1
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Bonchuk AN, Georgiev PG. C2H2 proteins: Evolutionary aspects of domain architecture and diversification. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2400052. [PMID: 38873893 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202400052] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
The largest group of transcription factors in higher eukaryotes are C2H2 proteins, which contain C2H2-type zinc finger domains that specifically bind to DNA. Few well-studied C2H2 proteins, however, demonstrate their key role in the control of gene expression and chromosome architecture. Here we review the features of the domain architecture of C2H2 proteins and the likely origin of C2H2 zinc fingers. A comprehensive investigation of proteomes for the presence of proteins with multiple clustered C2H2 domains has revealed a key difference between groups of organisms. Unlike plants, transcription factors in metazoans contain clusters of C2H2 domains typically separated by a linker with the TGEKP consensus sequence. The average size of C2H2 clusters varies substantially, even between genomes of higher metazoans, and with a tendency to increase in combination with SCAN, and especially KRAB domains, reflecting the increasing complexity of gene regulatory networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem N Bonchuk
- Department of the Control of Genetic Processes, Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel G Georgiev
- Department of the Control of Genetic Processes, Institute of Gene Biology Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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2
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Vo NNT, Yang A, Leesutthiphonchai W, Liu Y, Hughes TR, Judelson HS. Transcription factor binding specificities of the oomycete Phytophthora infestans reflect conserved and divergent evolutionary patterns and predict function. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:710. [PMID: 39044130 PMCID: PMC11267843 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10630-6] [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: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the DNA-binding specificities of transcription factors (TF) is central to understanding gene networks that regulate growth and development. Such knowledge is lacking in oomycetes, a microbial eukaryotic lineage within the stramenopile group. Oomycetes include many important plant and animal pathogens such as the potato and tomato blight agent Phytophthora infestans, which is a tractable model for studying life-stage differentiation within the group. RESULTS Mining of the P. infestans genome identified 197 genes encoding proteins belonging to 22 TF families. Their chromosomal distribution was consistent with family expansions through unequal crossing-over, which were likely ancient since each family had similar sizes in most oomycetes. Most TFs exhibited dynamic changes in RNA levels through the P. infestans life cycle. The DNA-binding preferences of 123 proteins were assayed using protein-binding oligonucleotide microarrays, which succeeded with 73 proteins from 14 families. Binding sites predicted for representatives of the families were validated by electrophoretic mobility shift or chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Consistent with the substantial evolutionary distance of oomycetes from traditional model organisms, only a subset of the DNA-binding preferences resembled those of human or plant orthologs. Phylogenetic analyses of the TF families within P. infestans often discriminated clades with canonical and novel DNA targets. Paralogs with similar binding preferences frequently had distinct patterns of expression suggestive of functional divergence. TFs were predicted to either drive life stage-specific expression or serve as general activators based on the representation of their binding sites within total or developmentally-regulated promoters. This projection was confirmed for one TF using synthetic and mutated promoters fused to reporter genes in vivo. CONCLUSIONS We established a large dataset of binding specificities for P. infestans TFs, representing the first in the stramenopile group. This resource provides a basis for understanding transcriptional regulation by linking TFs with their targets, which should help delineate the molecular components of processes such as sporulation and host infection. Our work also yielded insight into TF evolution during the eukaryotic radiation, revealing both functional conservation as well as diversification across kingdoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen N T Vo
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Ally Yang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Donnelly Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Wiphawee Leesutthiphonchai
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
- Current address: Department of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Yulong Liu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Donnelly Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Timothy R Hughes
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Donnelly Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3E1, Canada
| | - Howard S Judelson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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3
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Lee XY, Van Eynde W, Helsen C, Willems H, Peperstraete K, De Block S, Voet A, Claessens F. Structural mechanism underlying variations in DNA binding by the androgen receptor. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 241:106499. [PMID: 38604378 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a steroid activated transcription factor which recognizes DNA motifs resembling inverted repeats of a conserved 5'-AGAACA-3'-like hexanucleotides separated by a three-nucleotide spacer from a similar, but less conserved hexanucleotide. Here, we report the structures of the human AR DNA binding domain (DBD) bound to two natural AREs (C3 and MTV) in head-to-head dimer conformations, diffracting at 2.05 Å and 2.25 Å, respectively. These structures help to explain the impact of androgen insensitivity mutations on the structure integrity, DNA binding and DBD dimerization. The binding affinity of the AR DBD to different DNA motifs were measured by the BioLayer Interferometry (BLI) and further validated by Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. This shows that the high binding affinity of the first DBD to the upstream 5'-AGAACA-3' motif induces the cooperative binding of the second DBD to the second hexanucleotide. Our data indicate identical interaction of the DBDs to the upstream hexanucleotides, while forming an induced closer contact of the second DBD on the non-canonical hexanucleotides. The variation in binding between the DBD monomers are the result of differences in DNA occupancy, protein-protein interactions, DNA binding affinity, and DNA binding energy profiles. We propose this has functional consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Yin Lee
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Wout Van Eynde
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Christine Helsen
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Hanne Willems
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kaat Peperstraete
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Sofie De Block
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Arnout Voet
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Biomolecular Modelling and Design, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Frank Claessens
- Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Campus Gasthuisberg ON1 Herestraat 49 - box 901, Leuven 3000, Belgium.
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Ma R, Zhang Y, Zhang J, Zhang P, Liu Z, Fan Y, Wang HT, Zhang Z, Zhu B. Targeting pericentric non-consecutive motifs for heterochromatin initiation. Nature 2024; 631:678-685. [PMID: 38961301 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07640-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Pericentric heterochromatin is a critical component of chromosomes marked by histone H3 K9 (H3K9) methylation1-3. However, what recruits H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases to pericentric regions in vertebrates remains unclear4, as does why pericentric regions in different species share the same H3K9 methylation mark despite lacking highly conserved DNA sequences2,5. Here we show that zinc-finger proteins ZNF512 and ZNF512B specifically localize at pericentric regions through direct DNA binding. Notably, both ZNF512 and ZNF512B are sufficient to initiate de novo heterochromatin formation at ectopically targeted repetitive regions and pericentric regions, as they directly recruit SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 (SUV39H) to catalyse H3K9 methylation. SUV39H2 makes a greater contribution to H3K9 trimethylation, whereas SUV39H1 seems to contribute more to silencing, probably owing to its preferential association with HP1 proteins. ZNF512 and ZNF512B from different species can specifically target pericentric regions of other vertebrates, because the atypical long linker residues between the zinc-fingers of ZNF512 and ZNF512B offer flexibility in recognition of non-consecutively organized three-nucleotide triplets targeted by each zinc-finger. This study addresses two long-standing questions: how constitutive heterochromatin is initiated and how seemingly variable pericentric sequences are targeted by the same set of conserved machinery in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Ma
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pinqi Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeqi Liu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Fan
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao-Tian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution/Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research of Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Zhuqiang Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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5
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Lodewijk GA, de Geus M, Guimarães RLFP, Jacobs FMJ. Emergence of the ZNF675 Gene During Primate Evolution-Influenced Human Neurodevelopment Through Changing HES1 Autoregulation. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25648. [PMID: 38958676 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25648] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated recurrent copy number variations (CNVs) in the 19p12 locus, which are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. The two genes in this locus, ZNF675 and ZNF681, arose via gene duplication in primates, and their presence in several pathological CNVs in the human population suggests that either or both of these genes are required for normal human brain development. ZNF675 and ZNF681 are members of the Krüppel-associated box zinc finger (KZNF) protein family, a class of transcriptional repressors important for epigenetic silencing of specific genomic regions. About 170 primate-specific KZNFs are present in the human genome. Although KZNFs are primarily associated with repressing retrotransposon-derived DNA, evidence is emerging that they can be co-opted for other gene regulatory processes. We show that genetic deletion of ZNF675 causes developmental defects in cortical organoids, and our data suggest that part of the observed neurodevelopmental phenotype is mediated by a gene regulatory role of ZNF675 on the promoter of the neurodevelopmental gene Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1 (HES1). We also find evidence for the recently evolved regulation of genes involved in neurological disorders, microcephalin 1 and sestrin 3. We show that ZNF675 interferes with HES1 auto-inhibition, a process essential for the maintenance of neural progenitors. As a striking example of how some KZNFs have integrated into preexisting gene expression networks, these findings suggest the emergence of ZNF675 has caused a change in the balance of HES1 autoregulation. The association of ZNF675 CNV with human developmental disorders and ZNF675-mediated regulation of neurodevelopmental genes suggests that it evolved into an important factor for human brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerrald A Lodewijk
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Evolutionary Neurogenomics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthijs de Geus
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Evolutionary Neurogenomics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rita L F P Guimarães
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Evolutionary Neurogenomics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank M J Jacobs
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Evolutionary Neurogenomics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Keep Fingers on the CpG Islands. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:23. [PMID: 38920624 PMCID: PMC11202855 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The post-genomic era has ushered in the extensive application of epigenetic editing tools, allowing for precise alterations of gene expression. The use of reprogrammable editors that carry transcriptional corepressors has significant potential for long-term epigenetic silencing for the treatment of human diseases. The ideal scenario involves precise targeting of a specific genomic location by a DNA-binding domain, ensuring there are no off-target effects and that the process yields no genetic remnants aside from specific epigenetic modifications (i.e., DNA methylation). A notable example is a recent study on the mouse Pcsk9 gene, crucial for cholesterol regulation and expressed in hepatocytes, which identified synthetic zinc-finger (ZF) proteins as the most effective DNA-binding editors for silencing Pcsk9 efficiently, specifically, and persistently. This discussion focuses on enhancing the specificity of ZF-array DNA binding by optimizing interactions between specific amino acids and DNA bases across three promoters containing CpG islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Robert M. Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA;
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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7
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Singh PK, Devanna BN, Dubey H, Singh P, Joshi G, Kumar R. The potential of genome editing to create novel alleles of resistance genes in rice. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1415244. [PMID: 38933684 PMCID: PMC11201548 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1415244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Rice, a staple food for a significant portion of the global population, faces persistent threats from various pathogens and pests, necessitating the development of resilient crop varieties. Deployment of resistance genes in rice is the best practice to manage diseases and reduce environmental damage by reducing the application of agro-chemicals. Genome editing technologies, such as CRISPR-Cas, have revolutionized the field of molecular biology, offering precise and efficient tools for targeted modifications within the rice genome. This study delves into the application of these tools to engineer novel alleles of resistance genes in rice, aiming to enhance the plant's innate ability to combat evolving threats. By harnessing the power of genome editing, researchers can introduce tailored genetic modifications that bolster the plant's defense mechanisms without compromising its essential characteristics. In this study, we synthesize recent advancements in genome editing methodologies applicable to rice and discuss the ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks surrounding the creation of genetically modified crops. Additionally, it explores potential challenges and future prospects for deploying edited rice varieties in agricultural landscapes. In summary, this study highlights the promise of genome editing in reshaping the genetic landscape of rice to confront emerging challenges, contributing to global food security and sustainable agriculture practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | | | - Himanshu Dubey
- Seri-Biotech Research Laboratory, Central Silk Board, Bangalore, India
| | - Prabhakar Singh
- Botany Department, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal (A Central University), Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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8
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England SJ, Campbell PC, Banerjee S, Bates RL, Grieb G, Fancher WF, Lewis KE. Transcriptional regulators with broad expression in the zebrafish spinal cord. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 38850245 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The spinal cord is a crucial part of the vertebrate CNS, controlling movements and receiving and processing sensory information from the trunk and limbs. However, there is much we do not know about how this essential organ develops. Here, we describe expression of 21 transcription factors and one transcriptional regulator in zebrafish spinal cord. RESULTS We analyzed the expression of aurkb, foxb1a, foxb1b, her8a, homeza, ivns1abpb, mybl2b, myt1a, nr2f1b, onecut1, sall1a, sall3a, sall3b, sall4, sox2, sox19b, sp8b, tsc22d1, wdhd1, zfhx3b, znf804a, and znf1032 in wild-type and MIB E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 zebrafish embryos. While all of these genes are broadly expressed in spinal cord, they have distinct expression patterns from one another. Some are predominantly expressed in progenitor domains, and others in subsets of post-mitotic cells. Given the conservation of spinal cord development, and the transcription factors and transcriptional regulators that orchestrate it, we expect that these genes will have similar spinal cord expression patterns in other vertebrates, including mammals and humans. CONCLUSIONS Our data identify 22 different transcriptional regulators that are strong candidates for playing different roles in spinal cord development. For several of these genes, this is the first published description of their spinal cord expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul C Campbell
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Santanu Banerjee
- Biological Sciences Department, SUNY-Cortland, Cortland, New York, USA
| | - Richard L Bates
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Ginny Grieb
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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Wang M, Yan X, Dong Y, Li X, Gao B. From driver genes to gene families: A computational analysis of oncogenic mutations and ubiquitination anomalies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 112:108119. [PMID: 38852361 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108119] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a widespread primary liver cancer with a high fatality rate. Despite several genes with oncogenic effects in HCC have been identified, many remain undiscovered. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive computational analysis to explore the involvement of genes within the same families as known driver genes in HCC. Specifically, we expanded the concept beyond single-gene mutations to encompass gene families sharing homologous structures, integrating various omics data to comprehensively understand gene abnormalities in cancer. Our analysis identified 74 domains with an enriched mutation burden, 404 domain mutation hotspots, and 233 dysregulated driver genes. We observed that specific low-frequency somatic mutations may contribute to HCC occurrence, potentially overlooked by single-gene algorithms. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed how abnormalities in the ubiquitinated proteasome system (UPS) impact HCC, finding that abnormal genes in E3, E2, DUB families, and Degron genes often result in HCC by affecting the stability of oncogenic or tumor suppressor proteins. In conclusion, expanding the exploration of driver genes to include gene families with homologous structures emerges as a promising strategy for uncovering additional oncogenic alterations in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xinyue Yan
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yanan Dong
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xiaoqin Li
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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Shin S, Park J, Yang L, Kim H, Choi GJ, Lee YW, Kim JE, Son H. Con7 is a key transcription regulator for conidiogenesis in the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum. mSphere 2024; 9:e0081823. [PMID: 38591889 PMCID: PMC11237738 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00818-23] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The mycelium of the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum exhibits distinct structures for vegetative growth, asexual sporulation, sexual development, virulence, and chlamydospore formation. These structures are vital for the survival and pathogenicity of the fungus, necessitating precise regulation based on environmental cues. Initially identified in Magnaporthe oryzae, the transcription factor Con7p regulates conidiation and infection-related morphogenesis, but not vegetative growth. We characterized the Con7p ortholog FgCon7, and deletion of FgCON7 resulted in severe defects in conidium production, virulence, sexual development, and vegetative growth. The mycelia of the deletion mutant transformed into chlamydospore-like structures with high chitin level accumulation. Notably, boosting FgABAA expression partially alleviated developmental issues in the FgCON7 deletion mutant. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis confirmed a direct genetic link between FgABAA and FgCON7. Furthermore, the chitin synthase gene Fg6550 (FGSG_06550) showed significant upregulation in the FgCON7 deletion mutant, and altering FgCON7 expression affected cell wall integrity. Further research will focus on understanding the behavior of the chitin synthase gene and its regulation by FgCon7 in F. graminearum. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the genetic pathways that regulate hyphal differentiation and conidiation in this plant pathogenic fungus. IMPORTANCE The ascomycete fungus Fusarium graminearum is the primary cause of head blight disease in wheat and barley, as well as ear and stalk rot in maize. Given the importance of conidia and ascospores in the disease cycle of F. graminearum, precise spatiotemporal regulation of these biological processes is crucial. In this study, we characterized the Magnaporthe oryzae Con7p ortholog and discovered that FgCon7 significantly influences various crucial aspects of fungal development and pathogenicity. Notably, overexpression of FgABAA partially restored developmental defects in the FgCON7 deletion mutant. ChIP-qPCR analysis confirmed a direct genetic link between FgABAA and FgCON7. Furthermore, our research revealed a clear correlation between FgCon7 and chitin accumulation and the expression of chitin synthase genes. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms regulating conidiation and the significance of mycelial differentiation in this plant pathogenic fungus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soobin Shin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jiyeun Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Lin Yang
- The Provincial Key Lab of Plant Pathology of Hubei Province, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hun Kim
- Eco-friendly New Materials Research Group, Research Center for Biobased Chemistry, Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Gyung Ja Choi
- Eco-friendly New Materials Research Group, Research Center for Biobased Chemistry, Division of Convergence Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yin-Won Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Eun Kim
- Research Institute of Climate Change and Agriculture, National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Hokyoung Son
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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11
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Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Updated understanding of the protein-DNA recognition code used by C2H2 zinc finger proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102836. [PMID: 38754172 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102836] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
C2H2 zinc-finger (ZF) proteins form the largest family of DNA-binding transcription factors coded by mammalian genomes. In a typical DNA-binding ZF module, there are twelve residues (numbered from -1 to -12) between the last zinc-coordinating cysteine and the first zinc-coordinating histidine. The established C2H2-ZF "recognition code" suggests that residues at positions -1, -4, and -7 recognize the 5', central, and 3' bases of a DNA base-pair triplet, respectively. Structural studies have highlighted that additional residues at positions -5 and -8 also play roles in specific DNA recognition. The presence of bulky and either charged or polar residues at these five positions determines specificity for given DNA bases: guanine is recognized by arginine, lysine, or histidine; adenine by asparagine or glutamine; thymine or 5-methylcytosine by glutamate; and unmodified cytosine by aspartate. This review discusses recent structural characterizations of C2H2-ZFs that add to our understanding of the principles underlying the C2H2-ZF recognition code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Liu K, Hou Q, Yu R, Deng H, Shen L, Wang Q, Wen X. Genome-wide analysis of C2H2 zinc finger family and their response to abiotic stresses in apple. Gene 2024; 904:148164. [PMID: 38224923 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
C2H2-type zinc finger proteins are one of the most widely studied families in plants and play important roles in abiotic stress responses. In the present study, the physicochemical properties, chromosomal locations, evolutionary relationships, and gene structures of 54 C2H2 zinc finger protein (ZFP) family members were analyzed in apple. The MdC2H2-ZFP genes were phylogenetically clustered into seven subfamilies distributed in different densities on 16 chromosomes. The RNA-seq data from various tissues revealed that MdC2H2-ZFPs differentially expressed among root, stem, leaf, flower, and fruits. Quantitative analysis of its expression characteristics showed that the MdC2H2-ZFP genes were rapidly induced as exposure to abiotic stresses such as drought, salt and low temperature etc. Under drought stress, the expression of eight members was significantly up-regulated, and the highest was obtained from MdC2H2-17; as exposure to salt stress, nine MdC2H2-ZFPs was obviously up-regulated, with the highest expression of MdC2H2-13; and under low temperature stress, the expression of seven members was highly up-regulated, and MdC2H2-13 also demonstrated the highest expression which is same as the case under salt stress. Therefore, some members of MdC2H2-ZFP gene family considerably involve in the multiple abiotic stress responses, which may better understand the function of this family and facilitate the breeding of apple for stress tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Qiandong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Runrun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Hong Deng
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China
| | - Luonan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Institute for Forest Resources & Environment of Guizhou/ College of Forestry, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China.
| | - Xiaopeng Wen
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agro-Bioengineering, Institute of Agro-bioengineering/College of Life Sciences, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China; National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Karst Region Plant Resources Utilization & Breeding (Guizhou), Guiyang 550025, Guizhou Province, China.
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13
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Kaya D, Ceylan Köse C, Akcan MB, Silan F. A case report of a patient with neurodevelopmental disorder with impaired speech and hyperkinetic movements: A biallelic variant in the ZNF142 gene. Am J Med Genet A 2024:e63636. [PMID: 38655717 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63636] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Biallelic pathogenic variations in the zinc finger protein 142 (ZNF142) gene are associated with neurodevelopmental disorder with impaired speech and hyperkinetic movements (NEDISHM). This disorder is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech delay, and movement disorders such as dystonia, tremor, ataxia, and chorea. Here, we report a patient who exhibited common neurological features and rarely reported brain MRI findings. Exome sequencing identified a novel biallelic variant in ZNF142 (c.3528_3529delTG; p.C1176fs*5 (NM_001105537.4)). NEDISHM was first described by Khan et al. (2019) and has been reported in 39 patients to date. Furthermore, upon reviewing our in-house data covering 750 individuals, we identified three different pathogenic ZNF142 variants. It appears that the frequency of ZNF142 alleles is not as low as initially thought, suggesting that this gene should be included in new generation sequencing panels for similar clinical scenarios. Our goal is to compile and expand upon the clinical features observed in NEDISHM, providing novel insights and presenting a new variant to the literature. We also aim to demonstrate that ZNF142 pathogenic variants should be considered in neurodevelopmental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Kaya
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
| | - Canan Ceylan Köse
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Berkay Akcan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
| | - Fatma Silan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
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14
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Zhou X, Gao T, Zhang Y, Han M, Shen Y, Su Y, Feng X, Wu Q, Sun G, Wang Y. Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression of C2H2 zinc finger gene family in Opisthopappus species under salt stress. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:385. [PMID: 38641598 PMCID: PMC11027532 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10273-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The C2H2 zinc finger protein family plays important roles in plants. However, precisely how C2H2s function in Opisthopappus (Opisthopappus taihangensis and Opisthopappus longilobus) remains unclear. RESULTS In this study, a total of 69 OpC2H2 zinc finger protein genes were identified and clustered into five Groups. Seven tandem and ten fragment repeats were found in OpC2H2s, which underwent robust purifying selection. Of the identified motifs, motif 1 was present in all OpC2H2s and conserved at important binding sites. Most OpC2H2s possessed few introns and exons that could rapidly activate and react when faced with stress. The OpC2H2 promoter sequences mainly contained diverse regulatory elements, such as ARE, ABRE, and LTR. Under salt stress, two up-regulated OpC2H2s (OpC2H2-1 and OpC2H2-14) genes and one down-regulated OpC2H2 gene (OpC2H2-7) might serve as key transcription factors through the ABA and JA signaling pathways to regulate the growth and development of Opisthopappus species. CONCLUSION The above results not only help to understand the function of C2H2 gene family but also drive progress in genetic improvement for the salt tolerance of Opisthopappus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Zhou
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Ting Gao
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Yimeng Zhang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Mian Han
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Yuexin Shen
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Yu Su
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Xiaolong Feng
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Qi Wu
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China
| | - Genlou Sun
- Department of Botany, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, NS, B3H 3C3, Canada.
| | - Yiling Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, 030031, China.
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15
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Wu S, Tong X, Peng C, Luo J, Zhang C, Lu K, Li C, Ding X, Duan X, Lu Y, Hu H, Tan D, Dai F. The BTB-ZF gene Bm-mamo regulates pigmentation in silkworm caterpillars. eLife 2024; 12:RP90795. [PMID: 38587455 PMCID: PMC11001300 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The color pattern of insects is one of the most diverse adaptive evolutionary phenotypes. However, the molecular regulation of this color pattern is not fully understood. In this study, we found that the transcription factor Bm-mamo is responsible for black dilute (bd) allele mutations in the silkworm. Bm-mamo belongs to the BTB zinc finger family and is orthologous to mamo in Drosophila melanogaster. This gene has a conserved function in gamete production in Drosophila and silkworms and has evolved a pleiotropic function in the regulation of color patterns in caterpillars. Using RNAi and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, we showed that Bm-mamo is a repressor of dark melanin patterns in the larval epidermis. Using in vitro binding assays and gene expression profiling in wild-type and mutant larvae, we also showed that Bm-mamo likely regulates the expression of related pigment synthesis and cuticular protein genes in a coordinated manner to mediate its role in color pattern formation. This mechanism is consistent with the dual role of this transcription factor in regulating both the structure and shape of the cuticle and the pigments that are embedded within it. This study provides new insight into the regulation of color patterns as well as into the construction of more complex epidermal features in some insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaoling Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chenxing Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jiangwen Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chenghao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Kunpeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chunlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xin Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaohui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yaru Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Hai Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Duan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Fangyin Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest UniversityChongqingChina
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16
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Djajawi TM, Wichmann J, Vervoort SJ, Kearney CJ. Tumor immune evasion: insights from CRISPR screens and future directions. FEBS J 2024; 291:1386-1399. [PMID: 37971319 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17003] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite the clinical success of cancer immunotherapies including immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cellular therapies across a variety of cancer types, many patients do not respond or ultimately relapse; however, the molecular underpinnings of this are not fully understood. Thus, a system-level understating of the routes to tumor immune evasion is required to inform the design of the next generation of immunotherapy approaches. CRISPR screening approaches have proved extremely powerful in identifying genes that promote tumor immune evasion or sensitize tumor cells to destruction by the immune system. These large-scale efforts have brought to light decades worth of fundamental immunology and have uncovered the key immune-evasion pathways subverted in cancers in an acquired manner in patients receiving immune-modulatory therapies. The comprehensive discovery of the main pathways involved in immune evasion has spurred the development and application of novel immune therapies to target this process. Although successful, conventional CRISPR screening approaches are hampered by a number of limitations, which obfuscate a complete understanding of the precise molecular regulation of immune evasion in cancer. Here, we provide a perspective on screening approaches to interrogate tumor-lymphocyte interactions and their limitations, and discuss further development of technologies to improve such approaches and discovery capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirta Mario Djajawi
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Vic., Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Johannes Wichmann
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Stephin J Vervoort
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Conor J Kearney
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Vic., Australia
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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17
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Yang SF, Nelson CB, Wells JK, Fernando M, Lu R, Allen JAM, Malloy L, Lamm N, Murphy VJ, Mackay JP, Deans AJ, Cesare AJ, Sobinoff AP, Pickett HA. ZNF827 is a single-stranded DNA binding protein that regulates the ATR-CHK1 DNA damage response pathway. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2210. [PMID: 38472229 PMCID: PMC10933417 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46578-0] [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: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The ATR-CHK1 DNA damage response pathway becomes activated by the exposure of RPA-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that forms as an intermediate during DNA damage and repair, and as a part of the replication stress response. Here, we identify ZNF827 as a component of the ATR-CHK1 kinase pathway. We demonstrate that ZNF827 is a ssDNA binding protein that associates with RPA through concurrent binding to ssDNA intermediates. These interactions are dependent on two clusters of C2H2 zinc finger motifs within ZNF827. We find that ZNF827 accumulates at stalled forks and DNA damage sites, where it activates ATR and promotes the engagement of homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. Additionally, we demonstrate that ZNF827 depletion inhibits replication initiation and sensitizes cancer cells to the topoisomerase inhibitor topotecan, revealing ZNF827 as a therapeutic target within the DNA damage response pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sile F Yang
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Christopher B Nelson
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Jadon K Wells
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Madushan Fernando
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Robert Lu
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Joshua A M Allen
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Lisa Malloy
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Noa Lamm
- Nuclear Dynamics Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Vincent J Murphy
- Genome Stability Unit, St Vincent's Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Joel P Mackay
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Andrew J Deans
- Genome Stability Unit, St Vincent's Institute, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
- Department of Medicine (St Vincent's), University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Anthony J Cesare
- Genome Integrity Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Alexander P Sobinoff
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Telomere Length Regulation Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
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18
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Hu X, Amin KS, Schneider M, Lim C, Salahub D, Baldauf C. System-Specific Parameter Optimization for Nonpolarizable and Polarizable Force Fields. J Chem Theory Comput 2024; 20:1448-1464. [PMID: 38279917 PMCID: PMC10867808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c01141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
The accuracy of classical force fields (FFs) has been shown to be limited for the simulation of cation-protein systems despite their importance in understanding the processes of life. Improvements can result from optimizing the parameters of classical FFs or by extending the FF formulation by terms describing charge transfer (CT) and polarization (POL) effects. In this work, we introduce our implementation of the CTPOL model in OpenMM, which extends the classical additive FF formula by adding CT and POL. Furthermore, we present an open-source parametrization tool, called FFAFFURR, that enables the (system-specific) parametrization of OPLS-AA and CTPOL models. The performance of our workflow was evaluated by its ability to reproduce quantum chemistry energies and by molecular dynamics simulations of a zinc-finger protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Hu
- Fritz-Haber-Institut
der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kazi S. Amin
- Centre
for Molecular Simulation and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Markus Schneider
- Fritz-Haber-Institut
der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Carmay Lim
- Institute
of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
- Department
of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Dennis Salahub
- Centre
for Molecular Simulation and Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Carsten Baldauf
- Fritz-Haber-Institut
der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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19
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Liu J, Zhang H. Zinc Finger and BTB Domain-Containing 20: A Newly Emerging Player in Pathogenesis and Development of Human Cancers. Biomolecules 2024; 14:192. [PMID: 38397429 PMCID: PMC10887282 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 20 (ZBTB20), which was initially identified in human dendritic cells, belongs to a family of transcription factors (TFs) with an N-terminal BTB domain and one or more C-terminal DNA-binding zinc finger domains. Under physiological conditions, ZBTB20 acts as a transcriptional repressor in cellular development and differentiation, metabolism, and innate immunity. Interestingly, multiple lines of evidence from mice and human systems have revealed the importance of ZBTB20 in the pathogenesis and development of cancers. ZBTB20 is not only a hotspot of genetic variation or fusion in many types of human cancers, but also a key TF or intermediator involving in the dysregulation of cancer cells. Given the diverse functions of ZBTB20 in both health and disease, we herein summarize the structure and physiological roles of ZBTB20, with an emphasis on the latest findings on tumorigenesis and cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Han Zhang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China;
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20
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Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Gene Circuits for Regulation of Next-Generation Cell-Based Therapeutics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309088. [PMID: 38126677 PMCID: PMC10885662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Arming human cells with synthetic gene circuits enables to expand their capacity to execute superior sensing and response actions, offering tremendous potential for innovative cellular therapeutics. This can be achieved by assembling components from an ever-expanding molecular toolkit, incorporating switches based on transcriptional, translational, or post-translational control mechanisms. This review provides examples from the three classes of switches, and discusses their advantages and limitations to regulate the activity of therapeutic cells in vivo. Genetic switches designed to recognize internal disease-associated signals often encode intricate actuation programs that orchestrate a reduction in the sensed signal, establishing a closed-loop architecture. Conversely, switches engineered to detect external molecular or physical cues operate in an open-loop fashion, switching on or off upon signal exposure. The integration of such synthetic gene circuits into the next generation of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells is already enabling precise calibration of immune responses in terms of magnitude and timing, thereby improving the potency and safety of therapeutic cells. Furthermore, pre-clinical engineered cells targeting other chronic diseases are gathering increasing attention, and this review discusses the path forward for achieving clinical success. With synthetic biology at the forefront, cellular therapeutics holds great promise for groundbreaking treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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21
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Barzegar S, Pirouzpanah S. Zinc finger proteins and ATP-binding cassette transporter-dependent multidrug resistance. Eur J Clin Invest 2024; 54:e14120. [PMID: 37930002 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a significant challenge in cancer treatment, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Dysregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters has been identified as a key contributor to MDR. Zinc finger proteins (ZNPs) are key regulators of transcription and have emerged as potential contributors to cancer drug resistance. Bridging the knowledge gap between ZNPs and MDR is essential to understand a source of heterogeneity in cancer treatment. This review sought to elucidate how different ZNPs modulate the transcriptional regulation of ABC genes, contributing to resistance to cancer therapies. METHODS The search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science. RESULTS In addition to ABC-blockers, the transcriptional features regulated by ZNP are expected to play a role in reversing ABC-mediated MDR and predicting the efficacy of anticancer treatments. Among the ZNP-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition, SNAIL, SLUG and Zebs have been identified as important factors in promoting MDR through activation of ATM, NFκB and PI3K/Akt pathways, exposing the metabolism to potential ZNP-MDR interactions. Additionally, nuclear receptors, such as VDR, ER and PXR have been found to modulate certain ABC regulations. Other C2H2-type zinc fingers, including Kruppel-like factors, Gli and Sp also have the potential to contribute to MDR. CONCLUSION Besides reviewing evidence on the effects of ZNP dysregulation on ABC-related chemoresistance in malignancies, significant markers of ZNP functions are discussed to highlight the clinical implications of gene-to-gene and microenvironment-to-gene interactions on MDR prospects. Future research on ZNP-derived biomarkers is crucial for addressing heterogeneity in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Barzegar
- Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Pirouzpanah
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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22
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Zhang F, Lee A, Freitas A, Herb J, Wang Z, Gupta S, Chen Z, Xu H. Genetic and bioinformatic analyses reveal transcriptional networks underlying dual genomic coordination of mitochondrial biogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.25.577217. [PMID: 38410491 PMCID: PMC10896348 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.25.577217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial genome encodes handful genes of respiratory chain complexes, whereas all the remaining mitochondrial proteins are encoded on the nuclear genome. However, the mechanisms coordinating these two genomes to control mitochondrial biogenesis remain largely unknown. To identify transcription circuits involved in these processes, we performed a candidate RNAi screen in developing eyes that had reduced mitochondrial DNA contents. We reasoned that impaired mitochondrial biogenesis would synergistically interact with mtDNA deficiency in disrupting tissue development. Over 638 transcription factors annotated in the fly genome, we identified 77 transcription factors that may be involved in mitochondrial genome maintenance and gene expression. Additional genetic and genomic analyses revealed that a novel transcription factor, CG1603, and its upstream factor YL-1 are essential for mitochondrial biogenesis. We constructed a regulator network among positive hits using the published CHIP-seq data. The network analysis revealed extensive connections, and complex hierarchical organization underlying the transcription regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhang
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Annie Lee
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Anna Freitas
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jake Herb
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zongheng Wang
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Snigdha Gupta
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhe Chen
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hong Xu
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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23
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Lu X. Regulation of endogenous retroviruses in murine embryonic stem cells and early embryos. J Mol Cell Biol 2024; 15:mjad052. [PMID: 37604781 PMCID: PMC10794949 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjad052] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are important components of transposable elements that constitute ∼40% of the mouse genome. ERVs exhibit dynamic expression patterns during early embryonic development and are engaged in numerous biological processes. Therefore, ERV expression must be closely monitored in cells. Most studies have focused on the regulation of ERV expression in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and during early embryonic development. This review touches on the classification, expression, and functions of ERVs in mouse ESCs and early embryos and mainly discusses ERV modulation strategies from the perspectives of transcription, epigenetic modification, nucleosome/chromatin assembly, and post-transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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24
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Rots MG, Jeltsch A. Development of Locus-Directed Editing of the Epigenome from Basic Mechanistic Engineering to First Clinical Applications. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2842:3-20. [PMID: 39012588 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4051-7_1] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The introduction of CRISPR/Cas systems has resulted in a strong impulse for the field of gene-targeted epigenome/epigenetic reprogramming (EpiEditing), where EpiEditors consisting of a DNA binding part for targeting and an enzymatic part for rewriting of chromatin modifications are applied in cells to alter chromatin modifications at targeted genome loci in a directed manner. Pioneering studies preceding this era indicated causal relationships of chromatin marks instructing gene expression. The accumulating evidence of chromatin reprogramming of a given genomic locus resulting in gene expression changes opened the field for mainstream applications of this technology in basic and clinical research. The growing knowledge on chromatin biology and application of EpiEditing tools, however, also revealed a lack of predictability of the efficiency of EpiEditing in some cases. In this perspective, the dependence of critical parameters such as specificity, effectivity, and sustainability of EpiEditing on experimental settings and conditions including the expression levels and expression times of the EpiEditors, their chromatin binding affinity and specificity, and the crosstalk between EpiEditors and cellular epigenome modifiers are discussed. These considerations highlight the intimate connection between the outcome of epigenome reprogramming and the details of the technical approaches toward EpiEditing, which are the main topic of this volume of Methods in Molecular Biology. Once established in a fully functional "plug-and-play" mode, EpiEditing will allow to better understand gene expression control and to translate such knowledge into therapeutic tools. These expectations are beginning to be met as shown by various in vivo EpiEditing applications published in recent years, several companies aiming to exploit the therapeutic power of EpiEditing and the first clinical trial initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne G Rots
- Department Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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25
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Rajaram N, Bashtrykov P, Jeltsch A. Protocol for Allele-Specific Epigenome Editing Using CRISPR/dCas9. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2842:179-192. [PMID: 39012596 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4051-7_9] [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: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The discovery and adaptation of CRISPR/Cas systema for epigenome editing has allowed for a straightforward design of targeting modules that can direct epigenome editors to virtually any genomic site. This advancement in DNA-targeting technology brings allele-specific epigenome editing into reach, a "super-specific" variation of epigenome editing whose goal is an alteration of chromatin marks at only one selected allele of the genomic target locus. This technology could be useful for the treatment of diseases caused by a mutant allele with a dominant effect, because allele-specific epigenome editing allows the specific silencing of the mutated allele leaving the healthy counterpart expressed. Moreover, it may allow the direct correction of aberrant imprints in imprinting disorders where editing of DNA methylation is required exclusively in a single allele. Here, we describe a basic protocol for the design and application of allele-specific epigenome editing systems using allele-specific DNA methylation at the NARF gene in HEK293 cells as an example. An sgRNA/dCas9 unit is used for allele-specific binding to the target locus containing a SNP in the seed region of the sgRNA or the PAM region. The dCas9 protein is connected to a SunTag allowing to recruit up to 10 DNMT3A/3L units fused to a single-chain Fv fragment, which specifically binds to the SunTag peptide sequence. The plasmids expressing dCas9-10x SunTag, scFv-DNMT3A/3L, and sgRNA, each of them co-expressing a fluorophore, are introduced into cells by co-transfection. Cells containing all three plasmids are enriched by FACS, cultivated, and later the genomic DNA and RNA can be retrieved for DNA methylation and gene expression analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivethika Rajaram
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Pavel Bashtrykov
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany.
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26
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Ocharán-Mercado A, Loaeza-Loaeza J, Castro-Coronel Y, Acosta-Saavedra LC, Hernández-Kelly LC, Hernández-Sotelo D, Ortega A. RNA-Binding Proteins: A Role in Neurotoxicity? Neurotox Res 2023; 41:681-697. [PMID: 37776476 PMCID: PMC10682104 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-023-00669-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite sustained efforts to treat neurodegenerative diseases, little is known at the molecular level to understand and generate novel therapeutic approaches for these malignancies. Therefore, it is not surprising that neurogenerative diseases are among the leading causes of death in the aged population. Neurons require sophisticated cellular mechanisms to maintain proper protein homeostasis. These cells are generally sensitive to loss of gene expression control at the post-transcriptional level. Post-translational control responds to signals that can arise from intracellular processes or environmental factors that can be regulated through RNA-binding proteins. These proteins recognize RNA through one or more RNA-binding domains and form ribonucleoproteins that are critically involved in the regulation of post-transcriptional processes from splicing to the regulation of association of the translation machinery allowing a relatively rapid and precise modulation of the transcriptome. Neurotoxicity is the result of the biological, chemical, or physical interaction of agents with an adverse effect on the structure and function of the central nervous system. The disruption of the proper levels or function of RBPs in neurons and glial cells triggers neurotoxic events that are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), fragile X syndrome (FXS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) among many others. The connection between RBPs and neurodegenerative diseases opens a new landscape for potentially novel therapeutic targets for the intervention of these neurodegenerative pathologies. In this contribution, a summary of the recent findings of the molecular mechanisms involved in the plausible role of RBPs in RNA processing in neurodegenerative disease is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ocharán-Mercado
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07300 CDMX, México
| | - Jaqueline Loaeza-Loaeza
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07300 CDMX, México
| | - Yaneth Castro-Coronel
- Laboratorio de Epigenética del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 88, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, 39086, México
| | - Leonor C Acosta-Saavedra
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07300 CDMX, México
| | - Luisa C Hernández-Kelly
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07300 CDMX, México
| | - Daniel Hernández-Sotelo
- Laboratorio de Epigenética del Cáncer, Facultad de Ciencias Químico Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Av. Lázaro Cárdenas 88, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, 39086, México
| | - Arturo Ortega
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Av. IPN 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, 07300 CDMX, México.
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27
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Rua AJ, Whitehead RD, Alexandrescu AT. NMR structure verifies the eponymous zinc finger domain of transcription factor ZNF750. J Struct Biol X 2023; 8:100093. [PMID: 37655311 PMCID: PMC10465944 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjsbx.2023.100093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ZNF750 is a nuclear transcription factor that activates skin differentiation and has tumor suppressor roles in several cancers. Unusually, ZNF750 has only a single zinc-finger (ZNF) domain, Z*, with an amino acid sequence that differs markedly from the CCHH family consensus. Because of its sequence differences Z* is classified as degenerate, presumed to have lost the ability to bind the zinc ion required for folding. AlphaFold predicts an irregular structure for Z* with low confidence. Low confidence predictions are often inferred to be intrinsically disordered regions of proteins, which would be the case if Z* did not bind Zn2+. We use NMR and CD spectroscopy to show that a 25-51 segment of ZNF750 corresponding to the Z* domain folds into a well-defined antiparallel ββα tertiary structure with a pM dissociation constant for Zn2+ and a thermal stability >80 °C. Of three alternative Zn2+ ligand sets, Z* uses a CCHC rather than the expected CCHH ligating motif. The switch in the last ligand maintains the folding topology and hydrophobic core of the classical ZNF motif. CCHC ZNFs are typically associated with protein-protein interactions, raising the possibility that ZNF750 interacts with DNA through other proteins rather than directly. The structure of Z* provides context for understanding the function of the domain and its cancer-associated mutations. We expect other ZNFs currently classified as degenerate could be CCHC-type structures like Z*.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J. Rua
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, United States
| | - Richard D. Whitehead
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut, United States
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28
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Liu X, Gao J, Zhang P, Shi T, Yan B, Azra MN, Baloch WA, Wang P, Gao H. De novo transcriptional analysis of the response to starvation stress in the white ridgetail prawn, Exopalaemon carinicauda. Genomics 2023; 115:110746. [PMID: 37977333 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2023.110746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
To study the mechanism of the biomolecular response in Exopalaemon carinicauda to starvation stress, we subjected muscle tissue RNA samples from four stress points, including 0 d(control group), 10 d, 20 d, and 30 d, to starvation stress on white ridgetail prawn with a body weight of 1.41 + 0.42 g, aquaculture water temperature of 23-25 °C, salinity of 26, dissolved oxygen ≥5 mg/L, and pH 8-8.5, Then performed de novo transcriptome assembly and gene expression analysis using BGISEQ-500 with a tag-based digital gene expression (DGE) system. By de novo assembling at the four times, we obtained 28,167, 21,115, 24,497, and 27,080 reads, respectively. The results showed that the stress at 10 d led to no significant difference in the expressed genes, while the stress at 20 d and 30 d showed a significant increase (or decrease) in the expression of 97 (276) and 143 (410) genes, respectively, which were involved in 8 different metabolic pathways. In addition, we detected 2647 unigene transcription factors. Eleven upregulated and sixteen downregulated genes from the different starvation stress groups were choose to verify the reliability of the transcriptome data, and the results showed that the expression trends of these genes were consistent with the results shown by the transcriptome. The analysis of the experimental data and our discussion of the response mechanism of white ridgetail prawn under starvation stress provides a foundation for further screening of the key genes of starvation stress and may help to elucidate their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Jiayi Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Tingting Shi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Binlun Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China; The Jiangsu Provincial Platform for Conservation and Utilization of Agricultural Germplasm, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Mohamad Nor Azra
- Institute of Climate Adaptation and Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Wazir Ali Baloch
- Department of Freshwater Biology and Fisheries, University of Sindh, Jamshoro 76080, Pakistan.
| | - Panpan Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China; The Jiangsu Provincial Platform for Conservation and Utilization of Agricultural Germplasm, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China
| | - Huan Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang 222005, China; Marine Resource Development institute of Jiangsu (Lianyungang), Jiangsu Lianyungang, 222005, China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222005, China; The Jiangsu Provincial Platform for Conservation and Utilization of Agricultural Germplasm, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210014, China.
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29
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Mohajeri A, Vaseghi-Shanjani M, Rosenfeld JA, Yang GX, Lu H, Sharma M, Lin S, Salman A, Waqas M, Sababi Azamian M, Worley KC, Del Bel KL, Kozak FK, Rahmanian R, Biggs CM, Hildebrand KJ, Lalani SR, Nicholas SK, Scott DA, Mostafavi S, van Karnebeek C, Henkelman E, Halparin J, Yang CL, Armstrong L, Turvey SE, Lehman A. Dominant negative variants in IKZF2 cause ICHAD syndrome, a new disorder characterised by immunodysregulation, craniofacial anomalies, hearing impairment, athelia and developmental delay. J Med Genet 2023; 60:1092-1104. [PMID: 37316189 PMCID: PMC11206234 DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-109127] [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: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helios (encoded by IKZF2), a member of the Ikaros family of transcription factors, is a zinc finger protein involved in embryogenesis and immune function. Although predominantly recognised for its role in the development and function of T lymphocytes, particularly the CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), the expression and function of Helios extends beyond the immune system. During embryogenesis, Helios is expressed in a wide range of tissues, making genetic variants that disrupt the function of Helios strong candidates for causing widespread immune-related and developmental abnormalities in humans. METHODS We performed detailed phenotypic, genomic and functional investigations on two unrelated individuals with a phenotype of immune dysregulation combined with syndromic features including craniofacial differences, sensorineural hearing loss and congenital abnormalities. RESULTS Genome sequencing revealed de novo heterozygous variants that alter the critical DNA-binding zinc fingers (ZFs) of Helios. Proband 1 had a tandem duplication of ZFs 2 and 3 in the DNA-binding domain of Helios (p.Gly136_Ser191dup) and Proband 2 had a missense variant impacting one of the key residues for specific base recognition and DNA interaction in ZF2 of Helios (p.Gly153Arg). Functional studies confirmed that both these variant proteins are expressed and that they interfere with the ability of the wild-type Helios protein to perform its canonical function-repressing IL2 transcription activity-in a dominant negative manner. CONCLUSION This study is the first to describe dominant negative IKZF2 variants. These variants cause a novel genetic syndrome characterised by immunodysregulation, craniofacial anomalies, hearing impairment, athelia and developmental delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arezoo Mohajeri
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maryam Vaseghi-Shanjani
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jill A Rosenfeld
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gui Xiang Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Henry Lu
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mehul Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Susan Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Areesha Salman
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Meriam Waqas
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mahshid Sababi Azamian
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kim C Worley
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kate L Del Bel
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Frederick K Kozak
- Department of Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ronak Rahmanian
- Department of Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catherine M Biggs
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kyla J Hildebrand
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seema R Lalani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah K Nicholas
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Daryl A Scott
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Clara van Karnebeek
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Erika Henkelman
- Department of Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jessica Halparin
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Connie L Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Linlea Armstrong
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Provincial Medical Genetics Program, BC Children's & Women's Hosp, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stuart E Turvey
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of British Columbia and BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anna Lehman
- Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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30
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Wang X, Sun L, Yang B, Li W, Zhang C, Yang X, Sun Y, Shen X, Gao Y, Ju B, Gao Y, Liu D, Song J, Jia X, Su Y, Jiao A, Liu H, Zhang L, Lan He, Lei L, Chen W, Zhang B. Zfp335 establishes eTreg lineage and neonatal immune tolerance by targeting Hadha-mediated fatty acid oxidation. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e166628. [PMID: 37843279 PMCID: PMC10575732 DOI: 10.1172/jci166628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are instrumental in maintaining immune tolerance and preventing destructive autoimmunity, but how heterogeneous Treg populations are established remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Zfp335 deletion in Tregs failed to differentiate into effector Tregs (eTregs) and lose Treg-suppressive function and that KO mice exhibited early-onset lethal autoimmune inflammation with unrestricted activation of conventional T cells. Single-cell RNA-Seq analyses revealed that Zfp335-deficient Tregs lacked a eTreg population and showed dramatic accumulation of a dysfunctional Treg subset. Mechanistically, Zfp335-deficient Tregs displayed reduced oxidative phosphorylation and dysfunctional mitochondrial activity. Further studies revealed that Zfp335 controlled eTreg differentiation by regulating fatty acid oxidation (FAO) through direct targeting of the FAO enzyme Hadha. Importantly, we demonstrate a positive correlation between ZNF335 and HADHA expression in human eTregs. Our findings reveal that Zfp335 controls FAO-driven eTreg differentiation to establish immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenhua Li
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cangang Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaofeng Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi’an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Immune-Related Diseases, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | - Yae Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaonan Shen
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bomiao Ju
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yafeng Gao
- Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiapeng Song
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Jia
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haiyan Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lianjun Zhang
- Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Suzhou, China
| | - Lan He
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - WanJun Chen
- Mucosal Immunology Section, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi’an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Xi’an Key Laboratory of Immune-Related Diseases, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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31
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Kwok JG, Yuan Z, Arora PS. An Encodable Scaffold for Sequence-Specific Recognition of Duplex RNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202308650. [PMID: 37548640 PMCID: PMC10528708 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202308650] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
RNA, unlike DNA, folds into a multitude of secondary and tertiary structures. This structural diversity has impeded the development of ligands that can sequence-specifically target this biomolecule. We sought to develop ligands for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) segments, which are ubiquitous in RNA tertiary structure. The major groove of double-stranded DNA is sequence-specifically recognized by a range of dimeric helical transcription factors, including the basic leucine zippers (bZIP) and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins; however, such simple structural motifs are not prevalent in RNA-binding proteins. We interrogated the high-resolution structures of DNA and RNA to identify requirements for a helix fork motif to occupy dsRNA major grooves akin to dsDNA. Our analysis suggested that the rigidity and angle of approach of dimeric helices in bZIP/bHLH motifs are not ideal for the binding of dsRNA major grooves. This investigation revealed that the replacement of the leucine zipper motifs in bHLH proteins with synthetic crosslinkers would allow recognition of dsRNA. We show that a model bHLH DNA-binding motif does not bind dsRNA but can be reengineered as an RNA ligand. Based on this hypothesis, we rationally designed a miniature synthetic crosslinked helix fork (CHF) as a generalizable proteomimetic scaffold for targeting dsRNA. We evaluated several CHF constructs against a set of RNA and DNA hairpins to probe the specificity of the designed construct. Our studies reveal a new class of proteomimetics as an encodable platform for sequence-specific recognition of dsRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan G. Kwok
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, NY10003
| | - Zhi Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, NY10003
| | - Paramjit S. Arora
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 29 Washington Place, New York, NY10003
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32
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Glasscock CJ, Pecoraro R, McHugh R, Doyle LA, Chen W, Boivin O, Lonnquist B, Na E, Politanska Y, Haddox HK, Cox D, Norn C, Coventry B, Goreshnik I, Vafeados D, Lee GR, Gordan R, Stoddard BL, DiMaio F, Baker D. Computational design of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.20.558720. [PMID: 37790440 PMCID: PMC10542524 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.20.558720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins (DBPs) play critical roles in biology and biotechnology, and there has been considerable interest in the engineering of DBPs with new or altered specificities for genome editing and other applications. While there has been some success in reprogramming naturally occurring DBPs using selection methods, the computational design of new DBPs that recognize arbitrary target sites remains an outstanding challenge. We describe a computational method for the design of small DBPs that recognize specific target sequences through interactions with bases in the major groove, and employ this method in conjunction with experimental screening to generate binders for 5 distinct DNA targets. These binders exhibit specificity closely matching the computational models for the target DNA sequences at as many as 6 base positions and affinities as low as 30-100 nM. The crystal structure of a designed DBP-target site complex is in close agreement with the design model, highlighting the accuracy of the design method. The designed DBPs function in both Escherichia coli and mammalian cells to repress and activate transcription of neighboring genes. Our method is a substantial step towards a general route to small and hence readily deliverable sequence-specific DBPs for gene regulation and editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron J. Glasscock
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robert Pecoraro
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan McHugh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lindsey A. Doyle
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Olivier Boivin
- Program in Genetics and Genomic, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Beau Lonnquist
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emily Na
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Yuliya Politanska
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hugh K. Haddox
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David Cox
- Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Christoffer Norn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- BioInnovation Institute, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Brian Coventry
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Inna Goreshnik
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dionne Vafeados
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gyu Rie Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Raluca Gordan
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Department of Computer Science, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Barry L. Stoddard
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Frank DiMaio
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- BioInnovation Institute, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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33
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Yang J, Horton JR, Liu B, Corces VG, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Structures of CTCF-DNA complexes including all 11 zinc fingers. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8447-8462. [PMID: 37439339 PMCID: PMC10484683 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binds tens of thousands of enhancers and promoters on mammalian chromosomes by means of its 11 tandem zinc finger (ZF) DNA-binding domain. In addition to the 12-15-bp CORE sequence, some of the CTCF binding sites contain 5' upstream and/or 3' downstream motifs. Here, we describe two structures for overlapping portions of human CTCF, respectively, including ZF1-ZF7 and ZF3-ZF11 in complex with DNA that incorporates the CORE sequence together with either 3' downstream or 5' upstream motifs. Like conventional tandem ZF array proteins, ZF1-ZF7 follow the right-handed twist of the DNA, with each finger occupying and recognizing one triplet of three base pairs in the DNA major groove. ZF8 plays a unique role, acting as a spacer across the DNA minor groove and positioning ZF9-ZF11 to make cross-strand contacts with DNA. We ascribe the difference between the two subgroups of ZF1-ZF7 and ZF8-ZF11 to residues at the two positions -6 and -5 within each finger, with small residues for ZF1-ZF7 and bulkier and polar/charged residues for ZF8-ZF11. ZF8 is also uniquely rich in basic amino acids, which allows salt bridges to DNA phosphates in the minor groove. Highly specific arginine-guanine and glutamine-adenine interactions, used to recognize G:C or A:T base pairs at conventional base-interacting positions of ZFs, also apply to the cross-strand interactions adopted by ZF9-ZF11. The differences between ZF1-ZF7 and ZF8-ZF11 can be rationalized structurally and may contribute to recognition of high-affinity CTCF binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Victor G Corces
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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34
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Bragdon MDJ, Patel N, Chuang J, Levien E, Bashor CJ, Khalil AS. Cooperative assembly confers regulatory specificity and long-term genetic circuit stability. Cell 2023; 186:3810-3825.e18. [PMID: 37552983 PMCID: PMC10528910 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
A ubiquitous feature of eukaryotic transcriptional regulation is cooperative self-assembly between transcription factors (TFs) and DNA cis-regulatory motifs. It is thought that this strategy enables specific regulatory connections to be formed in gene networks between otherwise weakly interacting, low-specificity molecular components. Here, using synthetic gene circuits constructed in yeast, we find that high regulatory specificity can emerge from cooperative, multivalent interactions among artificial zinc-finger-based TFs. We show that circuits "wired" using the strategy of cooperative TF assembly are effectively insulated from aberrant misregulation of the host cell genome. As we demonstrate in experiments and mathematical models, this mechanism is sufficient to rescue circuit-driven fitness defects, resulting in genetic and functional stability of circuits in long-term continuous culture. Our naturally inspired approach offers a simple, generalizable means for building high-fidelity, evolutionarily robust gene circuits that can be scaled to a wide range of host organisms and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan D J Bragdon
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Program in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Nikit Patel
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - James Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ethan Levien
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Caleb J Bashor
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Biosciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ahmad S Khalil
- Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Program in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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35
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Ravnik V, Jukič M, Bren U. Identifying Metal Binding Sites in Proteins Using Homologous Structures, the MADE Approach. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:5204-5219. [PMID: 37557084 PMCID: PMC10466382 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
In order to identify the locations of metal ions in the binding sites of proteins, we have developed a method named the MADE (MAcromolecular DEnsity and Structure Analysis) approach. The MADE approach represents an evolution of our previous toolset, the ProBiS H2O (MD) methodology, for the identification of conserved water molecules. Our method uses experimental structures of proteins homologous to a query, which are subsequently superimposed upon it. Areas with a particular species present in a similar location among many homologous protein structures are identified using a clustering algorithm. Dense clusters likely represent positions containing species important to the query protein structure or function. We analyze well-characterized apo protein structures and show that the MADE approach can identify clusters corresponding to the expected positions of metal ions in their binding sites. The greatest advantage of our method lies in its generality. It can in principle be applied to any species found in protein records; it is not only limited to metal ions. We additionally demonstrate that the MADE approach can be successfully applied to predict the location of cofactors in computer-modeled structures, e.g., via AlphaFold. We also conduct a careful protein superposition method comparison and find our methodology robust and the results largely independent of the selected protein superposition algorithm. We postulate that with increasing structural data availability, additional applications of the MADE approach will be possible such as non-protein systems, water network identification, protein binding site elaboration, and analysis of binding events, all in a dynamic manner. We have implemented the MADE approach as a plugin for the PyMOL molecular visualization tool. The MADE plugin is available free of charge at https://gitlab.com/Jukic/made_software.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vid Ravnik
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
ulica 17, Maribor SI-2000, Slovenia
| | - Marko Jukič
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
ulica 17, Maribor SI-2000, Slovenia
- The
Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, Koper SI-6000, Slovenia
- Institute
for Environmental Protection and Sensors, Beloruska ulica 7, Maribor SI-2000, Slovenia
| | - Urban Bren
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University
of Maribor, Smetanova
ulica 17, Maribor SI-2000, Slovenia
- The
Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, Koper SI-6000, Slovenia
- Institute
for Environmental Protection and Sensors, Beloruska ulica 7, Maribor SI-2000, Slovenia
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36
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Wang Y, Wang Y, Chen Y, Yan Q, Lin A. Research progress in mitochondrial gene editing technology. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 52:460-472. [PMID: 37643980 PMCID: PMC10495247 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations result in a variety of genetic diseases. As an emerging therapeutic method, mtDNA editing technology recognizes targets more based on the protein and less on the nucleic acid. Although the protein recognition type mtDNA editing technology represented by zinc finger nuclease technology, transcription activator like effector nuclease technology and base editing technology has made some progress, the disadvantages of complex recognition sequence design hinder further popularization. Gene editing based on nucleic acid recognition by the CRISPR system shows superiority due to the simple structure, easy design and modification. However, the lack of effective means to deliver nucleic acids into mitochondria limits application in the field of mtDNA editing. With the advances in the study of endogenous and exogenous import pathways and the deepening understanding of DNA repair mechanisms, growing evidence shows the feasibility of nucleic acid delivery and the broad application prospects of nucleic acid recognition type mtDNA editing technology. Based on the classification of recognition elements, this article summarizes the current principles and development of mitochondrial gene editing technology, and discusses its application prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qingfeng Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Aifu Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- Zhejiang University Cancer Center, Hangzhou 310058, China.
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Center for RNA Medicine, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Jinhua 322000, Zhejiang Province, China.
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37
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Feng Y, Zhu S, Liu T, Zhi G, Shao B, Liu J, Li B, Jiang C, Feng Q, Wu P, Wang D. Surmounting Cancer Drug Resistance: New Perspective on RNA-Binding Proteins. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1114. [PMID: 37631029 PMCID: PMC10458901 DOI: 10.3390/ph16081114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), being pivotal elements in both physiological and pathological processes, possess the ability to directly impact RNA, thereby exerting a profound influence on cellular life. Furthermore, the dysregulation of RBPs not only induces alterations in the expression levels of genes associated with cancer but also impairs the occurrence of post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Consequently, these circumstances can give rise to aberrations in cellular processes, ultimately resulting in alterations within the proteome. An aberrant proteome can disrupt the equilibrium between oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, promoting cancer progression. Given their significant role in modulating gene expression and post-transcriptional regulation, directing therapeutic interventions towards RBPs represents a viable strategy for combating drug resistance in cancer treatment. RBPs possess significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers for diverse cancer types. Gaining comprehensive insights into the structure and functionality of RBPs, along with delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms underlying RBPs in tumor drug resistance, can enhance cancer treatment strategies and augment the prognostic outcomes for individuals afflicted with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peijie Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
| | - Dong Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences and State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; (Y.F.); (S.Z.); (T.L.); (G.Z.); (B.S.); (J.L.); (B.L.); (C.J.); (Q.F.)
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38
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Wells JN, Chang NC, McCormick J, Coleman C, Ramos N, Jin B, Feschotte C. Transposable elements drive the evolution of metazoan zinc finger genes. Genome Res 2023; 33:1325-1339. [PMID: 37714714 PMCID: PMC10547256 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277966.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Cys2-His2 zinc finger genes (ZNFs) form the largest family of transcription factors in metazoans. ZNF evolution is highly dynamic and characterized by the rapid expansion and contraction of numerous subfamilies across the animal phylogeny. The forces and mechanisms underlying rapid ZNF evolution remain poorly understood, but there is growing evidence that, in tetrapods, the targeting and repression of lineage-specific transposable elements (TEs) plays a critical role in the evolution of the Krüppel-associated box ZNF (KZNF) subfamily. Currently, it is unknown whether this function and coevolutionary relationship is unique to KZNFs or is a broader feature of metazoan ZNFs. Here, we present evidence that genomic conflict with TEs has been a central driver of the diversification of ZNFs in animals. Sampling from 3221 genome assemblies, we show that the copy number of retroelements correlates with that of ZNFs across at least 750 million years of metazoan evolution. Using computational predictions, we show that ZNFs preferentially bind TEs in diverse animal species. We further investigate the largest ZNF subfamily found in cyprinid fish, which is characterized by a conserved sequence we dubbed the fish N-terminal zinc finger-associated (FiNZ) domain. Zebrafish possess approximately 700 FiNZ-ZNFs, many of which are evolving adaptively under positive selection. Like mammalian KZNFs, most zebrafish FiNZ-ZNFs are expressed at the onset of zygotic genome activation, and blocking their translation using morpholinos during early embryogenesis results in derepression of transcriptionally active TEs. Together, these data suggest that ZNF diversification has been intimately connected to TE expansion throughout animal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Wells
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA;
| | - Ni-Chen Chang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
| | - John McCormick
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
| | - Caitlyn Coleman
- Department of Cell Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA
| | - Nathalie Ramos
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, USA
| | - Bozhou Jin
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA
| | - Cédric Feschotte
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA;
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39
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Ichikawa DM, Abdin O, Alerasool N, Kogenaru M, Mueller AL, Wen H, Giganti DO, Goldberg GW, Adams S, Spencer JM, Razavi R, Nim S, Zheng H, Gionco C, Clark FT, Strokach A, Hughes TR, Lionnet T, Taipale M, Kim PM, Noyes MB. A universal deep-learning model for zinc finger design enables transcription factor reprogramming. Nat Biotechnol 2023; 41:1117-1129. [PMID: 36702896 PMCID: PMC10421740 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01624-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cys2His2 zinc finger (ZF) domains engineered to bind specific target sequences in the genome provide an effective strategy for programmable regulation of gene expression, with many potential therapeutic applications. However, the structurally intricate engagement of ZF domains with DNA has made their design challenging. Here we describe the screening of 49 billion protein-DNA interactions and the development of a deep-learning model, ZFDesign, that solves ZF design for any genomic target. ZFDesign is a modern machine learning method that models global and target-specific differences induced by a range of library environments and specifically takes into account compatibility of neighboring fingers using a novel hierarchical transformer architecture. We demonstrate the versatility of designed ZFs as nucleases as well as activators and repressors by seamless reprogramming of human transcription factors. These factors could be used to upregulate an allele of haploinsufficiency, downregulate a gain-of-function mutation or test the consequence of regulation of a single gene as opposed to the many genes that a transcription factor would normally influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Ichikawa
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Osama Abdin
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nader Alerasool
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manjunatha Kogenaru
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - April L Mueller
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Han Wen
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David O Giganti
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gregory W Goldberg
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Samantha Adams
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Spencer
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rozita Razavi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Satra Nim
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Courtney Gionco
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Finnegan T Clark
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexey Strokach
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy R Hughes
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothee Lionnet
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mikko Taipale
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Philip M Kim
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Marcus B Noyes
- Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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40
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Rua AJ, Whitehead Iii RD, Alexandrescu AT. WITHDRAWN: NMR structure verifies the eponymous zinc finger domain of transcription factor ZNF750. J Struct Biol 2023:108003. [PMID: 37487847 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2023.108003] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
This article was initially published in the Journal of Structural Biology, instead of the Journal of Structural Biology: X, due to a publisher error. We regret the inconvenience. The link to the article published in Journal of Structural Biology: X is presented below: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590152423000090. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio J Rua
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Connecticut
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41
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Rodriguez J, Battistini F, Learte-Aymamí S, Orozco M, Mascareñas JL. Molecular dynamics modelling of the interaction of a synthetic zinc-finger miniprotein with DNA. RSC Chem Biol 2023; 4:486-493. [PMID: 37415868 PMCID: PMC10320839 DOI: 10.1039/d3cb00053b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We report the modelling of the DNA complex of an artificial miniprotein composed of two zinc finger modules and an AT-hook linking peptide. The computational study provides for the first time a structural view of these types of complexes, dissecting interactions that are key to modulate their stability. The relevance of these interactions was validated experimentally. These results confirm the potential of this type of computational approach for studying peptide-DNA complexes and suggest that they could be very useful for the rational design of non-natural, DNA binding miniproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Rodriguez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Baldiri Reixac 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Federica Battistini
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Baldiri Reixac 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - Soraya Learte-Aymamí
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
| | - Modesto Orozco
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) Baldiri Reixac 10-12 08028 Barcelona Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Barcelona 08028 Barcelona Spain
| | - José L Mascareñas
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS), and Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Rúa Jenaro de la Fuente s/n 15782 Santiago de Compostela Spain
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42
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Shao L, Li L, Huang X, Fu Y, Yang D, Li C, Yang J. Identification of C2H2 zinc finger genes through genome-wide association study and functional analyses of LkZFPs in response to stresses in Larix kaempferi. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2023; 23:298. [PMID: 37268918 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04298-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND C2H2 zinc finger proteins (C2H2-ZFPs), one of the largest transcription factors, play a variety of roles in plant development and growth as well as stress response. While, the evolutionary history and expression profile of the C2H2-ZFP genes in Larix kaempferi (LkZFPs) have not been reported so far. RESULTS In this study, the whole genome of the LkZFPs was identified and characterized, including physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conservative motifs, the promoter cis-elements and Gene Ontology (GO) annotation. We identified 47 LkZFPs and divided them into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis and conserved motifs. Subcellular localization prediction showed that most of the LkZFPs were located in the nucleus. Promoter cis-element analysis suggested that the LkZFPs may be involved in the regulation of stress responses. Moreover, Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results showed that Q-type LkZFP genes were involved in the response to abiotic stress, such as salt, drought and hormone stresses. Subcellular localization results showed that LkZFP7 and LkZFP37 were located in the nucleus, LkZFP32 was located in both cytoplasm and nucleus. CONCLUSION The identification and functional analysis of LkZFPs suggested that some LkZFP genes might play important roles in coping with both biological and abiotic stresses. These results could further increase understanding of the function of the LkZFPs, and provide some research direction and theoretical support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liying Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Lu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Xun Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Yanrui Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Da Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Chenghao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Jingli Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040, China.
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43
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He Z, He J, Xie K. KLF4 transcription factor in tumorigenesis. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:118. [PMID: 37031197 PMCID: PMC10082813 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01416-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Krüppel-like transcriptional factor is important in maintaining cellular functions. Deletion of Krüppel-like transcriptional factor usually causes abnormal embryonic development and even embryonic death. KLF4 is a prominent member of this family, and embryonic deletion of KLF4 leads to alterations in skin permeability and postnatal death. In addition to its important role in embryo development, it also plays a critical role in inflammation and malignancy. It has been investigated that KLF4 has a regulatory role in a variety of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, pancreatic, hepatocellular, ovarian, esophageal, bladder and brain cancer. However, the role of KLF4 in tumorigenesis is complex, which may link to its unique structure with both transcriptional activation and transcriptional repression domains, and to the regulation of its upstream and downstream signaling molecules. In this review, we will summarize the structural and functional aspects of KLF4, with a focus on KLF4 as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target in different types of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong He
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie He
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Guangzhou First People's Hospital, South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Keping Xie
- Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research, The South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
- The South China University of Technology Comprehensive Cancer Center, Guangdong, China.
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44
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Mao A, Chen C, Portillo-Ledesma S, Schlick T. Effect of Single-Residue Mutations on CTCF Binding to DNA: Insights from Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076395. [PMID: 37047368 PMCID: PMC10094706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans and other eukaryotes, DNA is condensed into chromatin fibers that are further wound into chromosomes. This organization allows regulatory elements in the genome, often distant from each other in the linear DNA, to interact and facilitate gene expression through regions known as topologically associating domains (TADs). CCCTC–binding factor (CTCF) is one of the major components of TAD formation and is responsible for recruiting a partner protein, cohesin, to perform loop extrusion and facilitate proper gene expression within TADs. Because single-residue CTCF mutations have been linked to the development of a variety of cancers in humans, we aim to better understand how these mutations affect the CTCF structure and its interaction with DNA. To this end, we compare all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of a wildtype CTCF–DNA complex to those of eight different cancer-linked CTCF mutant sequences. We find that most mutants have lower binding energies compared to the wildtype protein, leading to the formation of less stable complexes. Depending on the type and position of the mutation, this loss of stability can be attributed to major changes in the electrostatic potential, loss of hydrogen bonds between the CTCF and DNA, and/or destabilization of specific zinc fingers. Interestingly, certain mutations in specific fingers can affect the interaction with the DNA of other fingers, explaining why mere single mutations can impair CTCF function. Overall, these results shed mechanistic insights into experimental observations and further underscore CTCF’s importance in the regulation of chromatin architecture and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Mao
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Silver Building, New York, NY 10003, USA; (A.M.); (C.C.); (S.P.-L.)
| | - Carrie Chen
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Silver Building, New York, NY 10003, USA; (A.M.); (C.C.); (S.P.-L.)
| | - Stephanie Portillo-Ledesma
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Silver Building, New York, NY 10003, USA; (A.M.); (C.C.); (S.P.-L.)
| | - Tamar Schlick
- Department of Chemistry, New York University, 100 Washington Square East, Silver Building, New York, NY 10003, USA; (A.M.); (C.C.); (S.P.-L.)
- Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, 251 Mercer St., New York, NY 10012, USA
- New York University-East China Normal University Center for Computational Chemistry, New York University Shanghai, Shanghai 200122, China
- Simons Center for Computational Physical Chemistry, New York University, 24 Waverly Place, Silver Building, New York, NY 10003, USA
- Correspondence:
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45
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Watson JA, Pantier R, Jayachandran U, Chhatbar K, Alexander-Howden B, Kruusvee V, Prendecki M, Bird A, Cook AG. Structure of SALL4 zinc finger domain reveals link between AT-rich DNA binding and Okihiro syndrome. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201588. [PMID: 36635047 PMCID: PMC9838217 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spalt-like 4 (SALL4) maintains vertebrate embryonic stem cell identity and is required for the development of multiple organs, including limbs. Mutations in SALL4 are associated with Okihiro syndrome, and SALL4 is also a known target of thalidomide. SALL4 protein has a distinct preference for AT-rich sequences, recognised by a pair of zinc fingers at the C-terminus. However, unlike many characterised zinc finger proteins, SALL4 shows flexible recognition with many different combinations of AT-rich sequences being targeted. SALL4 interacts with the NuRD corepressor complex which potentially mediates repression of AT-rich genes. We present a crystal structure of SALL4 C-terminal zinc fingers with an AT-rich DNA sequence, which shows that SALL4 uses small hydrophobic and polar side chains to provide flexible recognition in the major groove. Missense mutations reported in patients that lie within the C-terminal zinc fingers reduced overall binding to DNA but not the preference for AT-rich sequences. Furthermore, these mutations altered association of SALL4 with AT-rich genomic sites, providing evidence that these mutations are likely pathogenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Watson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raphaël Pantier
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Uma Jayachandran
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kashyap Chhatbar
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Valdeko Kruusvee
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michal Prendecki
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Adrian Bird
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Atlanta G Cook
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, Max Born Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
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46
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de Morales HGV, Wang HLV, Garber K, Cheng X, Corces VG, Li H. Expansion of the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of CTCF-related disorder guides clinical management: 43 new subjects and a comprehensive literature review. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:718-729. [PMID: 36454652 PMCID: PMC9928606 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Monoallelic variants of CTCF cause an autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of features, including impacts on the brain, growth, and craniofacial development. A growing number of subjects with CTCF-related disorder (CRD) have been identified due to the increased application of exome sequencing, and further delineation of the clinical spectrum of CRD is needed. Here, we examined the clinical features, including facial profiles, and genotypic spectrum of 107 subjects with identified CTCF variants, including 43 new and 64 previously described subjects. Among the 43 new subjects, 23 novel variants were reported. The cardinal clinical features in subjects with CRD included intellectual disability/developmental delay (91%) with speech delay (65%), motor delay (53%), feeding difficulties/failure to thrive (66%), ocular abnormalities (56%), musculoskeletal anomalies (53%), and behavioral problems (52%). Other congenital anomalies were also reported, but none of them were common. Our findings expanded the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of CRD that will guide genetic counseling, management, and surveillance care for patients with CRD. Additionally, a newly built facial gestalt on the Face2Gene tool will facilitate prompt recognition of CRD by physicians and shorten a patient's diagnostic odyssey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hsiao-Lin V. Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 30322
| | - Kathryn Garber
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 30322
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. 77030
| | - Victor G. Corces
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 30322
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 30322
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA. 30322
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47
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Giandomenico SL, Schuman EM. Genetic manipulation and targeted protein degradation in mammalian systems: practical considerations, tips and tricks for discovery research. FEBS Open Bio 2023. [PMID: 36815235 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13581] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gaining a mechanistic understanding of the molecular pathways underpinning cellular and organismal physiology invariably relies on the perturbation of an experimental system to infer causality. This can be achieved either by genetic manipulation or by pharmacological treatment. Generally, the former approach is applicable to a wider range of targets, is more precise, and can address more nuanced functional aspects. Despite such apparent advantages, genetic manipulation (i.e., knock-down, knock-out, mutation, and tagging) in mammalian systems can be challenging due to problems with delivery, low rates of homologous recombination, and epigenetic silencing. The advent of CRISPR-Cas9 in combination with the development of robust differentiation protocols that can efficiently generate a variety of different cell types in vitro has accelerated our ability to probe gene function in a more physiological setting. Often, the main obstacle in this path of enquiry is to achieve the desired genetic modification. In this short review, we will focus on gene perturbation in mammalian cells and how editing and differentiation of pluripotent stem cells can complement more traditional approaches. Additionally, we introduce novel targeted protein degradation approaches as an alternative to DNA/RNA-based manipulation. Our aim is to present a broad overview of recent approaches and in vitro systems to study mammalian cell biology. Due to space limitations, we limit ourselves to providing the inexperienced reader with a conceptual framework on how to use these tools, and for more in-depth information, we will provide specific references throughout.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin M Schuman
- Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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48
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Ren R, Horton JR, Chen Q, Yang J, Liu B, Huang Y, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Structural basis for transcription factor ZBTB7A recognition of DNA and effects of ZBTB7A somatic mutations that occur in human acute myeloid leukemia. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102885. [PMID: 36626981 PMCID: PMC9932118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
ZBTB7A belongs to a small family of transcription factors having three members in humans (7A, 7B, and 7C). They share a BTB/POZ protein interaction domain at the amino end and a zinc-finger DNA-binding domain at the carboxyl end. They control the transcription of a wide range of genes, having varied functions in hematopoiesis, oncogenesis, and metabolism (in particular glycolysis). ZBTB7A-binding profiles at gene promoters contain a consensus G(a/c)CCC motif, followed by a CCCC sequence in some instances. Structural and mutational investigations suggest that DNA-specific contacts with the four-finger tandem array of ZBTB7A are formed sequentially, initiated from ZF1-ZF2 binding to G(a/c)CCC before spreading to ZF3-ZF4, which bind the DNA backbone and the 3' CCCC sequence, respectively. Here, we studied some mutations found in t(8;21)-positive acute myeloid leukemia patients that occur within the ZBTB7A DNA-binding domain. We determined that these mutations generally impair ZBTB7A DNA binding, with the most severe disruptions resulting from mutations in ZF1 and ZF2, and the least from a frameshift mutation in ZF3 that results in partial mislocalization. Information provided here on ZBTB7A-DNA interactions is likely applicable to ZBTB7B/C, which have overlapping functions with ZBTB7A in controlling primary metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Ren
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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49
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The function and evolution of a genetic switch controlling sexually dimorphic eye differentiation in honeybees. Nat Commun 2023; 14:463. [PMID: 36709321 PMCID: PMC9884244 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36153-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals develop sex-specific morphological structures that are diverse between organisms. However, understanding the developmental and evolutionary mechanisms governing these traits is still limited and largely restricted to DM domain genes, which are conserved, sex-specific developmental regulators identified in genetic models. Here, we report a sex-specific developmental regulator gene, glubschauge (glu) that selectively regulates sexually dimorphic eye differentiation in honeybees. We found that the sex determination gene feminizer (fem) controls sex-specific splicing of glu transcripts, establishing a genetic switch in which Glu proteins with a zinc finger (ZnF) domain are only expressed in females. We showed that female coding sequence was essential and sufficient for partial feminization. Comparative sequence and functional studies revealed that the evolutionary origination of the genetic switch was followed by the mutational origin of the essential ZnF domain. Our results demonstrate that glu is a newly evolved sex-specific genetic switch for region-specific regulation of a dimorphic character.
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50
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Ochiai H, Yamamoto T. Construction and Evaluation of Zinc Finger Nucleases. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2637:1-25. [PMID: 36773134 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3016-7_1] [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: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) are programmable nucleases that have contributed significantly to past genome-editing research. They are now utilized much less owing to the advent of transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated protein system (CRISPR-Cas). These new methods allow for easier generation of reagents that target genomic sequences of interest and are less labor-intensive than ZFNs at targeting desired sequences. However, fundamental ZFN patents have expired, enabling a wide range of their distribution for clinical and industrial applications. This article introduces a ZFN construction protocol that uses bacterial one-hybrid (B1H) selection and single-strand annealing (SSA) assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ochiai
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.
- Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan.
| | - Takashi Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Genome Editing Innovation Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
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