Genome-wide analysis links emerin to neuromuscular junction activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Condensin I folds the Caenorhabditis elegans genome

The structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) complexes-cohesin and condensins-are crucial for chromosome separation and compaction during cell division. During the interphase, mammalian cohesins additionally fold the genome into loops and domains. Here we show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, a species with holocentric chromosomes, condensin I is the primary, long-range loop extruder. The loss of condensin I and its X-specific variant, condensin IDC, leads to genome-wide decompaction, chromosome mixing and disappearance of X-specific topologically associating domains, while reinforcing fine-scale epigenomic compartments. In addition, condensin I/IDC inactivation led to the upregulation of X-linked genes and unveiled nuclear bodies grouping together binding sites for the X-targeting loading complex of condensin IDC. C. elegans condensin I/IDC thus uniquely organizes holocentric interphase chromosomes, akin to cohesin in mammals, as well as regulates X-chromosome gene expression.

Widespread changes in gene expression accompany body size evolution in nematodes

Body size is a fundamental trait that drives multiple evolutionary and ecological patterns. Caenorhabditis inopinata is a fig-associated nematode that is exceptionally large relative to other members of the genus, including C. elegans. We previously showed that C. inopinata is large primarily due to postembryonic cell size expansion that occurs during the larval-to-adult transition. Here, we describe gene expression patterns in C. elegans and C. inopinata throughout this developmental period to understand the transcriptional basis of body size change. We performed RNA-seq in both species across the L3, L4, and adult stages. Most genes are differentially expressed across all developmental stages, consistent with C. inopinata's divergent ecology and morphology. We also used a model comparison approach to identify orthologs with divergent dynamics across this developmental period between the two species. This included genes connected to neurons, behavior, stress response, developmental timing, and small RNA/chromatin regulation. Multiple hypodermal collagens were also observed to harbor divergent developmental dynamics across this period, and genes important for molting and body morphology were also detected. Genes associated with TGF-β signaling revealed idiosyncratic and unexpected transcriptional patterns given their role in body size regulation in C. elegans. Widespread transcriptional divergence between these species is unexpected and may be a signature of the ecological and morphological divergence of C. inopinata. Alternatively, transcriptional turnover may be the rule in the Caenorhabditis genus, indicative of widespread developmental system drift among species. This work lays the foundation for future functional genetic studies interrogating the bases of body size evolution in this group.

Nuclear envelope assembly relies on CHMP-7 in the absence of BAF-LEM-mediated hole closure

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) protein is a DNA-binding protein that crosslinks chromatin to allow mitotic nuclear envelope (NE) assembly. The LAP2-emerin-MAN1 (LEM)-domain protein LEMD2 and ESCRT-II/III hybrid protein CHMP7 close NE holes surrounding spindle microtubules (MTs). BAF binds LEM-domain family proteins to repair NE ruptures in interphase, but whether BAF-LEM binding participates in NE hole closure around spindle MTs is not known. Here, we took advantage of the stereotypical event of NE formation in fertilized Caenorhabditis elegans oocytes to show that BAF-LEM binding and LEM-2-CHMP-7 have distinct roles in NE closure around spindle MTs. LEM-2 and EMR-1 (homologs of LEMD2 and emerin) function redundantly with BAF-1 (the C. elegans BAF protein) in NE closure. Compromising BAF-LEM binding revealed an additional role for EMR-1 in the maintenance of the NE permeability barrier. In the absence of BAF-LEM binding, LEM-2-CHMP-7 was required for NE assembly and embryo survival. The winged helix domain of LEM-2 recruits CHMP-7 to the NE in C. elegans and a LEM-2-independent nucleoplasmic pool of CHMP-7 also contributes to NE stability. Thus, NE hole closure surrounding spindle MTs requires redundant mechanisms that safeguard against failure in NE assembly to support embryogenesis.

Nuclear envelope assembly relies on CHMP-7 in the absence of BAF-LEM-mediated hole closure

Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) is a DNA binding protein that crosslinks chromatin to assemble the nuclear envelope (NE) after mitosis. BAF also binds the Lap2b-Emerin-Man1 (LEM) domain family of NE proteins to repair interphase ruptures. The NE adaptors to ESCRTs, LEMD2-CHMP7, seal NE holes surrounding mitotic spindle microtubules (MTs), but whether NE hole closure in mitosis involves BAF-LEM binding is not known. Here, we analyze NE sealing after meiosis II in C. elegans oocytes to show that BAF-LEM binding and LEM-2 LEMD2 -CHMP-7 have distinct roles in hole closure around spindle MTs. LEM-2/EMR-1 emerin function redundantly with BAF-1 to seal the NE. Compromising BAF-LEM binding revealed an additional role for EMR-1 in maintenance of the NE permeability barrier and an essential role for LEM-2-CHMP-7 in preventing NE assembly failure. The WH domain of LEM-2 recruits the majority of CHMP-7 to the NE in C. elegans and a LEM-2 -independent pool of CHMP-7, which is mostly enriched in the nucleoplasm, also contributes to NE stability. Thus, NE hole closure surrounding spindle MTs requires redundant mechanisms that safeguard against failure in NE assembly to support embryogenesis.

Tissue-specific chromatin-binding patterns of Caenorhabditis elegans heterochromatin proteins HPL-1 and HPL-2 reveal differential roles in the regulation of gene expression

Heterochromatin is characterized by an enrichment of repetitive elements and low gene density and is often maintained in a repressed state across cell division and differentiation. The silencing is mainly regulated by repressive histone marks such as H3K9 and H3K27 methylated forms and the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family. Here, we analyzed in a tissue-specific manner the binding profile of the two HP1 homologs in Caenorhabditis elegans, HPL-1 and HPL-2, at the L4 developmental stage. We identified the genome-wide binding profile of intestinal and hypodermal HPL-2 and intestinal HPL-1 and compared them with heterochromatin marks and other features. HPL-2 associated preferentially to the distal arms of autosomes and correlated positively with the methylated forms of H3K9 and H3K27. HPL-1 was also enriched in regions containing H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 but exhibited a more even distribution between autosome arms and centers. HPL-2 showed a differential tissue-specific enrichment for repetitive elements conversely with HPL-1, which exhibited a poor association. Finally, we found a significant intersection of genomic regions bound by the BLMP-1/PRDM1 transcription factor and intestinal HPL-1, suggesting a corepressive role during cell differentiation. Our study uncovers both shared and singular properties of conserved HP1 proteins, providing information about genomic binding preferences in relation to their role as heterochromatic markers.

DamID-seq: A Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Method that Captures Both Transient and Stable TF-DNA Interactions in Plant Cells

Capturing the dynamic and transient interactions of a transcription factor (TF) with its genome-wide targets whose regulation leads to plants' adaptation to their changing environment is a major technical challenge. This is a widespread problem with biochemical methods such as chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) which are biased towards capturing stable TF-target gene interactions. Herein, we describe how DNA adenine methyltransferase identification and sequencing (DamID-seq) can be used to capture both transient and stable TF-target interactions by DNA methylation. The DamID technique uses a TF protein fused to a DNA adenine methyltransferase (Dam) from E. coli. When expressed in a plant cell, the Dam-TF fusion protein will methylate adenine (A) bases near the sites of TF-DNA interactions. In this way, DamID results in a permanent, stable DNA methylation mark on TF-target gene promoters, even if the target gene is only transiently "touched" by the Dam-TF fusion protein. Here we provide a step-by-step protocol to perform DamID-seq experiments in isolated plant cells for any Dam-TF fusion protein of interest. We also provide information that will enable researchers to analyze DamID-seq data to identify TF-binding sites in the genome. Our protocol includes instructions for vector cloning of the Dam-TF fusion proteins, plant cell protoplast transfections, DamID preps, library preparation, and sequencing data analysis. The protocol outlined in this chapter is performed in Arabidopsis thaliana, however, the DamID-seq workflow developed in this guide is broadly applicable to other plants and organisms.

Drosophila female germline stem cells undergo mitosis without nuclear breakdown

Stem cell homeostasis requires nuclear lamina (NL) integrity. In Drosophila germ cells, compromised NL integrity activates the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related (ATR) and checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) checkpoint kinases, blocking germ cell differentiation and causing germline stem cell (GSC) loss. Checkpoint activation occurs upon loss of either the NL protein emerin or its partner barrier-to-autointegration factor, two proteins required for nuclear reassembly at the end of mitosis. Here, we examined how mitosis contributes to NL structural defects linked to checkpoint activation. These analyses led to the unexpected discovery that wild-type female GSCs utilize a non-canonical mode of mitosis, one that retains a permeable but intact nuclear envelope and NL. We show that the interphase NL is remodeled during mitosis for insertion of centrosomes that nucleate the mitotic spindle within the confines of the nucleus. We show that depletion or loss of NL components causes mitotic defects, including compromised chromosome segregation associated with altered centrosome positioning and structure. Further, in emerin mutant GSCs, centrosomes remain embedded in the interphase NL. Notably, these embedded centrosomes carry large amounts of pericentriolar material and nucleate astral microtubules, revealing a role for emerin in the regulation of centrosome structure. Epistasis studies demonstrate that defects in centrosome structure are upstream of checkpoint activation, suggesting that these centrosome defects might trigger checkpoint activation and GSC loss. Connections between NL proteins and centrosome function have implications for mechanisms associated with NL dysfunction in other stem cell populations, including NL-associated diseases, such as laminopathies.

Exploring the nuclear lamina in health and pathology using C. elegans

The eukaryotic genome inside the nucleus is enveloped by two membranes, the Outer Nuclear Membrane (ONM) and the Inner Nuclear Membrane (INM). Tethered to the INM is the nuclear lamina, a fibrillar network composed of lamins-the nuclear intermediate filaments, and membrane associated proteins. The nuclear lamina interacts with several nuclear structures, including chromatin. As most nuclear functions, including regulation of gene expression, chromosome segregation and duplication as well as nuclear structure, are highly conserved in metazoans, the Caenorhabditis elegans nematode serves as a powerful model organism to study nuclear processes and architecture. This translucent organism can easily be observed under a microscope as a live embryo, larvae and even adult. Here we will review the data on nuclear lamina composition and functions gathered from studies using C. elegans model organisms: We will discuss genome spatial organization and its contribution to gene expression. We will review both the interaction between the cytoplasm and the nucleus and mechanotransduction mechanism. Finally, we will discuss disease causing mutation in nuclear lamins, including the use of this animal model in diseases research.

Genetic approaches to revealing the principles of nuclear architecture

The spatial organization of chromosomes inside the eukaryotic nucleus is important for DNA replication, repair and gene expression. During development of multicellular organisms, different compendiums of genes are either repressed or activated to produce specific cell types. Genetic manipulation of tractable organisms is invaluable to elucidate chromosome configuration and the underlying mechanisms. Systematic inhibition of genes through RNA interference and, more recently, CRISPR/Cas9-based screens have identified new proteins with significant roles in nuclear organization. Coupling this with advances in imaging techniques, such as multiplexed DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, and with tissue-specific genome profiling by DNA adenine methylation identification has increased our knowledge about the immense complexity and dynamics of the nucleus.

Survival of Drosophila germline stem cells requires the chromatin-binding protein Barrier-to-autointegration factor

The nuclear lamina (NL) is an extensive protein network that underlies the inner nuclear envelope. This network includes LAP2-emerin-MAN1 domain (LEM-D) proteins that associate with the chromatin and DNA-binding protein Barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF). Here, we investigate the partnership between three NL Drosophila LEM-D proteins and BAF. In most tissues, only Emerin/Otefin is required for NL enrichment of BAF, revealing an unexpected dependence on a single LEM-D protein. Prompted by these observations, we studied BAF contributions in the ovary, a tissue where Emerin/Otefin function is essential. We show that germ cell-specific BAF knockdown causes phenotypes that mirror emerin/otefin mutants. Loss of BAF disrupts NL structure, blocks differentiation and promotes germ cell loss, phenotypes that are partially rescued by inactivation of the ATR and Chk2 kinases. These data suggest that, similar to emerin/otefin mutants, BAF depletion activates the NL checkpoint that causes germ cell loss. Taken together, our findings provide evidence for a prominent NL partnership between the LEM-D protein Emerin/Otefin and BAF, revealing that BAF functions with this partner in the maintenance of an adult stem cell population.

Loss of an H3K9me anchor rescues laminopathy-linked changes in nuclear organization and muscle function in an Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy model

In this study, Harr et al. use C. elegans to investigate the consequences of a missense mutation (Y45C) in lamin A (encoded by LMNA) found in the human Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) syndrome. Using muscle-specific emerin Dam-ID and other in vivo approaches, the authors report that they were able to counteract the dominant muscle-specific defects provoked by LMNA mutation by the ablation of a lamin-associated H3K9me anchor, suggesting a novel therapeutic pathway for treating EDMD.

Mutations in the nuclear structural protein lamin A produce rare, tissue-specific diseases called laminopathies. The introduction of a human Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD)-inducing mutation into the C. elegans lamin (LMN-Y59C), recapitulates many muscular dystrophy phenotypes, and correlates with hyper-sequestration of a heterochromatic array at the nuclear periphery in muscle cells. Using muscle-specific emerin Dam-ID in worms, we monitored the effects of the mutation on endogenous chromatin. An increased contact with the nuclear periphery along chromosome arms, and an enhanced release of chromosomal centers, coincided with the disease phenotypes of reduced locomotion and compromised sarcomere integrity. The coupling of the LMN-Y59C mutation with the ablation of CEC-4, a chromodomain protein that anchors H3K9-methylated chromatin at the nuclear envelope (NE), suppressed the muscle-associated disease phenotypes. Deletion of cec-4 also rescued LMN-Y59C-linked alterations in chromatin organization and some changes in transcription. Sequences that changed position in the LMN-Y59C mutant, are enriched for E2F (EFL-2)-binding sites, consistent with previous studies suggesting that altered Rb-E2F interaction with lamin A may contribute to muscle dysfunction. In summary, we were able to counteract the dominant muscle-specific defects provoked by LMNA mutation by the ablation of a lamin-associated H3K9me anchor, suggesting a novel therapeutic pathway for EDMD.

Genome anchoring to nuclear landmarks drives functional compartmentalization of the nuclear space

The spatial organization of the genome contributes to essential functions such as transcription and chromosome integrity maintenance. The principles governing nuclear compartmentalization have been the focus of considerable research over the last decade. In these studies, the genome–nuclear structure interactions emerged as a main driver of this particular 3D genome organization. In this review, we describe the interactions between the genome and four major landmarks of the nucleus: the nuclear lamina, the nuclear pores, the pericentromeric heterochromatin and the nucleolus. We present the recent studies that identify sequences bound to these different locations and address the tethering mechanisms. We give an overview of the relevance of this organization in development and disease. Finally, we discuss the dynamic aspects and self-organizing properties that allow this complex architecture to be inherited.

Transcription-independent TFIIIC-bound sites cluster near heterochromatin boundaries within lamina-associated domains in C. elegans

BACKGROUND

Chromatin organization is central to precise control of gene expression. In various eukaryotic species, domains of pervasive cis-chromatin interactions demarcate functional domains of the genomes. In nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, however, pervasive chromatin contact domains are limited to the dosage-compensated sex chromosome, leaving the principle of C. elegans chromatin organization unclear. Transcription factor III C (TFIIIC) is a basal transcription factor complex for RNA polymerase III, and is implicated in chromatin organization. TFIIIC binding without RNA polymerase III co-occupancy, referred to as extra-TFIIIC binding, has been implicated in insulating active and inactive chromatin domains in yeasts, flies, and mammalian cells. Whether extra-TFIIIC sites are present and contribute to chromatin organization in C. elegans remains unknown.

RESULTS

We identified 504 TFIIIC-bound sites absent of RNA polymerase III and TATA-binding protein co-occupancy characteristic of extra-TFIIIC sites in C. elegans embryos. Extra-TFIIIC sites constituted half of all identified TFIIIC binding sites in the genome. Extra-TFIIIC sites formed dense clusters in cis. The clusters of extra-TFIIIC sites were highly over-represented within the distal arm domains of the autosomes that presented a high level of heterochromatin-associated histone H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). Furthermore, extra-TFIIIC clusters were embedded in the lamina-associated domains. Despite the heterochromatin environment of extra-TFIIIC sites, the individual clusters of extra-TFIIIC sites were devoid of and resided near the individual H3K9me3-marked regions.

CONCLUSION

Clusters of extra-TFIIIC sites were pervasive in the arm domains of C. elegans autosomes, near the outer boundaries of H3K9me3-marked regions. Given the reported activity of extra-TFIIIC sites in heterochromatin insulation in yeasts, our observation raised the possibility that TFIIIC may also demarcate heterochromatin in C. elegans.

Active chromatin marks drive spatial sequestration of heterochromatin in C. elegans nuclei

The execution of developmental programs of gene expression requires an accurate partitioning of the genome into subnuclear compartments, with active euchromatin enriched centrally and silent heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery¹. The existence of degenerative diseases linked to lamin A mutations suggests that perinuclear binding of chromatin contributes to cell-type integrity^2,3. The methylation of lysine 9 of histone H3 (H3K9me) characterizes heterochromatin and mediates both transcriptional repression and chromatin anchoring at the inner nuclear membrane⁴. In Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, chromodomain protein CEC-4 bound to the inner nuclear membrane tethers heterochromatin through H3K9me^3,5, whereas in differentiated tissues, a second heterochromatin-sequestering pathway is induced. Here we use an RNA interference screen in the cec-4 background and identify MRG-1 as a broadly expressed factor that is necessary for this second chromatin anchor in intestinal cells. However, MRG-1 is exclusively bound to euchromatin, suggesting that it acts indirectly. Heterochromatin detachment in double mrg-1; cec-4 mutants is rescued by depleting the histone acetyltransferase CBP-1/p300 or the transcription factor ATF-8, a member of the bZIP family (which is known to recruit CBP/p300). Overexpression of CBP-1 in cec-4 mutants is sufficient to delocalize heterochromatin in an ATF-8-dependent manner. CBP-1 and H3K27ac levels increase in heterochromatin upon mrg-1 knockdown, coincident with delocalization. This suggests that the spatial organization of chromatin in C. elegans is regulated both by the direct perinuclear attachment of silent chromatin, and by an active retention of CBP-1/p300 in euchromatin. The two pathways contribute differentially in embryos and larval tissues, with CBP-1 sequestration by MRG-1 having a major role in differentiated cells.

Optimization of DamID for use in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes

•

DamID adaptation to primary hepatocytes may preserve tissue 3D genome architecture.

•

Growth factors, vector tropism and enhancers are needed for DamID in primary cells.

•

Mitochondrial contamination can yield high background signal in primary cells.

•

Signal intensity comparisons can increase calling of interesting differential LADs.

DamID, a method to identify DNA associating with a particular protein, was originally developed for use in immortalized tissue culture lines. The power of this technique has led to its adaptation for a number of additional systems. Here we report adaptations for its use in primary cells isolated from rodents with emphasis on the challenges this presents. Specifically, we present several modifications that allow the method to be performed in mouse acutely isolated primary hepatocytes while seemingly maintaining tissue genome architecture. We also describe the downstream bioinformatic analysis necessary to identify LADs and discuss some of the parameters and their effects with regards to the sensitivity of the method.

The large fraction of heterochromatin in Drosophila neurons is bound by both B-type lamin and HP1a

Background

In most mammalian cell lines, chromatin located at the nuclear periphery is represented by condensed heterochromatin, as evidenced by microscopy observations and DamID mapping of lamina-associated domains (LADs) enriched in dimethylated Lys9 of histone H3 (H3K9me2). However, in Kc167 cell culture, the only Drosophilla cell type where LADs have previously been mapped, they are neither H3K9me2-enriched nor overlapped with the domains of heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a).

Results

Here, using cell type-specific DamID we mapped genome-wide LADs, HP1a and Polycomb (Pc) domains from the central brain, Repo-positive glia, Elav-positive neurons and the fat body of Drosophila third instar larvae. Strikingly, contrary to Kc167 cells of embryonic origin, in neurons and, to a lesser extent, in glia and the fat body, HP1a domains appear to overlap strongly with LADs in both the chromosome arms and pericentromeric regions. Accordingly, centromeres reside closer to the nuclear lamina in neurons than in Kc167 cells. As expected, active gene promoters are mostly not present in LADs, HP1a and Pc domains. These domains are occupied by silent or weakly expressed genes with genes residing in the HP1a-bound LADs expressed at the lowest level.

Conclusions

In various differentiated Drosophila cell types, we discovered the existence of peripheral heterochromatin, similar to that observed in mammals. Our findings support the model that peripheral heterochromatin matures enhancing the repression of unwanted genes as cells terminally differentiate.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13072-018-0235-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nuclear lamina dysfunction triggers a germline stem cell checkpoint

LEM domain (LEM-D) proteins are conserved components of the nuclear lamina (NL) that contribute to stem cell maintenance through poorly understood mechanisms. The Drosophila emerin homolog Otefin (Ote) is required for maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs) and gametogenesis. Here, we show that ote mutants carry germ cell-specific changes in nuclear architecture that are linked to GSC loss. Strikingly, we found that both GSC death and gametogenesis are rescued by inactivation of the DNA damage response (DDR) kinases, ATR and Chk2. Whereas the germline checkpoint draws from components of the DDR pathway, genetic and cytological features of the GSC checkpoint differ from the canonical pathway. Instead, structural deformation of the NL correlates with checkpoint activation. Despite remarkably normal oogenesis, rescued oocytes do not support embryogenesis. Taken together, these data suggest that NL dysfunction caused by Otefin loss triggers a GSC-specific checkpoint that contributes to maintenance of gamete quality.

Otefin is a nuclear lamina protein required for survival of Drosophila germ stem cells. Here the authors show that nuclear lamina dysfunction resulting from loss of Otefin activates a DNA damage-independent germ stem cell-specific checkpoint, mediated by the ATR and Chk2 kinases, which ensures that healthy gametes are passed on to the next generation.

Repressive Chromatin in Caenorhabditis elegans: Establishment, Composition, and Function

Chromatin is organized and compacted in the nucleus through the association of histones and other proteins, which together control genomic activity. Two broad types of chromatin can be distinguished: euchromatin, which is generally transcriptionally active, and heterochromatin, which is repressed. Here we examine the current state of our understanding of repressed chromatin in Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on roles of histone modifications associated with repression, such as methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2/3) or the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (MES-2/3/6)-deposited modification H3K27me3, and on proteins that recognize these modifications. Proteins involved in chromatin repression are important for development, and have demonstrated roles in nuclear organization, repetitive element silencing, genome integrity, and the regulation of euchromatin. Additionally, chromatin factors participate in repression with small RNA pathways. Recent findings shed light on heterochromatin function and regulation in C. elegans, and should inform our understanding of repressed chromatin in other animals.

An Efficient FLP-Based Toolkit for Spatiotemporal Control of Gene Expression in Caenorhabditis elegans

Site-specific recombinases are potent tools to regulate gene expression. In particular, the Cre (cyclization recombination) and FLP (flipase) enzymes are widely used to either activate or inactivate genes in a precise spatiotemporal manner. Both recombinases work efficiently in the popular model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, but their use in this nematode is still only sporadic. To increase the utility of the FLP system in C. elegans, we have generated a series of single-copy transgenic strains that stably express an optimized version of FLP in specific tissues or by heat induction. We show that recombination efficiencies reach 100% in several cell types, such as muscles, intestine, and serotonin-producing neurons. Moreover, we demonstrate that most promoters drive recombination exclusively in the expected tissues. As examples of the potentials of the FLP lines, we describe novel tools for induced cell ablation by expression of the PEEL-1 toxin and a versatile FLP-out cassette for generation of GFP-tagged conditional knockout alleles. Together with other recombinase-based reagents created by the C. elegans community, this toolkit increases the possibilities for detailed analyses of specific biological processes at developmental stages inside intact animals.

Lamina-Associated Domains: Links with Chromosome Architecture, Heterochromatin, and Gene Repression

In metazoan cell nuclei, hundreds of large chromatin domains are in close contact with the nuclear lamina. Such lamina-associated domains (LADs) are thought to help organize chromosomes inside the nucleus and have been associated with gene repression. Here, we discuss the properties of LADs, the molecular mechanisms that determine their association with the nuclear lamina, their dynamic links with other nuclear compartments, and their proposed roles in gene regulation.

Nuclear envelope localization of LEMD2 is developmentally dynamic and lamin A/C dependent yet insufficient for heterochromatin tethering

Peripheral heterochromatin in mammalian nuclei is tethered to the nuclear envelope by at least two mechanisms here referred to as the A- and B-tethers. The A-tether includes lamins A/C and additional unknown components presumably INM protein(s) interacting with both lamins A/C and chromatin. The B-tether includes the inner nuclear membrane (INM) protein Lamin B-receptor, which binds B-type lamins and chromatin. Generally, at least one of the tethers is always present in the nuclear envelope of mammalian cells. Deletion of both causes the loss of peripheral heterochromatin and consequently inversion of the entire nuclear architecture, with this occurring naturally in rod photoreceptors of nocturnal mammals. The tethers are differentially utilized during development, regulate gene expression in opposite manners, and play an important role during cell differentiation. Here we aimed to identify the unknown chromatin binding component(s) of the A-tether. We analyzed 10 mouse tissues by immunostaining with antibodies against 7 INM proteins and found that every cell type has specific, although differentially and developmentally regulated, sets of these proteins. In particular, we found that INM protein LEMD2 is concomitantly expressed with A-type lamins in various cell types but is lacking in inverted nuclei of rod cells. Truncation or deletion of Lmna resulted in the downregulation and mislocalization of LEMD2, suggesting that the two proteins interact and pointing at LEMD2 as a potential chromatin binding mediator of the A-tether. Using nuclei of mouse rods as an experimental model lacking peripheral heterochromatin, we expressed a LEMD2 transgene alone or in combination with lamin C in these cells and observed no restoration of peripheral heterochromatin in either case. We conclude that in contrary to the B-tether, the A-tether has a more intricate composition and consists of multiple components that presumably vary, at differing degrees of redundancy, between cell types and differentiation stages.

Cell Biology of the Caenorhabditis elegans Nucleus

Studies on the Caenorhabditis elegans nucleus have provided fascinating insight to the organization and activities of eukaryotic cells. Being the organelle that holds the genetic blueprint of the cell, the nucleus is critical for basically every aspect of cell biology. The stereotypical development of C. elegans from a one cell-stage embryo to a fertile hermaphrodite with 959 somatic nuclei has allowed the identification of mutants with specific alterations in gene expression programs, nuclear morphology, or nuclear positioning. Moreover, the early C. elegans embryo is an excellent model to dissect the mitotic processes of nuclear disassembly and reformation with high spatiotemporal resolution. We review here several features of the C. elegans nucleus, including its composition, structure, and dynamics. We also discuss the spatial organization of chromatin and regulation of gene expression and how this depends on tight control of nucleocytoplasmic transport. Finally, the extensive connections of the nucleus with the cytoskeleton and their implications during development are described. Most processes of the C. elegans nucleus are evolutionarily conserved, highlighting the relevance of this powerful and versatile model organism to human biology.

Genome-Wide Cell Type-Specific Mapping of In Vivo Chromatin Protein Binding Using an FLP-Inducible DamID System in Drosophila

A thorough study of the genome-wide binding patterns of chromatin proteins is essential for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of genomic processes in eukaryotic nuclei, including DNA replication, transcription, and repair. The DNA adenine methyltransferase identification (DamID) method is a powerful tool to identify genomic binding sites of chromatin proteins. This method does not require fixation of cells and the use of specific antibodies, and has been used to generate genome-wide binding maps of more than a hundred different proteins in Drosophila tissue culture cells. Recent versions of inducible DamID allow performing cell type-specific profiling of chromatin proteins even in small samples of Drosophila tissues that contain heterogeneous cell types. Importantly, with these methods sorting of cells of interest or their nuclei is not necessary as genomic DNA isolated from the whole tissue can be used as an input. Here, I describe in detail an FLP-inducible DamID method, namely generation of suitable transgenic flies, activation of the Dam transgenes by the FLP recombinase, isolation of DNA from small amounts of dissected tissues, and subsequent identification of the DNA binding sites of the chromatin proteins.

Tools for DNA adenine methyltransferase identification analysis of nuclear organization during C. elegans development

C. elegans has recently emerged as a valuable model to understand the link between nuclear organization and cell fate, by combining microscopy approaches, genome-wide mapping techniques with advanced genetics. Crucial to these analyses are techniques to determine the genome-wide interaction pattern of proteins with DNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation has proven valuable but it requires considerable amounts of starting material. This is sometimes difficult to achieve, in particular for specific genotypes (balanced strains, different sexes, severe phenotypes…). As an alternative to ChIP, DNA adenine methyltransferase identification by sequencing (DamID-seq) was recently shown to be able to characterize binding sites in single mammalian cells. Additionally, DamID can be achieved for cell-type specific analysis by expressing Dam fusion proteins under tissue specific promoters in a controlled manner. In this report, we present a user-friendly pipeline to analyse DamID-seq data in C. elegans. Based upon this pipeline, we provide a comparative analysis of libraries generated with different starting material and discuss important library features. Moreover, we introduce an adaptation of an imaging based tool to visualize in vivo the cell-specific tridimensional binding pattern of any protein of interest.

On TADs and LADs: Spatial Control Over Gene Expression

The combinatorial action of transcription factors drives cell-type-specific gene expression patterns. However, transcription factor binding and gene regulation occur in the context of chromatin, which modulates DNA accessibility. High-resolution chromatin interaction maps have defined units of chromatin that are in spatial proximity, called topologically associated domains (TADs). TADs can be further classified based on expression activity, replication timing, or the histone marks or non-histone proteins associated with them. Independently, other chromatin domains have been defined by their likelihood to interact with non-DNA structures, such as the nuclear lamina. Lamina-associated domains (LADs) correlate with low gene expression and late replication timing. TADs and LADs have recently been evaluated with respect to cell-type-specific gene expression. The results shed light on the relevance of these forms of chromatin organization for transcriptional regulation, and address specifically how chromatin sequestration influences cell fate decisions during organismal development.

The nuclear lamina in health and disease

The nuclear lamina (NL) is a structural component of the nuclear envelope and makes extensive contacts with integral nuclear membrane proteins and chromatin. These interactions are critical for many cellular processes, such as nuclear positioning, perception of mechanical stimuli from the cell surface, nuclear stability, 3-dimensional organization of chromatin and regulation of chromatin-binding proteins, including transcription factors. The NL is present in all nucleated metazoan cells but its composition and interactome differ between tissues. Most likely, this contributes to the broad spectrum of disease manifestations in humans with mutations in NL-related genes, ranging from muscle dystrophies to neurological disorders, lipodystrophies and progeria syndromes. We review here exciting novel insight into NL function at the cellular level, in particular in chromatin organization and mechanosensation. We also present recent observations on the relation between the NL and metabolism and the special relevance of the NL in muscle tissues. Finally, we discuss new therapeutic approaches to treat NL-related diseases.

Inducible DamID systems for genomic mapping of chromatin proteins in Drosophila

Dam identification (DamID) is a powerful technique to generate genome-wide maps of chromatin protein binding. Due to its high sensitivity, it is particularly suited to study the genome interactions of chromatin proteins in small tissue samples in model organisms such as Drosophila. Here, we report an intein-based approach to tune the expression level of Dam and Dam-fusion proteins in Drosophila by addition of a ligand to fly food. This helps to suppress possible toxic effects of Dam. In addition, we describe a strategy for genetically controlled expression of Dam in a specific cell type in complex tissues. We demonstrate the utility of the latter by generating a glia-specific map of Polycomb in small samples of brain tissue. These new DamID tools will be valuable for the mapping of binding patterns of chromatin proteins in Drosophila tissues and especially in cell lineages.

DamID-seq: Genome-wide Mapping of Protein-DNA Interactions by High Throughput Sequencing of Adenine-methylated DNA Fragments

The DNA adenine methyltransferase identification (DamID) assay is a powerful method to detect protein-DNA interactions both locally and genome-wide. It is an alternative approach to chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). An expressed fusion protein consisting of the protein of interest and the E. coli DNA adenine methyltransferase can methylate the adenine base in GATC motifs near the sites of protein-DNA interactions. Adenine-methylated DNA fragments can then be specifically amplified and detected. The original DamID assay detects the genomic locations of methylated DNA fragments by hybridization to DNA microarrays, which is limited by the availability of microarrays and the density of predetermined probes. In this paper, we report the detailed protocol of integrating high throughput DNA sequencing into DamID (DamID-seq). The large number of short reads generated from DamID-seq enables detecting and localizing protein-DNA interactions genome-wide with high precision and sensitivity. We have used the DamID-seq assay to study genome-nuclear lamina (NL) interactions in mammalian cells, and have noticed that DamID-seq provides a high resolution and a wide dynamic range in detecting genome-NL interactions. The DamID-seq approach enables probing NL associations within gene structures and allows comparing genome-NL interaction maps with other functional genomic data, such as ChIP-seq and RNA-seq.

The Application of DamID to Identify Peripheral Gene Sequences in Differentiated and Primary Cells

The nuclear envelope interacts extensively with chromatin, though with differences in degree and specificity in different cell types. However, identifying the specific genome sequences associated with individual nuclear envelope associated proteins, particularly nuclear membrane proteins and lamins, has been particularly difficult due to their inherent insolubility and interconnectivity. DamID is a powerful tool developed to bypass many of the inherent difficulties with identifying nuclear envelope protein-chromatin interactions and, as more tissue culture cell types derived from different tissues are examined by DamID, it is increasingly apparent that there are distinct patterns of genome organization in differentiated cell types. However, in applying DamID to both more diverse and/or differentiated cell types a number of technical caveats to the method have been observed which must be circumvented to ensure high quality data is generated. Here we elaborate a detailed methodology to adapt DamID to novel cell types, in particular differentiated cells in culture. Moreover, we highlight heretofore largely ignored variations in the PCR amplified DNA products generated by the DamID procedure and the consequences they have for downstream analysis steps. Thus, the methods described here should serve as a useful resource to researchers new to DamID as well as readily allow its application to an expanded set of cell types and conditions.

DamID Analysis of Nuclear Organization in Caenorhabditis elegans

The development of genomics and next generation sequencing platforms has dramatically improved our insight into chromatin structure and organization and its fine interplay with gene expression. The nuclear envelope has emerged as a key component in nuclear organization via extensive contacts between the genome and numerous proteins at the nuclear periphery. These contacts may have profound effects on gene expression as well as cell proliferation and differentiation. Indeed, their perturbations are associated with several human pathologies known as laminopathies or nuclear envelopathies. However, due to their dynamic behavior the contacts between nuclear envelope proteins and chromatin are challenging to identify, in particular in intact tissues. Here, we propose the DamID technique as an attractive method to globally characterize chromatin organization in the popular model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. DamID is based on the in vivo expression of a chromatin-associated protein of interest fused to the Escherichia coli DNA adenine methyltransferase, which produces unique identification tags at binding site in the genome. This marking is simple, highly specific and can be mapped by sensitive enzymatic and next generation sequencing approaches.

Perinuclear Anchoring of H3K9-Methylated Chromatin Stabilizes Induced Cell Fate in C. elegans Embryos

Interphase chromatin is organized in distinct nuclear sub-compartments, reflecting its degree of compaction and transcriptional status. In Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, H3K9 methylation is necessary to silence and to anchor repeat-rich heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery. In a screen for perinuclear anchors of heterochromatin, we identified a previously uncharacterized C. elegans chromodomain protein, CEC-4. CEC-4 binds preferentially mono-, di-, or tri-methylated H3K9 and localizes at the nuclear envelope independently of H3K9 methylation and nuclear lamin. CEC-4 is necessary for endogenous heterochromatin anchoring, but not for transcriptional repression, in contrast to other known H3K9 methyl-binders in worms, which mediate gene repression but not perinuclear anchoring. When we ectopically induce a muscle differentiation program in embryos, cec-4 mutants fail to commit fully to muscle cell fate. This suggests that perinuclear sequestration of chromatin during development helps restrict cell differentiation programs by stabilizing commitment to a specific cell fate. PAPERCLIP.

Lamin-Binding Proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans

The nuclear lamina, composed of lamins and numerous lamin-associated proteins, is required for mechanical stability, mechanosensing, chromatin organization, developmental gene regulation, mRNA transcription, DNA replication, nuclear assembly, and nuclear positioning. Mutations in lamins or lamin-binding proteins cause at least 18 distinct human diseases that affect specific tissues such as muscle, adipose, bone, nerve, or skin, and range from muscular dystrophies to lipodystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, or accelerated aging. Caenorhabditis elegans has unique advantages in studying lamin-binding proteins. These advantages include the low complexity of genes encoding lamin and lamin-binding proteins, advanced transgenic techniques, simple application of RNA interference, sophisticated genetic strategies, and a large collection of mutant lines. This chapter provides detailed and comprehensive protocols for the genetic and phenotypic analysis of lamin-binding proteins in C. elegans.

Dam it's good! DamID profiling of protein-DNA interactions

The interaction of proteins with chromatin is fundamental for several essential cellular processes. During the development of an organism, genes must to be tightly regulated both temporally and spatially. This is achieved through the action of chromatin‐binding proteins such as transcription factors, histone modifiers, nucleosome remodelers, and lamins. Furthermore, protein–DNA interactions are important in the adult, where their perturbation can lead to disruption of homeostasis, metabolic dysregulation, and diseases such as cancer. Understanding the nature of these interactions is of paramount importance in almost all areas of molecular biological research. In recent years, DNA adenine methyltransferase identification (DamID) has emerged as one of the most comprehensive and versatile methods available for profiling protein–DNA interactions on a genomic scale. DamID has been used to map a variety of chromatin‐binding proteins in several model organisms and has the potential for continued adaptation and application in the field of genomic biology. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:25–37. doi: 10.1002/wdev.205

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

Chromatin states and nuclear organization in development--a view from the nuclear lamina

The spatial distribution of chromatin domains in interphase nuclei changes dramatically during development in multicellular organisms. A crucial question is whether nuclear organization is a cause or a result of differentiation. Genetic perturbation of lamina–heterochromatin interactions is helping to reveal the cross-talk between chromatin states and nuclear organization.

Diverse lamin-dependent mechanisms interact to control chromatin dynamics. Focus on laminopathies

Interconnected functional strategies govern chromatin dynamics in eukaryotic cells. In this context, A and B type lamins, the nuclear intermediate filaments, act on diverse platforms involved in tissue homeostasis. On the nuclear side, lamins elicit large scale or fine chromatin conformational changes, affect DNA damage response factors and transcription factor shuttling. On the cytoplasmic side, bridging-molecules, the LINC complex, associate with lamins to coordinate chromatin dynamics with cytoskeleton and extra-cellular signals.

 

Consistent with such a fine tuning, lamin mutations and/or defects in their expression or post-translational processing, as well as mutations in lamin partner genes, cause a heterogeneous group of diseases known as laminopathies. They include muscular dystrophies, cardiomyopathy, lipodystrophies, neuropathies, and progeroid syndromes. The study of chromatin dynamics under pathological conditions, which is summarized in this review, is shedding light on the complex and fascinating role of the nuclear lamina in chromatin regulation.

Genome-wide mutational spectra analysis reveals significant cancer-specific heterogeneity

Cancer is widely recognized as a genetic disease in which somatic mutations are sequentially accumulated to drive tumor progression. Although genomic landscape studies are informative for individual cancer types, a comprehensive comparative study of tumorigenic mutations across cancer types based on integrative data sources is still a pressing need. We systematically analyzed ~10(6) non-synonymous mutations extracted from COSMIC, involving ~8000 genome-wide screened samples across 23 major human cancers at both the amino acid and gene levels. Our analysis identified cancer-specific heterogeneity that traditional nucleotide variation analysis alone usually overlooked. Particularly, the amino acid arginine (R) turns out to be the most favorable target of amino acid alteration in most cancer types studied (P < 10(-9), binomial test), reflecting its important role in cellular physiology. The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is mutated exclusively with the HYDIN, KRAS, and PTEN genes in large intestine, lung, and endometrial cancers respectively, indicating that TP53 takes part in different signaling pathways in different cancers. While some of our analyses corroborated previous observations, others indicated relevant candidates with high priority for further experimental validation. Our findings have many ramifications in understanding the etiology of cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms in particular cancers.

Linking dosage compensation and X chromosome nuclear organization in C. elegans

Animal sex is determined by the number of X chromosomes in many species, creating unequal gene dosage (aneuploidy) between sexes. Dosage Compensation mechanisms equalize this dosage difference by regulating X-linked gene expression. In the nematode C. elegans the current model suggests that DC is achieved by a 2-fold transcriptional downregulation in hermaphrodites mediated by the Dosage Compensation Complex (DCC), which restricts access to RNA Polymerase II by an unknown mechanism. Taking a nuclear organization point of view, we showed that the male X chromosome resides in the pore proximal subnuclear compartment whereas the DCC bound to the X, inhibits this spatial organization in the hermaphrodites. Here we discuss our results and propose a model that reassigns the role of DCC from repression of genes to inhibition of activation.

Networking in the nucleus: a spotlight on LEM-domain proteins

Proteins resident in the inner nuclear membrane and underlying nuclear lamina form a network that regulates nuclear functions. This review highlights a prominent family of nuclear lamina proteins that carries the LAP2-emerin-MAN1-domain (LEM-D). LEM-D proteins share an ability to bind lamins and tether repressive chromatin at the nuclear periphery. The importance of this family is underscored by findings that loss of individual LEM-D proteins causes progressive, tissue-restricted diseases, known as laminopathies. Diverse functions of LEM-D proteins are linked to interactions with unique and overlapping partners including signal transduction effectors, transcription factors and architectural proteins. Recent investigations suggest that LEM-D proteins form hubs within the nuclear lamina that integrate external signals important for tissue homeostasis and maintenance of progenitor cell populations.

Inner nuclear membrane protein LEM-2 is required for proper nuclear separation and morphology

The inner nuclear membrane proteins emerin and LEMD2 have both overlapping and separate functions in regulation of nuclear organization, gene expression and cell differentiation. We report here that emerin/EMR-1 and LEMD2/LEM-2 are expressed in all tissues throughout Caenorhaditis elegans development but their relative distribution differs between cell types. The ratio between EMR-1 and LEM-2 is particularly high in contractile tissues, intermediate in neurons and hypodermis and lowest in intestine and germ line. We find that LEM-2 is recruited earlier than EMR-1 to reforming nuclear envelopes, suggesting the presence of separate mitotic membrane compartments and specific functions of each protein. Concordantly, we observe that nuclei of lem-2 mutant embryos, but not of emr-1 mutants, have reduced nuclear circularity. Finally, we uncover a novel role of LEM-2 in nuclear separation and anchoring of microtubule organizing centers.

Differential spatial and structural organization of the X chromosome underlies dosage compensation in C. elegans

The adjustment of X-linked gene expression to the X chromosome copy number (dosage compensation [DC]) has been widely studied as a model of chromosome-wide gene regulation. In Caenorhabditis elegans, DC is achieved by twofold down-regulation of gene expression from both Xs in hermaphrodites. We show that in males, the single X chromosome interacts with nuclear pore proteins, while in hermaphrodites, the DC complex (DCC) impairs this interaction and alters X localization. Our results put forward a structural model of DC in which X-specific sequences locate the X chromosome in transcriptionally active domains in males, while the DCC prevents this in hermaphrodites.