1
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Kindelay SM, Maggert KA. Insights into ribosomal DNA dominance and magnification through characterization of isogenic deletion alleles. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae063. [PMID: 38797870 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The major loci for the large primary ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes (35S rRNAs) exist as hundreds to thousands of tandem repeats in all organisms and dozens to hundreds in Drosophila. The highly repetitive nature of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) makes it intrinsically unstable, and many conditions arise from the reduction in or magnification of copy number, but the conditions under which it does so remain unknown. By targeted DNA damage to the rDNA of the Y chromosome, we created and investigated a series of rDNA alleles. We found that complete loss of rDNA leads to lethality after the completion of embryogenesis, blocking larval molting and metamorphosis. We find that the resident retrotransposons-R1 and R2-are regulated by active rDNA such that reduction in copy number derepresses these elements. Their expression is highest during the early first instar, when loss of rDNA is lethal. Regulation of R1 and R2 may be related to their structural arrangement within the rDNA, as we find they are clustered in the flanks of the nucleolus organizing region (NOR; the cytological appearance of the rDNA). We assessed the complex nucleolar dominance relationship between X- and Y-linked rDNA using a histone H3.3-GFP reporter construct and incorporation at the NOR and found that dominance is controlled by rDNA copy number as at high multiplicity the Y-linked array is dominant, but at low multiplicity the X-linked array becomes derepressed. Finally, we found that multiple conditions that disrupt nucleolar dominance lead to increased rDNA magnification, suggesting that the phenomena of dominance and magnification are related, and a single mechanism may underlie and unify these two longstanding observations in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina M Kindelay
- Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Keith A Maggert
- Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
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2
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Shatskikh AS, Fefelova EA, Klenov MS. Functions of RNAi Pathways in Ribosomal RNA Regulation. Noncoding RNA 2024; 10:19. [PMID: 38668377 PMCID: PMC11054153 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna10020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Argonaute proteins, guided by small RNAs, play crucial roles in gene regulation and genome protection through RNA interference (RNAi)-related mechanisms. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), encoded by repeated rDNA units, constitute the core of the ribosome being the most abundant cellular transcripts. rDNA clusters also serve as sources of small RNAs, which are loaded into Argonaute proteins and are able to regulate rDNA itself or affect other gene targets. In this review, we consider the impact of small RNA pathways, specifically siRNAs and piRNAs, on rRNA gene regulation. Data from diverse eukaryotic organisms suggest the potential involvement of small RNAs in various molecular processes related to the rDNA transcription and rRNA fate. Endogenous siRNAs are integral to the chromatin-based silencing of rDNA loci in plants and have been shown to repress rDNA transcription in animals. Small RNAs also play a role in maintaining the integrity of rDNA clusters and may function in the cellular response to rDNA damage. Studies on the impact of RNAi and small RNAs on rRNA provide vast opportunities for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei S. Shatskikh
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Elena A. Fefelova
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail S. Klenov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182 Moscow, Russia
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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3
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Hao Q, Liu M, Daulatabad SV, Gaffari S, Song YJ, Srivastava R, Bhaskar S, Moitra A, Mangan H, Tseng E, Gilmore RB, Frier SM, Chen X, Wang C, Huang S, Chamberlain S, Jin H, Korlach J, McStay B, Sinha S, Janga SC, Prasanth SG, Prasanth KV. Monoallelically expressed noncoding RNAs form nucleolar territories on NOR-containing chromosomes and regulate rRNA expression. eLife 2024; 13:e80684. [PMID: 38240312 PMCID: PMC10852677 DOI: 10.7554/elife.80684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Out of the several hundred copies of rRNA genes arranged in the nucleolar organizing regions (NOR) of the five human acrocentric chromosomes, ~50% remain transcriptionally inactive. NOR-associated sequences and epigenetic modifications contribute to the differential expression of rRNAs. However, the mechanism(s) controlling the dosage of active versus inactive rRNA genes within each NOR in mammals is yet to be determined. We have discovered a family of ncRNAs, SNULs (Single NUcleolus Localized RNA), which form constrained sub-nucleolar territories on individual NORs and influence rRNA expression. Individual members of the SNULs monoallelically associate with specific NOR-containing chromosomes. SNULs share sequence similarity to pre-rRNA and localize in the sub-nucleolar compartment with pre-rRNA. Finally, SNULs control rRNA expression by influencing pre-rRNA sorting to the DFC compartment and pre-rRNA processing. Our study discovered a novel class of ncRNAs influencing rRNA expression by forming constrained nucleolar territories on individual NORs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Hao
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Minxue Liu
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Swapna Vidhur Daulatabad
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, IUPUIIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Saba Gaffari
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - You Jin Song
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Rajneesh Srivastava
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, IUPUIIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Shivang Bhaskar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Anurupa Moitra
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Hazel Mangan
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | | | - Rachel B Gilmore
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | | | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Chengliang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Sui Huang
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern UniversityChicagoUnited States
| | - Stormy Chamberlain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of MedicineFarmingtonUnited States
| | - Hong Jin
- Department of Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | | | - Brian McStay
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland GalwayGalwayIreland
| | - Saurabh Sinha
- Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia TechAtlantaUnited States
| | - Sarath Chandra Janga
- Department of BioHealth Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, IUPUIIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Supriya G Prasanth
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Kannanganattu V Prasanth
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
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4
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Kovač A, Miskey C, Ivics Z. Sleeping Beauty Transposon Insertions into Nucleolar DNA by an Engineered Transposase Localized in the Nucleolus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14978. [PMID: 37834425 PMCID: PMC10573994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914978] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transposons are nature's gene delivery vehicles that can be harnessed for experimental and therapeutic purposes. The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon shows efficient transposition and long-term transgene expression in human cells, and is currently under clinical development for gene therapy. SB transposition occurs into the human genome in a random manner, which carries a risk of potential genotoxic effects associated with transposon integration. Here, we evaluated an experimental strategy to manipulate SB's target site distribution by preferentially compartmentalizing the SB transposase to the nucleolus, which contains repetitive ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. We generated a fusion protein composed of the nucleolar protein nucleophosmin (B23) and the SB100X transposase, which was found to retain almost full transposition activity as compared to unfused transposase and to be predominantly localized to nucleoli in transfected human cells. Analysis of transposon integration sites generated by B23-SB100X revealed a significant enrichment into the p-arms of chromosomes containing nucleolus organizing regions (NORs), with preferential integration into the p13 and p11.2 cytobands directly neighboring the NORs. This bias in the integration pattern was accompanied by an enrichment of insertions into nucleolus-associated chromatin domains (NADs) at the periphery of nucleolar DNA and into lamina-associated domains (LADs). Finally, sub-nuclear targeting of the transposase resulted in preferential integration into chromosomal domains associated with the Upstream Binding Transcription Factor (UBTF) that plays a critical role in the transcription of 47S rDNA gene repeats of the NORs by RNA Pol I. Future modifications of this technology may allow the development of methods for specific gene insertion for precision genetic engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zoltán Ivics
- Transposition and Genome Engineering, Research Centre of the Division of Hematology, Gene and Cell Therapy, Paul Ehrlich Institute, Paul Ehrlich Str. 51–59, D-63225 Langen, Germany; (A.K.); (C.M.)
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5
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Pikaard CS, Chandrasekhara C, McKinlay A, Enganti R, Fultz D. Reaching for the off switch in nucleolar dominance. THE PLANT JOURNAL : FOR CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 115:1185-1192. [PMID: 37228042 PMCID: PMC10524600 DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) are eukaryotic chromosomal loci where ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes are clustered, typically in hundreds to thousands of copies. Transcription of these rRNA genes by RNA polymerase I and processing of their transcripts results in the formation of the nucleolus, the sub-nuclear domain in which ribosomes are assembled. Approximately 90 years ago, cytogenetic observations revealed that NORs inherited from the different parents of an interspecific hybrid sometimes differ in morphology at metaphase. Fifty years ago, those chromosomal differences were found to correlate with differences in rRNA gene transcription and the phenomenon became known as nucleolar dominance. Studies of the past 30 years have revealed that nucleolar dominance results from selective rRNA gene silencing, involving repressive chromatin modifications, and occurs in pure species as well as hybrids. Recent evidence also indicates that silencing depends on the NOR in which an rRNA gene is located, and not on the gene's sequence. In this perspective, we discuss how our thinking about nucleolar dominance has shifted over time from the kilobase scale of individual genes to the megabase scale of NORs and chromosomes and questions that remain unanswered in the search for a genetic and biochemical understanding of the off switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig S Pikaard
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Chinmayi Chandrasekhara
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Anastasia McKinlay
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Ramya Enganti
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | - Dalen Fultz
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
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6
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Morton EA, Hall AN, Cuperus JT, Queitsch C. Substantial rDNA copy number reductions alter timing of development and produce variable tissue-specific phenotypes in C. elegans. Genetics 2023; 224:iyad039. [PMID: 36919976 PMCID: PMC10474940 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The genes that encode ribosomal RNAs are present in several hundred copies in most eukaryotes. These vast arrays of repetitive ribosomal DNA (rDNA) have been implicated not just in ribosome biogenesis, but also aging, cancer, genome stability, and global gene expression. rDNA copy number is highly variable among and within species; this variability is thought to associate with traits relevant to human health and disease. Here we investigate the phenotypic consequences of multicellular life at the lower bounds of rDNA copy number. We use the model Caenorhabditis elegans, which has previously been found to complete embryogenesis using only maternally provided ribosomes. We find that individuals with rDNA copy number reduced to ∼5% of wild type are capable of further development with variable penetrance. Such individuals are sterile and exhibit severe morphological defects, particularly in post-embryonically dividing tissues such as germline and vulva. Developmental completion and fertility are supported by an rDNA copy number ∼10% of wild type, with substantially delayed development. Worms with rDNA copy number reduced to ∼33% of wild type display a subtle developmental timing defect that was absent in worms with higher copy numbers. Our results support the hypothesis that rDNA requirements vary across tissues and indicate that the minimum rDNA copy number for fertile adulthood is substantially less than the lowest naturally observed total copy number. The phenotype of individuals with severely reduced rDNA copy number is highly variable in penetrance and presentation, highlighting the need for continued investigation into the biological consequences of rDNA copy number variation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley N Hall
- Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Josh T Cuperus
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christine Queitsch
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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7
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Kindelay SM, Maggert KA. Under the magnifying glass: The ups and downs of rDNA copy number. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 136:38-48. [PMID: 35595601 PMCID: PMC9976841 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.006] [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] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in Drosophila is found as two additive clusters of individual 35 S cistrons. The multiplicity of rDNA is essential to assure proper translational demands, but the nature of the tandem arrays expose them to copy number variation within and between populations. Here, we discuss means by which a cell responds to insufficient rDNA copy number, including a historical view of rDNA magnification whose mechanism was inferred some 35 years ago. Recent work has revealed that multiple conditions may also result in rDNA loss, in response to which rDNA magnification may have evolved. We discuss potential models for the mechanism of magnification, and evaluate possible consequences of rDNA copy number variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina M Kindelay
- Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Keith A Maggert
- Genetics Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA.
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8
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Fingerhut JM, Yamashita YM. Analysis of Gene Expression Patterns and RNA Localization by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization in Whole Mount Drosophila Testes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2666:15-28. [PMID: 37166654 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3191-1_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Researchers have used RNA in situ hybridization to detect the presence of RNA in cells and tissues for approximately 50 years. The recent development of a method capable of visualizing a single RNA molecule by utilizing tiled fluorescently labeled oligonucleotide probes that together produce a diffraction-limited spot has greatly increased the resolution of this technique, allowing for the precise determination of subcellular RNA localization and relative abundance. Here, we present our method for single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH) in whole mount Drosophila testes and discuss how we have utilized this method to better understand the expression pattern of the highly unusual Y-linked genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn M Fingerhut
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Yukiko M Yamashita
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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9
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Kolesnikova TD, Klenov MS, Nokhova AR, Lavrov SA, Pokholkova GV, Schubert V, Maltseva SV, Cook KR, Dixon MJ, Zhimulev IF. A Spontaneous Inversion of the X Chromosome Heterochromatin Provides a Tool for Studying the Structure and Activity of the Nucleolus in Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233872. [PMID: 36497131 PMCID: PMC9736023 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The pericentromeric heterochromatin is largely composed of repetitive sequences, making it difficult to analyze with standard molecular biological methods. At the same time, it carries many functional elements with poorly understood mechanisms of action. The search for new experimental models for the analysis of heterochromatin is an urgent task. In this work, we used the Rif1 mutation, which suppresses the underreplication of all types of repeated sequences, to analyze heterochromatin regions in polytene chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. In the Rif1 background, we discovered and described in detail a new inversion, In(1)19EHet, which arose on a chromosome already carrying the In(1)sc8 inversion and transferred a large part of X chromosome heterochromatin, including the nucleolar organizer to a new euchromatic environment. Using nanopore sequencing and FISH, we have identified the eu- and heterochromatin breakpoints of In(1)19EHet. The combination of the new inversion and the Rif1 mutation provides a promising tool for studies of X chromosome heterochromatin structure, nucleolar organization, and the nucleolar dominance phenomenon. In particular, we found that, with the complete polytenization of rDNA repeats, the nucleolus consists of a cloud-like structure corresponding to the classical nucleolus of polytene chromosomes, as well as an unusual intrachromosomal structure containing alternating transcriptionally active and inactive regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana D. Kolesnikova
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Mikhail S. Klenov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina R. Nokhova
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Sergey A. Lavrov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre “Kurchatov Institute”, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Veit Schubert
- Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research Gatersleben, 06466 Seeland, Germany
| | - Svetlana V. Maltseva
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Kevin R. Cook
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Michael J. Dixon
- Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center, Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Igor F. Zhimulev
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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10
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Kotov AA, Bazylev SS, Adashev VE, Shatskikh AS, Olenina LV. Drosophila as a Model System for Studying of the Evolution and Functional Specialization of the Y Chromosome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084184. [PMID: 35457001 PMCID: PMC9031259 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome is one of the sex chromosomes found in males of animals of different taxa, including insects and mammals. Among all chromosomes, the Y chromosome is characterized by a unique chromatin landscape undergoing dynamic evolutionary change. Being entirely heterochromatic, the Y chromosome as a rule preserves few functional genes, but is enriched in tandem repeats and transposons. Due to difficulties in the assembly of the highly repetitive Y chromosome sequence, deep analyses of Y chromosome evolution, structure, and functions are limited to a few species, one of them being Drosophila melanogaster. Despite Y chromosomes exhibiting high structural divergence between even closely related species, Y-linked genes have evolved convergently and are mainly associated with spermatogenesis-related activities. This indicates that male-specific selection is a dominant force shaping evolution of Y chromosomes across species. This review presents our analysis of current knowledge concerning Y chromosome functions, focusing on recent findings in Drosophila. Here we dissect the experimental and bioinformatics data about the Y chromosome accumulated to date in Drosophila species, providing comparative analysis with mammals, and discussing the relevance of our analysis to a wide range of eukaryotic organisms, including humans.
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11
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Fefelova EA, Pleshakova IM, Mikhaleva EA, Pirogov SA, Poltorachenko V, Abramov Y, Romashin D, Shatskikh A, Blokh R, Gvozdev V, Klenov M. Impaired function of rDNA transcription initiation machinery leads to derepression of ribosomal genes with insertions of R2 retrotransposon. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:867-884. [PMID: 35037046 PMCID: PMC8789037 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab1276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes harbor hundreds of rRNA genes, many of which are transcriptionally silent. However, little is known about selective regulation of individual rDNA units. In Drosophila melanogaster, some rDNA repeats contain insertions of the R2 retrotransposon, which is capable to be transcribed only as part of pre-rRNA molecules. rDNA units with R2 insertions are usually inactivated, although R2 expression may be beneficial in cells with decreased rDNA copy number. Here we found that R2-inserted rDNA units are enriched with HP1a and H3K9me3 repressive mark, whereas disruption of the heterochromatin components slightly affects their silencing in ovarian germ cells. Surprisingly, we observed a dramatic upregulation of R2-inserted rRNA genes in ovaries lacking Udd (Under-developed) or other subunits (TAF1b and TAF1c-like) of the SL1-like complex, which is homologues to mammalian Selective factor 1 (SL1) involved in rDNA transcription initiation. Derepression of rRNA genes with R2 insertions was accompanied by a reduction of H3K9me3 and HP1a enrichment. We suggest that the impairment of the SL1-like complex affects a mechanism of selective activation of intact rDNA units which competes with heterochromatin formation. We also propose that R2 derepression may serve as an adaptive response to compromised rRNA synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Fefelova
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91125, USA
| | - Irina M Pleshakova
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
- Laboratory for Neurobiology of Memory, P.K. Anokhin Institute of Normal Physiology, Moscow 125315, Russia
| | - Elena A Mikhaleva
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Sergei A Pirogov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Valentin A Poltorachenko
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Yuri A Abramov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Daniil D Romashin
- Laboratory of Precision Biosystems, V. N. Orekhovich Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, 10 Pogodinskaya St., Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Aleksei S Shatskikh
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Roman S Blokh
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
- Department of Functional Genomics, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilova Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Gvozdev
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Mikhail S Klenov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Moscow 123182, Russia
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12
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Huang W, Liu Z, Rong YS. Dynamic localization of DNA topoisomerase I and its functional relevance during Drosophila development. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6298592. [PMID: 34544118 PMCID: PMC8661406 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
DNA topoisomerase I (Top1) maintains chromatin conformation during transcription. While Top1 is not essential in simple eukaryotic organisms such as yeast, it is required for the development of multicellular organisms. In fact, tissue and cell-type-specific functions of Top1 have been suggested in the fruit fly Drosophila. A better understanding of Top1’s function in the context of development is important as Top1 inhibitors are among the most widely used anticancer drugs. As a step toward such a better understanding, we studied its localization in live cells of Drosophila. Consistent with prior results, Top1 is highly enriched at the nucleolus in transcriptionally active polyploid cells, and this enrichment responds to perturbation of transcription. In diploid cells, we uncovered evidence for Top1 foci formation at genomic regions not limited to the active rDNA locus, suggestive of novel regulation of Top1 recruitment. In the male germline, Top1 is highly enriched at the paired rDNA loci on sex chromosomes suggesting that it might participate in regulating their segregation during meiosis. Results from RNAi-mediated Top1 knockdown lend support to this hypothesis. Our study has provided one of the most comprehensive descriptions of Top1 localization during animal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuqiang Huang
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510275, China.,Hengyang College of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, 510275, China
| | - Yikang S Rong
- Hengyang College of Medicine, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
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