse imprinted Kcnq1 locus. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2012; 2:1521-8. [PMID: 23275875 PMCID: PMC3516474 DOI: 10.1534/g3.112.004226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 09/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The organization of the genome within the mammalian nucleus is nonrandom, with physiologic processes often concentrated in specific three-dimensional domains. This organization may be functionally related to gene regulation and, as such, may play a role in normal development and human disease processes. However, the mechanisms that participate in nuclear organization are poorly understood. Here, we present data characterizing localization of the imprinted Kcnq1 alleles. We show that nucleolar association of the paternal allele (1) is stimulated during the differentiation of trophoblast stem cells, (ii) is dependent upon the Kcnq1ot1 noncoding RNA, (3) does not require polycomb repressive complex 2, and (4) is not sufficient to preclude transcription of imprinted genes. Although nucleolar positioning has been proposed as a mechanism to related to gene silencing, we find that silencing and perinucleolar localization through the Kcnq1ot1 noncoding RNA are separable events.
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Abstract
Asthma is a complex genetic disease, which arises from the interaction of multiple genes and environmental stimuli. These influences are important to asthma pathogenesis. These can be mechanically explained by the Epigenetic phenomenon, which consists of the chromatin and its modifications, as well as a covalent modification of cytosines residing at the dinucleotide sequence CG in DNA by methylation. This reaction is catalyzed by a family of DNA methyltransferase enzyme (DNMTs). DNMT1 is one of them which maintained the methylation status during replication and also critical for the development, differentiation and regulation of Th1 and Th2 cells. Therefore we studied the DNMT1 mRNA expression profiling as well as CpG methylation status in promoter region. For these studies we developed asthma mouse model, and used Flow cytometer, qRT(2)-PCR, Methylation specific PCR, bisulfate conversion and BiQ analyzer. We found that DNMT1 expression level was low in all the tissues (lung, trachea and BALF cells) of asthmatic in comparison to normal mice. This was due to the methylation of regulatory sites of DNMT1 promoter region at cytosine residue. As the incidence of asthma is increasing globally and in world, this study assumes greater significance in designing and developing therapeutic means.
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30
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Ptak GE, D'Agostino A, Toschi P, Fidanza A, Zacchini F, Czernik M, Monaco F, Loi P. Post-implantation mortality of in vitro produced embryos is associated with DNA methyltransferase 1 dysfunction in sheep placenta. Hum Reprod 2012; 28:298-305. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
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31
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Genomic imprinting absent in Drosophila melanogaster adult females. Cell Rep 2012; 2:69-75. [PMID: 22840398 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2012] [Revised: 04/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting occurs when expression of an allele differs based on the sex of the parent that transmitted the allele. In D. melanogaster, imprinting can occur, but its impact on allelic expression genome-wide is unclear. Here, we search for imprinted genes in D. melanogaster using RNA-seq to compare allele-specific expression between pools of 7- to 10-day-old adult female progeny from reciprocal crosses. We identified 119 genes with allelic expression consistent with imprinting, and these genes showed significant clustering within the genome. Surprisingly, additional analysis of several of these genes showed that either genomic heterogeneity or high levels of intrinsic noise caused imprinting-like allelic expression. Consequently, our data provide no convincing evidence of imprinting for D. melanogaster genes in their native genomic context. Elucidating sources of false-positive signals for imprinting in allele-specific RNA-seq data, as done here, is critical given the growing popularity of this method for identifying imprinted genes.
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32
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Busanello A, Battistelli C, Carbone M, Mostocotto C, Maione R. MyoD regulates p57kip2 expression by interacting with a distant cis-element and modifying a higher order chromatin structure. Nucleic Acids Res 2012; 40:8266-75. [PMID: 22740650 PMCID: PMC3458561 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gks619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The bHLH transcription factor MyoD, the prototypical master regulator of differentiation, directs a complex program of gene expression during skeletal myogenesis. The up-regulation of the cdk inhibitor p57kip2 plays a critical role in coordinating differentiation and growth arrest during muscle development, as well as in other tissues. p57kip2 displays a highly specific expression pattern and is subject to a complex epigenetic control driving the imprinting of the paternal allele. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing its expression during development are still poorly understood. We have identified an unexpected mechanism by which MyoD regulates p57kip2 transcription in differentiating muscle cells. We show that the induction of p57kip2 requires MyoD binding to a long-distance element located within the imprinting control region KvDMR1 and the consequent release of a chromatin loop involving p57kip2 promoter. We also show that differentiation-dependent regulation of p57kip2, while involving a region implicated in the imprinting process, is distinct and hierarchically subordinated to the imprinting control. These findings highlight a novel mechanism, involving the modification of higher order chromatin structures, by which MyoD regulates gene expression. Our results also suggest that chromatin folding mediated by KvDMR1 could account for the highly restricted expression of p57kip2 during development and, possibly, for its aberrant silencing in some pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Busanello
- Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Cellulari ed Ematologia, Sezione di Genetica Molecolare, Università di Roma La Sapienza, Viale Regina Elena 324, Roma 00161, Italy
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Mohammad F, Pandey GK, Mondal T, Enroth S, Redrup L, Gyllensten U, Kanduri C. Long noncoding RNA-mediated maintenance of DNA methylation and transcriptional gene silencing. Development 2012; 139:2792-803. [PMID: 22721776 DOI: 10.1242/dev.079566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Establishment of silencing by noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) via targeting of chromatin remodelers is relatively well investigated; however, their role in the maintenance of silencing is poorly understood. Here, we explored the functional role of the long ncRNA Kcnq1ot1 in the maintenance of transcriptional gene silencing in the one mega-base Kcnq1 imprinted domain in a transgenic mouse model. By conditionally deleting the Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA at different stages of mouse development, we suggest that Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA is required for the maintenance of the silencing of ubiquitously imprinted genes (UIGs) at all developmental stages. In addition, Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA is also involved in guiding and maintaining the CpG methylation at somatic differentially methylated regions flanking the UIGs, which is a hitherto unknown role for a long ncRNA. On the other hand, silencing of some of the placental-specific imprinted genes (PIGs) is maintained independently of Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA. Interestingly, the non-imprinted genes (NIGs) that escape RNA-mediated silencing are enriched with enhancer-specific modifications. Taken together, this study illustrates the gene-specific maintenance mechanisms operational at the Kcnq1 locus for tissue-specific transcriptional gene silencing and activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizaan Mohammad
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 20, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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34
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise P. Barlow
- CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria;
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35
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Golding MC, Magri LS, Zhang L, Lalone SA, Higgins MJ, Mann MRW. Depletion of Kcnq1ot1 non-coding RNA does not affect imprinting maintenance in stem cells. Development 2011; 138:3667-78. [PMID: 21775415 PMCID: PMC3152924 DOI: 10.1242/dev.057778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
To understand the complex regulation of genomic imprinting it is important to determine how early embryos establish imprinted gene expression across large chromosomal domains. Long non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been associated with the regulation of imprinting domains, yet their function remains undefined. Here, we investigated the mouse Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA and its role in imprinted gene regulation during preimplantation development by utilizing mouse embryonic and extra-embryonic stem cell models. Our findings demonstrate that the Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA extends 471 kb from the transcription start site. This is significant as it raises the possibility that transcription through downstream genes might play a role in their silencing, including Th, which we demonstrate possesses maternal-specific expression during early development. To distinguish between a functional role for the transcript and properties inherent to transcription of long ncRNAs, we employed RNA interference-based technology to deplete Kcnq1ot1 transcripts. We hypothesized that post-transcriptional depletion of Kcnq1ot1 ncRNA would lead to activation of normally maternal-specific protein-coding genes on the paternal chromosome. Post-transcriptional short hairpin RNA-mediated depletion in embryonic stem, trophoblast stem and extra-embryonic endoderm stem cells had no observable effect on the imprinted expression of genes within the domain, or on Kcnq1ot1 imprinting center DNA methylation, although a significant decrease in Kcnq1ot1 RNA signal volume in the nucleus was observed. These data support the argument that it is the act of transcription that plays a role in imprint maintenance during early development rather than a post-transcriptional role for the RNA itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C. Golding
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Lauren S. Magri
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Liyue Zhang
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Sarah A. Lalone
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
| | - Michael J. Higgins
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Mellissa R. W. Mann
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada
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36
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Nowak K, Stein G, Powell E, He LM, Naik S, Morris J, Marlow S, Davis TL. Establishment of paternal allele-specific DNA methylation at the imprinted mouse Gtl2 locus. Epigenetics 2011; 6:1012-20. [PMID: 21725202 DOI: 10.4161/epi.6.8.16075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The monoallelic expression of imprinted genes is controlled by epigenetic factors including DNA methylation and histone modifications. In mouse, the imprinted gene Gtl2 is associated with two differentially methylated regions: the IG-DMR, which serves as a gametic imprinting mark at which paternal allele-specific DNA methylation is inherited from sperm, and the Gtl2-DMR, which acquires DNA methylation on the paternal allele after fertilization. The timeframe during which DNA methylation is acquired at secondary DMRs during post-fertilization development and the relationship between secondary DMRs and imprinted expression have not been well established. In order to better understand the role of secondary DMRs in imprinting, we examined the methylation status of the Gtl2-DMR in pre- and post-implantation embryos. Paternal allele-specific DNA methylation of this region correlates with imprinted expression of Gtl2 during post-implantation development but is not required to implement imprinted expression during pre-implantation development, suggesting that this secondary DMR may play a role in maintaining imprinted expression. Furthermore, our developmental profile of DNA methylation patterns at the Cdkn1c- and Gtl2-DMRs illustrates that the temporal acquisition of DNA methylation at imprinted genes during post-fertilization development is not universally controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Nowak
- Department of Biology, Bryn Mawr College; Bryn Mawr, PA USA
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37
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Tunster SJ, Van de Pette M, John RM. Fetal overgrowth in the Cdkn1c mouse model of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Dis Model Mech 2011; 4:814-21. [PMID: 21729874 PMCID: PMC3209650 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.007328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the imprinted CDKN1C gene are associated with the childhood developmental disorder Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). Multiple mouse models with deficiency of Cdkn1c recapitulate some aspects of BWS but do not exhibit overgrowth of the newborn, a cardinal feature of patients with BWS. In this study, we found that Cdkn1c mutants attained a 20% increase in weight during gestation but experienced a rapid reversal of this positive growth trajectory very late in gestation. We observed a marked effect on placental development concurrently with this loss of growth potential, with the appearance of large thrombotic lesions in the labyrinth zone. The trilaminar trophoblast layer that separates the maternal blood sinusoids from fetal capillaries was disordered with a loss of sinusoidal giant cells, suggesting a role for Cdkn1c in maintaining the integrity of the maternal-fetal interface. Furthermore, the overgrowth of mutant pups decreased in the face of increasing intrauterine competition, identifying a role for Cdkn1c in the allocation of the maternal resources via the placenta. This work explains one difficulty in precisely replicating BWS in this animal model: the differences in reproductive strategies between the multiparous mouse, in which intrauterine competition is high, and humans, in which singleton pregnancies are more common.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Tunster
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
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38
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John RM, Lefebvre L. Developmental regulation of somatic imprints. Differentiation 2011; 81:270-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 01/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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39
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A bidirectional promoter architecture enhances lentiviral transgenesis in embryonic and extraembryonic stem cells. Gene Ther 2011; 18:817-26. [PMID: 21390068 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2011.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The two main challenges facing retroviral transgenesis are variable expression and epigenetic silencing. Although modern lentiviral vectors incorporate several elements to increase transgene expression and reduce position effect variegation and silencing, therapeutic research in stem cells, as well as production of transgenic animals, is still hampered by these two key problems. On the basis of recent studies demonstrating the chromatin insulating properties of divergent promoters, we sought to develop a bidirectional lentiviral vector with which to conduct RNA interference (RNAi)-based genetic screens in embryonic and extraembryonic stem cells. To this end, we designed and tested a series of synthetic bidirectional promoters, combining the mouse phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (Pgk1) promoter with other strong mammalian and viral promoters. Here, we demonstrate that a back-to-back configuration of the mouse Pgk1 and human eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 promoters provided a substantive increase in both transgene expression and RNAi-based transcript depletion as compared with previous designs and other promoter combinations. Using this vector, we were able to achieve stable and robust depletion of a transfected luciferase reporter, as well as an endogenous non-coding RNA. The described constructs are an improved transgene delivery system capable of conducting RNAi screens in stem cells at single copy.
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40
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Extra-embryonic-specific imprinted expression is restricted to defined lineages in the post-implantation embryo. Dev Biol 2011; 353:420-31. [PMID: 21354127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2011.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A subset of imprinted genes in the mouse have been reported to show imprinted expression that is restricted to the placenta, a short-lived extra-embryonic organ. Notably, these so-called "placental-specific" imprinted genes are expressed from both parental alleles in embryo and adult tissues. The placenta is an embryonic-derived organ that is closely associated with maternal tissue, and as a consequence, maternal contamination can be mistaken for maternal-specific imprinted expression. The complexity of the placenta, which arises from multiple embryonic lineages, poses additional problems in accurately assessing allele-specific repressive epigenetic modifications in genes that also show lineage-specific silencing in this organ. These problems require that extra evidence be obtained to support the imprinted status of genes whose imprinted expression is restricted to the placenta. We show here that the extra-embryonic visceral yolk sac (VYS), a nutritive membrane surrounding the developing embryo, shows a similar "extra-embryonic-lineage-specific" pattern of imprinted expression. We present an improved enzymatic technique for separating the bilaminar VYS and show that this pattern of imprinted expression is restricted to the endoderm layer. Finally, we show that VYS "extra-embryonic-lineage-specific" imprinted expression is regulated by DNA methylation in a similar manner as shown for genes showing multi-lineage imprinted expression in extra-embryonic, embryonic, and adult tissues. These results show that the VYS is an improved model for studying the epigenetic mechanisms regulating extra-embryonic-lineage-specific imprinted expression.
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41
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Kcnq1ot1: a chromatin regulatory RNA. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2011; 22:343-50. [PMID: 21345374 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2011.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Revised: 02/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing interest for noncoding RNA (ncRNA)-mediated epigenetic regulation of transcription in diverse biological functions. Recent evidence suggests that a subset of long ncRNA epigenetically regulate the transcription of multiple genes in chromosomal domains via interaction with chromatin. Kcnq1ot1 is one such long chromatin-interacting ncRNA that silences multiple genes in the Kcnq1 domain by establishing a repressive higher order chromatin structure. This is done by the recruitment of chromatin and DNA-modifying proteins. This review looks at recent evidence supporting the notion that Kcnq1ot1-mediated silencing is a multilayered pathway. Comparing the mode of action of Kcnq1ot1 with other well-investigated chromatin regulatory long ncRNAs, such as Xist, HOTAIR and Airn, revealed that chromatin regulatory ncRNAs share common epigenetic pathways in the silencing of multiple genes.
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42
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Chromosome-wide analysis of parental allele-specific chromatin and DNA methylation. Mol Cell Biol 2011; 31:1757-70. [PMID: 21321082 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00961-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To reveal the extent of domain-wide epigenetic features at imprinted gene clusters, we performed a high-resolution allele-specific chromatin analysis of over 100 megabases along the maternally or paternally duplicated distal chromosome 7 (Chr7) and Chr15 in mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). We found that reciprocal allele-specific features are limited to imprinted genes and their differentially methylated regions (DMRs), whereas broad local enrichment of H3K27me3 (BLOC) is a domain-wide feature at imprinted clusters. We uncovered novel allele-specific features of BLOCs. A maternally biased BLOC was found along the H19-Igf2 domain. A paternal allele-specific gap was found along Kcnq1ot1, interrupting a biallelic BLOC in the Kcnq1-Cdkn1c domain. We report novel allele-specific chromatin marks at the Peg13 and Slc38a4 DMRs, Cdkn1c upstream region, and Inpp5f_v2 DMR and paternal allele-specific CTCF binding at the Peg13 DMR. Additionally, we derived an imprinted gene predictor algorithm based on our allele-specific chromatin mapping data. The binary predictor H3K9ac and CTCF or H3K4me3 in one allele and H3K9me3 in the reciprocal allele, using a sliding-window approach, recognized with precision the parental allele specificity of known imprinted genes, H19, Igf2, Igf2as, Cdkn1c, Kcnq1ot1, and Inpp5f_v2 on Chr7 and Peg13 and Slc38a4 on Chr15. Chromatin features, therefore, can unequivocally identify genes with imprinted expression.
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43
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Koukoura O, Sifakis S, Zaravinos A, Apostolidou S, Jones A, Hajiioannou J, Widschwendter M, Spandidos DA. Hypomethylation along with increased H19 expression in placentas from pregnancies complicated with fetal growth restriction. Placenta 2010; 32:51-7. [PMID: 21129773 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2010] [Revised: 10/12/2010] [Accepted: 10/12/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The expression of imprinted genes is regulated by epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation. Many imprinted genes are expressed in the placenta and affect nutrient transfer capacity of the placental exchange barrier. The H19 gene is abundantly expressed by the human placenta and is implicated in the pathogenesis of congenital growth disorders such as Beckwith-Wiedemann (BWS) and Silver-Russell (SRS) syndromes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of DNA methylation on H19 transcription and imprinting, in the pathophysiology of fetal growth restriction (FGR). Thirty one and 17 placentas from FGR-complicated and normal pregnancies were collected, respectively. We studied gene transcription, genotyping and methylation analysis of the AluI H19 on exon 5 polymorphism. Placental expression levels of H19 were significantly increased in the FGR group. The H19 mRNA levels were similar between normal placental samples that demonstrated loss and maintenance of imprinting. Placentas from growth-restricted pregnancies had lower methylation levels compared to normals, in the H19 promoter region. We have demonstrated an increased H19 transcription in the FGR group of placentas. The hypomethylation of the H19 promoters is compatible with the aberrant expression. The association of these two findings is reported for the first time in placental tissues, however, its significance remains unknown. Whether the results of this study represent an adaptation of the placenta to hypoperfusion, or they are part of FGR pathophysiology has to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Koukoura
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete Greece
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44
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Wei Y, Zhu J, Huan Y, Liu Z, Yang C, Zhang X, Mu Y, Xia P, Liu Z. Aberrant expression and methylation status of putatively imprinted genes in placenta of cloned piglets. Cell Reprogram 2010; 12:213-22. [PMID: 20677935 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2009.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike embryos derived from fertilization, most cloned embryos die during postimplantation development, and those that survive to term are frequently defective. Many of the observed defects involve placenta. Abnormal placentation has been described in several cloned species. Imprinted genes are important regulators of placenta growth, and may be subjected to faulty reprogramming during somatic cell nuclear transfer. We aimed to determine the expression levels and methylation patterns of imprinted genes in placentas of live cloned piglets and dead ones. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression of all four imprinted genes (IGF2, H19, PEG3, and GRB10) was significantly reduced in placentas of dead clones compared with placentas of live cloned piglets and controls (p < 0.05). In contrast, both live and dead cloned piglets exhibited steady-state mRNA levels for these genes within the control range (p > 0.05). Transcript levels for these genes in live clones rarely differed from those of controls in both piglets and placentas. Examination of the methylation status of DMR2 of IGF2 and CTCF3 of H19 genes revealed that both genes exhibited significant high methylation levels in placentas of dead clones compared with placentas of live clones and controls. In contrast, both genes showed a normal differential methylation pattern in live cloned piglets and their placentas compared with controls. Importantly, dead cloned piglets also showed a normal pattern. Our results suggest that abnormal expression of imprinted genes in placenta may contribute to the development failure in pig somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), which may be caused by abnormal methylation patterns in differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of imprinted genes as a result of incomplete reprogramming during SCNT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchang Wei
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University , Harbin, People's Republic of China
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45
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Eversley CD, Clark T, Xie Y, Steigerwalt J, Bell TA, de Villena FPM, Threadgill DW. Genetic mapping and developmental timing of transmission ratio distortion in a mouse interspecific backcross. BMC Genet 2010; 11:98. [PMID: 21044349 PMCID: PMC2992037 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2156-11-98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transmission ratio distortion (TRD), defined as statistically significant deviation from expected 1:1 Mendelian ratios of allele inheritance, results in a reduction of the expected progeny of a given genotype. Since TRD is a common occurrence within interspecific crosses, a mouse interspecific backcross was used to genetically map regions showing TRD, and a developmental analysis was performed to identify the timing of allele loss. RESULTS Three independent events of statistically significant deviation from the expected 50:50 Mendelian inheritance ratios were observed in an interspecific backcross between the Mus musculus A/J and the Mus spretus SPRET/EiJ inbred strains. At weaning M. musculus alleles are preferentially inherited on Chromosome (Chr) 7, while M. spretus alleles are preferentially inherited on Chrs 10 and 11. Furthermore, alleles on Chr 3 modify the TRD on Chr 11. All TRD loci detected at weaning were present in Mendelian ratios at mid-gestation and at birth. CONCLUSIONS Given that Mendelian ratios of inheritance are observed for Chr 7, 10 and 11 during development and at birth, the underlying causes for the interspecific TRD events are the differential post-natal survival of pups with specific genotypes. These results are consistent with the TRD mechanism being deviation from Mendelian inheritance rather than meiotic drive or segregation distortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chevonne D Eversley
- Department of Genetics, Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Carolina Center for Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Sakaue M, Ohta H, Kumaki Y, Oda M, Sakaide Y, Matsuoka C, Yamagiwa A, Niwa H, Wakayama T, Okano M. DNA methylation is dispensable for the growth and survival of the extraembryonic lineages. Curr Biol 2010; 20:1452-7. [PMID: 20637626 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2010] [Revised: 06/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation regulates development and many epigenetic processes in mammals, and it is required for somatic cell growth and survival. In contrast, embryonic stem (ES) cells can self-renew without DNA methylation. It remains unclear whether any lineage-committed cells can survive without DNA-methylation machineries. Unlike in somatic cells, DNA methylation is dispensable for imprinting and X-inactivation in the extraembryonic lineages. In ES cells, DNA methylation prevents differentiation into the trophectodermal fate. Here, we created triple-knockout (TKO) mouse embryos deficient for the active DNA methyltransferases Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b (TKO) by nuclear transfer (NT), and we examined their development. In chimeric TKO-NT and WT embryos, few TKO cells were found in the embryo proper, but they contributed to extraembryonic tissues. TKO ES cells showed increasing cell death during their differentiation into epiblast lineages, but not during differentiation into extraembryonic lineages. Furthermore, we successfully established trophoblastic stem cells (ntTS cells) from TKO-NT blastocysts. These TKO ntTS cells could self-renew, and they retained the fundamental gene expression patterns of stem cells. Our findings indicated that extraembryonic-lineage cells can survive and proliferate in the absence of DNA methyltransferases and that a cell's response to the stress of epigenomic damage is cell type dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morito Sakaue
- Laboratory for Mammalian Epigenetic Studies, Center for Developmental Biology, RIKEN, 2-2-3, Minatojima-minamimachi, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0047, Japan
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Weaver JR, Sarkisian G, Krapp C, Mager J, Mann MRW, Bartolomei MS. Domain-specific response of imprinted genes to reduced DNMT1. Mol Cell Biol 2010; 30:3916-28. [PMID: 20547750 PMCID: PMC2916450 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01278-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 10/21/2009] [Accepted: 06/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are expressed in a monoallelic, parent-of-origin-specific manner. Clusters of imprinted genes are regulated by imprinting control regions (ICRs) characterized by DNA methylation of one allele. This methylation is critical for imprinting; a reduction in the DNA methyltransferase DNMT1 causes a widespread loss of imprinting. To better understand the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of imprinting, we characterized the effects of Dnmt1 mutations on the expression of a panel of imprinted genes in the embryo and placenta. We found striking differences among imprinted domains. The Igf2 and Peg3 domains showed imprinting perturbations with both null and partial loss-of-function mutations, and both domains had pairs of coordinately regulated genes with opposite responses to loss of DNMT1 function, suggesting these domains employ similar regulatory mechanisms. Genes in the Kcnq1 domain were less sensitive to the absence of DNMT1. Cdkn1c exhibited imprinting perturbations only in null mutants, while Kcnq1 and Ascl2 were largely unaffected by a loss of DNMT1 function. These results emphasize the critical role for DNA methylation in imprinting and reveal the different ways it controls gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie R. Weaver
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Garnik Sarkisian
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Christopher Krapp
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Jesse Mager
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Mellissa R. W. Mann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Marisa S. Bartolomei
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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Abstract
Genetic events alone cannot explain the entire process of carcinogenesis. It is estimated that there are more epigenetic alterations in cancer than DNA mutations, and disiphering driver and secondary events is essential to understand early processes of tumorigenesis. Epigenetic modifications control gene activity, governing whether a gene is transcribed or silent. In cancer, global patterns of two epigenetic marks, histone modifications and DNA methylation, are known to be extensively deregulated. Tumour cells are also characterized by loss-of-imprinting, a key epigenetic developmental mechanism. Genomic imprinting is the parent-of-origin, monoallelic expression of genes and is controlled by differentially DNA-methylated regions and allelic-histone modifications. With specific emphasis on imprinted loci this review will discuss alterations in DNA methylation and histone modifications in cancer. The recent advances in technology that might facilitate the identification and characterization of the epigenetic profiles of cancer will also be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Monk
- Imprinting and Cancer Group, Epigenetics and Cancer Biology Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907, Barcelona, Spain.
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Rescue of placental phenotype in a mechanistic model of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. BMC DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY 2010; 10:50. [PMID: 20459838 PMCID: PMC2881899 DOI: 10.1186/1471-213x-10-50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Several imprinted genes have been implicated in the process of placentation. The distal region of mouse chromosome 7 (Chr 7) contains at least ten imprinted genes, several of which are expressed from the maternal homologue in the placenta. The corresponding paternal alleles of these genes are silenced in cis by an incompletely understood mechanism involving the formation of a repressive nuclear compartment mediated by the long non-coding RNA Kcnq1ot1 initiated from imprinting centre 2 (IC2). However, it is unknown whether some maternally expressed genes are silenced on the paternal homologue via a Kcnq1ot1-independent mechanism. We have previously reported that maternal inheritance of a large truncation of Chr7 encompassing the entire IC2-regulated domain (DelTel7 allele) leads to embryonic lethality at mid-gestation accompanied by severe placental abnormalities. Kcnq1ot1 expression can be abolished on the paternal chromosome by deleting IC2 (IC2KO allele). When the IC2KO mutation is paternally inherited, epigenetic silencing is lost in the region and the DelTel7 lethality is rescued in compound heterozygotes, leading to viable DelTel7/IC2KO mice. Results Considering the important functions of several IC2-regulated genes in placentation, we set out to determine whether these DelTel7/IC2KO rescued conceptuses develop normal placentae. We report no abnormalities with respect to the architecture and vasculature of the DelTel7/IC2KO rescued placentae. Imprinted expression of several of the IC2-regulated genes critical to placentation is also faithfully recapitulated in DelTel7/IC2KO placentae. Conclusion Taken together, our results demonstrate that all the distal chromosome 7 imprinted genes implicated in placental function are silenced by IC2 and Kcnq1ot1 on the paternal allele. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the methylated maternal IC2 is not required for the regulation of nearby genes. The results show the potential for fully rescuing trans placental abnormalities that are caused by imprinting defects.
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John RM. Engineering mouse models to investigate the function of imprinting. Brief Funct Genomics 2010; 9:294-303. [PMID: 20675686 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elq010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Some insight into the developmental basis for imprinting specific genes during the evolution of mammals can be gained from conventional gene 'knockout' studies. However, the consequences of full loss of function are often wide-ranging and may obscure the critical, dosage-related phenotype. This review focuses on transgenic techniques employed to alter the dosage of imprinted genes, including the application of bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mice, in imprinting research. Advantages of dosage-based techniques over conventional knockout studies will be discussed, with examples. Important applications of transgenic mice in imprinting research, including studying gene expression patterns, the identification of imprinting centres and isolating the consequences of altered gene dosage, are reviewed with a particular focus on the imprinted domain on mouse distal chromosome 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
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