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Jauregui-Lozano J, Bakhle K, Weake VM. In vivo tissue-specific chromatin profiling in Drosophila melanogaster using GFP-tagged nuclei. Genetics 2021; 218:6281219. [PMID: 34022041 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyab079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The chromatin landscape defines cellular identity in multicellular organisms with unique patterns of DNA accessibility and histone marks decorating the genome of each cell type. Thus, profiling the chromatin state of different cell types in an intact organism under disease or physiological conditions can provide insight into how chromatin regulates cell homeostasis in vivo. To overcome the many challenges associated with characterizing chromatin state in specific cell types, we developed an improved approach to isolate Drosophila melanogaster nuclei tagged with a GFPKASH protein. The perinuclear space-localized KASH domain anchors GFP to the outer nuclear membrane, and expression of UAS-GFPKASH can be controlled by tissue-specific Gal4 drivers. Using this protocol, we profiled chromatin accessibility using an improved version of Assay for Transposable Accessible Chromatin followed by sequencing (ATAC-seq), called Omni-ATAC. In addition, we examined the distribution of histone marks using Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) and Cleavage Under Targets and Tagmentation (CUT&Tag) in adult photoreceptor neurons. We show that the chromatin landscape of photoreceptors reflects the transcriptional state of these cells, demonstrating the quality and reproducibility of our approach for profiling the transcriptome and epigenome of specific cell types in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimaya Bakhle
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Vikki M Weake
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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2
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Torres-Zelada EF, Weake VM. The Gcn5 complexes in Drosophila as a model for metazoa. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1864:194610. [PMID: 32735945 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 is conserved throughout eukaryotes where it functions as part of large multi-subunit transcriptional coactivator complexes that stimulate gene expression. Here, we describe how studies in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the essential roles played by Gcn5 in the development of multicellular organisms. We outline the composition and activity of the four different Gcn5 complexes in Drosophila: the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase (SAGA), Ada2a-containing (ATAC), Ada2/Gcn5/Ada3 transcription activator (ADA), and Chiffon Histone Acetyltransferase (CHAT) complexes. Whereas the SAGA and ADA complexes are also present in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ATAC has only been identified in other metazoa such as humans, and the CHAT complex appears to be unique to insects. Each of these Gcn5 complexes is nucleated by unique Ada2 homologs or splice isoforms that share conserved N-terminal domains, and differ only in their C-terminal domains. We describe the common and specialized developmental functions of each Gcn5 complex based on phenotypic analysis of mutant flies. In addition, we outline how gene expression studies in mutant flies have shed light on the different biological roles of each complex. Together, these studies highlight the key role that Drosophila has played in understanding the expanded biological function of Gcn5 in multicellular eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vikki M Weake
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
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3
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Carrillo-Rosas S, Weber C, Fievet L, Messaddeq N, Karam A, Trottier Y. Loss of zebrafish Ataxin-7, a SAGA subunit responsible for SCA7 retinopathy, causes ocular coloboma and malformation of photoreceptors. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:912-927. [PMID: 30445451 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in Ataxin-7 (ATXN7) results in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) and causes visual impairment. SCA7 photoreceptors progressively lose their outer segments (OSs), a structure essential for their visual function. ATXN7 is a subunit of the transcriptional coactivator Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase complex, implicated in the development of the visual system in flies. To determine the function of ATXN7 in the vertebrate eye, we have inactivated ATXN7 in zebrafish. While ATXN7 depletion in flies led to gross retinal degeneration, in zebrafish, it primarily results in ocular coloboma, a structural malformation responsible for pediatric visual impairment in humans. ATXN7 inactivation leads to elevated Hedgehog signaling in the forebrain, causing an alteration of proximo-distal patterning of the optic vesicle during early eye development and coloboma. At later developmental stages, malformations of photoreceptors due to incomplete formation of their OSs are observed and correlate with altered expression of crx, a key transcription factor involved in the formation of photoreceptor OS. Therefore, we propose that a primary toxic effect of polyQ expansion is the alteration of ATXN7 function in the daily renewal of OS in SCA7. Together, our data indicate that ATXN7 plays an essential role in vertebrate eye morphogenesis and photoreceptor differentiation, and its loss of function may contribute to the development of human coloboma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Carrillo-Rosas
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
| | - Chantal Weber
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
| | - Lorraine Fievet
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
| | - Nadia Messaddeq
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
| | - Alice Karam
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC).,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104.,Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1254.,University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, 67000, France
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4
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Wang T, Morency DT, Harris N, Davis GW. Epigenetic Signaling in Glia Controls Presynaptic Homeostatic Plasticity. Neuron 2020; 105:491-505.e3. [PMID: 31810838 PMCID: PMC7518042 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.10.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic gene regulation shapes neuronal fate in the embryonic nervous system. Post-embryonically, epigenetic signaling within neurons has been associated with impaired learning, autism, ataxia, and schizophrenia. Epigenetic factors are also enriched in glial cells. However, little is known about epigenetic signaling in glia and nothing is known about the intersection of glial epigenetic signaling and presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. During a screen for genes involved in presynaptic homeostatic synaptic plasticity, we identified an essential role for the histone acetyltransferase and deubiquitinase SAGA complex in peripheral glia. We present evidence that the SAGA complex is necessary for homeostatic plasticity, demonstrating involvement of four new genes in homeostatic plasticity. This is also evidence that glia participate in presynaptic homeostatic plasticity, invoking previously unexplored intercellular, homeostatic signaling at a tripartite synapse. We show, mechanistically, SAGA signaling regulates the composition of and signaling from the extracellular matrix during homeostatic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Danielle T Morency
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Nathan Harris
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Graeme W Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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5
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Niewiadomska-Cimicka A, Trottier Y. Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Strategies in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1074-1096. [PMID: 31432449 PMCID: PMC6985300 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00778-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive neuronal loss in the cerebellum, brainstem, and retina, leading to cerebellar ataxia and blindness as major symptoms. SCA7 is due to the expansion of a CAG triplet repeat that is translated into a polyglutamine tract in ATXN7. Larger SCA7 expansions are associated with earlier onset of symptoms and more severe and rapid disease progression. Here, we summarize the pathological and genetic aspects of SCA7, compile the current knowledge about ATXN7 functions, and then focus on recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis and in developing biomarkers and therapeutic strategies. ATXN7 is a bona fide subunit of the multiprotein SAGA complex, a transcriptional coactivator harboring chromatin remodeling activities, and plays a role in the differentiation of photoreceptors and Purkinje neurons, two highly vulnerable neuronal cell types in SCA7. Polyglutamine expansion in ATXN7 causes its misfolding and intranuclear accumulation, leading to changes in interactions with native partners and/or partners sequestration in insoluble nuclear inclusions. Studies of cellular and animal models of SCA7 have been crucial to unveil pathomechanistic aspects of the disease, including gene deregulation, mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunctions, cell and non-cell autonomous protein toxicity, loss of neuronal identity, and cell death mechanisms. However, a better understanding of the principal molecular mechanisms by which mutant ATXN7 elicits neurotoxicity, and how interconnected pathogenic cascades lead to neurodegeneration is needed for the development of effective therapies. At present, therapeutic strategies using nucleic acid-based molecules to silence mutant ATXN7 gene expression are under development for SCA7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka
- Institute of Genetic and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (U1258), University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetic and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR7104), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (U1258), University of Strasbourg, Illkirch, France.
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6
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Cloud V, Thapa A, Morales-Sosa P, Miller TM, Miller SA, Holsapple D, Gerhart PM, Momtahan E, Jack JL, Leiva E, Rapp SR, Shelton LG, Pierce RA, Martin-Brown S, Florens L, Washburn MP, Mohan RD. Ataxin-7 and Non-stop coordinate SCAR protein levels, subcellular localization, and actin cytoskeleton organization. eLife 2019; 8:e49677. [PMID: 31348003 PMCID: PMC6693919 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Atxn7, a subunit of SAGA chromatin remodeling complex, is subject to polyglutamine expansion at the amino terminus, causing spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7), a progressive retinal and neurodegenerative disease. Within SAGA, the Atxn7 amino terminus anchors Non-stop, a deubiquitinase, to the complex. To understand the scope of Atxn7-dependent regulation of Non-stop, substrates of the deubiquitinase were sought. This revealed Non-stop, dissociated from Atxn7, interacts with Arp2/3 and WAVE regulatory complexes (WRC), which control actin cytoskeleton assembly. There, Non-stop countered polyubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of WRC subunit SCAR. Dependent on conserved WRC interacting receptor sequences (WIRS), Non-stop augmentation increased protein levels, and directed subcellular localization, of SCAR, decreasing cell area and number of protrusions. In vivo, heterozygous mutation of SCAR did not significantly rescue knockdown of Atxn7, but heterozygous mutation of Atxn7 rescued haploinsufficiency of SCAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Cloud
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Ada Thapa
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | | | - Tayla M Miller
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Sara A Miller
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | | | - Paige M Gerhart
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Elaheh Momtahan
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Jarrid L Jack
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Edgardo Leiva
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | - Sarah R Rapp
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael P Washburn
- Stowers Institute for Medical ResearchKansas CityUnited States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory MedicineUniversity of Kansas Medical CenterKansas CityUnited States
| | - Ryan D Mohan
- University of Missouri - Kansas CityKansas CityUnited States
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Hall H, Medina P, Cooper DA, Escobedo SE, Rounds J, Brennan KJ, Vincent C, Miura P, Doerge R, Weake VM. Transcriptome profiling of aging Drosophila photoreceptors reveals gene expression trends that correlate with visual senescence. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:894. [PMID: 29162050 PMCID: PMC5698953 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-4304-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging is associated with functional decline of neurons and increased incidence of both neurodegenerative and ocular disease. Photoreceptor neurons in Drosophila melanogaster provide a powerful model for studying the molecular changes involved in functional senescence of neurons since decreased visual behavior precedes retinal degeneration. Here, we sought to identify gene expression changes and the genomic features of differentially regulated genes in photoreceptors that contribute to visual senescence. RESULTS To identify gene expression changes that could lead to visual senescence, we characterized the aging transcriptome of Drosophila sensory neurons highly enriched for photoreceptors. We profiled the nuclear transcriptome of genetically-labeled photoreceptors over a 40 day time course and identified increased expression of genes involved in stress and DNA damage response, and decreased expression of genes required for neuronal function. We further show that combinations of promoter motifs robustly identify age-regulated genes, suggesting that transcription factors are important in driving expression changes in aging photoreceptors. However, long, highly expressed and heavily spliced genes are also more likely to be downregulated with age, indicating that other mechanisms could contribute to expression changes at these genes. Lastly, we identify that circular RNAs (circRNAs) strongly increase during aging in photoreceptors. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we identified changes in gene expression in aging Drosophila photoreceptors that could account for visual senescence. Further, we show that genomic features predict these age-related changes, suggesting potential mechanisms that could be targeted to slow the rate of age-associated visual decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hana Hall
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Patrick Medina
- Department of Statistics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Daphne A Cooper
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | - Spencer E Escobedo
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jeremiah Rounds
- Department of Statistics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Kaelan J Brennan
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | | | - Pedro Miura
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, 89557, USA
| | | | - Vikki M Weake
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA. .,Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, 47907, USA.
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