1
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Ting PY, Borikar S, Kerrigan JR, Thomsen NM, Aghania E, Hinman AE, Reyes A, Pizzato N, Fodor BD, Wu F, Belew MS, Mao X, Wang J, Chitnis S, Niu W, Hachey A, Cobb JS, Savage NA, Burke A, Paulk J, Dovala D, Lin J, Clifton MC, Ornelas E, Ma X, Ware NF, Sanchez CC, Taraszka J, Terranova R, Knehr J, Altorfer M, Barnes SW, Beckwith REJ, Solomon JM, Dales NA, Patterson AW, Wagner J, Bouwmeester T, Dranoff G, Stevenson SC, Bradner JE. A molecular glue degrader of the WIZ transcription factor for fetal hemoglobin induction. Science 2024; 385:91-99. [PMID: 38963839 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk6129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent, life-threatening condition attributable to a heritable mutation in β-hemoglobin. Therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can ameliorate disease complications and has been intently pursued. However, safe and effective small-molecule inducers of HbF remain elusive. We report the discovery of dWIZ-1 and dWIZ-2, molecular glue degraders of the WIZ transcription factor that robustly induce HbF in erythroblasts. Phenotypic screening of a cereblon (CRBN)-biased chemical library revealed WIZ as a previously unknown repressor of HbF. WIZ degradation is mediated by recruitment of WIZ(ZF7) to CRBN by dWIZ-1, as resolved by crystallography of the ternary complex. Pharmacological degradation of WIZ was well tolerated and induced HbF in humanized mice and cynomolgus monkeys. These findings establish WIZ degradation as a globally accessible therapeutic strategy for SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fabian Wu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Xiaohong Mao
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jian Wang
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Wei Niu
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ashley Burke
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - James Lin
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Xiaolei Ma
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Emeryville, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Vukic M, Chouaref J, Della Chiara V, Dogan S, Ratner F, Hogenboom JZM, Epp TA, Chawengsaksophak K, Vonk KKD, Breukel C, Ariyurek Y, San Leon Granado D, Kloet SL, Daxinger L. CDCA7-associated global aberrant DNA hypomethylation translates to localized, tissue-specific transcriptional responses. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk3384. [PMID: 38335290 PMCID: PMC10857554 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk3384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Disruption of cell division cycle associated 7 (CDCA7) has been linked to aberrant DNA hypomethylation, but the impact of DNA methylation loss on transcription has not been investigated. Here, we show that CDCA7 is critical for maintaining global DNA methylation levels across multiple tissues in vivo. A pathogenic Cdca7 missense variant leads to the formation of large, aberrantly hypomethylated domains overlapping with the B genomic compartment but without affecting the deposition of H3K9 trimethylation (H3K9me3). CDCA7-associated aberrant DNA hypomethylation translated to localized, tissue-specific transcriptional dysregulation that affected large gene clusters. In the brain, we identify CDCA7 as a transcriptional repressor and epigenetic regulator of clustered protocadherin isoform choice. Increased protocadherin isoform expression frequency is accompanied by DNA methylation loss, gain of H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), and increased binding of the transcriptional regulator CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). Overall, our in vivo work identifies a key role for CDCA7 in safeguarding tissue-specific expression of gene clusters via the DNA methylation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Vukic
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jihed Chouaref
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Serkan Dogan
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Fallon Ratner
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Trevor A. Epp
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- CZ-OPENSCREEN, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kallayanee Chawengsaksophak
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Kelly K. D. Vonk
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Cor Breukel
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Yavuz Ariyurek
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - Susan L. Kloet
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Genome Technology Center, Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lucia Daxinger
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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3
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Kaplow IM, Lawler AJ, Schäffer DE, Srinivasan C, Sestili HH, Wirthlin ME, Phan BN, Prasad K, Brown AR, Zhang X, Foley K, Genereux DP, Karlsson EK, Lindblad-Toh K, Meyer WK, Pfenning AR, Andrews G, Armstrong JC, Bianchi M, Birren BW, Bredemeyer KR, Breit AM, Christmas MJ, Clawson H, Damas J, Di Palma F, Diekhans M, Dong MX, Eizirik E, Fan K, Fanter C, Foley NM, Forsberg-Nilsson K, Garcia CJ, Gatesy J, Gazal S, Genereux DP, Goodman L, Grimshaw J, Halsey MK, Harris AJ, Hickey G, Hiller M, Hindle AG, Hubley RM, Hughes GM, Johnson J, Juan D, Kaplow IM, Karlsson EK, Keough KC, Kirilenko B, Koepfli KP, Korstian JM, Kowalczyk A, Kozyrev SV, Lawler AJ, Lawless C, Lehmann T, Levesque DL, Lewin HA, Li X, Lind A, Lindblad-Toh K, Mackay-Smith A, Marinescu VD, Marques-Bonet T, Mason VC, Meadows JRS, Meyer WK, Moore JE, Moreira LR, Moreno-Santillan DD, Morrill KM, Muntané G, Murphy WJ, Navarro A, Nweeia M, Ortmann S, Osmanski A, Paten B, Paulat NS, Pfenning AR, Phan BN, Pollard KS, Pratt HE, Ray DA, Reilly SK, Rosen JR, Ruf I, Ryan L, Ryder OA, Sabeti PC, Schäffer DE, Serres A, Shapiro B, Smit AFA, Springer M, Srinivasan C, Steiner C, Storer JM, Sullivan KAM, Sullivan PF, Sundström E, Supple MA, Swofford R, Talbot JE, Teeling E, Turner-Maier J, Valenzuela A, Wagner F, Wallerman O, Wang C, Wang J, Weng Z, Wilder AP, Wirthlin ME, Xue JR, Zhang X. Relating enhancer genetic variation across mammals to complex phenotypes using machine learning. Science 2023; 380:eabm7993. [PMID: 37104615 DOI: 10.1126/science.abm7993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein-coding differences between species often fail to explain phenotypic diversity, suggesting the involvement of genomic elements that regulate gene expression such as enhancers. Identifying associations between enhancers and phenotypes is challenging because enhancer activity can be tissue-dependent and functionally conserved despite low sequence conservation. We developed the Tissue-Aware Conservation Inference Toolkit (TACIT) to associate candidate enhancers with species' phenotypes using predictions from machine learning models trained on specific tissues. Applying TACIT to associate motor cortex and parvalbumin-positive interneuron enhancers with neurological phenotypes revealed dozens of enhancer-phenotype associations, including brain size-associated enhancers that interact with genes implicated in microcephaly or macrocephaly. TACIT provides a foundation for identifying enhancers associated with the evolution of any convergently evolved phenotype in any large group of species with aligned genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene M Kaplow
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alyssa J Lawler
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Daniel E Schäffer
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chaitanya Srinivasan
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Heather H Sestili
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Morgan E Wirthlin
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - BaDoi N Phan
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kavya Prasad
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ashley R Brown
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Xiaomeng Zhang
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kathleen Foley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Diane P Genereux
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Elinor K Karlsson
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Wynn K Meyer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, USA
| | - Andreas R Pfenning
- Department of Computational Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Biology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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4
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Sun X, Zhang J, Cao C. CTCF and Its Partners: Shaper of 3D Genome during Development. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081383. [PMID: 36011294 PMCID: PMC9407368 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3D genome organization and its dynamic modulate genome function, playing a pivotal role in cell differentiation and development. CTCF and cohesin, acting as the core architectural components involved in chromatin looping and genome folding, can also recruit other protein or RNA partners to fine-tune genome structure during development. Moreover, systematic screening for partners of CTCF has been performed through high-throughput approaches. In particular, several novel protein and RNA partners, such as BHLHE40, WIZ, MAZ, Aire, MyoD, YY1, ZNF143, and Jpx, have been identified, and these partners are mostly implicated in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling, offering a unique opportunity for dissecting their roles in higher-order chromatin organization by collaborating with CTCF and cohesin. Here, we review the latest advancements with an emphasis on features of CTCF partners and also discuss the specific functions of CTCF-associated complexes in chromatin structure modulation, which may extend our understanding of the functions of higher-order chromatin architecture in developmental processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Sun
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; (X.S.); (J.Z.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Center for Reproductive Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; (X.S.); (J.Z.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Center for Reproductive Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chunwei Cao
- Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; (X.S.); (J.Z.)
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Center for Reproductive Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, Guangzhou 510320, China
- Correspondence:
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5
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A loss-of-function variant in SUV39H2 identified in autism-spectrum disorder causes altered H3K9 trimethylation and dysregulation of protocadherin β-cluster genes in the developing brain. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7550-7559. [PMID: 34262135 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01199-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence has documented the potential roles of histone-modifying enzymes in autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). Aberrant histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation resulting from genetic variants in histone methyltransferases is known for neurodevelopmental and behavioral anomalies. However, a systematic examination of H3K9 methylation dynamics in ASD is lacking. Here we resequenced nine genes for histone methyltransferases and demethylases involved in H3K9 methylation in individuals with ASD and healthy controls using targeted next-generation sequencing. We identified a novel rare variant (A211S) in the SUV39H2, which was predicted to be deleterious. The variant showed strongly reduced histone methyltransferase activity in vitro. In silico analysis showed that the variant destabilizes the hydrophobic core and allosterically affects the enzyme activity. The Suv39h2-KO mice displayed hyperactivity and reduced behavioral flexibility in learning the tasks that required complex behavioral adaptation, which is relevant for ASD. The Suv39h2 deficit evoked an elevated expression of a subset of protocadherin β (Pcdhb) cluster genes in the embryonic brain, which is attributable to the loss of H3K9 trimethylation (me3) at the gene promoters. Reduced H3K9me3 persisted in the cerebellum of Suv39h2-deficient mice to an adult stage. Congruently, reduced expression of SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 in the postmortem brain samples of ASD individuals was observed, underscoring the role of H3K9me3 deficiency in ASD etiology. The present study provides direct evidence for the role of SUV39H2 in ASD and suggests a molecular cascade of SUV39H2 dysfunction leading to H3K9me3 deficiency followed by an untimely, elevated expression of Pcdhb cluster genes during early neurodevelopment.
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6
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An N-ethyl-N-Nitrosourea Mutagenesis Screen in Mice Reveals a Mutation in Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 ( Nrf1) Altering the DNA Methylation State and Correct Embryonic Development. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072103. [PMID: 34359231 PMCID: PMC8300126 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this work, we aimed to discover unknown genes that are important in the regulation of other genes. These genes often play an important role during the development of the embryo. By screening thousands of mice, we found a gene, namely, Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (Nrf1), that controls the switching on and off of other genes. Mice with a defective Nrf1 present lesser levels of the gene and embryonic delay. When the mutation is in both chains of the DNA, mice are not born and die in the uterus. Our work unveils a novel, previously unknown functionality of Nrf1 and provides a new mice model for the study of diseases caused by a defective Nrf1. Abstract We have established a genome-wide N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis screen to identify novel genes playing a role in epigenetic regulation in mammals. We hypothesize that the ENU mutagenesis screen will lead to the discovery of unknown genes responsible of the maintenance of the epigenetic state as the genes found are modifiers of variegation of the transgene green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in erythrocytes, which are named MommeD. Here we report the generation of a novel mutant mouse line, MommeD46, that carries a new missense mutation producing an amino acid transversion (L71P) in the dimerization domain of Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (Nrf1). The molecular characterization of the mutation reveals a decrease in the Nrf1 mRNA levels and a novel role of Nrf1 in the maintenance of the DNA hypomethylation in vivo. The heritability of the mutation is consistent with paternal imprinting and haploinsufficiency. Homozygous mutants display embryonic lethality at 14.5 days post-coitum and developmental delay. This work adds a new epi-regulatory role to Nrf1 and uncovers unknown phenotypical defects of the Nrf1 hypomorph. The generated mouse line represents a valuable resource for studying NRF1-related diseases.
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7
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Bukova I, Szczerkowska KI, Prochazkova M, Beck IM, Prochazka J, Sedlacek R. Loss of Wiz Function Affects Methylation Pattern in Palate Development and Leads to Cleft Palate. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:620692. [PMID: 34150743 PMCID: PMC8206640 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.620692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
WIZ (Widely Interspaced Zinc Finger) is associated with the G9a-GLP protein complex, a key H3K9 methyltransferase suggesting a role in transcriptional repression. However, its role in embryonic development is poorly described. In order to assess the loss of function of WIZ, we generated CRISPR/Cas9 WIZ knockout mouse model with 32 nucleotide deletion. Observing the lethality status, we identified the WIZ knockouts to be subviable during embryonic development and non-viable after birth. Morphology of developing embryo was analyzed at E14.5 and E18.5 and our findings were supported by microCT scans. Wiz KO showed improper development in multiple aspects, specifically in the craniofacial area. In particular, shorter snout, cleft palate, and cleft eyelids were present in mutant embryos. Palatal shelves were hypomorphic and though elevated to a horizontal position on top of the tongue, they failed to make contact and fuse. By comparison of proliferation pattern and histone methylation in developing palatal shelves we brought new evidence of importance WIZ dependent G9a-GLP methylation complex in craniofacial development, especially in palate shelf fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Bukova
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Katarzyna Izabela Szczerkowska
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michaela Prochazkova
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Inken M Beck
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia.,Animal Research Centre, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Laboratory of Transgenic Models of Diseases and the Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
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8
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Jia Z, Wu Q. Clustered Protocadherins Emerge as Novel Susceptibility Loci for Mental Disorders. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:587819. [PMID: 33262685 PMCID: PMC7688460 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.587819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered protocadherins (cPcdhs) are a subfamily of type I single-pass transmembrane cell adhesion molecules predominantly expressed in the brain. Their stochastic and combinatorial expression patterns encode highly diverse neural identity codes which are central for neuronal self-avoidance and non-self discrimination in brain circuit formation. In this review, we first briefly outline mechanisms for generating a tremendous diversity of cPcdh cell-surface assemblies. We then summarize the biological functions of cPcdhs in a wide variety of neurodevelopmental processes, such as neuronal migration and survival, dendritic arborization and self-avoidance, axonal tiling and even spacing, and synaptogenesis. We focus on genetic, epigenetic, and 3D genomic dysregulations of cPcdhs that are associated with various neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental diseases. A deeper understanding of regulatory mechanisms and physiological functions of cPcdhs should provide significant insights into the pathogenesis of mental disorders and facilitate development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Qiang Wu
- Center for Comparative Biomedicine, MOE Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Wu Q, Jia Z. Wiring the Brain by Clustered Protocadherin Neural Codes. Neurosci Bull 2020; 37:117-131. [PMID: 32939695 PMCID: PMC7811963 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-020-00578-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There are more than a thousand trillion specific synaptic connections in the human brain and over a million new specific connections are formed every second during the early years of life. The assembly of these staggeringly complex neuronal circuits requires specific cell-surface molecular tags to endow each neuron with a unique identity code to discriminate self from non-self. The clustered protocadherin (Pcdh) genes, which encode a tremendous diversity of cell-surface assemblies, are candidates for neuronal identity tags. We describe the adaptive evolution, genomic structure, and regulation of expression of the clustered Pcdhs. We specifically focus on the emerging 3-D architectural and biophysical mechanisms that generate an enormous number of diverse cell-surface Pcdhs as neural codes in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Wu
- Center for Comparative Biomedicine, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Systems Biomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Zhilian Jia
- Center for Comparative Biomedicine, Ministry of Education Key Lab of Systems Biomedicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, Institute of Systems Biomedicine, Xinhua Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
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10
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Wenderski W, Wang L, Krokhotin A, Walsh JJ, Li H, Shoji H, Ghosh S, George RD, Miller EL, Elias L, Gillespie MA, Son EY, Staahl BT, Baek ST, Stanley V, Moncada C, Shipony Z, Linker SB, Marchetto MCN, Gage FH, Chen D, Sultan T, Zaki MS, Ranish JA, Miyakawa T, Luo L, Malenka RC, Crabtree GR, Gleeson JG. Loss of the neural-specific BAF subunit ACTL6B relieves repression of early response genes and causes recessive autism. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:10055-10066. [PMID: 32312822 PMCID: PMC7211998 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1908238117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic activity in neurons leads to the rapid activation of genes involved in mammalian behavior. ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers such as the BAF complex contribute to these responses and are generally thought to activate transcription. However, the mechanisms keeping such "early activation" genes silent have been a mystery. In the course of investigating Mendelian recessive autism, we identified six families with segregating loss-of-function mutations in the neuronal BAF (nBAF) subunit ACTL6B (originally named BAF53b). Accordingly, ACTL6B was the most significantly mutated gene in the Simons Recessive Autism Cohort. At least 14 subunits of the nBAF complex are mutated in autism, collectively making it a major contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Patient mutations destabilized ACTL6B protein in neurons and rerouted dendrites to the wrong glomerulus in the fly olfactory system. Humans and mice lacking ACTL6B showed corpus callosum hypoplasia, indicating a conserved role for ACTL6B in facilitating neural connectivity. Actl6b knockout mice on two genetic backgrounds exhibited ASD-related behaviors, including social and memory impairments, repetitive behaviors, and hyperactivity. Surprisingly, mutation of Actl6b relieved repression of early response genes including AP1 transcription factors (Fos, Fosl2, Fosb, and Junb), increased chromatin accessibility at AP1 binding sites, and transcriptional changes in late response genes associated with early response transcription factor activity. ACTL6B loss is thus an important cause of recessive ASD, with impaired neuron-specific chromatin repression indicated as a potential mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy Wenderski
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Andrey Krokhotin
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Jessica J Walsh
- Nancy Pritztker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Hongjie Li
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Hirotaka Shoji
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, 470-1192 Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shereen Ghosh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Renee D George
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Erik L Miller
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Laura Elias
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | | | - Esther Y Son
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Brett T Staahl
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Seung Tae Baek
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Valentina Stanley
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Cynthia Moncada
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Zohar Shipony
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Sara B Linker
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Maria C N Marchetto
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Fred H Gage
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Dillon Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Tipu Sultan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Institute of Child Health, Children Hospital Lahore, 54000 Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maha S Zaki
- Clinical Genetics Department, Human Genetics and Genome Research Division, National Research Centre, 12311 Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, 470-1192 Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Liqun Luo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Robert C Malenka
- Nancy Pritztker Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Gerald R Crabtree
- Department of Pathology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305;
- Department of Genetics, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford Medical School, Palo Alto, CA 94305
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305
| | - Joseph G Gleeson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037;
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
- Rady Children's Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037
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11
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Justice M, Carico ZM, Stefan HC, Dowen JM. A WIZ/Cohesin/CTCF Complex Anchors DNA Loops to Define Gene Expression and Cell Identity. Cell Rep 2020; 31:107503. [PMID: 32294452 PMCID: PMC7212317 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome structure is a key regulator of gene expression. CTCF and cohesin play critical roles in structuring chromosomes by mediating physical interactions between distant genomic sites. The resulting DNA loops often contain genes and their cis-regulatory elements. Despite the importance of DNA loops in maintaining proper transcriptional regulation and cell identity, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate their dynamics and function. We report a previously unrecognized role for WIZ (widely interspaced zinc finger-containing protein) in DNA loop architecture and regulation of gene expression. WIZ forms a complex with cohesin and CTCF that occupies enhancers, promoters, insulators, and anchors of DNA loops. Aberrant WIZ function alters cohesin occupancy and increases the number of DNA loop structures in the genome. WIZ is required for proper gene expression and transcriptional insulation. Our results uncover an unexpected role for WIZ in DNA loop architecture, transcriptional control, and maintenance of cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Justice
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Zachary M Carico
- Cancer Epigenetics Training Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Holden C Stefan
- Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jill M Dowen
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Integrative Program for Biological and Genome Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Cancer Epigenetics Training Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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12
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Bertozzi TM, Ferguson-Smith AC. Metastable epialleles and their contribution to epigenetic inheritance in mammals. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 97:93-105. [PMID: 31551132 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Many epigenetic differences between individuals are driven by genetic variation. Mammalian metastable epialleles are unusual in that they show variable DNA methylation states between genetically identical individuals. The occurrence of such states across generations has resulted in their consideration by many as strong evidence for epigenetic inheritance in mammals, with the classic Avy and AxinFu mouse models - each products of repeat element insertions - being the most widely accepted examples. Equally, there has been interest in exploring their use as epigenetic biosensors given their susceptibility to environmental compromise. Here we review the classic murine metastable epialleles as well as more recently identified candidates, with the aim of providing a more holistic understanding of their biology. We consider the extent to which epigenetic inheritance occurs at metastable epialleles and explore the limited mechanistic insights into the establishment of their variable epigenetic states. We discuss their environmental modulation and their potential relevance in genome regulation. In light of recent whole-genome screens for novel metastable epialleles, we point out the need to reassess their biological relevance in multi-generational studies and we highlight their value as a model to study repeat element silencing as well as the mechanisms and consequences of mammalian epigenetic stochasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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13
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Karl M, Sommer C, Gabriel CH, Hecklau K, Venzke M, Hennig AF, Radbruch A, Selbach M, Baumgrass R. Recruitment of Histone Methyltransferase Ehmt1 to Foxp3 TSDR Counteracts Differentiation of Induced Regulatory T Cells. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:3606-3625. [PMID: 31362003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Differentiation toward CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells is essentially dependent on an epigenetic program at Treg signature genes, which involves remodeling of the Treg-specific demethylated regions (TSDRs). In particular, the epigenetic status of the conserved non-coding sequence 2 of Foxp3 (Foxp3 TSDR) determines expression stability of the master transcription factor and thus Treg lineage identity. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the epigenetic remodeling at TSDRs in Treg and conventional T cells are largely unknown. Using a combined approach of DNA pull-down and mass spectrometric analysis, we report a novel regulatory mechanism in which transcription factor Wiz recruits the histone methyltransferase Ehmt1 to Foxp3 TSDR. We show that both Wiz and Ehmt1 are crucial for shaping the region with the repressive histone modification H3K9me2 in conventional T cells. Consistently, knocking out either Ehmt1 or Wiz by CRISPR/Cas resulted in the loss of H3K9me2 and enhanced Foxp3 expression during iTreg differentiation. Moreover, the essential role of the Wiz-Ehmt1 interaction as observed at several TSDRs indicates a global function of Ehmt1 in the Treg differentiation program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Karl
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Sommer
- Proteome Dynamics, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian H Gabriel
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Hecklau
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Melanie Venzke
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Floriane Hennig
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Radbruch
- Cell Biology, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Charité-University Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Selbach
- Proteome Dynamics, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ria Baumgrass
- Signal Transduction, German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
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14
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Mountoufaris G, Canzio D, Nwakeze CL, Chen WV, Maniatis T. Writing, Reading, and Translating the Clustered Protocadherin Cell Surface Recognition Code for Neural Circuit Assembly. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol 2019; 34:471-493. [PMID: 30296392 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cellbio-100616-060701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The ability of neurites of individual neurons to distinguish between themselves and neurites from other neurons and to avoid self (self-avoidance) plays a key role in neural circuit assembly in both invertebrates and vertebrates. Similarly, when individual neurons of the same type project into receptive fields of the brain, they must avoid each other to maximize target coverage (tiling). Counterintuitively, these processes are driven by highly specific homophilic interactions between cell surface proteins that lead to neurite repulsion rather than adhesion. Among these proteins in vertebrates are the clustered protocadherins (Pcdhs), and key to their function is the generation of enormous cell surface structural diversity. Here we review recent advances in understanding how a Pcdh cell surface code is generated by stochastic promoter choice; how this code is amplified and read by homophilic interactions between Pcdh complexes at the surface of neurons; and, finally, how the Pcdh code is translated to cellular function, which mediates self-avoidance and tiling and thus plays a central role in the development of complex neural circuits. Not surprisingly, Pcdh mutations that diminish homophilic interactions lead to wiring defects and abnormal behavior in mice, and sequence variants in the Pcdh gene cluster are associated with autism spectrum disorders in family-based genetic studies in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Mountoufaris
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical School, and Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; .,Current address: Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
| | - Daniele Canzio
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical School, and Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA;
| | - Chiamaka L Nwakeze
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical School, and Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA;
| | - Weisheng V Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical School, and Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA; .,Current address: Leveragen, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Tom Maniatis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical School, and Zuckerman Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA;
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15
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Lu Y, Li Q, Zheng K, Fu C, Jiang C, Zhou D, Xia C, Ma S. Development of a high efficient promoter finding method based on transient transfection. Gene 2019; 2:100008. [PMID: 32550544 PMCID: PMC7286058 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2019.100008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In metazoan genome, the mechanism of gene expression regulation between transcriptional regulatory elements and their target gene is spatiotemporal. Active promoters possess many specific chromosomal features, such as hypersensitive to DNaseI and enrichment of specific histone modifications. In this article, we proposed a novel method which possesses a high efficiency to find promoters in vitro. A promoter-trap library was constructed with totally 706 random mouse genomic DNA fragment clones, and 260 promoter-active fragments of the library were screened by transient transfection into 4T1 cells. To demonstrate the accuracy of this promoter finding method, 13 fragments with promoter activities were randomly selected for published DNase-seq and ChIP-seq data analysis, downstream transcripts prediction and expression confirmation. qRT-PCR results showed that six predicted transcription units were successfully amplified in different mouse tissues/cells or in reconstituted mouse mammary tumors. Our results indicate that this promoter finding method can successfully detect the promoter-active fragments and their downstream transcripts.
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Key Words
- ATAC-seq, Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing
- Bioinformatics
- CAGE, cap analysis of gene expression
- CMV, Cytomegalovirus
- Cancer-specific promoter
- ChIP-seq, Chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel DNA sequencing
- Ct, threshold
- DHS, DNaseI hypersensitive sites
- DNase-seq, DNase I hypersensitive sites sequencing
- EF1a1, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1
- FBS, fetal bovine serum
- GRO-seq, global run-on sequencing
- Gene expression regulation
- Gene finding
- H3K4me3, histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation
- Itpr2, inositol 1, 4, 5-triphosphate receptor 2
- LSINCT5, long stress-induced non-coding transcript 5
- MCS, multiple cloning site
- MPRA, Massively parallel reporter assays
- Mouse breast cancer
- PBS, phosphate buffered solution
- Promoter trap
- RNA-seq, RNA sequencing
- SD, standard deviation
- STARR-seq, Self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing
- TFs, transcription factors
- TSS, transcription start sites
- dNTPs, deoxy-ribonucleoside triphosphate
- eRNAs, enhancer RNAs
- mSEAP, mouse synthetic secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase
- pNPP, p-nitropheny-phosate
- qRT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR
- tpk1, thiamine pyrophosphokinase
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Lu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Qilong Li
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Kexin Zheng
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Chenghao Fu
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Chunying Jiang
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Dayu Zhou
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Chao Xia
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Shiliang Ma
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
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16
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Epigenetic dysregulation of protocadherins in human disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 69:172-182. [PMID: 28694114 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Protocadherins (Pcdhs) are a group of cell-cell adhesion molecules that are highly expressed in the nervous system and have a major function in dendrite development and neural circuit formation. However, the role protocadherins play in human health and disease remains unclear. Several recent studies have associated epigenetic dysregulation of protocadherins with possible implications for disease pathogenesis. In this review, we briefly recap the various epigenetic mechanisms regulating protocadherin genes, particularly the clustered Pcdhs. We further outline research describing altered epigenetic regulation of protocadherins in neurological and psychiatric disorders, as well as in cancer and during aging. We additionally present preliminary data on DNA methylation dynamics of clustered protocadherins during fetal brain development, as well as the epigenetic differences distinguishing adult neuronal and glial cells. A deeper understanding of the role of protocadherins in disease is crucial for designing novel diagnostic tools and therapies targeting brain disorders.
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17
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Jiang Y, Loh YHE, Rajarajan P, Hirayama T, Liao W, Kassim BS, Javidfar B, Hartley BJ, Kleofas L, Park RB, Labonte B, Ho SM, Chandrasekaran S, Do C, Ramirez BR, Peter CJ, C W JT, Safaie BM, Morishita H, Roussos P, Nestler EJ, Schaefer A, Tycko B, Brennand KJ, Yagi T, Shen L, Akbarian S. The methyltransferase SETDB1 regulates a large neuron-specific topological chromatin domain. Nat Genet 2017; 49:1239-1250. [PMID: 28671686 PMCID: PMC5560095 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We report locus-specific disintegration of megabase-scale chromosomal conformations in brain after neuronal ablation of Kmt1e/Setdb1 histone H3-lysine 9 methyltransferase, including a large topologically associated 1.2Mb domain conserved in human and mouse and encompassing >70 genes at the clustered Protocadherin (cPcdh) locus. TADcPcdh in mutant neurons showed abnormal accumulations of CTCF transcriptional regulator and 3D genome organizer at cryptic binding sites, converted into permissive state with DNA cytosine hypomethylation and histone hyperacetylation. Broadly upregulated expression across cPcdh included defective S-type Protocadherin single-cell stochastic constraint. Setdb1-dependent loop formations, bypassing 0.2–1Mb of linear genome, radiated from TADPcdh fringes towards cPcdh cis-regulatory sequences, counterbalanced shorter-range facilitative promoter-enhancer contacts and carried loop-bound polymorphisms associated with genetic risk for schizophrenia. We show that KRAB-zinc finger Setdb1 repressor complex, shielding neuronal 3D genomes from excess CTCF binding, is critically required for structural maintenance of TADcPcdh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yong-Hwee Eddie Loh
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Prashanth Rajarajan
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Teruyoshi Hirayama
- Kokoro-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Will Liao
- New York Genome Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bibi S Kassim
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Behnam Javidfar
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brigham J Hartley
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lisa Kleofas
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Royce B Park
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benoit Labonte
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Seok-Man Ho
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sandhya Chandrasekaran
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Do
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brianna R Ramirez
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Cyril J Peter
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia T C W
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brian M Safaie
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hirofumi Morishita
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Virginia Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Anne Schaefer
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Benjamin Tycko
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kristen J Brennand
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Takeshi Yagi
- Kokoro-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Li Shen
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Schahram Akbarian
- Friedman Brain Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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18
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Laufer BI, Chater-Diehl EJ, Kapalanga J, Singh SM. Long-term alterations to DNA methylation as a biomarker of prenatal alcohol exposure: From mouse models to human children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Alcohol 2017; 60:67-75. [PMID: 28187949 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rodent models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) have revealed that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) results in differential DNA cytosine methylation in the developing brain. The resulting genome-wide methylation changes are enriched in genes with neurodevelopmental functions. The profile of differential methylation is dynamic and present in some form for life. The methylation changes are transmitted across subsequent mitotic divisions, where they are maintained and further modified over time. More recent follow up has identified a profile of the differential methylation in the buccal swabs of young children born with FASD. While distinct from the profile observed in brain tissue from rodent models, there are similarities. These include changes in genes belonging to a number of neurodevelopmental and behavioral pathways. Specifically, there is increased methylation at the clustered protocadherin genes and deregulation of genomically imprinted genes, even though no single gene is affected in all patients studied to date. These novel results suggest further development of a methylation based strategy could enable early and accurate diagnostics and therapeutics, which have remained a challenge in FASD research. There are two aspects of this challenge that must be addressed in the immediate future: First, the long-term differential methylomics observed in rodent models must be functionally confirmed. Second, the similarities in differential methylation must be further established in humans at a methylomic level and overcome a number of technical limitations. While a cure for FASD is challenging, there is an opportunity for the development of early diagnostics and attenuations towards a higher quality of life.
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