Distribution of histone H4 modifications as revealed by a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies

AI-assisted protein design to rapidly convert antibody sequences to intrabodies targeting diverse peptides and histone modifications

Intrabodies are engineered antibodies that function inside living cells, enabling therapeutic, diagnostic, and imaging applications. While powerful, their development has been hindered by challenges associated with their folding, solubility, and stability in the reduced intracellular environment. Here, we present an AI-driven pipeline integrating AlphaFold2, ProteinMPNN, and live-cell screening to optimize antibody framework regions while preserving epitope-binding complementarity-determining regions. Using this approach, we successfully converted 19 out of 26 antibody sequences into functional single-chain variable fragment (scFv) intrabodies, including a panel targeting diverse histone modifications for real-time imaging of chromatin dynamics and gene regulation. Notably, 18 of these 19 sequences had failed to convert using the standard approach, demonstrating the unique effectiveness of our method. As antibody sequence databases expand, our method will accelerate intrabody design, making their development easier, more cost-effective, and broadly accessible for biological research.

Spatial organizations of heterochromatin underpin nuclear structural integrity of ventricular cardiomyocytes against mechanical stress

Cardiomyocyte (CM) nuclei are constantly exposed to mechanical stress, but how they maintain their nuclear shape remains unknown. In this study, we found that ventricular CM nuclei acquire characteristic prominent spatial organizations of heterochromatin (SOH), which are disrupted by high-level expression of H2B-mCherry in mice. SOH disruption was associated with nuclear softening, leading to extreme elongation and rupture under unidirectional mechanical stress. Loosened chromatin then leaks into the cytosol, causing severe inflammation and cardiac dysfunction. Although SOH disruption was accompanied by loosened higher-order genomic structures, the change in gene expression before nuclear deformation was mild, suggesting that SOH play major roles in nuclear structural integrity. Aged CM nuclei consistently exhibited scattered SOH and marked elongation. Furthermore, we provide mechanistic insight into the development and maintenance of SOH driven by chromatin compaction and condensate formation. These results highlight SOH as a safeguard of nuclear shape and genomic integrity against mechanical stress.

Reconstruction of artificial nuclei with nuclear import activity in living mouse oocytes

In eukaryotes, DNA is housed within the cell nucleus. Molecules required for the formation of a nucleus have been identified using in vitro systems with frog egg extracts and in vivo imaging of somatic cells. However, little is known about the physicochemical factors and conditions required for nuclear formation in mouse oocytes. In this study, using a reconstitution approach with purified DNA, we aimed to determine factors, such as the amount and timing of DNA introduction, required for the formation of nuclei with nuclear transport activity in mouse oocytes. T4 phage DNA (~166 kbp) was microinjected into strontium-activated oocytes to evaluate the conditions appropriate for nuclear formation. Microinjection of 100-500 ng/μL of T4 DNA, but not 20 ng/μL, was sufficient for the formation of nucleus-like structures. Furthermore, microinjection of DNA during metaphase II to telophase II, but not during interphase, was sufficient. Electron and fluorescence microscopy showed that T4 DNA-induced nucleus-like structures had nuclear lamina and nuclear pore complex structures similar to those of natural nuclei, as well as nuclear import activity. These results suggest that exogenous DNA can form artificial nuclei with nuclear transport functions in mouse oocytes, regardless of the sequence or source of the DNA.

The C-terminal 4CXXC-type zinc finger domain of CDCA7 recognizes hemimethylated DNA and modulates activities of chromatin remodeling enzyme HELLS

The chromatin-remodeling enzyme helicase lymphoid-specific (HELLS) interacts with cell division cycle-associated 7 (CDCA7) on nucleosomes and is involved in the regulation of DNA methylation in higher organisms. Mutations in these genes cause immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome, which also results in DNA hypomethylation of satellite repeat regions. We investigated the functional domains of human CDCA7 in HELLS using several mutant CDCA7 proteins. The central region is critical for binding to HELLS, activation of ATPase, and nucleosome sliding activities of HELLS-CDCA7. The N-terminal region tends to inhibit ATPase activity. The C-terminal 4CXXC-type zinc finger domain contributes to CpG and hemimethylated CpG DNA preference for DNA-dependent HELLS-CDCA7 ATPase activity. Furthermore, CDCA7 showed a binding preference to DNA containing hemimethylated CpG, and replication-dependent pericentromeric heterochromatin foci formation of CDCA7 with HELLS was observed in mouse embryonic stem cells; however, all these phenotypes were lost in the case of an ICF syndrome mutant of CDCA7 mutated in the zinc finger domain. Thus, CDCA7 most likely plays a role in the recruitment of HELLS, activates its chromatin remodeling function, and efficiently induces DNA methylation, especially at hemimethylated replication sites.

Visualizing histone H4K20me1 in knock-in mice expressing the mCherry-tagged modification-specific intracellular antibody

During development and differentiation, histone modifications dynamically change locally and globally, associated with transcriptional regulation, DNA replication and repair, and chromosome condensation. The level of histone H4 Lys20 monomethylation (H4K20me1) increases during the G2 to M phases of the cell cycle and is enriched in facultative heterochromatin, such as inactive X chromosomes in cycling cells. To track the dynamic changes of H4K20me1 in living cells, we have developed a genetically encoded modification-specific intracellular antibody (mintbody) probe that specifically binds to the modification. Here, we report the generation of knock-in mice in which the coding sequence of the mCherry-tagged version of the H4K20me1-mintbody is inserted into the Rosa26 locus. The knock-in mice, which ubiquitously expressed the H4K20me1-mintbody, developed normally and were fertile, indicating that the expression of the probe does not disturb the cell growth, development, or differentiation. Various tissues isolated from the knock-in mice exhibited nuclear fluorescence without the need for fixation. The H4K20me1-mintbody was enriched in inactive X chromosomes in developing embryos and in XY bodies during spermatogenesis. The knock-in mice will be useful for the histochemical analysis of H4K20me1 in any cell types.

Precise immunofluorescence canceling for highly multiplexed imaging to capture specific cell states

Cell states are regulated by the response of signaling pathways to receptor ligand-binding and intercellular interactions. High-resolution imaging has been attempted to explore the dynamics of these processes and, recently, multiplexed imaging has profiled cell states by achieving a comprehensive acquisition of spatial protein information from cells. However, the specificity of antibodies is still compromised when visualizing activated signals. Here, we develop Precise Emission Canceling Antibodies (PECAbs) that have cleavable fluorescent labeling. PECAbs enable high-specificity sequential imaging using hundreds of antibodies, allowing for reconstruction of the spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling pathways. Additionally, combining this approach with seq-smFISH can effectively classify cells and identify their signal activation states in human tissue. Overall, the PECAb system can serve as a comprehensive platform for analyzing complex cell processes.

Mode of SUV420H2 heterochromatin localization through multiple HP1 binding motifs in the heterochromatic targeting module

Constitutive heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed and densely packed chromatin, typically harboring histone H3 Lys9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) and heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). SUV420H2, a histone H4 Lys20 methyltransferase, is recruited to heterochromatin by binding to HP1 through its Heterochromatic Targeting Module (HTM). Here, we have identified three HP1 binding motifs within the HTM. Both the full-length HTM and its N-terminal region (HTM-N), which contains the first and second motifs, stabilized HP1 on heterochromatin. The intervening region between the first and second HP1 binding motifs in HTM-N was also crucial for HP1 binding. In contrast, the C-terminal region of HTM (HTM-C), containing the third motif, destabilized HP1 on chromatin. An HTM V374D mutant, featuring a Val374 to Asp substitution in the second HP1 binding motif, localizes to heterochromatin without affecting HP1 stability. These data suggest that the second HP1 binding motif in the SUV420H2 HTM is critical for locking HP1 on H3K9me3-enriched heterochromatin. HTM V374D, tagged with a fluorescent protein, can serve as a live-cell probe to visualize HP1-bound heterochromatin.

Loss of TIP60 (KAT5) abolishes H2AZ lysine 7 acetylation and causes p53, INK4A, and ARF-independent cell cycle arrest

Histone acetylation is essential for initiating and maintaining a permissive chromatin conformation and gene transcription. Dysregulation of histone acetylation can contribute to tumorigenesis and metastasis. Using inducible cre-recombinase and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion, we investigated the roles of the histone lysine acetyltransferase TIP60 (KAT5/HTATIP) in human cells, mouse cells, and mouse embryos. We found that loss of TIP60 caused complete cell growth arrest. In the absence of TIP60, chromosomes failed to align in a metaphase plate during mitosis. In some TIP60 deleted cells, endoreplication occurred instead. In contrast, cell survival was not affected. Remarkably, the cell growth arrest caused by loss of TIP60 was independent of the tumor suppressors p53, INK4A and ARF. TIP60 was found to be essential for the acetylation of H2AZ, specifically at lysine 7. The mRNA levels of 6236 human and 8238 mouse genes, including many metabolism genes, were dependent on TIP60. Among the top 50 differentially expressed genes, over 90% were downregulated in cells lacking TIP60, supporting a role for TIP60 as a key co-activator of transcription. We propose a primary role of TIP60 in H2AZ lysine 7 acetylation and transcriptional activation, and that this fundamental role is essential for cell proliferation. Growth arrest independent of major tumor suppressors suggests TIP60 as a potential anti-cancer drug target.

Clinical use of anti-histone antibodies in idiopathic and drug-induced lupus

Anti-histone antibodies (AHAs) make their appearance in a number of systemic autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE). Although being known for over 50 years, they are poorly studied and understood. There is emerging evidence for their use in predicting clinical features of SLE, diversifying their clinical use. AHAs, however, are probably less prevalent in DILE than once thought owing to a move away from older DILE drugs to modern biological agents which do not appear to elicit AHAs. This review examines the historical studies that have defined AHAs and looks at some of the recent work with these autoantibodies.

The TFIIH complex is required to establish and maintain mitotic chromosome structure

Condensins compact chromosomes to promote their equal segregation during mitosis, but the mechanism of condensin engagement with and action on chromatin is incompletely understood. Here, we show that the general transcription factor TFIIH complex is continuously required to establish and maintain a compacted chromosome structure in transcriptionally silent Xenopus egg extracts. Inhibiting the DNA-dependent ATPase activity of the TFIIH complex subunit XPB rapidly and reversibly induces a complete loss of chromosome structure and prevents the enrichment of condensins I and II, but not topoisomerase II, on chromatin. In addition, inhibiting TFIIH prevents condensation of both mouse and Xenopus nuclei in Xenopus egg extracts, which suggests an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of TFIIH action. Reducing nucleosome density through partial histone depletion restores chromosome structure and condensin enrichment in the absence of TFIIH activity. We propose that the TFIIH complex promotes mitotic chromosome condensation by dynamically altering the chromatin environment to facilitate condensin loading and condensin-dependent loop extrusion.

Molecular probes for cellular imaging of post-translational proteoforms

Specific post-translational modification (PTM) states of a protein affect its property and function; understanding their dynamics in cells would provide deep insight into diverse signaling pathways and biological processes. However, it is not trivial to visualize post-translational modifications in a protein- and site-specific manner, especially in a living-cell context. Herein, we review recent advances in the development of molecular imaging tools to detect diverse classes of post-translational proteoforms in individual cells, and their applications in studying precise roles of PTMs in regulating the function of cellular proteins.

Chromatin loading of MCM hexamers is associated with di-/tri-methylation of histone H4K20 toward S phase entry

DNA replication is a key step in initiating cell proliferation. Loading hexameric complexes of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) helicase onto DNA replication origins during the G1 phase is essential for initiating DNA replication. Here, we examined MCM hexamer states during the cell cycle in human hTERT-RPE1 cells using multicolor immunofluorescence-based, single-cell plot analysis, and biochemical size fractionation. Experiments involving cell-cycle arrest at the G1 phase and release from the arrest revealed that a double MCM hexamer was formed via a single hexamer during G1 progression. A single MCM hexamer was recruited to chromatin in the early G1 phase. Another single hexamer was recruited to form a double hexamer in the late G1 phase. We further examined relationship between the MCM hexamer states and the methylation levels at lysine 20 of histone H4 (H4K20) and found that the double MCM hexamer state was correlated with di/trimethyl-H4K20 (H4K20me2/3). Inhibiting the conversion from monomethyl-H4K20 (H4K20me1) to H4K20me2/3 retained the cells in the single MCM hexamer state. Non-proliferative cells, including confluent cells or Cdk4/6 inhibitor-treated cells, also remained halted in the single MCM hexamer state. We propose that the single MCM hexamer state is a halting step in the determination of cell cycle progression.

Structural features of nucleosomes in interphase and metaphase chromosomes

Structural heterogeneity of nucleosomes in functional chromosomes is unknown. Here, we devise the template-, reference- and selection-free (TRSF) cryo-EM pipeline to simultaneously reconstruct cryo-EM structures of protein complexes from interphase or metaphase chromosomes. The reconstructed interphase and metaphase nucleosome structures are on average indistinguishable from canonical nucleosome structures, despite DNA sequence heterogeneity, cell-cycle-specific posttranslational modifications, and interacting proteins. Nucleosome structures determined by a decoy-classifying method and structure variability analyses reveal the nucleosome structural variations in linker DNA, histone tails, and nucleosome core particle configurations, suggesting that the opening of linker DNA, which is correlated with H2A C-terminal tail positioning, is suppressed in chromosomes. High-resolution (3.4-3.5 Å) nucleosome structures indicate DNA-sequence-independent stabilization of superhelical locations ±0-1 and ±3.5-4.5. The linker histone H1.8 preferentially binds to metaphase chromatin, from which chromatosome cryo-EM structures with H1.8 at the on-dyad position are reconstituted. This study presents the structural characteristics of nucleosomes in chromosomes.

Interaction of replication factor Sld3 and histone acetyl transferase Esa1 alleviates gene silencing and promotes the activation of late and dormant replication origins

DNA replication in eukaryotes is a multi-step process that consists of three main reactions: helicase loading (licensing), helicase activation (firing), and nascent DNA synthesis (elongation). Although the contributions of some chromatin regulatory factors in the licensing and elongation reaction have been determined, their functions in the firing reaction remain elusive. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sld3, Sld7, and Cdc45 (3-7-45) are rate-limiting in the firing reaction and simultaneous overexpression of 3-7-45 causes untimely activation of late and dormant replication origins. Here, we found that 3-7-45 overexpression not only activated dormant origins in the silenced locus, HMLα, but also exerted an anti-silencing effect at this locus. For these, interaction between Sld3 and Esa1, a conserved histone acetyltransferase, was responsible. Moreover, the Sld3-Esa1 interaction was required for the untimely activation of late origins. These results reveal the Sld3-Esa1 interaction as a novel level of regulation in the firing reaction.

Clinical Outcomes of Autologous Stem Cell-Patch Implantation for Patients With Heart Failure With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background

Clinical effectiveness of autologous skeletal cell‐patch implantation for nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy has not been clearly elucidated in clinical settings. This clinical study aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, therapeutic efficacy, and the predictor of responders of this treatment in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐four nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <35% on optimal medical therapy were enrolled. Autologous cell patches were implanted over the surface of the left ventricle through left minithoracotomy without procedure‐related complications and lethal arrhythmia. We identified 13 responders and 11 nonresponders using the combined indicator of a major cardiac adverse event and incidence of heart failure event. In the responders, symptoms, exercise capacity, and cardiac performance were improved postoperatively (New York Heart Association class II 7 [54%] and III 6 [46%] to New York Heart Association class II 12 [92%] and I 1 [8%], P<0.05, 6‐minute walk test; 471 m [370–541 m] to 525 m [425–555 m], P<0.05, left ventricular stroke work index; 31.1 g·m²·beat [22.7–35.5 g·m²·beat] to 32.8 g·m²·beat [28–38.5 g·m²·beat], P=0.21). However, such improvement was not observed in the nonresponders. In responders, the actuarial survival rate was 90.9±8.7% at 5 years, which was superior to the estimated survival rate of 70.9±5.4% using the Seattle Heart Failure Model. However, they were similar in nonresponders (47.7±21.6% and 56.3±8.1%, respectively). Multivariate regression model with B‐type natriuretic peptide, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and expression of histone H3K4me3 (H3 lysine 4 trimethylation) strongly predicted the responder of this treatment (B‐type natriuretic peptide: odds ratio [OR], 0.96; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: ​OR, 0.58; H3K4me3: OR, 1.35, receiver operating characteristic–area under the curve, 0.96, P<0.001).

Conclusions

This clinical trial demonstrated that autologous skeletal stem cell–patch implantation might promise functional recovery and good clinical outcome in selected patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, in addition to safety and feasibility.

Registration

URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/english/. Unique identifiers: UMIN000003273, UMIN0000012906 and UMIN000015892.

Suv4-20h2 protects against influenza virus infection by suppression of chromatin loop formation

The spatial organization of chromatin is known to be highly dynamic in response to environmental stress. However, it remains unknown how chromatin dynamics contributes to or modulates disease pathogenesis. Here, we show that upon influenza virus infection, the H4K20me3 methyltransferase Suv4-20h2 binds the viral protein NP, which results in the inactivation of Suv4-20h2 and the dissociation of cohesin from Suv4-20h2. Inactivation of Suv4-20h2 by viral infection or genetic deletion allows the formation of an active chromatin loop at the HoxC8-HoxC6 loci coincident with cohesin loading. HoxC8 and HoxC6 proteins in turn enhance viral replication by inhibiting the Wnt-β-catenin mediated interferon response. Importantly, loss of Suv4-20h2 augments the pathology of influenza infection in vivo. Thus, Suv4-20h2 acts as a safeguard against influenza virus infection by suppressing cohesin-mediated loop formation.

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H4K20me3 methyltransferase Suv4-20h2 suppresses influenza viral replication

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Influenza virus NP protein binds to Suv4-20h2 and causes dissociation from cohesin

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Suv4-20h2 inactivation generates cohesion-mediated loop formation at HoxC8 -HoxC6

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HoxC8-HoxC6 enhance viral replication by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Structural basis of nucleosomal histone H4 lysine 20 methylation by SET8 methyltransferase

SET8 is solely responsible for histone H4 lysine-20 (H4K20) monomethylation, which preferentially occurs in nucleosomal H4. However, the underlying mechanism by which SET8 specifically promotes the H4K20 monomethylation in the nucleosome has not been elucidated. Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of the human SET8-nucleosome complexes with histone H3 and the centromeric H3 variant, CENP-A. Surprisingly, we found that the overall cryo-EM structures of the SET8-nucleosome complexes are substantially different from the previous crystal structure models. In the complexes with H3 and CENP-A nucleosomes, SET8 specifically binds the nucleosomal acidic patch via an arginine anchor, composed of the Arg188 and Arg192 residues. Mutational analyses revealed that the interaction between the SET8 arginine anchor and the nucleosomal acidic patch plays an essential role in the H4K20 monomethylation activity. These results provide the groundwork for understanding the mechanism by which SET8 specifically accomplishes the H4K20 monomethylation in the nucleosome.

Dynamics of transcription-mediated conversion from euchromatin to facultative heterochromatin at the Xist promoter by Tsix

The fine-scale dynamics from euchromatin (EC) to facultative heterochromatin (fHC) has remained largely unclear. Here, we focus on Xist and its silencing initiator Tsix as a paradigm of transcription-mediated conversion from EC to fHC. In mouse epiblast stem cells, induction of Tsix recapitulates the conversion at the Xist promoter. Investigating the dynamics reveals that the conversion proceeds in a stepwise manner. Initially, a transient opened chromatin structure is observed. In the second step, gene silencing is initiated and dependent on Tsix, which is reversible and accompanied by simultaneous changes in multiple histone modifications. At the last step, maintenance of silencing becomes independent of Tsix and irreversible, which correlates with occupation of the -1 position of the transcription start site by a nucleosome and initiation of DNA methylation introduction. This study highlights the hierarchy of multiple chromatin events upon stepwise gene silencing establishment.

Live-cell epigenome manipulation by synthetic histone acetylation catalyst system

Chemical modifications of histones, such as lysine acetylation and ubiquitination, play pivotal roles in epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Methods to alter the epigenome thus hold promise as tools for elucidating epigenetic mechanisms and as therapeutics. However, an entirely chemical method to introduce histone modifications in living cells without genetic manipulation is unprecedented. Here, we developed a chemical catalyst, PEG-LANA-DSSMe 11, that binds with nucleosome's acidic patch and promotes regioselective, synthetic histone acetylation at H2BK120 in living cells. The size of polyethylene glycol in the catalyst was a critical determinant for its in-cell metabolic stability, binding affinity to histones, and high activity. The synthetic acetylation promoted by 11 without genetic manipulation competed with and suppressed physiological H2B ubiquitination, a mark regulating chromatin functions, such as transcription and DNA damage response. Thus, the chemical catalyst will be a useful tool to manipulate epigenome for unraveling epigenetic mechanisms in living cells.

The SUN1 splicing variants SUN1_888 and SUN1_916 differentially regulate nucleolar structure

The nucleolar structure is highly dynamic and strictly regulated in response to internal cues, such as metabolic rates, and to external cues, such as mechanical forces applied to cells. Although the multilayered nucleolar structure is largely determined by the liquid-like properties of RNA and proteins, the mechanisms regulating the morphology and number of nucleoli remain elusive. The linker of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex comprises inner nuclear membrane Sad1/UNC-84 (SUN) proteins and outer nuclear membrane-localized nesprins. We previously showed that the depletion of SUN1 proteins affects nucleolar morphologies. This study focuses on the function of SUN1 splicing variants in determining nucleolar morphology. An RNA interference strategy showed that the predominantly expressed variants, SUN1_888 and SUN1_916, were crucial for nucleolar morphology but functionally distinct. In addition, the depletion of either SUN1_888 or SUN1_916 altered the chromatin structure and affected the distribution of histone modifications. Based on these results, we propose a model in which the LINC complex plays a role in modulating nucleolar morphology and numbers via chromatin.

H3K9me3 maintenance on a human artificial chromosome is required for segregation but not centromere epigenetic memory

Most eukaryotic centromeres are located within heterochromatic regions. Paradoxically, heterochromatin can also antagonize de novo centromere formation, and some centromeres lack it altogether. In order to investigate the importance of heterochromatin at centromeres, we used epigenetic engineering of a synthetic alphoidtetO human artificial chromosome (HAC), to which chimeric proteins can be targeted. By tethering the JMJD2D demethylase (also known as KDM4D), we removed heterochromatin mark H3K9me3 (histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation) specifically from the HAC centromere. This caused no short-term defects, but long-term tethering reduced HAC centromere protein levels and triggered HAC mis-segregation. However, centromeric CENP-A was maintained at a reduced level. Furthermore, HAC centromere function was compatible with an alternative low-H3K9me3, high-H3K27me3 chromatin signature, as long as residual levels of H3K9me3 remained. When JMJD2D was released from the HAC, H3K9me3 levels recovered over several days back to initial levels along with CENP-A and CENP-C centromere levels, and mitotic segregation fidelity. Our results suggest that a minimal level of heterochromatin is required to stabilize mitotic centromere function but not for maintaining centromere epigenetic memory, and that a homeostatic pathway maintains heterochromatin at centromeres.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.

Histone modification dynamics as revealed by multicolor immunofluorescence-based single-cell analysis

Post-translational modifications on histones can be stable epigenetic marks or transient signals that can occur in response to internal and external stimuli. Levels of histone modifications fluctuate during the cell cycle and vary among different cell types. Here, we describe a simple system to monitor the levels of multiple histone modifications in single cells by multicolor immunofluorescence using directly labeled modification-specific antibodies. We analyzed histone H3 and H4 modifications during the cell cycle. Levels of active marks, such as acetylation and H3K4 methylation, were increased during the S phase, in association with chromatin duplication. By contrast, levels of some repressive modifications gradually increased during G2 and the next G1 phases. We applied this method to validate the target modifications of various histone demethylases in cells using a transient overexpression system. In extracts of marine organisms, we also screened chemical compounds that affect histone modifications and identified psammaplin A, which was previously reported to inhibit histone deacetylases. Thus, the method presented here is a powerful and convenient tool for analyzing the changes in histone modifications.

Histone H3K27 acetylation precedes active transcription during zebrafish zygotic genome activation as revealed by live-cell analysis

Histone post-translational modifications are key gene expression regulators, but their rapid dynamics during development remain difficult to capture. We applied a Fab-based live endogenous modification labeling technique to monitor the changes in histone modification levels during zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in living zebrafish embryos. Among various histone modifications, H3 Lys27 acetylation (H3K27ac) exhibited most drastic changes, accumulating in two nuclear foci in the 64- to 1k-cell-stage embryos. The elongating form of RNA polymerase II, which is phosphorylated at Ser2 in heptad repeats within the C-terminal domain (RNAP2 Ser2ph), and miR-430 transcripts were also concentrated in foci closely associated with H3K27ac. When treated with α-amanitin to inhibit transcription or JQ-1 to inhibit binding of acetyl-reader proteins, H3K27ac foci still appeared but RNAP2 Ser2ph and miR-430 morpholino were not concentrated in foci, suggesting that H3K27ac precedes active transcription during ZGA. We anticipate that the method presented here could be applied to a variety of developmental processes in any model and non-model organisms.

Effect of mycalolides isolated from a marine sponge Mycale aff. nullarosette on actin in living cells

Discovery of novel bioactive compounds is important not only for therapeutic purposes but also for understanding the mechanisms of biological processes. To screen bioactive compounds that affect nuclear morphology in marine organism extracts, we employed a microscopy-based assay using DNA staining of human cancer cells. A crude extract from a marine sponge Mycale aff. nullarosette, collected from the east coast of Japan, induced cellular binucleation. Fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of mycalolides A and B, and 38-hydroxymycalolide B as the active components. Mycalolides have been identified as marine toxins that induce depolymerization of the actin filament. Live cell imaging revealed that low concentrations of mycalolide A produce binucleated cells by inhibiting the completion of cytokinesis. At higher concentrations, however, mycalolide A causes immediate disruption of actin filaments and changes in cell morphology, yielding rounded cells. These results suggest that the completion of cytokinesis is a process requiring high actin polymerization activity. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays with mycalolide A treatments support the view that the level of globular actin can affect transcription of a serum response gene.

The CENP-A centromere targeting domain facilitates H4K20 monomethylation in the nucleosome by structural polymorphism

Centromeric nucleosomes are composed of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A and the core histones H2A, H2B, and H4. To establish a functional kinetochore, histone H4 lysine-20 (H4K20) must be monomethylated, but the underlying mechanism has remained enigmatic. To provide structural insights into H4K20 methylation, we here solve the crystal structure of a nucleosome containing an H3.1-CENP-A chimera, H3.1^CATD, which has a CENP-A centromere targeting domain and preserves essential CENP-A functions in vivo. Compared to the canonical H3.1 nucleosome, the H3.1^CATD nucleosome exhibits conformational changes in the H4 N-terminal tail leading to a relocation of H4K20. In particular, the H4 N-terminal tail interacts with glutamine-76 and aspartate-77 of canonical H3.1 while these interactions are cancelled in the presence of the CENP-A-specific residues valine-76 and lysine-77. Mutations of valine-76 and lysine-77 impair H4K20 monomethylation both in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that a CENP-A-mediated structural polymorphism may explain the preferential H4K20 monomethylation in centromeric nucleosomes.

Kinetochore function depends on H4K20 monomethylation in centromeric nucleosomes but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, the authors provide evidence that the centromere-specific nucleosome subunit CENP-A facilitates H4K20 methylation by enabling a conformational change of the H4 N-terminal tail.

Histone deacetylase 7 inhibits plakoglobin expression to promote lung cancer cell growth and metastasis

Plakoglobin is a tumor suppressor gene in lung cancer; however, the mechanism by which it is downregulated in lung cancer is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate plakoglobin expression in lung cancer. The effects of overexpression or knockdown of HDAC7 on plakoglobin were determined using stably transfected lung cancer cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the HDAC7‑induced suppression of plakoglobin. A Cell Counting Kit‑8 and Transwell assays were performed, and a nude mouse in vivo model was established to investigate the role of the HDAC7/plakoglobin pathway in cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Ectopic expression of HDAC7 was identified to suppress mRNA and protein levels of plakoglobin in lung cancer cells, whereas silencing HDAC7 with short hairpin RNA increased the expression of plakoglobin. HDAC7 was proposed to suppressed plakoglobin by directly binding to its promoter. Overexpression or knockdown of HDAC7 promoted or inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, knockdown of HDAC7 significantly suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. In addition, overexpression of plakoglobin significantly reduced the enhanced cell proliferation, migration and invasion induced by ectopic HDAC7. In conclusion, suppression of plakoglobin by HDAC7 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion and metastasis in lung cancer. This novel axis of HDAC7/plakoglobin may be valuable in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for treating patients with lung cancer.

Role of SmcHD1 in establishment of epigenetic states required for the maintenance of the X-inactivated state in mice

X inactivation in mammals is regulated by epigenetic modifications. Functional deficiency of SmcHD1 has been shown to cause de-repression of X-inactivated genes in post-implantation female mouse embryos, suggesting a role of SmcHD1 in the maintenance of X inactivation. Here, we show that de-repression of X-inactivated genes accompanied a local reduction in the enrichment of H3K27me3 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient for SmcHD1. Furthermore, many of these genes overlapped with those having a significantly lower enrichment of H3K27me3 at the blastocyst stage in wild type. Intriguingly, however, depletion of SmcHD1 did not compromise the X-inactivated state in immortalized female mouse embryonic fibroblasts, in which X inactivation had been established and maintained. Taking all these findings together, we suggest that SmcHD1 facilitates the incorporation of H3K27me3 and perhaps other epigenetic modifications at gene loci that are silenced even with the lower enrichment of H3K27me3 at the early stage of X inactivation. The epigenetic state at these loci would, however, remain as it is at the blastocyst stage in the absence of SmcHD1 after implantation, which would eventually compromise the maintenance of the X-inactivated state at later stages.

JQ1 affects BRD2-dependent and independent transcription regulation without disrupting H4-hyperacetylated chromatin states

The bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are promising drug targets for cancer and immune diseases. However, BET inhibition effects have been studied more in the context of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) than BRD2, and the BET protein association to histone H4-hyperacetylated chromatin is not understood at the genome-wide level. Here, we report transcription start site (TSS)-resolution integrative analyses of ChIP-seq and transcriptome profiles in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line H23. We show that di-acetylation at K5 and K8 of histone H4 (H4K5acK8ac) co-localizes with H3K27ac and BRD2 in the majority of active enhancers and promoters, where BRD2 has a stronger association with H4K5acK8ac than H3K27ac. Although BET inhibition by JQ1 led to complete reduction of BRD2 binding to chromatin, only local changes of H4K5acK8ac levels were observed, suggesting that recruitment of BRD2 does not influence global histone H4 hyperacetylation levels. This finding supports a model in which recruitment of BET proteins via histone H4 hyperacetylation is predominant over hyperacetylation of histone H4 by BET protein-associated acetyltransferases. In addition, we found that a remarkable number of BRD2-bound genes, including MYC and its downstream target genes, were transcriptionally upregulated upon JQ1 treatment. Using BRD2-enriched sites and transcriptional activity analysis, we identified candidate transcription factors potentially involved in the JQ1 response in BRD2-dependent and -independent manner.

Condensin Smc4 promotes inflammatory innate immune response by epigenetically enhancing NEMO transcription

Structural maintenance of chromosome (Smc) protein complex (condensin) plays a central role in organizing and compacting chromosomes, which determines DNA-binding activity and gene expression; however, the role of condensin Smc in innate immunity and inflammation remains largely unknown. Through a high-throughput screening of the epigenetic modifiers, we identified Smc4, a core subunit of condensin, to potentially promote inflammatory innate immune response. Knockdown or deficiency of Smc4 inhibited TLR- or virus-triggered production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-β in macrophages. Mice with Smc4 knockdown were less susceptible to sepsis. Mechanistically, Smc4 enhanced NEMO transcription by recruiting H4K5ac to and increasing H4K5 acetylation of nemo promoter, leading to innate signals-triggered more potent activation of NF-κB and IRF3 pathways. Therefore, Smc4 promotes inflammatory innate immune responses by enhancing NEMO transcription, and our data add insight to epigenetic regulation of innate immunity and inflammation, and outline potential target for controlling inflammatory diseases.

HELLS and CDCA7 comprise a bipartite nucleosome remodeling complex defective in ICF syndrome

Mutations in CDCA7, the SNF2 family protein HELLS (LSH), or the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3b cause immunodeficiency-centromeric instability-facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome. While it has been speculated that DNA methylation defects cause this disease, little is known about the molecular function of CDCA7 and its functional relationship to HELLS and DNMT3b. Systematic analysis of how the cell cycle, H3K9 methylation, and the mitotic kinase Aurora B affect proteomic profiles of chromatin in Xenopus egg extracts revealed that HELLS and CDCA7 form a stoichiometric complex on chromatin, in a manner sensitive to Aurora B. Although HELLS alone fails to remodel nucleosomes, we demonstrate that the HELLS-CDCA7 complex possesses nucleosome remodeling activity. Furthermore, CDCA7 is essential for loading HELLS onto chromatin, and CDCA7 harboring patient ICF mutations fails to recruit the complex to chromatin. Together, our study identifies a unique bipartite nucleosome remodeling complex where the functional remodeling activity is split between two proteins and thus delineates the defective pathway in ICF syndrome.

Defects in dosage compensation impact global gene regulation in the mouse trophoblast

Xist RNA, which is responsible for X inactivation, is a key epigenetic player in the embryogenesis of female mammals. Of the several repeats conserved in Xist RNA, the A-repeat has been shown to be essential for its silencing function in differentiating embryonic stem cells. Here, we introduced a new Xist allele into mouse that produces mutated Xist RNA lacking the A-repeat (Xist^CAGΔ5' ). Xist^CAGΔ5' RNA expressed in the embryo coated the X chromosome but failed to silence it. Although imprinted X inactivation was substantially compromised upon paternal transmission, allele-specific RNA-seq in the trophoblast revealed that Xist^CAGΔ5' RNA still retained some silencing ability. Furthermore, the failure of imprinted X inactivation had more significant impacts than expected on genome-wide gene expression. It is likely that dosage compensation is required not only for equalizing X-linked gene expression between the sexes but also for proper global gene regulation in differentiated female somatic cells.

Semi-quantitative Analysis of H4K20me1 Levels in Living Cells Using Mintbody

Eukaryotic nuclear DNA wraps around histone proteins to form a nucleosome, a basic unit of chromatin. Posttranslational modification of histones plays an important role in gene regulation and chromosome duplication. Some modifications are quite stable to be an epigenetic memory, and others exhibit rapid turnover or fluctuate during the cell cycle. Histone H4 Lys20 monomethylation (H4K20me1) has been shown to be involved in chromosome condensation, segregation, replication and repair. H4K20 methylation is controlled through a few methyltransferases, PR-Set7/Set8, SUV420H1, and SUV420H2, and a demethylase, PHF8. In cycling cells, the level of H4K20me1 increases during G2 and M phases and decreases during G1 phase. To monitor the local concentration and global fluctuation of histone modifications in living cells, we have developed a genetically encoded probe termed mintbody (modification-specific intracellular antibody; Sato et al., 2013 and 2016). By measuring the nuclear to cytoplasmic intensity ratio, the relative level of H4K20me1 in individual cells can be monitored. This detailed protocol allows the semi-quantitative analysis of the effects of methyltransferases on H4K20me1 levels in living cells based on H4K20me1-mintbody described by Sato et al. (2016).

Imaging Translational and Post-Translational Gene Regulatory Dynamics in Living Cells with Antibody-Based Probes

Antibody derivatives, such as antibody fragments (Fabs) and single-chain variable fragments (scFvs), are now being used to image traditionally hard-to-see protein subpopulations, including nascent polypeptides being translated and post-translationally modified proteins. This has allowed researchers to directly image and quantify, for the first time, translation initiation and elongation kinetics with single-transcript resolution and the temporal ordering and kinetics of post-translational histone and RNA polymerase II modifications. Here, we review these developments and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of live-cell imaging with antibody-based probes. Further development of these probes will increase their versatility and open new avenues of research for dissecting complex gene regulatory dynamics.

Global histone modification fingerprinting in human cells using epigenetic reverse phase protein array

The balance between acetylation and deacetylation of histone proteins plays a critical role in the regulation of genomic functions. Aberrations in global levels of histone modifications are linked to carcinogenesis and are currently the focus of intense scrutiny and translational research investments to develop new therapies, which can modify complex disease pathophysiology through epigenetic control. However, despite significant progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic machinery in various genomic contexts and cell types, the links between epigenetic modifications and cellular phenotypes are far from being clear. For example, enzymes controlling histone modifications utilize key cellular metabolites associated with intra- and extracellular feedback loops, adding a further layer of complexity to this process. Meanwhile, it has become increasingly evident that new assay technologies which provide robust and precise measurement of global histone modifications are required, for at least two pressing reasons: firstly, many approved drugs are known to influence histone modifications and new cancer therapies are increasingly being developed towards targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and other epigenetic readers and writers. Therefore, robust assays for fingerprinting the global effects of such drugs on preclinical cell, organoid and in vivo models is required; and secondly, robust histone-fingerprinting assays applicable to patient samples may afford the development of next-generation diagnostic and prognostic tools. In our study, we have used a panel of monoclonal antibodies to determine the relative changes in the global abundance of post-translational modifications on histones purified from cancer cell lines treated with HDAC inhibitors using a novel technique, called epigenetic reverse phase protein array. We observed a robust increase in acetylation levels within 2–24 h after inhibition of HDACs in different cancer cell lines. Moreover, when these cells were treated with N-acetylated amino acids in addition to HDACs, we detected a further increase in histone acetylation, demonstrating that these molecules could be utilized as donors of the acetyl moiety for protein acetylation. Consequently, this study not only offers a novel assay for diagnostics and drug screening but also warrants further research of the novel class of inexpensive, non-toxic natural compounds that could potentiate the effects of HDAC inhibitors and is therefore of interest for cancer therapeutics.

Constitutive centromere-associated network controls centromere drift in vertebrate cells

Hori et al. show that centromere position can be drifted during cell proliferation in chicken DT40 cells. However, the centromere drift is suppressed in short-term cultures, and a complete constitutive centromere-associated network organization contributes to the suppression of the centromere drift.

Centromeres are specified by sequence-independent epigenetic mechanisms, and the centromere position may drift at each cell cycle, but once this position is specified, it may not be frequently moved. Currently, it is unclear whether the centromere position is stable. To address this question, we systematically analyzed the position of nonrepetitive centromeres in 21 independent clones isolated from a laboratory stock of chicken DT40 cells using chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with massive parallel sequencing analysis with anti–CENP-A antibody. We demonstrated that the centromere position varies among the clones, suggesting that centromere drift occurs during cell proliferation. However, when we analyzed this position in the subclones obtained from one isolated clone, the position was found to be relatively stable. Interestingly, the centromere drift was shown to occur frequently in CENP-U– and CENP-S–deficient cells. Based on these results, we suggest that the centromere position can change after many cell divisions, but this drift is suppressed in short-term cultures, and the complete centromere structure contributes to the suppression of the centromere drift.

BMP8B Is a Tumor Suppressor Gene Regulated by Histone Acetylation in Gastric Cancer

Different from genetic alterations, the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications provides an interesting opportunity for the development of clinically relevant therapeutics in different tumors. In this study, we aimed to screen and validate candidate genes regulated by the epigenetic marker associated with transcriptional activation, histone acetylation, in gastric cancer (GC). We first compared gene expression profile of trichostatin A-treated and control GC cell lines using microarray assay. Among the 55 differentially expressed genes identified in this analysis, we chose the up-regulated genes BMP8B and BAMBI for further analyses, that included mRNA and histone acetylation quantification in paired GC and nontumor tissue samples. BMP8B expression was reduced in GC compared to nontumor samples (P < 0.01). In addition, reduced BMP8B expression was associated with poorly differentiated GC (P = 0.02). No differences or histopathological associations were identified concerning BAMBI expression. Furthermore, acetylated H3K9 and H4K16 levels at BMP8B were increased in GC compared to nontumors (P < 0.05). However, reduced levels of acetylated H3K9 and H4K16 were associated with poorly differentiated GC (P < 0.05). Reduced levels of acetylated H3K9 was also associated with diffuse-type histological GC (P < 0.05). Notably, reduced BMP8B mRNA and acetylated H4K16 levels were positively correlated in poorly differentiated GC (P < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that BMP8B seems to be a tumor suppressor gene regulated by H4K16 acetylation in poorly differentiated GC. Therefore, BMP8B may be a potential target for TSA-based therapies in this GC sample subset. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 869-877, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Systematic comparison of monoclonal versus polyclonal antibodies for mapping histone modifications by ChIP-seq

Background

The robustness of ChIP-seq datasets is highly dependent upon the antibodies used. Currently, polyclonal antibodies are the standard despite several limitations: They are non-renewable, vary in performance between lots and need to be validated with each new lot. In contrast, monoclonal antibody lots are renewable and provide consistent performance. To increase ChIP-seq standardization, we investigated whether monoclonal antibodies could replace polyclonal antibodies. We compared monoclonal antibodies that target five key histone modifications (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9me3, H3K27ac and H3K27me3) to their polyclonal counterparts in both human and mouse cells.

Results

Overall performance was highly similar for four monoclonal/polyclonal pairs, including when we used two distinct lots of the same monoclonal antibody. In contrast, the binding patterns for H3K27ac differed substantially between polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. However, this was most likely due to the distinct immunogen used rather than the clonality of the antibody.

Conclusions

Altogether, we found that monoclonal antibodies as a class perform equivalently to polyclonal antibodies for the detection of histone post-translational modifications in both human and mouse. Accordingly, we recommend the use of monoclonal antibodies in ChIP-seq experiments.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-016-0100-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Acetylation of histone H4 lysine 5 and 12 is required for CENP-A deposition into centromeres

Centromeres are specified epigenetically through the deposition of the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A. However, how additional epigenetic features are involved in centromere specification is unknown. Here, we find that histone H4 Lys5 and Lys12 acetylation (H4K5ac and H4K12ac) primarily occur within the pre-nucleosomal CENP-A–H4–HJURP (CENP-A chaperone) complex, before centromere deposition. We show that H4K5ac and H4K12ac are mediated by the RbAp46/48–Hat1 complex and that RbAp48-deficient DT40 cells fail to recruit HJURP to centromeres and do not incorporate new CENP-A at centromeres. However, C-terminally-truncated HJURP, that does not bind CENP-A, does localize to centromeres in RbAp48-deficient cells. Acetylation-dead H4 mutations cause mis-localization of the CENP-A–H4 complex to non-centromeric chromatin. Crucially, CENP-A with acetylation-mimetic H4 was assembled specifically into centromeres even in RbAp48-deficient DT40 cells. We conclude that H4K5ac and H4K12ac, mediated by RbAp46/48, facilitates efficient CENP-A deposition into centromeres.

The deposition of histone H3 variant CENP-A bound with histone H4 is a key feature designating the centromere region of a chromosome. Here the authors show acetylation on residues K5 and K12 in histone H4, mediated by the RbAp46/48-Hat1 complex, is required for deposition of CENP-A-H4 into centromeres.

The Oncoprotein BRD4-NUT Generates Aberrant Histone Modification Patterns

Defects in chromatin proteins frequently manifest in diseases. A striking case of a chromatin-centric disease is NUT-midline carcinoma (NMC), which is characterized by expression of NUT as a fusion partner most frequently with BRD4. ChIP-sequencing studies from NMC patients revealed that BRD4-NUT (B4N) covers large genomic regions and elevates transcription within these domains. To investigate how B4N modulates chromatin, we performed affinity purification of B4N when ectopically expressed in 293-TREx cells and quantified the associated histone posttranslational modifications (PTM) using proteomics. We observed significant enrichment of acetylation particularly on H3 K18 and of combinatorial patterns such as H3 K27 acetylation paired with K36 methylation. We postulate that B4N complexes override the preexisting histone code with new PTM patterns that reflect aberrant transcription and that epigenetically modulate the nucleosome environment toward the NMC state.

A Genetically Encoded Probe for Live-Cell Imaging of H4K20 Monomethylation

Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated in the context of chromatin. Dynamic changes in post-translational histone modification are thought to play key roles in fundamental cellular functions such as regulation of the cell cycle, development, and differentiation. To elucidate the relationship between histone modifications and cellular functions, it is important to monitor the dynamics of modifications in single living cells. A genetically encoded probe called mintbody (modification-specific intracellular antibody), which is a single-chain variable fragment tagged with a fluorescent protein, has been proposed as a useful visualization tool. However, the efficacy of intracellular expression of antibody fragments has been limited, in part due to different environmental conditions in the cytoplasm compared to the endoplasmic reticulum where secreted proteins such as antibodies are folded. In this study, we have developed a new mintbody specific for histone H4 Lys20 monomethylation (H4K20me1). The specificity of the H4K20me1-mintbody in living cells was verified using yeast mutants and mammalian cells in which this target modification was diminished. Expression of the H4K20me1-mintbody allowed us to monitor the oscillation of H4K20me1 levels during the cell cycle. Moreover, dosage-compensated X chromosomes were visualized using the H4K20me1-mintbody in mouse and nematode cells. Using X-ray crystallography and mutational analyses, we identified critical amino acids that contributed to stabilization and/or proper folding of the mintbody. Taken together, these data provide important implications for future studies aimed at developing functional intracellular antibodies. Specifically, the H4K20me1-mintbody provides a powerful tool to track this particular histone modification in living cells and organisms.

Identification of Conserved MEL-28/ELYS Domains with Essential Roles in Nuclear Assembly and Chromosome Segregation

Nucleoporins are the constituents of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) and are essential regulators of nucleocytoplasmic transport, gene expression and genome stability. The nucleoporin MEL-28/ELYS plays a critical role in post-mitotic NPC reassembly through recruitment of the NUP107-160 subcomplex, and is required for correct segregation of mitotic chromosomes. Here we present a systematic functional and structural analysis of MEL-28 in C. elegans early development and human ELYS in cultured cells. We have identified functional domains responsible for nuclear envelope and kinetochore localization, chromatin binding, mitotic spindle matrix association and chromosome segregation. Surprisingly, we found that perturbations to MEL-28’s conserved AT-hook domain do not affect MEL-28 localization although they disrupt MEL-28 function and delay cell cycle progression in a DNA damage checkpoint-dependent manner. Our analyses also uncover a novel meiotic role of MEL-28. Together, these results show that MEL-28 has conserved structural domains that are essential for its fundamental roles in NPC assembly and chromosome segregation.

Most animal cells have a nucleus that contains the genetic material: the chromosomes. The nucleus is enclosed by the nuclear envelope, which provides a physical barrier between the chromosomes and the surrounding cytoplasm, and enables precisely controlled transport of proteins into and out of the nucleus. Transport occurs through nuclear pore complexes, which consist of multiple copies of ~30 different proteins called nucleoporins. Although the composition of nuclear pore complexes is known, the mechanisms of their assembly and function are still unclear. We have analyzed the nucleoporin MEL-28/ELYS through a systematic dissection of functional domains both in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and in human cells. Interestingly, MEL-28/ELYS localizes not only to nuclear pore complexes, but is also associated with chromosomal structures known as kinetochores during cell division. Our studies have revealed that even small perturbations in MEL-28/ELYS can have dramatic consequences on nuclear pore complex assembly as well as on separation of chromosomes during cell division. Surprisingly, inhibition of MEL-28/ELYS causes cell-cycle delay, suggesting activation of a cellular surveillance system for chromosomal damages. Finally, we conclude that the structural domains of MEL-28/ELYS are conserved from nematodes to humans.

Histone H4 lysine 20 acetylation is associated with gene repression in human cells

Histone acetylation is generally associated with gene activation and chromatin decondensation. Recent mass spectrometry analysis has revealed that histone H4 lysine 20, a major methylation site, can also be acetylated. To understand the function of H4 lysine 20 acetylation (H4K20ac), we have developed a specific monoclonal antibody and performed ChIP-seq analysis using HeLa-S3 cells. H4K20ac was enriched around the transcription start sites (TSSs) of minimally expressed genes and in the gene body of expressed genes, in contrast to most histone acetylation being enriched around the TSSs of expressed genes. The distribution of H4K20ac showed little correlation with known histone modifications, including histone H3 methylations. A motif search in H4K20ac-enriched sequences, together with transcription factor binding profiles based on ENCODE ChIP-seq data, revealed that most transcription activators are excluded from H4K20ac-enriched genes and a transcription repressor NRSF/REST co-localized with H4K20ac. These results suggest that H4K20ac is a unique acetylation mark associated with gene repression.