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Villalba-Benito L, López-López D, Torroglosa A, Casimiro-Soriguer CS, Luzón-Toro B, Fernández RM, Moya-Jiménez MJ, Antiñolo G, Dopazo J, Borrego S. Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation in Hirschsprung enteric precursor cells: unraveling the epigenetic landscape of enteric nervous system development. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:51. [PMID: 33750457 PMCID: PMC7942176 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hirschsprung disease (HSCR, OMIM 142623) is a rare congenital disorder that results from a failure to fully colonize the gut by enteric precursor cells (EPCs) derived from the neural crest. Such incomplete gut colonization is due to alterations in EPCs proliferation, survival, migration and/or differentiation during enteric nervous system (ENS) development. This complex process is regulated by a network of signaling pathways that is orchestrated by genetic and epigenetic factors, and therefore alterations at these levels can lead to the onset of neurocristopathies such as HSCR. The goal of this study is to broaden our knowledge of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the disease context, specifically in DNA methylation. Therefore, with this aim, a Whole-Genome Bisulfite Sequencing assay has been performed using EPCs from HSCR patients and human controls.
Results This is the first study to present a whole genome DNA methylation profile in HSCR and reveal a decrease of global DNA methylation in CpG context in HSCR patients compared with controls, which correlates with a greater hypomethylation of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) identified. These results agree with the de novo Methyltransferase 3b downregulation in EPCs from HSCR patients compared to controls, and with the decrease in the global DNA methylation level previously described by our group. Through the comparative analysis of DMRs between HSCR patients and controls, a set of new genes has been identified as potential susceptibility genes for HSCR at an epigenetic level. Moreover, previous differentially methylated genes related to HSCR have been found, which validates our approach.
Conclusions This study highlights the relevance of an adequate methylation pattern for a proper ENS development. This is a research area that provides a novel approach to deepen our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of HSCR. Graphic abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13148-021-01040-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Villalba-Benito
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Daniel López-López
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Computational Systems Medicine, IBIS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Torroglosa
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Carlos S Casimiro-Soriguer
- Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Computational Systems Medicine, IBIS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Berta Luzón-Toro
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel María Fernández
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - María José Moya-Jiménez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Guillermo Antiñolo
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Joaquín Dopazo
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain.,Clinical Bioinformatics Area, Fundación Progreso y Salud (FPS), CDCA, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013, Sevilla, Spain.,Computational Systems Medicine, IBIS, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Salud Borrego
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013, Seville, Spain. .,Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013, Seville, Spain.
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Villalba-Benito L, Torroglosa A, Luzón-Toro B, Fernández RM, Moya-Jiménez MJ, Antiñolo G, Borrego S. ChIP-Seq-Based Approach in Mouse Enteric Precursor Cells Reveals New Potential Genes with a Role in Enteric Nervous System Development and Hirschsprung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239061. [PMID: 33260622 PMCID: PMC7730166 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a neurocristopathy characterized by intestinal aganglionosis which is attributed to a failure in neural crest cell (NCC) development during the embryonic stage. The colonization of the intestine by NCCs is a process finely controlled by a wide and complex gene regulatory system. Several genes have been associated with HSCR, but many aspects still remain poorly understood. The present study is focused on deciphering the PAX6 interaction network during enteric nervous system (ENS) formation. A combined experimental and computational approach was performed to identify PAX6 direct targets, as well as gene networks shared among such targets as potential susceptibility factors for HSCR. As a result, genes related to PAX6 either directly (RABGGTB and BRD3) or indirectly (TGFB1, HRAS, and GRB2) were identified as putative genes associated with HSCR. Interestingly, GRB2 is involved in the RET/GDNF/GFRA1 signaling pathway, one of the main pathways implicated in the disease. Our findings represent a new contribution to advance in the knowledge of the genetic basis of HSCR. The investigation of the role of these genes could help to elucidate their implication in HSCR onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Villalba-Benito
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Ana Torroglosa
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Berta Luzón-Toro
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel María Fernández
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - María José Moya-Jiménez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Guillermo Antiñolo
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Salud Borrego
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (L.V.-B.); (A.T.); (B.L.-T.); (R.M.F.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Torroglosa A, Villalba-Benito L, Fernández RM, Luzón-Toro B, Moya-Jiménez MJ, Antiñolo G, Borrego S. Identification of New Potential LncRNA Biomarkers in Hirschsprung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155534. [PMID: 32748823 PMCID: PMC7432910 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a neurocristopathy defined by intestinal aganglionosis due to alterations during the development of the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). A wide spectrum of molecules involved in different signaling pathways and mechanisms have been described in HSCR onset. Among them, epigenetic mechanisms are gaining increasing relevance. In an effort to better understand the epigenetic basis of HSCR, we have performed an analysis for the identification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) by qRT-PCR in enteric precursor cells (EPCs) from controls and HSCR patients. We aimed to test the presence of a set lncRNAs among 84 lncRNAs in human EPCs, which were previously related with crucial cellular processes for ENS development, as well as to identify the possible differences between HSCR patients and controls. As a result, we have determined a set of lncRNAs with positive expression in human EPCs that were screened for mutations using the exome data from our cohort of HSCR patients to identify possible variants related to this pathology. Interestingly, we identified three lncRNAs with different levels of their transcripts (SOCS2-AS, MEG3 and NEAT1) between HSCR patients and controls. We propose such lncRNAs as possible regulatory elements implicated in the onset of HSCR as well as potential biomarkers of this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Torroglosa
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Leticia Villalba-Benito
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Raquel María Fernández
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Berta Luzón-Toro
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - María José Moya-Jiménez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Virgen del Rocío, 41013 Seville, Spain;
| | - Guillermo Antiñolo
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Salud Borrego
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain; (A.T.); (L.V.-B.); (R.M.F.); (B.L.-T.); (G.A.)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Saravanaraman P, Selvam M, Ashok C, Srijyothi L, Baluchamy S. De novo methyltransferases: Potential players in diseases and new directions for targeted therapy. Biochimie 2020; 176:85-102. [PMID: 32659446 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications govern gene expression by guiding the human genome on 'what to express and what not to'. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) establish methylation patterns on DNA, particularly in CpG islands, and such patterns play a major role in gene silencing. DNMTs are a family of proteins/enzymes (DNMT1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 3L), among which, DNMT1 (maintenance methyltransferase) and DNMT3 (de novo methyltransferases) that direct mammalian development and genome imprinting are highly investigated. In recent decades, many studies revealed a strong association of DNA methylation patterns with gene expression in various clinical conditions. Differential expression of DNMT3 family proteins and their splice variants result in changes in methylation patterns and such alterations have been associated with the initiation and progression of various diseases, especially cancer. This review will discuss the aberrant modifications generated by DNMT3 proteins under various clinical conditions, suggesting a potential signature for de novo methyltransferases in targeted disease therapy. Further, this review discusses the possibility of using 'CpG island methylation signatures' as promising biomarkers and emphasizes 'targeted hypomethylation' by disrupting the interaction of specific DNMT-protein complexes as the future of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ponne Saravanaraman
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry Central University, Pondicherry, 605014, India
| | - Murugan Selvam
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry Central University, Pondicherry, 605014, India
| | - Cheemala Ashok
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry Central University, Pondicherry, 605014, India
| | - Loudu Srijyothi
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry Central University, Pondicherry, 605014, India
| | - Sudhakar Baluchamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Pondicherry Central University, Pondicherry, 605014, India.
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Torroglosa A, Villalba-Benito L, Luzón-Toro B, Fernández RM, Antiñolo G, Borrego S. Epigenetic Mechanisms in Hirschsprung Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133123. [PMID: 31247956 PMCID: PMC6650840 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR, OMIM 142623) is due to a failure of enteric precursor cells derived from neural crest (EPCs) to proliferate, migrate, survive or differentiate during Enteric Nervous System (ENS) formation. This is a complex process which requires a strict regulation that results in an ENS specific gene expression pattern. Alterations at this level lead to the onset of neurocristopathies such as HSCR. Gene expression is regulated by different mechanisms, such as DNA modifications (at the epigenetic level), transcriptional mechanisms (transcription factors, silencers, enhancers and repressors), postranscriptional mechanisms (3′UTR and ncRNA) and regulation of translation. All these mechanisms are finally implicated in cell signaling to determine the migration, proliferation, differentiation and survival processes for correct ENS development. In this review, we have performed an overview on the role of epigenetic mechanisms at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels on these cellular events in neural crest cells (NCCs), ENS development, as well as in HSCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Torroglosa
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Leticia Villalba-Benito
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Berta Luzón-Toro
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Raquel María Fernández
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Guillermo Antiñolo
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
| | - Salud Borrego
- Department of Maternofetal Medicine, Genetics and Reproduction, Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBIS), University Hospital Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/University of Seville, 41013 Seville, Spain.
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 41013 Seville, Spain.
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Gagliardi M, Strazzullo M, Matarazzo MR. DNMT3B Functions: Novel Insights From Human Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:140. [PMID: 30406101 PMCID: PMC6204409 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays important roles in gene expression regulation and chromatin structure. Its proper establishment and maintenance are essential for mammalian development and cellular differentiation. DNMT3B is the major de novo DNA methyltransferase expressed and active during the early stage of embryonic development, including implantation. In addition to its well-known role to methylate centromeric, pericentromeric, and subtelomeric repeats, recent observations suggest that DNMT3B acts as the main enzyme methylating intragenic regions of active genes. Although largely studied, much remains unknown regarding how these specific patterns of de novo CpG methylation are established in mammalian cells, and which are the rules governing DNMT3B recruitment and activity. Latest evidence indicates that DNMT3B recruitment is regulated by numerous mechanisms including chromatin modifications, transcription levels, non-coding RNAs, and the presence of DNA-binding factors. DNA methylation abnormalities are a common mark of human diseases involving chromosomal and genomic instabilities, such as inherited disease and cancer. The autosomal recessive Immunodeficiency, Centromeric instability and Facial anomalies syndrome, type I (ICF-1), is associated to hypomorphic mutations in DNMT3B gene, while its altered expression has been correlated with the development of tumors. In both cases, this implies that abnormal DNA hypomethylation and hypermethylation patterns affect gene expression and genomic architecture contributing to the pathological states. We will provide an overview of the most recent research aimed at deciphering the molecular mechanisms by which DNMT3B abnormalities are associated with the onset and progression of these pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Gagliardi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy.,Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Strazzullo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria R Matarazzo
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati Traverso", CNR, Naples, Italy
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