BORIS/CTCFL epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into alternative transcriptional start sites

BACKGROUND

Pervasive usage of alternative promoters leads to the deregulation of gene expression in carcinogenesis and may drive the emergence of new genes in spermatogenesis. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms underpinning the activation of alternative promoters.

RESULTS

Here we describe how alternative cancer-testis-specific transcription is activated. We show that intergenic and intronic CTCF binding sites, which are transcriptionally inert in normal somatic cells, could be epigenetically reprogrammed into active de novo promoters in germ and cancer cells. BORIS/CTCFL, the testis-specific paralog of the ubiquitously expressed CTCF, triggers the epigenetic reprogramming of CTCF sites into units of active transcription. BORIS binding initiates the recruitment of the chromatin remodeling factor, SRCAP, followed by the replacement of H2A histone with H2A.Z, resulting in a more relaxed chromatin state in the nucleosomes flanking the CTCF binding sites. The relaxation of chromatin around CTCF binding sites facilitates the recruitment of multiple additional transcription factors, thereby activating transcription from a given binding site. We demonstrate that the epigenetically reprogrammed CTCF binding sites can drive the expression of cancer-testis genes, long noncoding RNAs, retro-pseudogenes, and dormant transposable elements.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, BORIS functions as a transcription factor that epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into transcriptional start sites, promoting transcription from alternative promoters in both germ cells and cancer cells.

An updated catalog of CTCF variants associated with neurodevelopmental disorder phenotypes

Introduction

CTCF-related disorder (CRD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) caused by monoallelic pathogenic variants in CTCF. The first CTCF variants in CRD cases were documented in 2013. To date, 76 CTCF variants have been further described in the literature. In recent years, due to the increased application of next-generation sequencing (NGS), growing numbers of CTCF variants are being identified, and multiple genotype-phenotype databases cataloging such variants are emerging.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to expand the genotypic spectrum of CRD, by cataloging NDD phenotypes associated with reported CTCF variants. Here, we systematically reviewed all known CTCF variants reported in case studies and large-scale exome sequencing cohorts. We also conducted a meta-analysis using public variant data from genotype-phenotype databases to identify additional CTCF variants, which we then curated and annotated.

Results

From this combined approach, we report an additional 86 CTCF variants associated with NDD phenotypes that have not yet been described in the literature. Furthermore, we describe and explain inconsistencies in the quality of reported variants, which impairs the reuse of data for research of NDDs and other pathologies.

Discussion

From this integrated analysis, we provide a comprehensive and annotated catalog of all currently known CTCF mutations associated with NDD phenotypes, to aid diagnostic applications, as well as translational and basic research.

The combined action of CTCF and its testis-specific paralog BORIS is essential for spermatogenesis

CTCF is a key organizer of the 3D genome. Its specialized paralog, BORIS, heterodimerizes with CTCF but is expressed only in male germ cells and in cancer states. Unexpectedly, BORIS-null mice have only minimal germ cell defects. To understand the CTCF-BORIS relationship, mouse models with varied CTCF and BORIS levels were generated. Whereas Ctcf+/+Boris+/+, Ctcf+/-Boris+/+, and Ctcf+/+Boris-/- males are fertile, Ctcf+/-Boris-/- (Compound Mutant; CM) males are sterile. Testes with combined depletion of both CTCF and BORIS show reduced size, defective meiotic recombination, increased apoptosis, and malformed spermatozoa. Although CM germ cells exhibit only 25% of CTCF WT expression, chromatin binding of CTCF is preferentially lost from CTCF-BORIS heterodimeric sites. Furthermore, CM testes lose the expression of a large number of spermatogenesis genes and gain the expression of developmentally inappropriate genes that are "toxic" to fertility. Thus, a combined action of CTCF and BORIS is required to both repress pre-meiotic genes and activate post-meiotic genes for a complete spermatogenesis program.

CTCF mediates chromatin looping via N-terminal domain-dependent cohesin retention

The DNA-binding protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and the cohesin complex function together to shape chromatin architecture in mammalian cells, but the molecular details of this process remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that a 79-aa region within the CTCF N terminus is essential for cohesin positioning at CTCF binding sites and chromatin loop formation. However, the N terminus of CTCF fused to artificial zinc fingers was not sufficient to redirect cohesin to non-CTCF binding sites, indicating a lack of an autonomously functioning domain in CTCF responsible for cohesin positioning. BORIS (CTCFL), a germline-specific paralog of CTCF, was unable to anchor cohesin to CTCF DNA binding sites. Furthermore, CTCF-BORIS chimeric constructs provided evidence that, besides the N terminus of CTCF, the first two CTCF zinc fingers, and likely the 3D geometry of CTCF-DNA complexes, are also involved in cohesin retention. Based on this knowledge, we were able to convert BORIS into CTCF with respect to cohesin positioning, thus providing additional molecular details of the ability of CTCF to retain cohesin. Taken together, our data provide insight into the process by which DNA-bound CTCF constrains cohesin movement to shape spatiotemporal genome organization.

BORIS Expression in Ovarian Cancer Precursor Cells Alters the CTCF Cistrome and Enhances Invasiveness through GALNT14

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most aggressive and predominant form of epithelial ovarian cancer and the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death. We have previously shown that CTCFL (also known as BORIS, Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites) is expressed in most ovarian cancers, and is associated with global and promoter-specific DNA hypomethylation, advanced tumor stage, and poor prognosis. To explore its role in HGSC, we expressed BORIS in human fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSEC), the presumptive cells of origin for HGSC. BORIS-expressing cells exhibited increased motility and invasion, and BORIS expression was associated with alterations in several cancer-associated gene expression networks, including fatty acid metabolism, TNF signaling, cell migration, and ECM-receptor interactions. Importantly, GALNT14, a glycosyltransferase gene implicated in cancer cell migration and invasion, was highly induced by BORIS, and GALNT14 knockdown significantly abrogated BORIS-induced cell motility and invasion. In addition, in silico analyses provided evidence for BORIS and GALNT14 coexpression in several cancers. Finally, ChIP-seq demonstrated that expression of BORIS was associated with de novo and enhanced binding of CTCF at hundreds of loci, many of which correlated with activation of transcription at target genes, including GALNT14. Taken together, our data indicate that BORIS may promote cell motility and invasion in HGSC via upregulation of GALNT14, and suggests BORIS as a potential therapeutic target in this malignancy. IMPLICATIONS: These studies provide evidence that aberrant expression of BORIS may play a role in the progression to HGSC by enhancing the migratory and invasive properties of FTSEC.

The downregulation of putative anticancer target BORIS/CTCFL in an addicted myeloid cancer cell line modulates the expression of multiple protein coding and ncRNA genes

The BORIS/CTCFL gene, is a testis-specific CTCF paralog frequently erroneously activated in cancer, although its exact role in cancer remains unclear. BORIS is both a transcription factor and an architectural chromatin protein. BORIS' normal role is to establish a germline-like gene expression and remodel the epigenetic landscape in testis; it similarly remodels chromatin when activated in human cancer. Critically, at least one cancer cell line, K562, is dependent on BORIS for its self-renewal and survival. Here, we downregulate BORIS expression in the K562 cancer cell line to investigate downstream pathways regulated by BORIS. RNA-seq analyses of both mRNA and small ncRNAs, including miRNA and piRNA, in the knock-down cells revealed a set of differentially expressed genes and pathways, including both testis-specific and general proliferation factors, as well as proteins involved in transcription regulation and cell physiology. The differentially expressed genes included important transcriptional regulators such as SOX6 and LIN28A. Data indicate that both direct binding of BORIS to promoter regions and locus-control activity via long-distance chromatin domain regulation are involved. The sum of findings suggests that BORIS activation in leukemia does not just recapitulate the germline, but creates a unique regulatory network.

The cancer-associated CTCFL/BORIS protein targets multiple classes of genomic repeats, with a distinct binding and functional preference for humanoid-specific SVA transposable elements

Background

A common aberration in cancer is the activation of germline-specific proteins. The DNA-binding proteins among them could generate novel chromatin states, not found in normal cells. The germline-specific transcription factor BORIS/CTCFL, a paralog of chromatin architecture protein CTCF, is often erroneously activated in cancers and rewires the epigenome for the germline-like transcription program. Another common feature of malignancies is the changed expression and epigenetic states of genomic repeats, which could alter the transcription of neighboring genes and cause somatic mutations upon transposition. The role of BORIS in transposable elements and other repeats has never been assessed.

Results

The investigation of BORIS and CTCF binding to DNA repeats in the K562 cancer cells dependent on BORIS for self-renewal by ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq revealed three classes of occupancy by these proteins: elements cohabited by BORIS and CTCF, CTCF-only bound, or BORIS-only bound. The CTCF-only enrichment is characteristic for evolutionary old and inactive repeat classes, while BORIS and CTCF co-binding predominately occurs at uncharacterized tandem repeats. These repeats form staggered cluster binding sites, which are a prerequisite for CTCF and BORIS co-binding. At the same time, BORIS preferentially occupies a specific subset of the evolutionary young, transcribed, and mobile genomic repeat family, SVA. Unlike CTCF, BORIS prominently binds to the VNTR region of the SVA repeats in vivo. This suggests a role of BORIS in SVA expression regulation. RNA-seq analysis indicates that BORIS largely serves as a repressor of SVA expression, alongside DNA and histone methylation, with the exception of promoter capture by SVA.

Conclusions

Thus, BORIS directly binds to, and regulates SVA repeats, which are essentially movable CpG islands, via clusters of BORIS binding sites. This finding uncovers a new function of the global germline-specific transcriptional regulator BORIS in regulating and repressing the newest class of transposable elements that are actively transposed in human genome when activated. This function of BORIS in cancer cells is likely a reflection of its roles in the germline.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-016-0084-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Comparative analyses of CTCF and BORIS occupancies uncover two distinct classes of CTCF binding genomic regions

Background

CTCF and BORIS (CTCFL), two paralogous mammalian proteins sharing nearly identical DNA binding domains, are thought to function in a mutually exclusive manner in DNA binding and transcriptional regulation.

Results

Here we show that these two proteins co-occupy a specific subset of regulatory elements consisting of clustered CTCF binding motifs (termed 2xCTSes). BORIS occupancy at 2xCTSes is largely invariant in BORIS-positive cancer cells, with the genomic pattern recapitulating the germline-specific BORIS binding to chromatin. In contrast to the single-motif CTCF target sites (1xCTSes), the 2xCTS elements are preferentially found at active promoters and enhancers, both in cancer and germ cells. 2xCTSes are also enriched in genomic regions that escape histone to protamine replacement in human and mouse sperm. Depletion of the BORIS gene leads to altered transcription of a large number of genes and the differentiation of K562 cells, while the ectopic expression of this CTCF paralog leads to specific changes in transcription in MCF7 cells.

Conclusions

We discover two functionally and structurally different classes of CTCF binding regions, 2xCTSes and 1xCTSes, revealed by their predisposition to bind BORIS. We propose that 2xCTSes play key roles in the transcriptional program of cancer and germ cells.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0736-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Transcription factor BORIS (Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites) directly induces expression of a cancer-testis antigen, TSP50, through regulated binding of BORIS to the promoter

Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are normally expressed in testis but are aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers with varying frequency. More than 100 proteins have been identified as CTA including testes-specific protease 50 (TSP50) and the testis-specific paralogue of CCCTC-binding factor, BORIS (brother of the regulator of imprinted sites). Because many CTAs are considered as excellent targets for tumor immunotherapy, understanding the regulatory mechanisms governing their expression is important. In this study we demonstrate that BORIS is directly responsible for the transcriptional activation of TSP50. We found two BORIS binding sites in the TSP50 promoter that are highly conserved between mouse and human. Mutations of the binding sites resulted in loss of BORIS binding and the ability of BORIS to activate the promoter. However, although expression of BORIS was essential, it was not sufficient for high expression of TSP50 in cancer cells. Further studies showed that binding of BORIS to the target sites was methylation-independent but was diminished by nucleosomal occupancy consistent with the findings that high expression of TSP50 was associated with increased DNase I sensitivity and high BORIS occupancy of the promoter. These findings indicate that BORIS-induced expression of TSP50 is governed by accessibility and binding of BORIS to the promoter. To our knowledge this is the first report of regulated expression of one CTA by another to be validated in a physiological context.

The structural complexity of the human BORIS gene in gametogenesis and cancer

BACKGROUND

BORIS/CTCFL is a paralogue of CTCF, the major epigenetic regulator of vertebrate genomes. BORIS is normally expressed only in germ cells but is aberrantly activated in numerous cancers. While recent studies demonstrated that BORIS is a transcriptional activator of testis-specific genes, little is generally known about its biological and molecular functions.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Here we show that BORIS is expressed as 23 isoforms in germline and cancer cells. The isoforms are comprised of alternative N- and C-termini combined with varying numbers of zinc fingers (ZF) in the DNA binding domain. The patterns of BORIS isoform expression are distinct in germ and cancer cells. Isoform expression is activated by downregulation of CTCF, upregulated by reduction in CpG methylation caused by inactivation of DNMT1 or DNMT3b, and repressed by activation of p53. Studies of ectopically expressed isoforms showed that all are translated and localized to the nucleus. Using the testis-specific cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) promoter and the IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR), it was shown that binding of BORIS isoforms to DNA targets in vitro is methylation-sensitive and depends on the number and specific composition of ZF. The ability to bind target DNA and the presence of a specific long amino terminus (N258) in different isoforms are necessary and sufficient to activate CST transcription. Comparative sequence analyses revealed an evolutionary burst in mammals with strong conservation of BORIS isoproteins among primates.

CONCLUSIONS

The extensive repertoire of spliced BORIS variants in humans that confer distinct DNA binding and transcriptional activation properties, and their differential patterns of expression among germ cells and neoplastic cells suggest that the gene is involved in a range of functionally important aspects of both normal gametogenesis and cancer development. In addition, a burst in isoform diversification may be evolutionarily tied to unique aspects of primate speciation.

Expression of the CTCF-paralogous cancer-testis gene, brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS), is regulated by three alternative promoters modulated by CpG methylation and by CTCF and p53 transcription factors

BORIS, like other members of the ‘cancer/testis antigen’ family, is normally expressed in testicular germ cells and repressed in somatic cells, but is aberrantly activated in cancers. To understand regulatory mechanisms governing human BORIS expression, we characterized its 5′-flanking region. Using 5′ RACE, we identified three promoters, designated A, B and C, corresponding to transcription start sites at −1447, −899 and −658 bp upstream of the first ATG. Alternative promoter usage generated at least five alternatively spliced BORIS mRNAs with different half-lives determined by varying 5′-UTRs. In normal testis, BORIS is transcribed from all three promoters, but 84% of the 30 cancer cell lines tested used only promoter(s) A and/or C while the others utilized primarily promoters B and C. The differences in promoter usage between normal and cancer cells suggested that they were subject to differential regulation. We found that DNA methylation and functional p53 contributes to the negative regulation of each promoter. Moreover, reduction of CTCF in normally BORIS-negative human fibroblasts resulted in derepression of BORIS promoters. These results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding cancer-related associations between haploinsufficiency of CTCF and BORIS derepression, and between the lack of functional p53 and aberrant activation of BORIS.

Allele-specific binding of CTCF to the multipartite imprinting control region KvDMR1

Paternal deletion of the imprinting control region (ICR) KvDMR1 results in loss of expression of the Kcnq1ot1 noncoding RNA and derepression of flanking paternally silenced genes. Truncation of Kcnq1ot1 also results in the loss of imprinted expression of these genes in most cases, demonstrating a role for the RNA or its transcription in gene silencing. However, enhancer-blocking studies indicate that KvDMR1 also contains chromatin insulator or silencer activity. In this report we demonstrate by electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation the existence of two CTCF binding sites within KvDMR1 that are occupied in vivo only on the unmethylated paternally derived allele. Methylation interference and mutagenesis allowed the precise mapping of protein-DNA contact sites for CTCF within KvDMR1. Using a luciferase reporter assay, we mapped the putative transcriptional promoter for Kcnq1ot1 upstream and to a site functionally separable from enhancer-blocking activity and CTCF binding sites. Luciferase reporter assays also suggest the presence of an additional cis-acting element in KvDMR1 upstream of the putative promoter that can function as an enhancer. These results suggest that the KvDMR1 ICR consists of multiple, independent cis-acting modules. Dissection of KvDMR1 into its functional components should help elucidate the mechanism of its function in vivo.

Cloning and characterization of zebrafish CTCF: Developmental expression patterns, regulation of the promoter region, and evolutionary aspects of gene organization

CTCF is a nuclear phosphoprotein capable of using different subsets of its 11 Zn fingers (ZF) for sequence-specific binding to many dissimilar DNA CTCF-target sites. Such sites were identified in the genomic DNA of various multicellular organisms, in which the CTCF gene was cloned, including insects, birds, rodents, and primates. CTCF/DNA-complexes formed in vivo with different 50-bp-long sequences mediate diverse functions such as positive and negative regulation of promoters, and organization of all known enhancer-blocking elements ("chromatin insulators") including constitutive and epigenetically regulated elements. Abnormal functions of certain CTCF sites are implicated in cancer and in epigenetic syndromes such as BWS and skewed X-inactivation. We describe here the cloning and characterization of the CTCF cDNA and promoter region from zebrafish, a valuable vertebrate model organism. The full-length zebrafish CTCF cDNA clone is 4244 bp in length with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2391 bp that encodes 797 amino acids. The zebrafish CTCF amino acid sequence shows high identity (up to 98% in the zinc finger region) with human CTCF, and perfect conservation of exon-intron organization. Southern blot analyses indicated that the zebrafish genome contains a single copy of the CTCF gene. In situ hybridization revealed the presence of zebrafish CTCF transcripts in all early stages of embryogenesis. Transfection assays with luciferase reporter-constructs identified a core promoter region within 146 bp immediately upstream of the transcriptional start site of zebrafish CTCF that is located at a highly conserved YY1/Initiator element.

Familial cases of point mutations in the XIST promoter reveal a correlation between CTCF binding and pre-emptive choices of X chromosome inactivation

The choice mechanisms that determine the future inactive X chromosome in somatic cells of female mammals involve the regulated expression of the XIST gene. A familial C(-43)G mutation in the XIST promoter results in skewing of X chromosome inactivation (XCI) towards the inactive X chromosome of heterozygous females, whereas a C(-43)A mutation found primarily in the active X chromosome results in the opposite skewing pattern. Both mutations point to the existence of a factor that might be responsible for the skewed patterns. Here we identify this factor as CTCF, a conserved protein with a 11 Zn-finger (ZF) domain that can mediate multiple sequence-specificity and interactions between DNA-bound CTCF molecules. We show that mouse and human Xist/XIST promoters contain one homologous CTCF-binding sequence with the matching dG-contacts, which in the human XIST include the -43 position within the DNase I footprint of CTCF. While the C(-43)A mutation abrogates CTCF binding, the C(-43)G mutation results in a dramatic increase in CTCF-binding efficiency by altering ZF-usage mode required for recognition of the altered dG-contacts of the mutant site. Thus, the skewing effect of the two -43C mutations correlates with their effects on CTCF binding. Finally, CTCF interacts with the XIST/Xist promoter only in female human and mouse cells. The interpretation that this reflected a preferential interaction with the promoter of the active Xist allele was confirmed in mouse fetal placenta. These observations are in keeping with the possibility that the choice of X chromosome inactivation reflects stabilization of a higher order chromatin conformation impinging on the CTCF-XIST promoter complex.

Tumor-associated zinc finger mutations in the CTCF transcription factor selectively alter tts DNA-binding specificity

CTCF is a widely expressed 11-zinc finger (ZF) transcription factor that is involved in different aspects of gene regulation including promoter activation or repression, hormone-responsive gene silencing, methylation-dependent chromatin insulation, and genomic imprinting. Because CTCF targets include oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, we screened over 100 human tumor samples for mutations that might disrupt CTCF activity. We did not observe any CTCF mutations leading to truncations/premature stops. Rather, in breast, prostate, and Wilms' tumors, we observed four different CTCF somatic missense mutations involving amino acids within the ZF domain. Each ZF mutation abrogated CTCF binding to a subset of target sites within the promoters/insulators of certain genes involved in regulating cell proliferation but did not alter binding to the regulatory sequences of other genes. These observations suggest that CTCF may represent a novel tumor suppressor gene that displays tumor-specific "change of function" rather than complete "loss of function."

Cell growth inhibition by the multifunctional multivalent zinc-finger factor CTCF

The 11-zinc finger protein CCTC-binding factor (CTCF) employs different sets of zinc fingers to form distinct complexes with varying CTCF- target sequences (CTSs) that mediate the repression or activation of gene expression and the creation of hormone-responsive gene silencers and of diverse vertebrate enhancer-blocking elements (chromatin insulators). To determine how these varying effects would integrate in vivo, we engineered a variety of expression systems to study effects of CTCF on cell growth. Here we show that ectopic expression of CTCF in many cell types inhibits cell clonogenicity by causing profound growth retardation without apoptosis. In asynchronous cultures, the cell-cycle profile of CTCF-expressing cells remained unaltered, which suggested that progression through the cycle was slowed at multiple points. Although conditionally induced CTCF caused the S-phase block, CTCF can also arrest cell division. Viable CTCF-expressing cells could be maintained without dividing for several days. While MYC is the well-characterized CTCF target, the inhibitory effects of CTCF on cell growth could not be ascribed solely to repression of MYC, suggesting that additional CTS-driven genes involved in growth-regulatory circuits, such as p19ARF, are likely to contribute to CTCF-induced growth arrest. These findings indicate that CTCF may regulate cell-cycle progression at multiple steps within the cycle, and add to the growing evidence for the function of CTCF as a tumor suppressor gene.

Functional phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal region of the multivalent multifunctional transcriptional factor CTCF

CTCF is a widely expressed and highly conserved multi-Zn-finger (ZF) nuclear factor. Binding to various CTCF target sites (CTSs) is mediated by combinatorial contributions of different ZFs. Different CTSs mediate distinct CTCF functions in transcriptional regulation, including promoter repression or activation and hormone-responsive gene silencing. In addition, the necessary and sufficient core sequences of diverse enhancer-blocking (insulator) elements, including CpG methylation-sensitive ones, have recently been pinpointed to CTSs. To determine whether a posttranslational modification may modulate CTCF functions, we studied CTCF phosphorylation. We demonstrated that most of the modifications that occur at the carboxy terminus in vivo can be reproduced in vitro with casein kinase II (CKII). Major modification sites map to four serines within the S(604)KKEDS(609)S(610)DS(612)E motif that is highly conserved in vertebrates. Specific mutations of these serines abrogate phosphorylation of CTCF in vivo and CKII-induced phosphorylation in vitro. In addition, we showed that completely preventing phosphorylation by substituting all serines within this site resulted in markedly enhanced repression of the CTS-bearing vertebrate c-myc promoters, but did not alter CTCF nuclear localization or in vitro DNA-binding characteristics assayed with c-myc CTSs. Moreover, these substitutions manifested a profound effect on negative cell growth regulation by wild-type CTCF. CKII may thus be responsible for attenuation of CTCF activity, either acting on its own or by providing the signal for phosphorylation by other kinases and for CTCF-interacting protein partners.