Chromatin loop formation in the β-globin locus and its role in globin gene transcription

A Coordinated Translational Control Mediated by eEF2 Phosphorylation Safeguards Erythroid Differentiation

Translational control is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, yet the distinct features and regulatory requirements governing protein synthesis during erythropoiesis remain unclear. Here, we reveal that erythroid cells exhibit an extraordinarily high demand for protein synthesis, which is required for their differentiation but also implies the need for tight regulation to prevent excessive erythropoiesis. Notably, we identify significant phosphorylation of eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) at threonine 56 during erythroid differentiation, which reduces protein synthesis and acts as a molecular brake to limit unchecked erythropoiesis. This is evidenced by elevated red blood cell counts in peripheral blood and increased incidence of blood hyperviscosity and thrombosis in eEF2_T56M mice, which are deficient in eEF2 phosphorylation. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that eEF2 phosphorylation selectively regulates the translation of a subset of proteins, including NFE2, which partially mediates the effects of eEF2 modification. Collectively, our findings highlight a previously unappreciated role for translational control in achieving efficient and balanced erythropoiesis, with eEF2 phosphorylation serving as a critical protective mechanism against hyperactive erythropoiesis and offering a potential therapeutic target for hematologic disorders such as polycythemia vera.

A critique review of fetal hemoglobin modulators through targeting epigenetic regulators for the treatment of sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent hereditary blood disorders characterized by aberrant hemoglobin synthesis that causes red blood cells (RBCs) to sickle and result in vaso-occlusion. The complex pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie SCD are explored in this study, including hemoglobin polymerization, the formation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), and hemoglobin switching regulation. Notably, pharmaceutical approaches like hydroxyurea, l-glutamine, voxelotor, and crizanlizumab, in addition to therapeutic techniques like gene therapies like Casgevy and Lyfgenia, signify noteworthy advancements in the management of issues connected to SCD. Furthermore, the deciphering of the molecular mechanisms that dictate hemoglobin switching has revealed several potentially therapeutic targets, including key transcriptional repressors such as β-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11A (BCL11A), Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 7A (ZBTB7A), Nuclear Factor IX (NFIX), and Nuclear Factor IA (NFIA), which play crucial roles in γ-globin silencing. Additionally, transcriptional activators such as Nuclear Factor Y (NF-Y), and Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) have emerged as promising regulators that can disrupt repression and enhance HbF synthesis. Other epigenetic regulators, such as lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1), euchromatic histone methyltransferases 1/2 (EHMT1/2), histone deacetylases (HDACs), DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), and protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). It has been demonstrated that inhibiting these targets can prevent the silencing of the gene encoding for the formation of γ-chains and, in turn, increase the synthesis of HbF, providing a possible treatment option for SCD symptoms. These approaches could pave the way for innovative, mechanism-driven therapies that address the unmet medical needs of SCD patients.

Targeting HIF-1α in sickle cell disease and cancer: unraveling therapeutic opportunities and risks

INTRODUCTION

HIF-1α, a key player in medical science, holds immense significance in therapeutic approaches. This review delves into its complex dynamics, emphasizing the delicate balance required for its modulation. HIF-1α stands as a cornerstone in medical research, its role extending to therapeutic strategies. This review explores the intricate interplay surrounding HIF-1α, highlighting its critical involvement and the necessity for cautious modulation.

AREAS COVERED

In sickle cell disease (SCD), HIF-1α's potential to augment fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production and mitigate symptoms is underscored. Furthermore, its role in cancer is examined, particularly its influence on survival in hypoxic tumor microenvironments, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The discussion extends to the intricate relationship between HIF-1α modulation and cancer risks in SCD patients, emphasizing the importance of balancing therapeutic benefits and potential hazards.

EXPERT OPINION

Managing HIF-1α modulation in SCD patients requires a nuanced approach, considering therapeutic potential alongside associated risks, especially in exacerbating cancer risks. An evolutionary perspective adds depth, highlighting adaptations in populations adapted to low-oxygen environments and aligning cancer cell metabolism with primitive cells. The role of HIF-1α as a therapeutic target is discussed within the context of complex cancer biology and metabolism, acknowledging varied responses across diverse cancers influenced by intricate evolutionary adaptations.

Chromatin loop dynamics during cellular differentiation are associated with changes to both anchor and internal regulatory features

Three-dimensional (3D) chromatin structure has been shown to play a role in regulating gene transcription during biological transitions. Although our understanding of loop formation and maintenance is rapidly improving, much less is known about the mechanisms driving changes in looping and the impact of differential looping on gene transcription. One limitation has been a lack of well-powered differential looping data sets. To address this, we conducted a deeply sequenced Hi-C time course of megakaryocyte development comprising four biological replicates and 6 billion reads per time point. Statistical analysis revealed 1503 differential loops. Gained loop anchors were enriched for AP-1 occupancy and were characterized by large increases in histone H3K27ac (over 11-fold) but relatively small increases in CTCF and RAD21 binding (1.26- and 1.23-fold, respectively). Linear modeling revealed that changes in histone H3K27ac, chromatin accessibility, and JUN binding were better correlated with changes in looping than RAD21 and almost as well correlated as CTCF. Changes to epigenetic features between-rather than at-boundaries were highly predictive of changes in looping. Together these data suggest that although CTCF and RAD21 may be the core machinery dictating where loops form, other features (both at the anchors and within the loop boundaries) may play a larger role than previously anticipated in determining the relative loop strength across cell types and conditions.

The role of globins in cardiovascular physiology

Globin proteins exist in every cell type of the vasculature, from erythrocytes to endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and peripheral nerve cells. Many globin subtypes are also expressed in muscle tissues (including cardiac and skeletal muscle), in other organ-specific cell types, and in cells of the central nervous system (CNS). The ability of each of these globins to interact with molecular oxygen (O2) and nitric oxide (NO) is preserved across these contexts. Endothelial α-globin is an example of extraerythrocytic globin expression. Other globins, including myoglobin, cytoglobin, and neuroglobin, are observed in other vascular tissues. Myoglobin is observed primarily in skeletal muscle and smooth muscle cells surrounding the aorta or other large arteries. Cytoglobin is found in vascular smooth muscle but can also be expressed in nonvascular cell types, especially in oxidative stress conditions after ischemic insult. Neuroglobin was first observed in neuronal cells, and its expression appears to be restricted mainly to the CNS and the peripheral nervous system. Brain and CNS neurons expressing neuroglobin are positioned close to many arteries within the brain parenchyma and can control smooth muscle contraction and thus tissue perfusion and vascular reactivity. Overall, reactions between NO and globin heme iron contribute to vascular homeostasis by regulating vasodilatory NO signals and scavenging reactive species in cells of the mammalian vascular system. Here, we discuss how globin proteins affect vascular physiology, with a focus on NO biology, and offer perspectives for future study of these functions.

Integrating Multimorbidity into a Whole-Body Understanding of Disease Using Spatial Genomics

Multimorbidity is characterized by multidimensional complexity emerging from interactions between multiple diseases across levels of biological (including genetic) and environmental determinants and the complex array of interactions between and within cells, tissues and organ systems. Advances in spatial genomic research have led to an unprecedented expansion in our ability to link alterations in genome folding with changes that are associated with human disease. Studying disease-associated genetic variants in the context of the spatial genome has enabled the discovery of transcriptional regulatory programmes that potentially link dysregulated genes to disease development. However, the approaches that have been used have typically been applied to uncover pathological molecular mechanisms occurring in a specific disease-relevant tissue. These forms of reductionist, targeted investigations are not appropriate for the molecular dissection of multimorbidity that typically involves contributions from multiple tissues. In this perspective, we emphasize the importance of a whole-body understanding of multimorbidity and discuss how spatial genomics, when integrated with additional omic datasets, could provide novel insights into the molecular underpinnings of multimorbidity.

Olfactory receptor choice: a case study for gene regulation in a multi-enhancer system

The mammalian genome possesses >2000 olfactory receptor (OR) alleles regulated by 63 known OR-Enhancer elements, yet each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses only a single OR allele. Choreographed changes to OSN nuclear architecture are evidently necessary for OR expression. Additionally, the insulated organization of OR-enhancers around an OR allele is a hallmark of the chosen OR. However, the biology guiding OR choice itself is unclear. Innovations in single-cell and biophysics-based analysis of nuclear architecture are revising previous models of the nucleus to include its dynamic and probabilistic nature. In this review, we ground current knowledge of OR gene regulation in these emerging theories to speculate on mechanisms that may give rise to diverse and singular OR expression.

The 3D Genome: From Structure to Function

The genome is the most functional part of a cell, and genomic contents are organized in a compact three-dimensional (3D) structure. The genome contains millions of nucleotide bases organized in its proper frame. Rapid development in genome sequencing and advanced microscopy techniques have enabled us to understand the 3D spatial organization of the genome. Chromosome capture methods using a ligation approach and the visualization tool of a 3D genome browser have facilitated detailed exploration of the genome. Topologically associated domains (TADs), lamin-associated domains, CCCTC-binding factor domains, cohesin, and chromatin structures are the prominent identified components that encode the 3D structure of the genome. Although TADs are the major contributors to 3D genome organization, they are absent in Arabidopsis. However, a few research groups have reported the presence of TAD-like structures in the plant kingdom.

Insulator foci distance correlates with cellular and nuclear morphology in early Drosophila embryos

The three-dimensional (3D) organization of the genome is highly dynamic, changing during development and varying across different tissues and cell types. Recent studies indicate that these changes alter regulatory interactions, leading to changes in gene expression. Despite its importance, the mechanisms that influence genomic organization remain poorly understood. We have previously identified a network of chromatin boundary elements, or insulators, in the Drosophila Antennapedia homeotic complex (ANT-C). These genomic elements interact with one another to tether chromatin loops that could block or promote enhancer-promoter interactions. To understand the function of these insulators, we assessed their interactions by measuring their 3D nuclear distance in developing animal tissues. Our data suggest that the ANT-C Hox complex might be in a folded or looped configuration rather than in a random or extended form. The architecture of the ANT-C complex, as read out by the pair-wise distance between insulators, undergoes a strong compression during late embryogenesis, coinciding with the reduction of cell and nuclear diameters due to continued cell divisions in post-cleavage cells. Our results suggest that genomic architecture and gene regulation may be influenced by cellular morphology and movement during development.

MicroRNAs in β-thalassemia

β-thalassemia is a lethal inherited disease resulting from β-globin gene mutations. Severe β-thalassemia requires regular blood transfusions. Other active interventions, including iron chelating, stem cell transplantation and gene therapy, have remarkably improved the quality of life and prolonged the survival of patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, but all with significant limitations and complications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), encoded by a class of endogenous genes, are found to play important roles in regulating globin expression. Among the miRNAs of particular interest related to β-thalassemia, miR-15a/16-1, miR-486-3p, miR-26b, miR-199b-5p, miR-210, miR-34a, miR-138, miR-326, let-7, and miR-17/92 cluster elevate γ-globin expression, while miR-96, miR-146a, miR-223-3p, and miR-144 inhibit γ-globin expression. A couple of miRNAs, miR-144 and miR-150, repress α-globin expression, whereas miR-451 induces α-, β- and γ-globin expression. Single nucleotide polymorphism in miRNA genes or their targeted genes might also contribute to the abnormal expression of hemoglobin. Moreover, changes in the expression of miR-125b, miR-210, miR-451, and miR-609 reflect the severity of anemia and hemolysis in β-thalassemia patients. These results suggest that miRNAs are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of β-thalassemia, and miRNA-based therapeutic strategy might be used as a coordinated approach for effectively treating β-thalassemia.

Three-dimensional chromatin in infectious disease-A role for gene regulation and pathogenicity?

The recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has once again reminded us the importance of understanding infectious diseases. One important but understudied area in infectious disease research is the role of nuclear architecture or the physical arrangement of the genome in the nucleus in controlling gene regulation and pathogenicity. Recent advances in research methods, such as Genome-wide chromosome conformation capture using high-throughput sequencing (Hi-C), have allowed for easier analysis of nuclear architecture and chromosomal reorganization in both the infectious disease agents themselves as well as in their host cells. This review will discuss broadly on what is known about nuclear architecture in infectious disease, with an emphasis on chromosomal reorganization, and briefly discuss what steps are required next in the field.

Genome Editing for β-Hemoglobinopathies: Advances and Challenges

β-hemoglobinopathies are the most common genetic disorders worldwide and are caused by mutations affecting the production or the structure of adult hemoglobin. Patients affected by these diseases suffer from anemia, impaired oxygen delivery to tissues, and multi-organ damage. In the absence of a compatible donor for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, the lifelong therapeutic options are symptomatic care, red blood cell transfusions and pharmacological treatments. The last decades of research established lentiviral-mediated gene therapy as an efficacious therapeutic strategy. However, this approach is highly expensive and associated with a variable outcome depending on the effectiveness of the viral vector and the quality of the cell product. In the last years, genome editing emerged as a valuable tool for the development of curative strategies for β-hemoglobinopathies. Moreover, due to the wide range of its applications, genome editing has been extensively used to study regulatory mechanisms underlying globin gene regulation allowing the identification of novel genetic and pharmacological targets. In this work, we review the current advances and challenges of genome editing approaches to β-hemoglobinopathies. Special focus has been directed towards strategies aimed at correcting the defective β-globin gene or at inducing fetal hemoglobin (HbF), which are in an advanced state of clinical development.

Sickle cell disease: progress towards combination drug therapy

Dr. John Herrick described the first clinical case of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) in the United States in 1910. Subsequently, four decades later, Ingram and colleagues characterized the A to T substitution in DNA producing the GAG to GTG codon and replacement of glutamic acid with valine in the sixth position of the β^S -globin chain. The establishment of Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers in the United States in the 1970s was an important milestone in the development of treatment strategies and describing the natural history of sickle cell disease (SCD) comprised of genotypes including homozygous haemoglobin SS (HbSS), HbSβ⁰ thalassaemia, HbSC and HbSβ⁺ thalassaemia, among others. Early drug studies demonstrating effective treatments of HbSS and HbSβ⁰ thalassaemia, stimulated clinical trials to develop disease-specific therapies to induce fetal haemoglobin due to its ability to block HbS polymerization. Subsequently, hydroxycarbamide proved efficacious in adults with SCA and was Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved in 1998. After two decades of hydroxycarbamide use for SCD, there continues to be limited clinical acceptance of this chemotherapy drug, providing the impetus for investigators and pharmaceutical companies to develop non-chemotherapy agents. Investigative efforts to determine the role of events downstream of deoxy-HbS polymerization, such as endothelial cell activation, cellular adhesion, chronic inflammation, intravascular haemolysis and nitric oxide scavenging, have expanded drug targets which reverse the pathophysiology of SCD. After two decades of slow progress in the field, since 2018 three new drugs were FDA-approved for SCA, but research efforts to develop treatments continue. Currently over 30 treatment intervention trials are in progress to investigate a wide range of agents acting by complementary mechanisms, providing the rationale for ushering in the age of effective and safe combination drug therapy for SCD. Parallel efforts to develop curative therapies using haematopoietic stem cell transplant and gene therapy provide individuals with SCD multiple treatment options. We will discuss progress made towards drug development and potential combination drug therapy for SCD with the standard of care hydroxycarbamide.

Gene therapies for transfusion dependent β-thalassemia: Current status and critical criteria for success

Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent monogenic diseases usually caused by quantitative defects in the production of β-globin leading to severe anemia. Technological advances in genome sequencing, stem cell selection, viral vector development, transduction and gene editing strategies now allow for efficient exvivo genetic manipulation of human stem cells that can lead to production of hemoglobin, leading to a meaningful clinical benefit in thalassemia patients. In this review, the status of the gene-therapy approaches available for transfusion dependent thalassemia are discussed, along with the critical criteria that affect efficacy and lessons that have been learned from the early phase clinical trials. Salient steps necessary for the clinical development, manufacturing, and regulatory approvals of gene therapies for thalassemia are also highlighted, so that the potential of these therapies can be realized. It is highly anticipated that gene therapies will soon become a treatment option for patients lacking compatible donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplant and will offer an alternative for definitive treatment of β-thalassemia.

βT87Q-Globin Gene Therapy Reduces Sickle Hemoglobin Production, Allowing for Ex Vivo Anti-sickling Activity in Human Erythroid Cells

Lentiviral addition of βT87Q-globin, a modified β-globin with an anti-sickling mutation, is currently being used in gene therapy trials for sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia patients. βT87Q-globin interferes with sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization. Here, we generated the SCD mutation in an immortalized human erythroid cell line (HUDEP-2) to investigate the anti-sickling activity of βT87Q-globin. Sickle HUDEP-2 (sHUDEP-2) cells produced robust HbS after differentiation and sickled under deoxygenated conditions, comparable with SCD CD34⁺ progeny. Lentiviral transduction provided 9.5–26.8 pg/cell βT87Q-globin (R² = 0.83) in a vector copy number (VCN)-dependent manner, resulting in a significant reduction of sickling ratios (R² = 0.92). Interestingly, βT87Q-globin transduction markedly reduced endogenous β^S-globin (R² = 0.84) to an undetectable level (0.4–16.8 pg/cell) in sHUDEP-2 cells, as well as endogenous β-globin in human CD34⁺ cell-derived erythroid cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis with βT87Q-transduced sHUDEP-2 and human CD34⁺-derived cells revealed activation of inflammation- and proliferation-related programs, suggesting minimal changes in background gene expression except for βT87Q-globin expression and endogenous β/β^S-globin suppression. In summary, using sHUDEP-2 and CD34⁺-derived cells, we demonstrated that lentiviral addition of βT87Q-globin strongly reduced endogenous β-/β^S-globin expression, resulting in an anti-sickling effect. Our findings should be helpful to understand the anti-sickling effects of therapeutic genes in SCD gene therapy.

Characterization of chromosome organization in the differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells by all-trans retinoic acid

A concomitant change of nucleus shape and chromosome conformation often happens in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia cells. However, the relation between the 3D chromosome architecture and the genome-wide epigenetic pattern for transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. In this study, high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and chromosome immunoprecipitation (ChIP-seq) were employed to investigate the landscape of chromosome distal interaction and H3K4/27me3 in HL-60 cells treated with ATRA. We observed a general loss of topological associated domains (TADs) at PTPN11 during the differentiation of HL-60 cells. Furthermore, the significantly reduced enrichment of CCCTC binding factor (CTCF) near the boundary where PTPN11 located, as well as the decreased H3K4me3 and increased H3K27me3 enrichment at PTPN11 upon ATRA treatment was observed. Taken together, our study indicated a regulatory mechanism behind the silenced PTPN11 in HL-60 cells differentiation.

Lentiviral and genome-editing strategies for the treatment of β-hemoglobinopathies

β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are the most prevalent monogenic diseases. These disorders are caused by quantitative or qualitative defects in the production of adult hemoglobin. Gene therapy is a potential treatment option for patients lacking an allogenic compatible hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donor. New-generation lentiviral vectors (LVs) carrying a β-globin-like gene have revolutionized this field by allowing effective HSC transduction, with no evidence of genotoxicity to date. Several clinical trials with different types of vector are underway worldwide; the initial results are encouraging with regard to the sustained production of therapeutic hemoglobin, improved biological parameters, a lower transfusion requirement, and better quality of life. Long-term follow-up studies will confirm the safety of LV-based gene therapy. The optimization of patient conditioning, HSC harvesting, and HSC transduction has further improved the therapeutic potential of this approach. Novel LV-based strategies for reactivating endogenous fetal hemoglobin (HbF) are also promising, because elevated HbF levels can reduce the severity of both β-thalassemia and SCD. Lastly, genome-editing approaches designed to correct the disease-causing mutation or reactivate HbF are currently under investigation. Here, we discuss the clinical outcomes of current LV-based gene addition trials and the promising advantages of novel alternative therapeutic strategies.

Bioinformatics Discovery of Putative Enhancers within Mouse Odorant Receptor Gene Clusters

Olfactory neuronal function depends on the expression and proper regulation of odorant receptor (OR) genes. Previous studies have identified 54 putative intergenic enhancers within or flanking 40 mouse OR clusters. At least 2 of these putative enhancers have been shown to regulate the expression of a small subset of proximal OR genes. In recognition of the large size of the mouse OR gene family (~1400 OR genes distributed across multiple chromosomal loci), it is likely that there remain many additional not-as-yet discovered OR enhancers. We utilized 23 of the previously identified enhancers as a training set (TS) and designed an algorithm that combines a broad range of epigenetic criteria (histone-3-lysine-4 monomethylation, histone-3-lysine-79 trimethylation, histone-3-lysine-27 acetylation, and DNase hypersensitivity) and genetic criteria (cross-species sequence conservation and transcription-factor binding site enrichment) to more broadly search OR gene clusters for additional candidates. We identified 181 new candidate enhancers located at 58 (of 68) mouse OR loci, including 25 new candidates identified by stringent search criteria whose signal strengths are not significantly different from the 23 previously characterized OR enhancers used as the TS. Additionally, we compared OR enhancer versus generic enhancer features in order to evaluate likelihoods that new enhancer candidates specifically function in OR regulation. We found that features distinguishing OR-specific function are significantly more evident for enhancer candidates located within OR clusters as compared with those in flanking regions.

The MYC Enhancer-ome: Long-Range Transcriptional Regulation of MYC in Cancer

MYC is one of the most important oncogenes in cancer. Indeed, MYC is upregulated in 50-60% of all tumors. MYC overexpression can be achieved through a variety of mechanisms, including gene duplications, chromosomal translocations, or somatic mutations leading to increased MYC stability. However, recent studies have identified numerous tissue-specific noncoding enhancers of MYC that play major roles in cancer, highlighting long-range transcriptional regulation of MYC as a critical novel mechanism leading to MYC hyperactivation and as a potential target for new therapeutic strategies in the near future. Here we summarize the regions and mechanisms involved in the long-range transcriptional regulation of MYC, underscoring the relevance of MYC enhancers both in normal physiological development and in MYC-driven cancer initiation and progression.

CRISPR-Mediated Reorganization of Chromatin Loop Structure

Recent studies have clearly shown that long-range, three-dimensional chromatin looping interactions play a significant role in the regulation of gene expression, but whether looping is responsible for or a result of alterations in gene expression is still unknown. Until recently, how chromatin looping affects the regulation of gene activity and cellular function has been relatively ambiguous, and limitations in existing methods to manipulate these structures prevented in-depth exploration of these interactions. To resolve this uncertainty, we engineered a method for selective and reversible chromatin loop re-organization using CRISPR-dCas9 (CLOuD9). The dynamism of the CLOuD9 system has been demonstrated by successful localization of CLOuD9 constructs to target genomic loci to modulate local chromatin conformation. Importantly, the ability to reverse the induced contact and restore the endogenous chromatin conformation has also been confirmed. Modulation of gene expression with this method establishes the capacity to regulate cellular gene expression and underscores the great potential for applications of this technology in creating stable de novo chromatin loops that markedly affect gene expression in the contexts of cancer and development.

An Optimized Lentiviral Vector Efficiently Corrects the Human Sickle Cell Disease Phenotype

Autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells transduced with a lentiviral vector (LV) expressing an anti-sickling HBB variant is a potential treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). With a clinical trial as our ultimate goal, we generated LV constructs containing an anti-sickling HBB transgene (HBBAS3), a minimal HBB promoter, and different combinations of DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSs) from the locus control region (LCR). Hematopoietic stem progenitor cells (HSPCs) from SCD patients were transduced with LVs containing either HS2 and HS3 (β-AS3) or HS2, HS3, and HS4 (β-AS3 HS4). The inclusion of the HS4 element drastically reduced vector titer and infectivity in HSPCs, with negligible improvement of transgene expression. Conversely, the LV containing only HS2 and HS3 was able to efficiently transduce SCD bone marrow and Plerixafor-mobilized HSPCs, with anti-sickling HBB representing up to ∼60% of the total HBB-like chains. The expression of the anti-sickling HBB and the reduced incorporation of the β^S-chain in hemoglobin tetramers allowed up to 50% reduction in the frequency of RBC sickling under hypoxic conditions. Together, these results demonstrate the ability of a high-titer LV to express elevated levels of a potent anti-sickling HBB transgene ameliorating the SCD cell phenotype.

AP-1 Takes Centre Stage in Enhancer Chromatin Dynamics

Recent studies involving induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) reprogramming in mice and monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation in humans have revealed a role for the transcription factor (TF) activator protein 1 (AP-1) in chromatin accessibility. Enhancer selection may be determined not only by cell type-specific sets of TFs but also by broadly expressed ones like AP-1.

Alterations of specific chromatin conformation affect ATRA-induced leukemia cell differentiation

Chromatin conformation plays a key role in regulating gene expression and controlling cell differentiation. However, the whole-genome chromatin conformation changes that occur during leukemia cell differentiation are poorly understood. Here, we characterized the changes in chromatin conformation, histone states, chromatin accessibility, and gene expression using an all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced HL-60 cell differentiation model. The results showed that the boundaries of topological associated domains (TADs) were stable during differentiation; however, the chromatin conformations within several specific TADs were obviously changed. By combining H3K4me3, H3K27ac, and Hi-C signals, we annotated the differential gene-regulatory chromatin interactions upon ATRA induction. The gains and losses of the gene-regulatory chromatin interactions are significantly correlated with gene expression and chromatin accessibility. Finally, we found that the loss of GATA2 expression and DNA binding are crucial for the differentiation process, and changes in the chromatin structure around the GATA2 regulate its expression upon ATRA induction. This study provided both statistical insights and experimental details regarding the relationship between chromatin conformation changes and transcription regulation during leukemia cell differentiation, and the results suggested that the chromatin conformation is a new type of potential drug target for cancer therapy.

Embryonic timing, axial stem cells, chromatin dynamics, and the Hox clock

Collinear regulation of Hox genes in space and time has been an outstanding question ever since the initial work of Ed Lewis in 1978. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of this phenomenon in relation to novel concepts associated with large-scale regulation and chromatin structure during the development of both axial and limb patterns. We further discuss how this sequential transcriptional activation marks embryonic stem cell-like axial progenitors in mammals and, consequently, how a temporal genetic system is further translated into spatial coordinates via the fate of these progenitors. In this context, we argue the benefit and necessity of implementing this unique mechanism as well as the difficulty in evolving an alternative strategy to deliver this critical positional information.

Fetal haemoglobin induction in sickle cell disease

Fetal haemoglobin (HbF, α2γ2) induction has long been an area of investigation, as it is known to ameliorate the clinical complications of sickle cell disease (SCD). Progress in identifying novel HbF-inducing strategies has been stymied by limited understanding of gamma (γ)-globin regulation. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified variants in BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB that are associated with HbF levels. Functional studies have established the roles of BCL11A, MYB, and KLF1 in γ-globin regulation, but this information has not yielded new pharmacological agents. Several drugs are under investigation in clinical trials as HbF-inducing agents, but hydroxycarbamide remains the only widely used pharmacologic therapy for SCD. Autologous transplant of edited haematopoietic stem cells holds promise as a cure for SCD, either through HbF induction or correction of the causative mutation, but several technical and safety hurdles must be overcome before this therapy can be offered widely, and pharmacological therapies are still needed.

Static and Dynamic DNA Loops form AP-1-Bound Activation Hubs during Macrophage Development

The three-dimensional arrangement of the human genome comprises a complex network of structural and regulatory chromatin loops important for coordinating changes in transcription during human development. To better understand the mechanisms underlying context-specific 3D chromatin structure and transcription during cellular differentiation, we generated comprehensive in situ Hi-C maps of DNA loops in human monocytes and differentiated macrophages. We demonstrate that dynamic looping events are regulatory rather than structural in nature and uncover widespread coordination of dynamic enhancer activity at preformed and acquired DNA loops. Enhancer-bound loop formation and enhancer activation of preformed loops together form multi-loop activation hubs at key macrophage genes. Activation hubs connect 3.4 enhancers per promoter and exhibit a strong enrichment for activator protein 1 (AP-1)-binding events, suggesting that multi-loop activation hubs involving cell-type-specific transcription factors represent an important class of regulatory chromatin structures for the spatiotemporal control of transcription.

Manipulation of nuclear architecture through CRISPR-mediated chromosomal looping

Chromatin looping is key to gene regulation, yet no broadly applicable methods to selectively modify chromatin loops have been described. We have engineered a method for chromatin loop reorganization using CRISPR-dCas9 (CLOuD9) to selectively and reversibly establish chromatin loops. We demonstrate the power of this technology to selectively modulate gene expression at targeted loci.

Three distinct mechanisms of long-distance modulation of gene expression in yeast

Recent Hi-C measurements have revealed numerous intra- and inter-chromosomal interactions in various eukaryotic cells. To what extent these interactions regulate gene expression is not clear. This question is particularly intriguing in budding yeast because it has extensive long-distance chromosomal interactions but few cases of gene regulation over-a-distance. Here, we developed a medium-throughput assay to screen for functional long-distance interactions that affect the average expression level of a reporter gene as well as its cell-to-cell variability (noise). We ectopically inserted an insulated MET3 promoter (MET3pr) flanked by ~1kb invariable sequences into thousands of genomic loci, allowing it to make contacts with different parts of the genome, and assayed the MET3pr activity in single cells. Changes of MET3pr activity in this case necessarily involve mechanisms that function over a distance. MET3pr has similar activities at most locations. However, at some locations, they deviate from the norm and exhibit three distinct patterns including low expression / high noise, low expression / low noise, and high expression / low noise. We provided evidence that these three patterns of MET3pr expression are caused by Sir2-mediated silencing, transcriptional interference, and 3D clustering. The clustering also occurs in the native genome and enhances the transcription of endogenous Met4-targeted genes. Overall, our results demonstrate that a small fraction of long-distance chromosomal interactions can affect gene expression in yeast.

Eukaryotic transcription occurs within the nucleus where DNA is packaged into high order chromosome structures. Some long-distance chromosomal interactions play an important role in gene regulation in higher eukaryotic species, such as mouse and human. In budding yeast, gene expression is traditionally thought to be regulated over short distances because the upstream regulatory sequences (URSs) are usually located close to the core promoters. However, recent chromosome conformation capture experiments have detected numerous long-distance chromosomal interactions in the yeast genome. The function of these interactions in gene regulation remains unclear. Here, we developed a new assay to screen for long-distance interactions that affect the activity of a reporter gene. We found three regulatory mechanisms that act from a distance: silencing, transcriptional interference, and 3D clustering, which alter expression level of the reporter gene as well as its cell-to-cell variability. Our results demonstrate that transcription in budding yeast, similar to transcription in higher eukaryotes, can be regulated over long distances. We anticipate our assay can be used as a general platform to screen for functional long-distance chromosomal interactions that affect gene expression.

Erythroid specific activator GATA-1-dependent interactions between CTCF sites around the β-globin locus

CTCF sites (binding motifs for CCCTC-binding factor, an insulator protein) are located considerable distances apart on genomes but are closely positioned in organized chromatin. The close positioning of CTCF sites is often cell type or tissue specific. Here we analyzed chromatin organization in eight CTCF sites around the β-globin locus by 3C assay and explored the roles of erythroid specific transcription activator GATA-1 and KLF1 in it. It was found five CTCF sites convergent to the locus interact with each other in erythroid K562 cells but not in non-erythroid 293 cells. The interaction was decreased by depletion of GATA-1 or KLF1. It accompanied reductions of CTCF and Rad21 occupancies and loss of active chromatin structure at the CTCF sites. Furthermore Rad21 occupancy was reduced in the β-globin locus control region (LCR) hypersensitive sites (HSs) by the depletion of GATA-1 or KLF1. The role of GATA-1 in interaction between CTCF sites was revealed by its ectopic expression in 293 cells and by deletion of a GATA-1 site in the LCR HS2. These findings indicate that erythroid specific activator GATA-1 acts at CTCF sites around the β-globin locus to establish tissue-specific chromatin organization.

Genome-wide mapping and analysis of chromosome architecture

Chromosomes of eukaryotes adopt highly dynamic and complex hierarchical structures in the nucleus. The three-dimensional (3D) organization of chromosomes profoundly affects DNA replication, transcription and the repair of DNA damage. Thus, a thorough understanding of nuclear architecture is fundamental to the study of nuclear processes in eukaryotic cells. Recent years have seen rapid proliferation of technologies to investigate genome organization and function. Here, we review experimental and computational methodologies for 3D genome analysis, with special focus on recent advances in high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (3C) techniques and data analysis.

Chromatin boundary elements organize genomic architecture and developmental gene regulation in Drosophila Hox clusters

The three-dimensional (3D) organization of the eukaryotic genome is critical for its proper function. Evidence suggests that extensive chromatin loops form the building blocks of the genomic architecture, separating genes and gene clusters into distinct functional domains. These loops are anchored in part by a special type of DNA elements called chromatin boundary elements (CBEs). CBEs were originally found to insulate neighboring genes by blocking influences of transcriptional enhancers or the spread of silent chromatin. However, recent results show that chromatin loops can also play a positive role in gene regulation by looping out intervening DNA and “delivering” remote enhancers to gene promoters. In addition, studies from human and model organisms indicate that the configuration of chromatin loops, many of which are tethered by CBEs, is dynamically regulated during cell differentiation. In particular, a recent work by Li et al has shown that the SF1 boundary, located in the Drosophila Hox cluster, regulates local genes by tethering different subsets of chromatin loops: One subset enclose a neighboring gene ftz, limiting its access by the surrounding Scr enhancers and restrict the spread of repressive histones during early embryogenesis; and the other loops subdivide the Scr regulatory region into independent domains of enhancer accessibility. The enhancer-blocking activity of these CBE elements varies greatly in strength and tissue distribution. Further, tandem pairing of SF1 and SF2 facilitate the bypass of distal enhancers in transgenic flies, providing a mechanism for endogenous enhancers to circumvent genomic interruptions resulting from chromosomal rearrangement. This study demonstrates how a network of chromatin boundaries, centrally organized by SF1, can remodel the 3D genome to facilitate gene regulation during development.

Electromobility Shift Assay Reveals Evidence in Favor of Allele-Specific Binding of RUNX1 to the 5' Hypersensitive Site 4-Locus Control Region

In our previous studies on the Iranian β-thalassemia (β-thal) patients, we identified an association between the severity of the β-thal phenotype and the polymorphic palindromic site at the 5' hypersensitive site 4-locus control region (5'HS4-LCR) of the β-globin gene cluster. Furthermore, a linkage disequilibrium was observed between this region and XmnI-HBG2 in the patient population. Based on this data, it was suggested that the well-recognized phenotype-ameliorating role assigned to positive XmnI could be associated with its linked elements in the LCR. To investigate the functional significance of polymorphisms at the 5'HS4-LCR, we studied its influence on binding of transcription factors. Web-based predictions of transcription factor binding revealed a binding site for runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1), when the allele at the center of the palindrome (TGGGG(A/G)CCCCA) was A but not when it was G. Furthermore, electromobility shift assay (EMSA) presented evidence in support of allele-specific binding of RUNX1 to 5'HS4. Considering that RUNX1 is a well-known regulator of hematopoiesis, these preliminary data suggest the importance of further studies to confirm this interaction and consequently investigate its functional and phenotypical relevance. These studies could help us to understand the molecular mechanism behind the phenotype modifying role of the 5'HS4-LCR polymorphic palindromic region (rs16912979), which has been observed in previous studies.

Long-range looping of a locus control region drives tissue-specific chromatin packing within a multigene cluster

The relationships of higher order chromatin organization to mammalian gene expression remain incompletely defined. The human Growth Hormone (hGH) multigene cluster contains five gene paralogs. These genes are selectively activated in either the pituitary or the placenta by distinct components of a remote locus control region (LCR). Prior studies have revealed that appropriate activation of the placental genes is dependent not only on the actions of the LCR, but also on the multigene composition of the cluster itself. Here, we demonstrate that the hGH LCR 'loops' over a distance of 28 kb in primary placental nuclei to make specific contacts with the promoters of the two GH genes in the cluster. This long-range interaction sequesters the GH genes from the three hCS genes which co-assemble into a tightly packed 'hCS chromatin hub'. Elimination of the long-range looping, via specific deletion of the placental LCR components, triggers a dramatic disruption of the hCS chromatin hub. These data reveal a higher-order structural pathway by which long-range looping from an LCR impacts on local chromatin architecture that is linked to tissue-specific gene regulation within a multigene cluster.

Long non-coding RNAs in innate and adaptive immunity

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a newly discovered class of regulatory molecules that impact a variety of biological processes in cells and organ systems. In humans, it is estimated that there may be more than twice as many lncRNA genes than protein-coding genes. However, only a handful of lncRNAs have been analyzed in detail. In this review, we describe expression and functions of lncRNAs that have been demonstrated to impact innate and adaptive immunity. These emerging paradigms illustrate remarkably diverse mechanisms that lncRNAs utilize to impact the transcriptional programs of immune cells required to fight against pathogens and maintain normal health and homeostasis.

Understanding α-globin gene regulation and implications for the treatment of β-thalassemia

Over the past three decades, a vast amount of new information has been uncovered describing how the globin genes are regulated. This knowledge has provided significant insights into the general understanding of the regulation of human genes. It is now known that molecular defects within and around the α- and β-globin genes, as well as in the distant regulatory elements, can cause thalassemia. Unbalanced production of globin chains owing to defective synthesis of one, and the continued unopposed synthesis of another, is the central causative factor in the cellular pathology and pathophysiology of thalassemia. A large body of clinical, genetic, and experimental evidence suggests that altering globin chain imbalance by reducing the production of α-globin synthesis ameliorates the disease severity in patients with β-thalassemia. With the development of new genetic-based therapeutic tools that have a potential to decrease the expression of a selected gene in a tissue-specific manner, the possibility of decreasing expression of the α-globin gene to improve the clinical severity of β-thalassemia could become a reality.

Long noncoding RNAs in T lymphocytes

Long noncoding RNAs are recently discovered regulatory RNA molecules that do not code for proteins but influence a vast array of biologic processes. In vertebrates, the number of long noncoding RNA genes is thought to greatly exceed the number of protein-coding genes. It is also thought that long noncoding RNAs drive the biologic complexity observed in vertebrates compared with that in invertebrates. Evidence of this complexity has been found in the T-lymphocyte compartment of the adaptive immune system. In the present review, we describe our current level of understanding of the expression of specific long or large intergenic or intervening long noncoding RNAs during T-lymphocyte development in the thymus and differentiation in the periphery and highlight the mechanisms of action that specific long noncoding RNAs employ to regulate T-lymphocyte function, both in vitro and in vivo.

β-thalassemias: paradigmatic diseases for scientific discoveries and development of innovative therapies

β-thalassemias are monogenic disorders characterized by defective synthesis of the β-globin chain, one of the major components of adult hemoglobin. A large number of mutations in the β-globin gene or its regulatory elements have been associated with β-thalassemias. Due to the complexity of the regulation of the β-globin gene and the role of red cells in many physiological processes, patients can manifest a large spectrum of phenotypes, and clinical requirements vary from patient to patient. It is important to consider the major differences in the light of potential novel therapeutics. This review summarizes the main discoveries and mechanisms associated with the synthesis of β-globin and abnormal erythropoiesis, as well as current and novel therapies.

Functional role of dimerization and CP190 interacting domains of CTCF protein in Drosophila melanogaster

Background

Insulators play a central role in gene regulation, chromosomal architecture and genome function in higher eukaryotes. To learn more about how insulators carry out their diverse functions, we have begun an analysis of the Drosophila CTCF (dCTCF). CTCF is one of the few insulator proteins known to be conserved from flies to man.

Results

In the studies reported here we have focused on the identification and characterization of two dCTCF protein interaction modules. The first mediates dCTCF multimerization, while the second mediates dCTCF–CP190 interactions. The multimerization domain maps in the N-terminus of the dCTCF protein and likely mediates the formation of tetrameric complexes. The CP190 interaction module encompasses a sequence ~200 amino acids long that spans the C-terminal and mediates interactions with the N-terminal BTB domain of the CP190 protein. Transgene rescue experiments showed that a dCTCF protein lacking sequences critical for CP190 interactions was almost as effective as wild type in rescuing the phenotypic effects of a dCTCF null allele. The mutation did, however, affect CP190 recruitment to specific Drosophila insulator elements and had a modest effect on dCTCF chromatin association. A protein lacking the N-terminal dCTCF multimerization domain incompletely rescued the zygotic and maternal effect lethality of the null and did not rescue the defects in Abd-B regulation evident in surviving adult dCTCF mutant flies. Finally, we show that elimination of maternally contributed dCTCF at the onset of embryogenesis has quite different effects on development and Abd-B regulation than is observed when the homozygous mutant animals develop in the presence of maternally derived dCTCF activity.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that dCTCF–CP190 interactions are less critical for the in vivo functions of the dCTCF protein than the N-terminal dCTCF–dCTCF interaction domain. We also show that the phenotypic consequences of dCTCF mutations differ depending upon when and how dCTCF activity is lost.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-015-0168-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Regulatory Elements in Vectors for Efficient Generation of Cell Lines Producing Target Proteins

To date, there has been an increasing number of drugs produced in mammalian cell cultures. In order to enhance the expression level and stability of target recombinant proteins in cell cultures, various regulatory elements with poorly studied mechanisms of action are used. In this review, we summarize and discuss the potential mechanisms of action of such regulatory elements.

Eukaryotic enhancers: common features, regulation, and participation in diseases

Enhancers are positive DNA regulatory sequences controlling temporal and tissue-specific gene expression. These elements act independently of their orientation and distance relative to the promoters of target genes. Enhancers act through a variety of transcription factors that ensure their correct match with target promoters and consequent gene activation. There is a growing body of evidence on association of enhancers with transcription factors, co-activators, histone chromatin marks, and lncRNAs. Alterations in enhancers lead to misregulation of gene expression, causing a number of human diseases. In this review, we focus on the common characteristics of enhancers required for transcription stimulation.

Expression and functions of long noncoding RNAs during human T helper cell differentiation

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate an array of biological processes in cells and organ systems. Less is known about their expression and function in lymphocyte lineages. Here we have identified >2000 lncRNAs expressed in human T-cell cultures and those that display a TH lineage-specific pattern of expression and are intragenic or adjacent to TH lineage-specific genes encoding proteins with immunologic functions. One lncRNA cluster selectively expressed by the effector TH2 lineage consists of four alternatively spliced transcripts that regulate the expression of TH2 cytokines, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. Genes encoding this lncRNA cluster in humans overlap the RAD50 gene and thus are contiguous with the previously described TH2 locus control region (LCR) in the mouse. Given its genomic synteny with the TH2-LCR, we refer to this lncRNA cluster as TH2-LCR lncRNA.

Epigenetic Regulation of Individual Modules of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus 3' Regulatory Region

The Igh locus undergoes an amazing array of DNA rearrangements and modifications during B cell development. During early stages, the variable region gene is constructed from constituent variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) segments (VDJ joining). B cells that successfully express an antibody can be activated, leading to somatic hypermutation (SHM) focused on the variable region, and class switch recombination (CSR), which substitutes downstream constant region genes for the originally used Cμ constant region gene. Many investigators, ourselves included, have sought to understand how these processes specifically target the Igh locus and avoid other loci and potential deleterious consequences of malignant transformation. Our laboratory has concentrated on a complex regulatory region (RR) that is located downstream of Cα, the most 3′ of the Igh constant region genes. The ~40 kb 3′ RR, which is predicted to serve as a downstream major regulator of the Igh locus, contains two distinct segments: an ~28 kb region comprising four enhancers, and an adjacent ~12 kb region containing multiple CTCF and Pax5 binding sites. Analysis of targeted mutations in mice by a number of investigators has concluded that the entire 3′ RR enhancer region is essential for SHM and CSR (but not for VDJ joining) and for high levels of expression of multiple isotypes. The CTCF/Pax5 binding region is a candidate for influencing VDJ joining early in B cell development and serving as a potential insulator of the Igh locus. Components of the 3′ RR are subject to a variety of epigenetic changes during B cell development, i.e., DNAse I hypersensitivity, histone modifications, and DNA methylation, in association with transcription factor binding. I propose that these changes provide a foundation by which regulatory elements in modules of the 3′ RR function by interacting with each other and with target sequences of the Igh locus.

Tissue specific CTCF occupancy and boundary function at the human growth hormone locus

The robust and tissue-specific activation of the human growth hormone (hGH) gene cluster in the pituitary and placenta constitutes an informative model for analysis of gene regulation. The five-gene hGH cluster is regulated by two partially overlapping sets of DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSs) that constitute the pituitary (HSI, II, III and V) and placental (HSIII, IV, and V) locus control regions (LCRs). The single placenta-specific LCR component, HSIV, is located at −30 kb to the cluster. Here we generate a series of hGH/BAC transgenes specifically modified to identify structural features of the hGH locus required for its appropriate placental expression. We find that placental specificity is dependent on the overall multigene configuration of the cluster whereas the distance between the cluster and its LCR impacts the level of placental expression. We further observe that a major function of the placental hGH LCR is to insulate the transgene locus from site-of-integration effects. This insulation activity is linked to placenta-specific occupancy of the chromatin architectural protein, CTCF, at HSIV. These data reveal a remarkable combination of structural configurations and regulatory determinants that must work in concert to insure robust and tightly controlled expression from a complex multigene locus.

Optimizing retroviral gene expression for effective therapies

With their ability to integrate their genetic material into the target cell genome, retroviral vectors (RV) of both the gamma-retroviral (γ-RV) and lentiviral vector (LV) classes currently remain the most efficient and thus the system of choice for achieving transgene retention and therefore potentially long-term expression and therapeutic benefit. However, γ-RV and LV integration comes at a cost in that transcription units will be present within a native chromatin environment and thus be subject to epigenetic effects (DNA methylation, histone modifications) that can negatively impact on their function. Indeed, highly variable expression and silencing of γ-RV and LV transgenes especially resulting from promoter DNA methylation is well documented and was the cause of the failure of gene therapy in a clinical trial for X-linked chronic granulomatous disease. This review will critically explore the use of different classes of genetic control elements that can in principle reduce vector insertion site position effects and epigenetic-mediated silencing. These transcriptional regulatory elements broadly divide themselves into either those with a chromatin boundary or border function (scaffold/matrix attachment regions, insulators) or those with a dominant chromatin remodeling and transcriptional activating capability (locus control regions,, ubiquitous chromatin opening elements). All these types of elements have their strengths and weaknesses within the constraints of a γ-RV and LV backbone, showing varying degrees of efficacy in improving reproducibility and stability of transgene function. Combinations of boundary and chromatin remodeling; transcriptional activating elements, which do not impede vector production; transduction efficiency; and stability are most likely to meet the requirements within a gene therapy context especially when targeting a stem cell population.

The hematopoietic regulator TAL1 is required for chromatin looping between the β-globin LCR and human γ-globin genes to activate transcription

TAL1 is a key hematopoietic transcription factor that binds to regulatory regions of a large cohort of erythroid genes as part of a complex with GATA-1, LMO2 and Ldb1. The complex mediates long-range interaction between the β-globin locus control region (LCR) and active globin genes, and although TAL1 is one of the two DNA-binding complex members, its role is unclear. To explore the role of TAL1 in transcription activation of the human γ-globin genes, we reduced the expression of TAL1 in erythroid K562 cells using lentiviral short hairpin RNA, compromising its association in the β-globin locus. In the TAL1 knockdown cells, the γ-globin transcription was reduced to 35% and chromatin looping of the ^Gγ-globin gene with the LCR was disrupted with decreased occupancy of the complex member Ldb1 and LMO2 in the locus. However, GATA-1 binding, DNase I hypersensitive site formation and several histone modifications were largely maintained across the β-globin locus. In addition, overexpression of TAL1 increased the γ-globin transcription and increased interaction frequency between the ^Gγ-globin gene and LCR. These results indicate that TAL1 plays a critical role in chromatin loop formation between the γ-globin genes and LCR, which is a critical step for the transcription of the γ-globin genes.

The Drosophila eve insulator Homie promotes eve expression and protects the adjacent gene from repression by polycomb spreading

Insulators can block the action of enhancers on promoters and the spreading of repressive chromatin, as well as facilitating specific enhancer-promoter interactions. However, recent studies have called into question whether the activities ascribed to insulators in model transgene assays actually reflect their functions in the genome. The Drosophila even skipped (eve) gene is a Polycomb (Pc) domain with a Pc-group response element (PRE) at one end, flanked by an insulator, an arrangement also seen in other genes. Here, we show that this insulator has three major functions. It blocks the spreading of the eve Pc domain, preventing repression of the adjacent gene, TER94. It prevents activation of TER94 by eve regulatory DNA. It also facilitates normal eve expression. When Homie is deleted in the context of a large transgene that mimics both eve and TER94 regulation, TER94 is repressed. This repression depends on the eve PRE. Ubiquitous TER94 expression is “replaced” by expression in an eve pattern when Homie is deleted, and this effect is reversed when the PRE is also removed. Repression of TER94 is attributable to spreading of the eve Pc domain into the TER94 locus, accompanied by an increase in histone H3 trimethylation at lysine 27. Other PREs can functionally replace the eve PRE, and other insulators can block PRE-dependent repression in this context. The full activity of the eve promoter is also dependent on Homie, and other insulators can promote normal eve enhancer-promoter communication. Our data suggest that this is not due to preventing promoter competition, but is likely the result of the insulator organizing a chromosomal conformation favorable to normal enhancer-promoter interactions. Thus, insulator activities in a native context include enhancer blocking and enhancer-promoter facilitation, as well as preventing the spread of repressive chromatin.

Insulators are specialized DNA elements that can separate the genome into functional units. Most of the current thinking about these elements comes from studies done with model transgenes. Studies of insulators within the specialized Hox gene complexes have suggested that model transgenes can reflect the normal functions of these elements in their native context. However, recent genome-wide studies have called this into question. This work analyzes the native function of an insulator that resides between the Drosophila genes eve and TER94, which are expressed in very different patterns. Also, the eve gene is a Polycomb (Pc) domain, a specialized type of chromatin that is found in many places throughout the genome. We show that this insulator has three major functions. It blocks the spreading of the eve Pc domain, preventing repression of TER94. It prevents activation of TER94 by eve regulatory DNA. It also facilitates normal eve expression. Each of these activities are consistent with those seen with model transgenes, and other known insulators can provide these functions in this context. This work provides a novel and convincing example of the normal role of insulators in regulating the eukaryotic genome, as well as providing insights into their mechanisms of action.