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Kanata E, Duffié R, Schulz EG. Establishment and maintenance of random monoallelic expression. Development 2024; 151:dev201741. [PMID: 38813842 PMCID: PMC11166465 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201741] [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] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
This Review elucidates the regulatory principles of random monoallelic expression by focusing on two well-studied examples: the X-chromosome inactivation regulator Xist and the olfactory receptor gene family. Although the choice of a single X chromosome or olfactory receptor occurs in different developmental contexts, common gene regulatory principles guide monoallelic expression in both systems. In both cases, an event breaks the symmetry between genetically and epigenetically identical copies of the gene, leading to the expression of one single random allele, stabilized through negative feedback control. Although many regulatory steps that govern the establishment and maintenance of monoallelic expression have been identified, key pieces of the puzzle are still missing. We provide an overview of the current knowledge and models for the monoallelic expression of Xist and olfactory receptors. We discuss their similarities and differences, and highlight open questions and approaches that could guide the study of other monoallelically expressed genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Kanata
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rachel Duffié
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind, Brain, and Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Edda G. Schulz
- Systems Epigenetics, Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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Heskett MB, Vouzas AE, Smith LG, Yates PA, Boniface C, Bouhassira EE, Spellman PT, Gilbert DM, Thayer MJ. Epigenetic control of chromosome-associated lncRNA genes essential for replication and stability. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6301. [PMID: 36273230 PMCID: PMC9588035 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34099-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
ASARs are long noncoding RNA genes that control replication timing of entire human chromosomes in cis. The three known ASAR genes are located on human chromosomes 6 and 15, and are essential for chromosome integrity. To identify ASARs on all human chromosomes we utilize a set of distinctive ASAR characteristics that allow for the identification of hundreds of autosomal loci with epigenetically controlled, allele-restricted behavior in expression and replication timing of coding and noncoding genes, and is distinct from genomic imprinting. Disruption of noncoding RNA genes at five of five tested loci result in chromosome-wide delayed replication and chromosomal instability, validating their ASAR activity. In addition to the three known essential cis-acting chromosomal loci, origins, centromeres, and telomeres, we propose that all mammalian chromosomes also contain "Inactivation/Stability Centers" that display allele-restricted epigenetic regulation of protein coding and noncoding ASAR genes that are essential for replication and stability of each chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael B Heskett
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Athanasios E Vouzas
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Leslie G Smith
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Phillip A Yates
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Christopher Boniface
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Eric E Bouhassira
- Department of Cell Biology and Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Paul T Spellman
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
- Cancer Early Detection Advanced Research Center, Knight Cancer Institute Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - David M Gilbert
- San Diego Biomedical Research Institute, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Mathew J Thayer
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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