1
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Pool KR, Gajanayakage RH, Connolly C, Blache D. Ancestral lineages of dietary exposure to an endocrine disrupting chemical drive distinct forms of transgenerational subfertility in an insect model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18153. [PMID: 39103404 PMCID: PMC11300584 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67921-x] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Across the globe, many species of insects are facing population decline. This is largely driven by anthropogenic changes to the environment, including the widespread exposure of invertebrates to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which impair fertility. To test whether generations of Drosophila melanogaster born from parents exposed to a common dietary EDC, equol, could recover reproductive function, we quantified the reproductive capacity of the two subsequent generations. Using a novel suite of flow cytometry assays to assess sperm functionality in real time, we find that sperm function is compromised across three generations, even after non-exposed in individuals contribute to the breeding population. Though the sex ratio alters in response to EDC exposure, favouring the survival of female offspring, most lineages with ancestral EDC exposure exhibit persistent subfertility in both the male and female. Male offspring with ancestral EDC exposure present with reduced fertility and dysfunctional spermatozoa, whereby spermatozoa are metabolically stressed, lack DNA integrity and present with permanent epigenetic alterations. Across generations, male and female offspring demonstrate distinct patterns of reproductive characteristics, depending upon the specific lineage of EDC exposure. Our results illustrate how dietary EDCs present in agricultural plants could promote transgenerational subfertility and contribute to declining insect populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R Pool
- UWA Institute of Agriculture and UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Raveena Hewa Gajanayakage
- UWA Institute of Agriculture and UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Callum Connolly
- UWA Institute of Agriculture and UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Dominique Blache
- UWA Institute of Agriculture and UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
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2
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Atinbayeva N, Valent I, Zenk F, Loeser E, Rauer M, Herur S, Quarato P, Pyrowolakis G, Gomez-Auli A, Mittler G, Cecere G, Erhardt S, Tiana G, Zhan Y, Iovino N. Inheritance of H3K9 methylation regulates genome architecture in Drosophila early embryos. EMBO J 2024; 43:2685-2714. [PMID: 38831123 PMCID: PMC11217351 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00127-z] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Constitutive heterochromatin is essential for transcriptional silencing and genome integrity. The establishment of constitutive heterochromatin in early embryos and its role in early fruitfly development are unknown. Lysine 9 trimethylation of histone H3 (H3K9me3) and recruitment of its epigenetic reader, heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a), are hallmarks of constitutive heterochromatin. Here, we show that H3K9me3 is transmitted from the maternal germline to the next generation. Maternally inherited H3K9me3, and the histone methyltransferases (HMT) depositing it, are required for the organization of constitutive heterochromatin: early embryos lacking H3K9 methylation display de-condensation of pericentromeric regions, centromere-centromere de-clustering, mitotic defects, and nuclear shape irregularities, resulting in embryo lethality. Unexpectedly, quantitative CUT&Tag and 4D microscopy measurements of HP1a coupled with biophysical modeling revealed that H3K9me2/3 is largely dispensable for HP1a recruitment. Instead, the main function of H3K9me2/3 at this developmental stage is to drive HP1a clustering and subsequent heterochromatin compaction. Our results show that HP1a binding to constitutive heterochromatin in the absence of H3K9me2/3 is not sufficient to promote proper embryo development and heterochromatin formation. The loss of H3K9 HMTs and H3K9 methylation alters genome organization and hinders embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazerke Atinbayeva
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fahnenbergplatz, 79085, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Iris Valent
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Zoological Institute, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Fides Zenk
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences EPFL, SV3809, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Loeser
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Michael Rauer
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Shwetha Herur
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Piergiuseppe Quarato
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgos Pyrowolakis
- Centre for Biological signaling studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Alejandro Gomez-Auli
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Gerhard Mittler
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Germano Cecere
- Institute Pasteur, Mechanisms of Epigenetic Inheritance, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, UMR3738, CNRS, 75724, Cedex 15, Paris, France
| | - Sylvia Erhardt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Zoological Institute, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Guido Tiana
- Università degli Studi di Milano and INFN, Milan, Italy
| | - Yinxiu Zhan
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology-IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicola Iovino
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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3
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Ho S, Theurkauf W, Rice N. piRNA-Guided Transposon Silencing and Response to Stress in Drosophila Germline. Viruses 2024; 16:714. [PMID: 38793595 PMCID: PMC11125864 DOI: 10.3390/v16050714] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Transposons are integral genome constituents that can be domesticated for host functions, but they also represent a significant threat to genome stability. Transposon silencing is especially critical in the germline, which is dedicated to transmitting inherited genetic material. The small Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have a deeply conserved function in transposon silencing in the germline. piRNA biogenesis and function are particularly well understood in Drosophila melanogaster, but some fundamental mechanisms remain elusive and there is growing evidence that the pathway is regulated in response to genotoxic and environmental stress. Here, we review transposon regulation by piRNAs and the piRNA pathway regulation in response to stress, focusing on the Drosophila female germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Ho
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University Campus, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA;
| | | | - Nicholas Rice
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University Campus, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA;
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4
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Romanov SE, Shloma VV, Maksimov DA, Koryakov DE. SetDB1 and Su(var)3-9 are essential for late stages of larval development of Drosophila melanogaster. Chromosome Res 2023; 31:35. [PMID: 38099968 DOI: 10.1007/s10577-023-09743-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of H3K9 histone residue is a marker of gene silencing in eukaryotes. Three enzymes responsible for adding this modification - G9a, SetDB1/Egg, and Su(var)3-9 - are known in Drosophila. To understand how simultaneous mutations of SetDB1 and Su(var)3-9 may affect the fly development, appropriate combinations were obtained. Double mutants egg; Su(var)3-9 displayed pronounced embryonic lethality, slower larval growth and died before or during metamorphosis. Analysis of transcription in larval salivary glands and wing imaginal disks indicated that the effect of double mutation is tissue-specific. In salivary gland chromosomes, affected genes display low H3K9me2 enrichment and are rarely bound by SetDB1 or Su(var)3-9. We suppose that each of these enzymes directly or indirectly controls its own set of gene targets in different organs, and double mutation results in an imbalanced developmental program. This also indicates that SetDB1 and Su(var)3-9 may affect transcription via H3K9-independent mechanisms. Unexpectedly, in double and triple mutants, amount of di- and tri-methylated H3K9 is drastically reduced, but not completely absent. We hypothesize that this residual methylation implies the existence of additional H3K9-specific methyltransferase in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav E Romanov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Viktor V Shloma
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Daniil A Maksimov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry E Koryakov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
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5
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Sarkar K, Kotb NM, Lemus A, Martin ET, McCarthy A, Camacho J, Iqbal A, Valm AM, Sammons MA, Rangan P. A feedback loop between heterochromatin and the nucleopore complex controls germ-cell-to-oocyte transition during Drosophila oogenesis. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2580-2596.e6. [PMID: 37673064 PMCID: PMC11301765 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Germ cells differentiate into oocytes that launch the next generation upon fertilization. How the highly specialized oocyte acquires this distinct cell fate is poorly understood. During Drosophila oogenesis, H3K9me3 histone methyltransferase SETDB1 translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of germ cells concurrently with oocyte specification. Here, we discovered that nuclear SETDB1 is required for silencing a cohort of differentiation-promoting genes by mediating their heterochromatinization. Intriguingly, SETDB1 is also required for upregulating 18 of the ∼30 nucleoporins (Nups) that compose the nucleopore complex (NPC), promoting NPC formation. NPCs anchor SETDB1-dependent heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery to maintain H3K9me3 and gene silencing in the egg chambers. Aberrant gene expression due to the loss of SETDB1 or Nups results in the loss of oocyte identity, cell death, and sterility. Thus, a feedback loop between heterochromatin and NPCs promotes transcriptional reprogramming at the onset of oocyte specification, which is critical for establishing oocyte identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahini Sarkar
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Noor M Kotb
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alex Lemus
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Elliot T Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alicia McCarthy
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Justin Camacho
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Ayman Iqbal
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alex M Valm
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Morgan A Sammons
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
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6
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Pang LY, DeLuca S, Zhu H, Urban JM, Spradling AC. Chromatin and gene expression changes during female Drosophila germline stem cell development illuminate the biology of highly potent stem cells. eLife 2023; 12:RP90509. [PMID: 37831064 PMCID: PMC10575629 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Highly potent animal stem cells either self renew or launch complex differentiation programs, using mechanisms that are only partly understood. Drosophila female germline stem cells (GSCs) perpetuate without change over evolutionary time and generate cystoblast daughters that develop into nurse cells and oocytes. Cystoblasts initiate differentiation by generating a transient syncytial state, the germline cyst, and by increasing pericentromeric H3K9me3 modification, actions likely to suppress transposable element activity. Relatively open GSC chromatin is further restricted by Polycomb repression of testis or somatic cell-expressed genes briefly active in early female germ cells. Subsequently, Neijre/CBP and Myc help upregulate growth and reprogram GSC metabolism by altering mitochondrial transmembrane transport, gluconeogenesis, and other processes. In all these respects GSC differentiation resembles development of the totipotent zygote. We propose that the totipotent stem cell state was shaped by the need to resist transposon activity over evolutionary timescales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yu Pang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Steven DeLuca
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Haolong Zhu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - John M Urban
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
| | - Allan C Spradling
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Carnegie Institution for ScienceBaltimoreUnited States
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7
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Cabrita B, Martinho RG. Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Drosophila Oocyte Determination. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:21. [PMID: 37367475 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11020021] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary oocyte determination occurs in many organisms within a germ line cyst, a multicellular structure composed of interconnected germ cells. However, the structure of the cyst is itself highly diverse, which raises intriguing questions about the benefits of this stereotypical multicellular environment for female gametogenesis. Drosophila melanogaster is a well-studied model for female gametogenesis, and numerous genes and pathways critical for the determination and differentiation of a viable female gamete have been identified. This review provides an up-to-date overview of Drosophila oocyte determination, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms that regulate germ line gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigite Cabrita
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Agra do Crasto, Edifício 30, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rui Gonçalo Martinho
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro, Agra do Crasto, Edifício 30, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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8
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Casier K, Autaa J, Gueguen N, Delmarre V, Marie PP, Ronsseray S, Carré C, Brasset E, Teysset L, Boivin A. The histone demethylase Kdm3 prevents auto-immune piRNAs production in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade3872. [PMID: 37027460 PMCID: PMC10081847 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade3872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Genome integrity of the animal germline is protected from transposable element activity by PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). While piRNA biogenesis is intensively explored, little is known about the genetical determination of piRNA clusters, the genomic sources of piRNAs. Using a bimodal epigenetic state piRNA cluster (BX2), we identified the histone demethylase Kdm3 as being able to prevent a cryptic piRNA production. In the absence of Kdm3, dozens of coding gene-containing regions become genuine germline dual-strand piRNA clusters. Eggs laid by Kdm3 mutant females show developmental defects phenocopying loss of function of genes embedded into the additional piRNA clusters, suggesting an inheritance of functional ovarian "auto-immune" piRNAs. Antagonizing piRNA cluster determination through chromatin modifications appears crucial to prevent auto-immune genic piRNAs production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Casier
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Julie Autaa
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Nathalie Gueguen
- iGReD, CNRS, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Valérie Delmarre
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Pauline P. Marie
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Ronsseray
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Clément Carré
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Emilie Brasset
- iGReD, CNRS, INSERM, Faculté de Médecine, Université Clermont Auvergne, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laure Teysset
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Antoine Boivin
- Transgenerational Epigenetics and Small RNA Biology, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Laboratoire Biologie du Développement, UMR7622, F-75005 Paris, France
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9
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Toscani MA, Pigozzi MI, Papeschi AG, Bressa MJ. Histone H3 Methylation and Autosomal vs. Sex Chromosome Segregation During Male Meiosis in Heteroptera. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.836786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heteropteran insects exhibit a remarkable diversity of meiotic processes, including coexistence of different chromosomes types with different behavior during the first meiotic division, non-chiasmatic segregation, and inverted meiosis. Because of this diversity they represent suitable models to study fundamental questions about the mechanisms of chromosome behavior during cell division. All heteropteran species possess holokinetic chromosomes and in most of them the autosomal chromosomes synapse, recombine, and undergoe pre-reductional meiosis. In contrast, the sex chromosomes are achiasmatic, behave as univalents at metaphase I and present an inverted or post-reductional meiosis. An exception to this typical behavior is found in Pachylis argentinus, where both the autosomes and the X-chromosome divide reductionally at anaphase I and then divide equationally at anaphase II. In the present report, we analyzed the distribution of histones H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 in P. argentinus and in five species that have simple and multiple sex chromosome systems with typical chromosome segregation, Belostoma elegans, B. oxyurum, Holhymenia rubiginosa, Phthia picta, and Oncopeltus unifasciatellus. We found that H3K9me3 is a marker for sex-chromosomes from early prophase I to the end of the first division in all the species. H3K9me2 also marks the sex chromosomes since early prophase but shows different dynamics at metaphase I depending on the sex-chromosome segregation: it is lost in species with equationally dividing sex chromosomes but remains on one end of the X chromosome of P. argentinus, where chromatids migrate together at anaphase I. It is proposed that the loss of H3K9me2 from the sex chromosomes observed at metaphase I may be part of a set of epigenetic signals that lead to the reductional or equational division of autosomes and sex chromosomes observed in most Heteroptera. The present observations suggest that the histone modifications analyzed here evolved in Heteroptera as markers for asynaptic and achiasmatic sex chromosomes during meiosis to allow the distinction from the chiasmatic autosomal chromosomes.
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10
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Vidaurre V, Chen X. Epigenetic regulation of drosophila germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Dev Biol 2021; 473:105-118. [PMID: 33610541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gametogenesis is one of the most extreme cellular differentiation processes that takes place in Drosophila male and female germlines. This process begins at the germline stem cell, which undergoes asymmetric cell division (ACD) to produce a self-renewed daughter that preserves its stemness and a differentiating daughter cell that undergoes epigenetic and genomic changes to eventually produce haploid gametes. Research in molecular genetics and cellular biology are beginning to take advantage of the continually advancing genomic tools to understand: (1) how germ cells are able to maintain their identity throughout the adult reproductive lifetime, and (2) undergo differentiation in a balanced manner. In this review, we focus on the epigenetic mechanisms that address these two questions through their regulation of germline-soma communication to ensure germline stem cell identity and activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velinda Vidaurre
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.
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11
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Kalashnikova DA, Maksimov DA, Romanov SE, Laktionov PP, Koryakov DE. SetDB1 and Su(var)3-9 play non-overlapping roles in somatic cell chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. J Cell Sci 2021; 134:jcs.253096. [PMID: 33288549 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.253096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored functional roles of two H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases of Drosophila melanogaster, SetDB1 (also known as Eggless) and Su(var)3-9. Using the DamID approach, we generated the binding profile for SetDB1 in Drosophila salivary gland chromosomes, and matched it to the profile of Su(var)3-9. Unlike Su(var)3-9, SetDB1 turned out to be an euchromatic protein that is absent from repeated DNA compartments, and is largely restricted to transcription start sites (TSSs) and 5' untranslated regions (5'UTRs) of ubiquitously expressed genes. Significant SetDB1 association is also observed at binding sites for the insulator protein CP190. SetDB1 and H3K9 di- and tri-methylated (me2 and me3)-enriched sites tend to display poor overlap. At the same time, SetDB1 has a clear connection with the distribution of H3K27me3 mark. SetDB1 binds outside the domains possessing this modification, and about half of the borders of H3K27me3 domains are decorated by SetDB1 together with actively transcribed genes. On the basis of poor correlation between the distribution of SetDB1 and H3K9 methylation marks, we speculate that, in somatic cells, SetDB1 may contribute to the methylation of a broader set of chromosomal proteins than just H3K9. In addition, SetDB1 can be expected to play a role in the establishment of chromatin functional domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniil A Maksimov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Stanislav E Romanov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Petr P Laktionov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia.,Laboratory of Epigenetics, Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Dmitry E Koryakov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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12
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Nakamura S, Hira S, Kojima M, Kondo A, Mukai M. Expression of the core promoter factors TATA box binding protein and TATA box binding protein-related factor 2 in Drosophila germ cells and their distinct functions in germline development. Dev Growth Differ 2020; 62:540-553. [PMID: 33219538 DOI: 10.1111/dgd.12701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila, the expression of germline genes is initiated in primordial germ cells (PGCs) and is known to be associated with germline establishment. However, the transcriptional regulation of germline genes remains elusive. Previously, we found that the BTB/POZ-Zn-finger protein, Mamo, is necessary for the expression of the germline gene, vasa, in PGCs. Moreover, truncated Mamo lacking the BTB/POZ domain (MamoAF) is a potent vasa activator. In this study, we investigated the genetic interaction between MamoAF and specific transcriptional regulators to gain insight into the transcriptional regulation of germline development. We identified a general transcription factor, TATA box binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 3 (TAF3/BIP2), and a member of the TBP-like proteins, TBP-related factor 2 (TRF2), as new genetic modifiers of MamoAF. In contrast to TRF2, TBP was found to show no genetic interaction with MamoAF, suggesting that Trf2 has a selective function. Therefore, we focused on Trf2 expression and investigated its function in germ cells. We found that Trf2 mRNA, rather than Tbp mRNA, was preferentially expressed in PGCs during embryogenesis. Depletion of TRF2 in PGCs resulted in decreased mRNA expression of vasa. RNA interference-mediated knockdown showed that, while Trf2 is required for maintenance of germ cells, Tbp is needed for their differentiation during oogenesis. Therefore, these results suggest that Trf2 and Tbp expression is differentially regulated in germ cells and that these factors have distinct functions in Drosophila germline development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi Nakamura
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Graduate School of Natural Science, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Institute for Integrative Neurosciences, Hyogo, Japan.,Department of Biomedical Chemistry, School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Seiji Hira
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Graduate School of Natural Science, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Institute for Integrative Neurosciences, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Makoto Kojima
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akane Kondo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Graduate School of Natural Science, Konan University, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masanori Mukai
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Graduate School of Natural Science, Konan University, Kobe, Japan.,Institute for Integrative Neurosciences, Hyogo, Japan
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13
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Identification, expression, and artificial selection of silkworm epigenetic modification enzymes. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:740. [PMID: 33096977 PMCID: PMC7585183 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-07155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the genetic basis of phenotype variations during domestication and breeding is of great interest. Epigenetics and epigenetic modification enzymes (EMEs) may play a role in phenotypic variations; however, no comprehensive study has been performed to date. Domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) may be utilized as a model in determining how EMEs influence domestication traits. Results We identified 44 EMEs in the genome of silkworm (Bombyx mori) using homology searching. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genes in a subfamily among different animals were well clustered, and the expression pattern of EMEs is constant among Bombyx mori, Drosophila melanogaster, and Mus musculus. These are most highly expressed in brain, early embryo, and internal genitalia. By gene-related selective sweeping, we identified five BmEMEs under artificial selection during the domestication and breeding of silkworm. Among these selected genes, BmSuv4–20 and BmDNMT2 harbor selective mutations in their upstream regions that alter transcription factor-binding sites. Furthermore, these two genes are expressed higher in the testis and ovary of domesticated silkworm compared to wild silkworms, and correlations between their expression pattern and meiosis of the sperm and ova were observed. Conclusions The domestication of silkworm has induced artificial selection on epigenetic modification markers that may have led to phenotypic changes during domestication. We present a novel perspective to understand the genetic basis underlying animal domestication and breeding. Supplementary information Supplementary information accompanies this paper at 10.1186/s12864-020-07155-z.
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14
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Paddibhatla I, Gautam DK, Mishra RK. SETDB1 modulates the differentiation of both the crystal cells and the lamellocytes in Drosophila. Dev Biol 2019; 456:74-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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15
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Benner L, Castro EA, Whitworth C, Venken KJT, Yang H, Fang J, Oliver B, Cook KR, Lerit DA. Drosophila Heterochromatin Stabilization Requires the Zinc-Finger Protein Small Ovary. Genetics 2019; 213:877-895. [PMID: 31558581 PMCID: PMC6827387 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin-mediated repression is essential for controlling the expression of transposons and for coordinated cell type-specific gene regulation. The small ovary (sov) locus was identified in a screen for female-sterile mutations in Drosophila melanogaster, and mutants show dramatic ovarian morphogenesis defects. We show that the null sov phenotype is lethal and map the locus to the uncharacterized gene CG14438, which encodes a nuclear zinc-finger protein that colocalizes with the essential Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1a). We demonstrate Sov functions to repress inappropriate gene expression in the ovary, silence transposons, and suppress position-effect variegation in the eye, suggesting a central role in heterochromatin stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Benner
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
| | - Elias A Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Cale Whitworth
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Koen J T Venken
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- McNair Medical Institute at the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Center for Drug Discovery
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Haiwang Yang
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Junnan Fang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Brian Oliver
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Kevin R Cook
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Dorothy A Lerit
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
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16
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Saravanan K, Kumar H, Chhotaray S, Preethi AL, Talokar AJ, Natarajan A, Parida S, Bhushan B, Panigrahi M. Drosophila melanogaster: a promising model system for epigenetic research. BIOL RHYTHM RES 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09291016.2019.1685216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K.A. Saravanan
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Harshit Kumar
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Supriya Chhotaray
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - A. Latha Preethi
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Amol J. Talokar
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - A. Natarajan
- Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Subhashree Parida
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Manjit Panigrahi
- Division of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR - Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
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17
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Joosten J, Miesen P, Taşköprü E, Pennings B, Jansen PWTC, Huynen MA, Vermeulen M, Van Rij RP. The Tudor protein Veneno assembles the ping-pong amplification complex that produces viral piRNAs in Aedes mosquitoes. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:2546-2559. [PMID: 30566680 PMCID: PMC6411831 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) comprise a class of small RNAs best known for suppressing transposable elements in germline tissues. The vector mosquito Aedes aegypti encodes seven PIWI genes, four of which are somatically expressed. This somatic piRNA pathway generates piRNAs from viral RNA during infection with cytoplasmic RNA viruses through ping-pong amplification by the PIWI proteins Ago3 and Piwi5. Yet, additional insights into the molecular mechanisms mediating non-canonical piRNA production are lacking. TUDOR-domain containing (Tudor) proteins facilitate piRNA biogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster and other model organisms. We thus hypothesized that Tudor proteins are required for viral piRNA production and performed a knockdown screen targeting all A. aegypti Tudor genes. Knockdown of the Tudor genes AAEL012437, Vreteno, Yb, SMN and AAEL008101-RB resulted in significantly reduced viral piRNA levels, with AAEL012437-depletion having the strongest effect. This protein, which we named Veneno, associates directly with Ago3 in an sDMA-dependent manner and localizes in cytoplasmic foci reminiscent of piRNA processing granules of Drosophila. Veneno-interactome analyses reveal a network of co-factors including the orthologs of the Drosophila piRNA pathway components Vasa and Yb, which in turn interacts with Piwi5. We propose that Veneno assembles a multi-protein complex for ping-pong dependent piRNA production from viral RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joep Joosten
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal Miesen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ezgi Taşköprü
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Pennings
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pascal W T C Jansen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Oncode Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn A Huynen
- Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel Vermeulen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Oncode Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald P Van Rij
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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18
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Osumi K, Sato K, Murano K, Siomi H, Siomi MC. Essential roles of Windei and nuclear monoubiquitination of Eggless/SETDB1 in transposon silencing. EMBO Rep 2019; 20:e48296. [PMID: 31576653 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Eggless/SETDB1 (Egg), the only essential histone methyltransferase (HMT) in Drosophila, plays a role in gene repression, including piRNA-mediated transposon silencing in the ovaries. Previous studies suggested that Egg is post-translationally modified and showed that Windei (Wde) regulates Egg nuclear localization through protein-protein interaction. Monoubiquitination of mammalian SETDB1 is necessary for the HMT activity. Here, using cultured ovarian somatic cells, we show that Egg is monoubiquitinated and phosphorylated but that only monoubiquitination is required for piRNA-mediated transposon repression. Egg monoubiquitination occurs in the nucleus. Egg has its own nuclear localization signal, and the nuclear import of Egg is Wde-independent. Wde recruits Egg to the chromatin at target gene silencing loci, but their interaction is monoubiquitin-independent. The abundance of nuclear Egg is governed by that of nuclear Wde. These results illuminate essential roles of nuclear monoubiquitination of Egg and the role of Wde in piRNA-mediated transposon repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Osumi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sato
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensaku Murano
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Siomi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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Ninova M, Fejes Tóth K, Aravin AA. The control of gene expression and cell identity by H3K9 trimethylation. Development 2019; 146:dev181180. [PMID: 31540910 PMCID: PMC6803365 DOI: 10.1242/dev.181180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) is a conserved histone modification that is best known for its role in constitutive heterochromatin formation and the repression of repetitive DNA elements. More recently, it has become evident that H3K9me3 is also deposited at certain loci in a tissue-specific manner and plays important roles in regulating cell identity. Notably, H3K9me3 can repress genes encoding silencing factors, pointing to a fundamental principle of repressive chromatin auto-regulation. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that H3K9me3 deposition requires protein SUMOylation in different contexts, suggesting that the SUMO pathway functions as an important module in gene silencing and heterochromatin formation. In this Review, we discuss the role of H3K9me3 in gene regulation in various systems and the molecular mechanisms that guide the silencing machinery to target loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ninova
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Katalin Fejes Tóth
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Alexei A Aravin
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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20
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Maksimov DA, Koryakov DE. Binding of SU(VAR)3-9 Partially Depends on SETDB1 in the Chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091030. [PMID: 31491894 PMCID: PMC6769583 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
H3K9 methylation is known to play a critical role in gene silencing. This modification is established and maintained by several enzymes, but relationships between them are not fully understood. In the present study, we decipher the interplay between two Drosophila H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases, SU(VAR)3-9 and SETDB1. We asked whether SETDB1 is required for targeting of SU(VAR)3-9. Using DamID-seq, we obtained SU(VAR)3-9 binding profiles for the chromosomes from larval salivary glands and germline cells from adult females, and compared profiles between the wild type and SETDB1-mutant backgrounds. Our analyses indicate that the vast majority of single copy genes in euchromatin are targeted by SU(VAR)3-9 only in the presence of SETDB1, whereas SU(VAR)3-9 binding at repeated sequences in heterochromatin is largely SETDB1-independent. Interestingly, piRNA clusters 42AB and 38C in salivary gland chromosomes bind SU(VAR)3-9 regardless of SETDB1, whereas binding to the same regions in the germline cells is SETDB1-dependent. In addition, we compared SU(VAR)3-9 profiles in female germline cells at different developmental stages (germarium cells in juvenile ovaries and mature nurse cells). It turned out that SU(VAR)3-9 binding is influenced both by the presence of SETDB1, as well as by the differentiation stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil A Maksimov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Dmitry E Koryakov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
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21
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Seller CA, Cho CY, O'Farrell PH. Rapid embryonic cell cycles defer the establishment of heterochromatin by Eggless/SetDB1 in Drosophila. Genes Dev 2019; 33:403-417. [PMID: 30808658 PMCID: PMC6446540 DOI: 10.1101/gad.321646.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acquisition of chromatin modifications during embryogenesis distinguishes different regions of an initially naïve genome. In many organisms, repetitive DNA is packaged into constitutive heterochromatin that is marked by di/trimethylation of histone H3K9 and the associated protein HP1a. These modifications enforce the unique epigenetic properties of heterochromatin. However, in the early Drosophila melanogaster embryo, the heterochromatin lacks these modifications, which appear only later, when rapid embryonic cell cycles slow down at the midblastula transition (MBT). Here we focus on the initial steps restoring heterochromatic modifications in the embryo. We describe the JabbaTrap, a technique for inactivating maternally provided proteins in embryos. Using the JabbaTrap, we reveal a major requirement for the methyltransferase Eggless/SetDB1 in the establishment of heterochromatin. In contrast, other methyltransferases contribute minimally. Live imaging reveals that endogenous Eggless gradually accumulates on chromatin in interphase but then dissociates in mitosis, and its accumulation must restart in the next cell cycle. Cell cycle slowing as the embryo approaches the MBT permits increasing accumulation and action of Eggless at its targets. Experimental manipulation of interphase duration shows that cell cycle speed regulates Eggless. We propose that developmental slowing of the cell cycle times embryonic heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Seller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Chun-Yi Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Patrick H O'Farrell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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22
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The Drosophila Dot Chromosome: Where Genes Flourish Amidst Repeats. Genetics 2019; 210:757-772. [PMID: 30401762 PMCID: PMC6218221 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The F element of the Drosophila karyotype (the fourth chromosome in Drosophila melanogaster) is often referred to as the "dot chromosome" because of its appearance in a metaphase chromosome spread. This chromosome is distinct from other Drosophila autosomes in possessing both a high level of repetitious sequences (in particular, remnants of transposable elements) and a gene density similar to that found in the other chromosome arms, ∼80 genes distributed throughout its 1.3-Mb "long arm." The dot chromosome is notorious for its lack of recombination and is often neglected as a consequence. This and other features suggest that the F element is packaged as heterochromatin throughout. F element genes have distinct characteristics (e.g, low codon bias, and larger size due both to larger introns and an increased number of exons), but exhibit expression levels comparable to genes found in euchromatin. Mapping experiments show the presence of appropriate chromatin modifications for the formation of DNaseI hypersensitive sites and transcript initiation at the 5' ends of active genes, but, in most cases, high levels of heterochromatin proteins are observed over the body of these genes. These various features raise many interesting questions about the relationships of chromatin structures with gene and chromosome function. The apparent evolution of the F element as an autosome from an ancestral sex chromosome also raises intriguing questions. The findings argue that the F element is a unique chromosome that occupies its own space in the nucleus. Further study of the F element should provide new insights into chromosome structure and function.
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23
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Mills BB, Thomas AD, Riddle NC. HP1B is a euchromatic Drosophila HP1 homolog with links to metabolism. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205867. [PMID: 30346969 PMCID: PMC6197686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) proteins are an important family of chromosomal proteins conserved among all major eukaryotic lineages. While HP1 proteins are best known for their role in heterochromatin, many HP1 proteins function in euchromatin as well. As a group, HP1 proteins carry out diverse functions, playing roles in the regulation of gene expression, genome stability, chromatin structure, and DNA repair. While the heterochromatic HP1 proteins are well studied, our knowledge of HP1 proteins with euchromatic distribution is lagging behind. We have created the first mutations in HP1B, a Drosophila HP1 protein with euchromatic function, and the Drosophila homolog most closely related to mammalian HP1α, HP1β, and HP1γ. We find that HP1B is a non-essential protein in Drosophila, with mutations affecting fertility and animal activity levels. In addition, animals lacking HP1B show altered food intake and higher body fat levels. Gene expression analysis of animals lacking HP1B demonstrates that genes with functions in various metabolic processes are affected primarily by HP1B loss. Our findings suggest that there is a link between the chromatin protein HP1B and the regulation of metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B. Mills
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Thomas
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Nicole C. Riddle
- Department of Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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The H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 maintains female identity in Drosophila germ cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4155. [PMID: 30297796 PMCID: PMC6175928 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06697-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The preservation of germ cell sexual identity is essential for gametogenesis. Here we show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is integral to female fate maintenance in Drosophila germ cells. Germ cell specific loss of the H3K9me3 pathway members, the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1, WDE, and HP1a, leads to ectopic expression of genes, many of which are normally expressed in testis. SETDB1 controls the accumulation of H3K9me3 over a subset of these genes without spreading into neighboring loci. At phf7, a regulator of male germ cell sexual fate, the H3K9me3 peak falls over the silenced testis-specific transcription start site. Furthermore, H3K9me3 recruitment to phf7 and repression of testis-specific transcription is dependent on the female sex determination gene Sxl. Thus, female identity is secured by an H3K9me3 epigenetic pathway in which Sxl is the upstream female-specific regulator, SETDB1 is the required chromatin writer, and phf7 is one of the critical SETDB1 target genes. Epigenetic regulation is critical for the maintenance of germ cell identity. Here the authors show that H3K9me3-mediated gene silencing is critical for repression of testis-specific transcription in Drosophila female germ cells, indicating H3K9me3 maintains female germ cell sexual identity.
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25
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Abstract
Gametogenesis represents the most dramatic cellular differentiation pathways in both female and male flies. At the genome level, meiosis ensures that diploid germ cells become haploid gametes. At the epigenome level, extensive changes are required to turn on and shut off gene expression in a precise spatiotemporally controlled manner. Research applying conventional molecular genetics and cell biology, in combination with rapidly advancing genomic tools have helped us to investigate (1) how germ cells maintain lineage specificity throughout their adult reproductive lifetime; (2) what molecular mechanisms ensure proper oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as protect genome integrity of the germline; (3) how signaling pathways contribute to germline-soma communication; and (4) if such communication is important. In this chapter, we highlight recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of these questions. On the other hand, restarting a new life cycle upon fertilization is a unique challenge faced by gametes, raising questions that involve intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, we also discuss new developments that link changes during gametogenesis to early embryonic development-a rapidly growing field that promises to bring more understanding to some fundamental questions regarding metazoan development.
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26
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Kang YK. Surveillance of Retroelement Expression and Nucleic-Acid Immunity by Histone Methyltransferase SETDB1. Bioessays 2018; 40:e1800058. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201800058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Kook Kang
- Development and Differentiation Research Center; Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB); Department of Functional Genomics; University of Science and Technology (UST); Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34141 South Korea
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27
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Kang I, Choi Y, Jung S, Lim JY, Lee D, Gupta S, Moon W, Shin C. Identification of target genes regulated by the Drosophila histone methyltransferase Eggless reveals a role of Decapentaplegic in apoptotic signaling. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7123. [PMID: 29740006 PMCID: PMC5940877 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25483-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic gene regulation is essential for developmental processes. Eggless (Egg), the Drosophila orthologue of the mammalian histone methyltransferase, SETDB1, is known to be involved in the survival and differentiation of germline stem cells and piRNA cluster transcription during Drosophila oogenesis; however the detailed mechanisms remain to be determined. Here, using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we investigated target genes regulated by Egg in an unbiased manner. We show that Egg plays diverse roles in particular piRNA pathway gene expression, some long non-coding RNA expression, apoptosis-related gene regulation, and Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling during Drosophila oogenesis. Furthermore, using genetic and cell biological approaches, we demonstrate that ectopic upregulation of dpp caused by loss of Egg in the germarium can trigger apoptotic cell death through activation of two pro-apoptotic genes, reaper and head involution defective. We propose a model in which Egg regulates germ cell differentiation and apoptosis through canonical and noncanonical Dpp pathways in Drosophila oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igojo Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yourim Choi
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sueun Jung
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Yun Lim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dooyoung Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sumeet Gupta
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, 02142, MA, USA
| | - Woongjoon Moon
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chanseok Shin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea. .,Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Plant Genomics and Breeding Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Song W, Zsindely N, Faragó A, Marsh JL, Bodai L. Systematic genetic interaction studies identify histone demethylase Utx as potential target for ameliorating Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 27:649-666. [PMID: 29281014 PMCID: PMC5886221 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disease caused by alterations in the huntingtin gene (htt). Transcriptional dysregulation is an early event in HD progression. Protein acetylation and methylation particularly on histones regulates chromatin structure thereby preventing or facilitating transcription. Although protein acetylation has been found to affect HD symptoms, little is known about the potential role of protein methylation in HD pathology. In recent years, a series of proteins have been described that are responsible for methylating and demethylating histones as well as other proteins. We carried out systematic genetic interaction studies testing lysine and arginine methylases and demethylases in a Drosophila melanogaster HD model. We found that modulating methylation enzymes that typically affect histone positions H3K4, H3K36 or H3K79 had varying effects on HD pathology while modulating ones that typically affect constitutive heterochromatin marks at H3K9 and H4K20 generally had limited impact on HD pathology. In contrast, modulating enzymes acting on the facultative heterochromatin mark at H3K27 had specific effects on HD pathology, with reduction of the demethylase Utx rescuing HTT-induced pathology while reducing Polycomb Repressive Complex2 core methylase components led to more aggressive pathology. Further exploration of the mechanism underlying the methylation-specific interactions suggest that these lysine and arginine methylases and demethylases are likely exerting their influence through non-histone targets. These results highlight a novel therapeutic approach for HD in the form of Utx inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Song
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nóra Zsindely
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Faragó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School in Biology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - J Lawrence Marsh
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - László Bodai
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Jankovics F, Bence M, Sinka R, Faragó A, Bodai L, Pettkó-Szandtner A, Ibrahim K, Takács Z, Szarka-Kovács AB, Erdélyi M. Drosophila small ovary gene is required for transposon silencing and heterochromatin organisation and ensures germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Development 2018; 145:dev.170639. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.170639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells is one of the fundamental biological phenomena relying on proper chromatin organisation. In our study, we describe a novel chromatin regulator encoded by the Drosophila small ovary (sov) gene. We demonstrate that sov is required in both the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the surrounding somatic niche cells to ensure GSC survival and differentiation. Sov maintains niche integrity and function by repressing transposon mobility, not only in the germline, but also in the soma. Protein interactome analysis of Sov revealed an interaction between Sov and HP1a. In the germ cell nuclei, Sov co-localises with HP1a, suggesting that Sov affects transposon repression as a component of the heterochromatin. In a position effect variegation assay, we found a dominant genetic interaction between sov and HP1a, indicating their functional cooperation in promoting the spread of heterochromatin. An in vivo tethering assay and FRAP analysis revealed that Sov enhances heterochromatin formation by supporting the recruitment of HP1a to the chromatin. We propose a model in which sov maintains GSC niche integrity by regulating transposon silencing and heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Melinda Bence
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Faragó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Bodai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Aladár Pettkó-Szandtner
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Karam Ibrahim
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsanett Takács
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Miklós Erdélyi
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
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Yamashiro H, Siomi MC. PIWI-Interacting RNA in Drosophila: Biogenesis, Transposon Regulation, and Beyond. Chem Rev 2017; 118:4404-4421. [PMID: 29281264 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.7b00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are germline-enriched small RNAs that control transposons to maintain genome integrity. To achieve this, upon being processed from piRNA precursors, most of which are transcripts of intergenic piRNA clusters, piRNAs bind PIWI proteins, germline-specific Argonaute proteins, to form effector complexes. The mechanism of this piRNA-mediated transposon silencing pathway is fundamentally similar to that of siRNA/miRNA-dependent gene silencing in that a small RNA guides its partner Argonaute protein to target gene transcripts for repression via RNA-RNA base pairing. However, the uniqueness of this piRNA pathway has emerged through intensive genetic, biochemical, bioinformatic, and structural investigations. Here, we review the studies that elucidated the piRNA pathway, mainly in Drosophila, by describing both historical and recent progress. Studies in other species that have made important contributions to the field are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Yamashiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science , The University of Tokyo , Tokyo 113-0032 , Japan
| | - Mikiko C Siomi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science , The University of Tokyo , Tokyo 113-0032 , Japan
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31
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.Mirth CK, Piper MDW. Matching complex dietary landscapes with the signalling pathways that regulate life history traits. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2017; 47:9-16. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Maksimov DA, Laktionov PP, Posukh OV, Belyakin SN, Koryakov DE. Genome-wide analysis of SU(VAR)3-9 distribution in chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Chromosoma 2017; 127:85-102. [DOI: 10.1007/s00412-017-0647-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Kim J, Zhao H, Dan J, Kim S, Hardikar S, Hollowell D, Lin K, Lu Y, Takata Y, Shen J, Chen T. Maternal Setdb1 Is Required for Meiotic Progression and Preimplantation Development in Mouse. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005970. [PMID: 27070551 PMCID: PMC4829257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte meiotic progression and maternal-to-zygote transition are accompanied by dynamic epigenetic changes. The functional significance of these changes and the key epigenetic regulators involved are largely unknown. Here we show that Setdb1, a lysine methyltransferase, controls the global level of histone H3 lysine 9 di-methyl (H3K9me2) mark in growing oocytes. Conditional deletion of Setdb1 in developing oocytes leads to meiotic arrest at the germinal vesicle and meiosis I stages, resulting in substantially fewer mature eggs. Embryos derived from these eggs exhibit severe defects in cell cycle progression, progressive delays in preimplantation development, and degeneration before reaching the blastocyst stage. Rescue experiments by expressing wild-type or inactive Setdb1 in Setdb1-deficient oocytes suggest that the catalytic activity of Setdb1 is essential for meiotic progression and early embryogenesis. Mechanistically, up-regulation of Cdc14b, a dual-specificity phosphatase that inhibits meiotic progression, greatly contributes to the meiotic arrest phenotype. Setdb1 deficiency also leads to derepression of transposons and increased DNA damage in oocytes, which likely also contribute to meiotic defects. Thus, Setdb1 is a maternal-effect gene that controls meiotic progression and is essential for early embryogenesis. Our results uncover an important link between the epigenetic machinery and the major signaling pathway governing meiotic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeesun Kim
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Hongbo Zhao
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiameng Dan
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Soojin Kim
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Swanand Hardikar
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Debra Hollowell
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kevin Lin
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Yoko Takata
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jianjun Shen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Taiping Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas, United States of America
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Upadhyay M, Martino Cortez Y, Wong-Deyrup S, Tavares L, Schowalter S, Flora P, Hill C, Nasrallah MA, Chittur S, Rangan P. Transposon Dysregulation Modulates dWnt4 Signaling to Control Germline Stem Cell Differentiation in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005918. [PMID: 27019121 PMCID: PMC4809502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation are required for the sustained production of gametes. GSC differentiation in Drosophila oogenesis requires expression of the histone methyltransferase dSETDB1 by the somatic niche, however its function in this process is unknown. Here, we show that dSETDB1 is required for the expression of a Wnt ligand, Drosophila Wingless type mouse mammary virus integration site number 4 (dWnt4) in the somatic niche. dWnt4 signaling acts on the somatic niche cells to facilitate their encapsulation of the GSC daughter, which serves as a differentiation cue. dSETDB1 is known to repress transposable elements (TEs) to maintain genome integrity. Unexpectedly, we found that independent upregulation of TEs also downregulated dWnt4, leading to GSC differentiation defects. This suggests that dWnt4 expression is sensitive to the presence of TEs. Together our results reveal a chromatin-transposon-Wnt signaling axis that regulates stem cell fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitreyi Upadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Yesenia Martino Cortez
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - SiuWah Wong-Deyrup
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Leticia Tavares
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Sean Schowalter
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Pooja Flora
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Corinne Hill
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mohamad Ali Nasrallah
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Sridar Chittur
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- CFG Core Facility, University at Albany SUNY, Rensselaer, New York, United States of America
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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35
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Shinoda N, Obata F, Zhang L, Miura M. Drosophila SETDB1 and caspase cooperatively fine-tune cell fate determination of sensory organ precursor. Genes Cells 2016; 21:378-86. [PMID: 26914287 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila produce a constant number of mechanosensory bristles called macrochaetae (MC), which develop from sensory organ precursor (SOP) cells within a proneural cluster (PNC). However, what ensures the precise determination of SOP cells remains to be elucidated. In this study, we conducted RNAi screening in PNC for genes involved in epigenetic regulation. We identified a H3K9 histone methyltransferase, SETDB1/eggless, as a regulator of SOP development. Knockdown of SETDB1 in PNC led to additional SOPs. We further tested the relationship between SETDB1 and non-apoptotic function of caspase on SOP development. Reinforcing caspase activation by heterozygous Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1 (DIAP1) mutation rescued ectopic SOP development caused by SETDB1 knockdown. Knockdown of SETDB1, however, had little effect on caspase activity. Simultaneous loss of SETDB1 and caspase activity resulted in further increase in MC, indicating that the two components work cooperatively. Our study suggests the fine-tuning mechanisms for SOP development by epigenetic methyltransferase and non-apoptotic caspase function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsuki Shinoda
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Obata
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Liu Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Masayuki Miura
- Department of Genetics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.,Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Medical Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, 20F Yomiuri Shimbun Building 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
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36
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Vidal NM, Grazziotin AL, Iyer LM, Aravind L, Venancio TM. Transcription factors, chromatin proteins and the diversification of Hemiptera. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 69:1-13. [PMID: 26226651 PMCID: PMC4732926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2015.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Availability of complete genomes provides a means to explore the evolution of enormous developmental, morphological, and behavioral diversity among insects. Hemipterans in particular show great diversity of both morphology and life history within a single order. To better understand the role of transcription regulators in the diversification of hemipterans, using sequence profile searches and hidden Markov models we computationally analyzed transcription factors (TFs) and chromatin proteins (CPs) in the recently available Rhodnius prolixus genome along with 13 other insect and 4 non-insect arthropod genomes. We generated a comprehensive collection of TFs and CPs across arthropods including 303 distinct types of domains in TFs and 139 in CPs. This, along with the availability of two hemipteran genomes, R. prolixus and Acyrthosiphon pisum, helped us identify possible determinants for their dramatic morphological and behavioral divergence. We identified five domain families (i.e. Pipsqueak, SAZ/MADF, THAP, FLYWCH and BED finger) as having undergone differential patterns of lineage-specific expansion in hemipterans or within hemipterans relative to other insects. These expansions appear to be at least in part driven by transposons, with the DNA-binding domains of transposases having provided the raw material for emergence of new TFs. Our analysis suggests that while R. prolixus probably retains a state closer to the ancestral hemipteran, A. pisum represents a highly derived state, with the emergence of asexual reproduction potentially favoring genome duplication and transposon expansion. Both hemipterans are predicted to possess active DNA methylation systems. However, in the course of their divergence, aphids seem to have expanded the ancestral hemipteran DNA methylation along with a distinctive linkage to the histone methylation system, as suggested by expansion of SET domain methylases, including those fused to methylated CpG recognition domains. Thus, differential use of DNA methylation and histone methylation might have played a role in emergence of polyphenism and cyclic parthenogenesis from the ancestral hemipteran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newton M Vidal
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Ana Laura Grazziotin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA; Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Lakshminarayan M Iyer
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - L Aravind
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - Thiago M Venancio
- Laboratório de Química e Função de Proteínas e Peptídeos, Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular (INCT-EM), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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37
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piRNA biogenesis in the germline: From transcription of piRNA genomic sources to piRNA maturation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2016; 1859:82-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Sienski G, Batki J, Senti KA, Dönertas D, Tirian L, Meixner K, Brennecke J. Silencio/CG9754 connects the Piwi-piRNA complex to the cellular heterochromatin machinery. Genes Dev 2015; 29:2258-71. [PMID: 26494711 PMCID: PMC4647559 DOI: 10.1101/gad.271908.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Sienski et al. characterize CG9754/Silencio as an essential piRNA pathway factor that is required for Piwi's nuclear function in guiding the transcriptional silencing of transposons. These results provide novel insight into the transcriptional silencing process downstream from Piwi and the regulation of piRNA-guided heterochromatin formation. The repression of transposable elements in eukaryotes often involves their transcriptional silencing via targeted chromatin modifications. In animal gonads, nuclear Argonaute proteins of the PIWI clade complexed with small guide RNAs (piRNAs) serve as sequence specificity determinants in this process. How binding of nuclear PIWI–piRNA complexes to nascent transcripts orchestrates heterochromatin formation and transcriptional silencing is unknown. Here, we characterize CG9754/Silencio as an essential piRNA pathway factor that is required for Piwi-mediated transcriptional silencing in Drosophila. Ectopic targeting of Silencio to RNA or DNA is sufficient to elicit silencing independently of Piwi and known piRNA pathway factors. Instead, Silencio requires the H3K9 methyltransferase Eggless/SetDB1 for its silencing ability. In agreement with this, SetDB1, but not Su(var)3-9, is required for Piwi-mediated transcriptional silencing genome-wide. Due to its interaction with the target-engaged Piwi–piRNA complex, we suggest that Silencio acts as linker between the sequence specificity factor Piwi and the cellular heterochromatin machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Sienski
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Batki
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Kirsten-André Senti
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Derya Dönertas
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Laszlo Tirian
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Meixner
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julius Brennecke
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
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39
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Paternal diet defines offspring chromatin state and intergenerational obesity. Cell 2015; 159:1352-64. [PMID: 25480298 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The global rise in obesity has revitalized a search for genetic and epigenetic factors underlying the disease. We present a Drosophila model of paternal-diet-induced intergenerational metabolic reprogramming (IGMR) and identify genes required for its encoding in offspring. Intriguingly, we find that as little as 2 days of dietary intervention in fathers elicits obesity in offspring. Paternal sugar acts as a physiological suppressor of variegation, desilencing chromatin-state-defined domains in both mature sperm and in offspring embryos. We identify requirements for H3K9/K27me3-dependent reprogramming of metabolic genes in two distinct germline and zygotic windows. Critically, we find evidence that a similar system may regulate obesity susceptibility and phenotype variation in mice and humans. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying intergenerational metabolic reprogramming and carry profound implications for our understanding of phenotypic variation and evolution.
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40
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Liu S, Brind'Amour J, Karimi MM, Shirane K, Bogutz A, Lefebvre L, Sasaki H, Shinkai Y, Lorincz MC. Setdb1 is required for germline development and silencing of H3K9me3-marked endogenous retroviruses in primordial germ cells. Genes Dev 2014; 28:2041-55. [PMID: 25228647 PMCID: PMC4173156 DOI: 10.1101/gad.244848.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transcription of endogenous retroviruses is inhibited by de novo DNA methylation during gametogenesis, and DNA methylation reaches a low point in E13.5 primordial germ cells (PGCs) of both sexes. Liu et al. find that germline-specific conditional knockout of the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 yields a decrease of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 marks and DNA methylation at H3K9me3-enriched retrotransposon families. Setdb1 deficiency is associated with a reduced number of male E13.5 PGCs and postnatal hypogonadism in both sexes. Therefore, SETDB1 is an essential guardian against proviral expression prior to the onset of de novo DNA methylation in the germline. Transcription of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) is inhibited by de novo DNA methylation during gametogenesis, a process initiated after birth in oocytes and at approximately embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) in prospermatogonia. Earlier in germline development, the genome, including most retrotransposons, is progressively demethylated. Young ERVK and ERV1 elements, however, retain intermediate methylation levels. As DNA methylation reaches a low point in E13.5 primordial germ cells (PGCs) of both sexes, we determined whether retrotransposons are marked by H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 using a recently developed low-input ChIP-seq (chromatin immunoprecipitation [ChIP] combined with deep sequencing) method. Although these repressive histone modifications are found predominantly on distinct genomic regions in E13.5 PGCs, they concurrently mark partially methylated long terminal repeats (LTRs) and LINE1 elements. Germline-specific conditional knockout of the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 yields a decrease of both marks and DNA methylation at H3K9me3-enriched retrotransposon families. Strikingly, Setdb1 knockout E13.5 PGCs show concomitant derepression of many marked ERVs, including intracisternal A particle (IAP), ETn, and ERVK10C elements, and ERV-proximal genes, a subset in a sex-dependent manner. Furthermore, Setdb1 deficiency is associated with a reduced number of male E13.5 PGCs and postnatal hypogonadism in both sexes. Taken together, these observations reveal that SETDB1 is an essential guardian against proviral expression prior to the onset of de novo DNA methylation in the germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan
| | - Julie Brind'Amour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan
| | - Mohammad M Karimi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan; Biomedical Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kenjiro Shirane
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Aaron Bogutz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan
| | - Louis Lefebvre
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan
| | - Hiroyuki Sasaki
- Division of Epigenomics and Development, Department of Molecular Genetics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama 332-0012, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shinkai
- Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology (CREST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Saitama 332-0012, Japan; Cellular Memory Laboratory, RIKEN, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Matthew C Lorincz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canadan;
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Olovnikov IA, Kalmykova AI. piRNA clusters as a main source of small RNAs in the animal germline. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2014; 78:572-84. [PMID: 23980884 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297913060035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PIWI subfamily Argonaute proteins and small RNAs bound to them (PIWI interacting RNA, piRNA) control mobilization of transposable elements (TE) in the animal germline. piRNAs are generated by distinct genomic regions termed piRNA clusters. piRNA clusters are often extensive loci enriched in damaged fragments of TEs. New TE integration into piRNA clusters causes production of TE-specific piRNAs and repression of cognate sequences. piRNAs are thought to be generated from long single-stranded precursors encoded by piRNA clusters. Special chromatin structures might be essential to distinguish these genomic loci as a source for piRNAs. In this review, we present recent findings on the structural organization of piRNA clusters and piRNA biogenesis in Drosophila and other organisms, which are important for understanding a key epigenetic mechanism that provides defense against TE expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Olovnikov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 123182, Russia.
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Mullen EK, Daley M, Backx AG, Thompson GJ. Gene co-citation networks associated with worker sterility in honey bees. BMC SYSTEMS BIOLOGY 2014; 8:38. [PMID: 24669853 PMCID: PMC4030028 DOI: 10.1186/1752-0509-8-38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evolution of reproductive self-sacrifice is well understood from kin theory, yet our understanding of how actual genes influence the expression of reproductive altruism is only beginning to take shape. As a model in the molecular study of social behaviour, the honey bee Apis mellifera has yielded hundreds of genes associated in their expression with differences in reproductive status of females, including genes directly associated with sterility, yet there has not been an attempt to link these candidates into functional networks that explain how workers regulate sterility in the presence of queen pheromone. In this study we use available microarray data and a co-citation analysis to describe what gene interactions might regulate a worker's response to ovary suppressing queen pheromone. RESULTS We reconstructed a total of nine gene networks that vary in size and gene composition, but that are significantly enriched for genes of reproductive function. The networks identify, for the first time, which candidate microarray genes are of functional importance, as evidenced by their degree of connectivity to other genes within each of the inferred networks. Our study identifies single genes of interest related to oogenesis, including eggless, and further implicates pathways related to insulin, ecdysteroid, and dopamine signaling as potentially important to reproductive decision making in honey bees. CONCLUSIONS The networks derived here appear to be variable in gene composition, hub gene identity, and the overall interactions they describe. One interpretation is that workers use different networks to control personal reproduction via ovary activation, perhaps as a function of age or environmental circumstance. Alternatively, the multiple networks inferred here may represent segments of the larger, single network that remains unknown in its entirety. The networks generated here are provisional but do offer a new multi-gene framework for understanding how honey bees regulate personal reproduction within their highly social breeding system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Kate Mullen
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Mark Daley
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Alanna Gabrielle Backx
- Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 411 Gordon Street, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Graham James Thompson
- The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street North, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
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Iovino N. Drosophila epigenome reorganization during oocyte differentiation and early embryogenesis. Brief Funct Genomics 2014; 13:246-53. [PMID: 24665128 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elu007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In sexually reproducing organisms, propagation of the species relies on specialized haploid cells (gametes) produced by germ cells. During their development in the adult germline, the female and male gametes undergo a complex differentiation process that requires transcriptional regulation and chromatin reorganization. After fertilization, the gametes then go through extensive epigenetic reprogramming, which resets the cells to a totipotent state essential for the development of the embryo. Several histone modifications characterize distinct developmental stages of gamete formation and early embryonic development, but it is unknown whether these modifications have any physiological role. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that environmentally induced chromatin changes can be inherited, yet the mechanisms underlying zygotic inheritance of the gamete epigenome remain unclear. This review gives a brief overview of the mechanisms of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and examines the function of epigenetics during oogenesis and early embryogenesis with a focus on histone posttranslational modifications.
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Clough E, Tedeschi T, Hazelrigg T. Epigenetic regulation of oogenesis and germ stem cell maintenance by the Drosophila histone methyltransferase Eggless/dSetDB1. Dev Biol 2014; 388:181-91. [PMID: 24485852 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The Drosophila melanogaster histone lysine methyltransferase (HKMT) Eggless (Egg/dSETDB1) catalyzes methylation of Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), a signature of repressive heterochromatin. Our previous studies showed that H3K9 methylation by Egg is required for oogenesis. Here we analyze a set of EMS-induced mutations in the egg gene, identify the molecular lesions of these mutations, and compare the effects on oogenesis of both strong loss-of-function and weak hypomorphic alleles. These studies show that H3K9 methylation by Egg is required for multiple stages of oogenesis. Mosaic expression experiments show that the egg gene is not required intrinsically in the germ cells for their early differentiation, but is required in the germ cells for their survival past stage 5 of oogenesis. egg is also required in germ stem cells for their maintenance, since egg- germ stem cells initially survive but are not maintained as females age. Mosaic analysis also reveals that the early egg chamber budding defects in egg- ovaries are due to an intrinsic requirement for egg in follicle stem cells and their descendents, and that egg plays a non-autonomous role in somatic cells in the germarium to influence the differentiation of early germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Clough
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Thomas Tedeschi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Tulle Hazelrigg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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Wang SH, Nan R, Accardo MC, Sentmanat M, Dimitri P, Elgin SCR. A distinct type of heterochromatin at the telomeric region of the Drosophila melanogaster Y chromosome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86451. [PMID: 24475122 PMCID: PMC3901700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2012] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin assembly and its associated phenotype, position effect variegation (PEV), provide an informative system to study chromatin structure and genome packaging. In the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the Y chromosome is entirely heterochromatic in all cell types except the male germline; as such, Y chromosome dosage is a potent modifier of PEV. However, neither Y heterochromatin composition, nor its assembly, has been carefully studied. Here, we report the mapping and characterization of eight reporter lines that show male-specific PEV. In all eight cases, the reporter insertion sites lie in the telomeric transposon array (HeT-A and TART-B2 homologous repeats) of the Y chromosome short arm (Ys). Investigations of the impact on the PEV phenotype of mutations in known heterochromatin proteins (i.e., modifiers of PEV) show that this Ys telomeric region is a unique heterochromatin domain: it displays sensitivity to mutations in HP1a, EGG and SU(VAR)3-9, but no sensitivity to Su(z)2 mutations. It appears that the endo-siRNA pathway plays a major targeting role for this domain. Interestingly, an ectopic copy of 1360 is sufficient to induce a piRNA targeting mechanism to further enhance silencing of a reporter cytologically localized to the Ys telomere. These results demonstrate the diversity of heterochromatin domains, and the corresponding variation in potential targeting mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidney H. Wang
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ruth Nan
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Maria C. Accardo
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin” and Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Monica Sentmanat
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Patrizio Dimitri
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie “Charles Darwin” and Istituto Pasteur Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Sarah C. R. Elgin
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Chorion formation in panoistic ovaries requires windei and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 9. Exp Cell Res 2014; 320:46-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Zheng C, Karimzadegan S, Chiang V, Chalfie M. Histone methylation restrains the expression of subtype-specific genes during terminal neuronal differentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1004017. [PMID: 24348272 PMCID: PMC3861114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Although epigenetic control of stem cell fate choice is well established, little is known about epigenetic regulation of terminal neuronal differentiation. We found that some differences among the subtypes of Caenorhabditis elegans VC neurons, particularly the expression of the transcription factor gene unc-4, require histone modification, most likely H3K9 methylation. An EGF signal from the vulva alleviated the epigenetic repression of unc-4 in vulval VC neurons but not the more distant nonvulval VC cells, which kept unc-4 silenced. Loss of the H3K9 methyltransferase MET-2 or H3K9me2/3 binding proteins HPL-2 and LIN-61 or a novel chromodomain protein CEC-3 caused ectopic unc-4 expression in all VC neurons. Downstream of the EGF signaling in vulval VC neurons, the transcription factor LIN-11 and histone demethylases removed the suppressive histone marks and derepressed unc-4. Behaviorally, expression of UNC-4 in all the VC neurons caused an imbalance in the egg-laying circuit. Thus, epigenetic mechanisms help establish subtype-specific gene expression, which are needed for optimal activity of a neural circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaogu Zheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Siavash Karimzadegan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Victor Chiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Martin Chalfie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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Lundberg LE, Stenberg P, Larsson J. HP1a, Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and POF stimulate or repress gene expression depending on genomic position, gene length and expression pattern in Drosophila melanogaster. Nucleic Acids Res 2013; 41:4481-94. [PMID: 23476027 PMCID: PMC3632140 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkt158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a) is a chromatin-associated protein important for the formation and maintenance of heterochromatin. In Drosophila, the two histone methyltransferases SETDB1 and Su(var)3-9 mediate H3K9 methylation marks that initiates the establishment and spreading of HP1a-enriched chromatin. Although HP1a is generally regarded as a factor that represses gene transcription, several reports have linked HP1a binding to active genes, and in some cases, it has been shown to stimulate transcriptional activity. To clarify the function of HP1a in transcription regulation and its association with Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and the chromosome 4-specific protein POF, we conducted genome-wide expression studies and combined the results with available binding data in Drosophila melanogaster. The results suggest that HP1a, SETDB1 and Su(var)3-9 repress genes on chromosome 4, where non-ubiquitously expressed genes are preferentially targeted, and stimulate genes in pericentromeric regions. Further, we showed that on chromosome 4, Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and HP1a target the same genes. In addition, we found that transposons are repressed by HP1a and Su(var)3-9 and that the binding level and expression effects of HP1a are affected by gene length. Our results indicate that genes have adapted to be properly expressed in their local chromatin environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina E Lundberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden
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Van Wynsberghe PM, Maine EM. Epigenetic control of germline development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 757:373-403. [PMID: 22872484 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-4015-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Dynamic regulation of histone modifications and small noncoding RNAs is observed throughout the development of the C. elegans germ line. Histone modifications are differentially regulated in the mitotic vs meiotic germ line, on X chromosomes vs autosomes and on paired chromosomes vs unpaired chromosomes. Small RNAs function in transposon silencing and developmental gene regulation. Histone modifications and small RNAs produced in the germ line can be inherited and impact embryonic development. Disruption of histone-modifying enzymes or small RNA machinery in the germ line can result in sterility due to degeneration of the germ line and/or an inability to produce functional gametes.
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