RNAi-directed assembly of heterochromatin in fission yeast

Understanding molecular mechanisms and miRNA-based targets in diabetes foot ulcers

In today's culture, obesity and overweight are serious issues that have an impact on how quickly diabetes develops and how it causes complications. For the development of more effective therapies, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the chronic problems of diabetes. The most prominent effects of diabetes are microvascular abnormalities such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, especially diabetes foot ulcers, as well as macrovascular abnormalities such as heart disease and atherosclerosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which are highly conserved endogenous short non-coding RNA molecules, have been implicated in several physiological functions recently, including the earliest stages of the disease. By binding to particular messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which cause mRNA degradation, translation inhibition, or even gene activation, it primarily regulates posttranscriptional gene expression. These molecules exhibit considerable potential as diagnostic biomarkers for disease and are interesting treatment targets. This review will provide an overview of the latest findings on the key functions that miRNAs role in diabetes and its complications, with an emphasis on the various stages of diabetic wound healing.

Epigenetic analytical approaches in ecotoxicological aquatic research

Environmental epigenetics has become a key research focus in global climate change studies and environmental pollutant investigations impacting aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, triggered by environmental stress conditions, intergenerational DNA methylation changes contribute to biological adaptive responses and survival of organisms to increase their tolerance towards these conditions. To critically review epigenetic analytical approaches in ecotoxicological aquatic research, we evaluated 78 publications reported over the past five years (2016-2021) that applied these methods to investigate the responses of aquatic organisms to environmental changes and pollution. The results show that DNA methylation appears to be the most robust epigenetic regulatory mark studied in aquatic animals. As such, multiple DNA methylation analysis methods have been developed in aquatic organisms, including enzyme restriction digestion-based and methyl-specific immunoprecipitation methods, and bisulfite (in)dependent sequencing strategies. In contrast, only a handful of aquatic studies, i.e. about 15%, have been focusing on histone variants and post-translational modifications due to the lack of species-specific affinity based immunological reagents, such as specific antibodies for chromatin immunoprecipitation applications. Similarly, ncRNA regulation remains as the least popular method used in the field of environmental epigenetics. Insights into the opportunities and challenges of the DNA methylation and histone variant analysis methods as well as decreasing costs of next generation sequencing approaches suggest that large-scale epigenetic environmental studies in model and non-model organisms will soon become available in the near future. Moreover, antibody-dependent and independent methods, such as mass spectrometry-based methods, can be used as an alternative epigenetic approach to characterize global changes of chromatin histone modifications in future aquatic research. Finally, a systematic guide for DNA methylation and histone variant methods is offered for ecotoxicological aquatic researchers to select the most relevant epigenetic analytical approach in their research.

Opposing Roles of FACT for Euchromatin and Heterochromatin in Yeast

DNA is stored in the nucleus of a cell in a folded state; however, only the necessary genetic information is extracted from the required group of genes. The key to extracting genetic information is chromatin ambivalence. Depending on the chromosomal region, chromatin is characterized into low-density "euchromatin" and high-density "heterochromatin", with various factors being involved in its regulation. Here, we focus on chromatin regulation and gene expression by the yeast FACT complex, which functions in both euchromatin and heterochromatin. FACT is known as a histone H2A/H2B chaperone and was initially reported as an elongation factor associated with RNA polymerase II. In budding yeast, FACT activates promoter chromatin by interacting with the transcriptional activators SBF/MBF via the regulation of G1/S cell cycle genes. In fission yeast, FACT plays an important role in the formation of higher-order chromatin structures and transcriptional repression by binding to Swi6, an HP1 family protein, at heterochromatin. This FACT property, which refers to the alternate chromatin-regulation depending on the binding partner, is an interesting phenomenon. Further analysis of nucleosome regulation within heterochromatin is expected in future studies.

Tr-milRNA1 Contributes to Lignocellulase Secretion under Heat Stress by Regulating the Lectin-Type Cargo Receptor Gene Trvip36 in Trichoderma guizhouence NJAU 4742

Background: MicroRNA plays an important role in multifarious biological processes by regulating their corresponding target genes. However, the biological function and regulatory mechanism of fungal microRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs) remain poorly understood. Methods: In this study, combined with deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, milRNAs and their targets from Trichoderma guizhouence NJAU 4742 were isolated and identified under solid-state fermentation (SSF) by using rice straw as the sole carbon source at 28 °C and 37 °C, respectively. Results: A critical milRNA, TGA1_S04_31828 (Tr-milRNA1), was highly expressed under heat stress (37 °C) and adaptively regulated lignocellulase secretion. Overexpression of Tr-milRNA1 (OE-Tr-milRNA1) did not affect vegetative growth, but significantly increased lignocellulose utilization under heat stress. Based on the bioinformatics analysis and qPCR validation, a target of Tr-milRNA1 was identified as Trvip36, a lectin-type cargo receptor. The expression of Tr-milRNA1 and Trvip36 showed a divergent trend under SSF when the temperature was increased from 28 °C to 37 °C. In addition, the expression of Trvip36 was suppressed significantly in Tr-milRNA1 overexpression strain (OE-Tr-milRNA1). Compared with the wild type, deletion of Trvip36 (ΔTrvip36) significantly improved the secretion of lignocellulases by reducing the retention of lignocellulases in the ER under heat stress. Conclusions: Tr-milRNA1 from NJAU 4742 improved lignocellulose utilization under heat stress by regulating the expression of the corresponding target gene Trvip36. These findings might open avenues for exploring the mechanism of lignocellulase secretion in filamentous fungi.

Subtelomeric Chromatin in the Fission Yeast S. pombe

Telomeres play important roles in safeguarding the genome. The specialized repressive chromatin that assembles at telomeres and subtelomeric domains is key to this protective role. However, in many organisms, the repetitive nature of telomeric and subtelomeric sequences has hindered research efforts. The fission yeast S. pombe has provided an important model system for dissection of chromatin biology due to the relative ease of genetic manipulation and strong conservation of important regulatory proteins with higher eukaryotes. Telomeres and the telomere-binding shelterin complex are highly conserved with mammals, as is the assembly of constitutive heterochromatin at subtelomeres. In this review, we seek to summarize recent work detailing the assembly of distinct chromatin structures within subtelomeric domains in fission yeast. These include the heterochromatic SH subtelomeric domains, the telomere-associated sequences (TAS), and ST chromatin domains that assemble highly condensed chromatin clusters called knobs. Specifically, we review new insights into the sequence of subtelomeric domains, the distinct types of chromatin that assemble on these sequences and how histone H3 K36 modifications influence these chromatin structures. We address the interplay between the subdomains of chromatin structure and how subtelomeric chromatin is influenced by both the telomere-bound shelterin complexes and by euchromatic chromatin regulators internal to the subtelomeric domain. Finally, we demonstrate that telomere clustering, which is mediated via the condensed ST chromatin knob domains, does not depend on knob assembly within these domains but on Set2, which mediates H3K36 methylation.

Identification and characterization of Dicer-like genes in leaf rust pathogen (Puccinia triticina) of wheat

Puccinia triticina (P. triticina) is one of the most devastating fungal pathogens of wheat which causes significant annual yield loss to the crop. Understanding the gene regulatory mechanism of the biotrophic pathogen is one of the important aspects of host-pathogen interaction studies. Dicer-like genes are considered as important mediators of RNAi-based gene regulation. In this study, we report the presence of three Dicer-like genes (Pt-DCL1, Pt-DCL2, Pt-DCL3) in P. triticina genome identified through computational and biological analyses. Quantitative real-time PCR studies revealed an increase in the expression of these genes in germinating spore stages. Heterologous expression combined with mass spectrometry analysis of Pt-DCL2 confirmed the presence of a canonical Dicer-like gene in P. triticina. Phylogenetic analysis of the Pt-DCLs with the Dicer-like proteins from other organisms showed a distinct cluster of rust pathogens from the order Pucciniales. The results indicated a species-specific duplication of Dicer-like genes within the wheat rust pathogens. This study, for the first time, reports the presence of Dicer-dependent RNAi pathway in P. triticina that may play a role in gene regulatory mechanism of the pathogen during its development. Our study serves as a vital source of information for further RNAi-based molecular studies for better understanding and management of the wheat leaf rust disease.

RNA-induced initiation of transcriptional silencing (RITS) complex structure and function

Heterochromatic regions of the genome are epigenetically regulated to maintain a heritable '"silent state"'. In fission yeast and other organisms, epigenetic silencing is guided by nascent transcripts, which are targeted by the RNA interference pathway. The key effector complex of the RNA interference pathway consists of small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) associated with Argonaute, assembled into the RNA-induced transcriptional silencing (RITS) complex. This review focuses on our current understanding of how RITS promotes heterochromatin formation, and in particular on the role of Argonaute-containing complexes in many other functions such as quelling, release of RNA polymerases, cellular quiescence and genome defense.

Histone Demethylase KDM4B Promotes DNA Damage by Activating Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1

The histone demethylase KDM4B is frequently overexpressed in various cancer types, and previous studies have indicated that the primary oncogenic function of KDM4B is its ability to demethylate H3K9me3 in different tumors, resulting in altered gene expression and genome instability. A genome-wide analysis to evaluate the effect of KDM4B on the global or local H3K9me3 level has not been performed. In this study, we assess whole-genome H3K9me3 distribution in cancer cells and find that H3K9me3 is largely enriched in long interspersed nuclear element-1 (LINE-1). A significant proportion of KDM4B-dependent H3K9me3 was located in evolutionarily young LINE-1 elements, which likely retain retrotransposition activity. Ectopic expression of KDM4B promoted LINE-1 expression, while depletion of KDM4B reduced it. Furthermore, KDM4B overexpression enhanced LINE-1 retrotransposition efficacy, copy number, and associated DNA damage, presumably via the histone demethylase activity of KDM4B. Breast cancer cell lines expressing high levels of KDM4B also exhibited increased LINE-1 expression and copy number compared with other cell lines. Pharmacologic inhibition of KDM4B significantly reduced LINE-1 expression and DNA damage in breast cancer cells with excessive KDM4B. Our study not only identifies KDM4B as a novel regulator of LINE-1, but it also suggests an unexpected oncogenic role for KDM4B overexpression in tumorigenesis, providing clues for the development of new cancer prevention strategies and therapies. SIGNIFICANCE: The histone demethylase KDM4B promotes tumorigenesis by inducing retrotransposition and DNA damage.

DNA-RNA interactions are critical for chromosome condensation in Escherichia coli

Bacterial chromosome (nucleoid) conformation dictates faithful regulation of gene transcription. The conformation is condition-dependent and is guided by several nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) and at least one nucleoid-associated noncoding RNA, naRNA4. Here we investigated the molecular mechanism of how naRNA4 and the major NAP, HU, acting together organize the chromosome structure by establishing multiple DNA-DNA contacts (DNA condensation). We demonstrate that naRNA4 uniquely acts by forming complexes that may not involve long stretches of DNA-RNA hybrid. Also, uncommonly, HU, a chromosome-associated protein that is essential in the DNA-RNA interactions, is not present in the final complex. Thus, HU plays a catalytic (chaperone) role in the naRNA4-mediated DNA condensation process.

Reversible perturbations of gene regulation after genome editing in Drosophila cells

The prokaryotic phage defense CRISPR/cas-system has developed into a versatile toolbox for genome engineering and genetic studies in many organisms. While many efforts were spent on analyzing the consequences of off-target effects, only few studies addressed side-effects that occur due to the targeted manipulation of the genome. Here, we show that the CRISPR/cas9-mediated integration of an epitope tag in combination with a selection cassette can trigger an siRNA-mediated, epigenetic genome surveillance pathway in Drosophila melanogaster cells. After homology-directed insertion of the sequence coding for the epitope tag and the selection marker, a moderate level of siRNAs covering the inserted sequence and extending into the targeted locus was detected. This response affected protein levels less than two-fold and it persisted even after single cell cloning. However, removal of the selection cassette abolished the siRNA generation, demonstrating that this response is reversible. Consistently, marker-free genome engineering did not trigger the same surveillance mechanism. These two observations indicate that the selection cassette we employed induces an aberrant transcriptional arrangement and ultimately sets off the siRNA production. There have been prior concerns about undesirable effects induced by selection markers, but fortunately we were able to show that at least one of the epigenetic changes reverts as the marker gene is excised. Although the effects observed were rather weak (less than twofold de-repression upon ago2 or dcr-2 knock-down), we recommend that when selection markers are used during genome editing, a strategy for their subsequent removal should always be included.

The intron in centromeric noncoding RNA facilitates RNAi-mediated formation of heterochromatin

In fission yeast, the formation of centromeric heterochromatin is induced through the RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated pathway. Some pre-mRNA splicing mutants (prp) exhibit defective formation of centromeric heterochromatin, suggesting that splicing factors play roles in the formation of heterochromatin, or alternatively that the defect is caused by impaired splicing of pre-mRNAs encoding RNAi factors. Herein, we demonstrate that the splicing factor spPrp16p is enriched at the centromere, and associates with Cid12p (a factor in the RNAi pathway) and the intron-containing dg ncRNA. Interestingly, removal of the dg intron, mutations of its splice sites, or replacement of the dg intron with an euchromatic intron significantly decreased H3K9 dimethylation. We also revealed that splicing of dg ncRNA is repressed in cells and its repression depends on the distance from the transcription start site to the intron. Inefficient splicing was also observed in other intron-containing centromeric ncRNAs, dh and antisense dg, and splicing of antisense dg ncRNA was repressed in the presence of the RNAi factors. Our results suggest that the introns retained in centromeric ncRNAs work as facilitators, co-operating with splicing factors assembled on the intron and serving as a platform for the recruitment of RNAi factors, in the formation of centromeric heterochromatin.

Formation of centromeric heterochromatin is required for correct segregation of sister chromatids during mitosis. In fission yeast, formation of heterochromatin at centromeres is performed through the RNA interference (RNAi) system, which involves processing of noncoding RNAs transcribed from the centromeres. We found that the intron in the centromeric dg ncRNAs facilitates formation of centromeric heterochromatin in fission yeast. We showed that the splicing factor spPrp16p associates with the RNAi factor and intron-containing dg ncRNA. Removal of or mutations in the dg intron significantly decreased H3K9 dimethylation, suggesting that the intron and associated splicing factors serve as a platform for recruitment of RNAi factors. Inefficient splicing is a hallmark of intron-containing centromeric ncRNAs. Such repression of splicing seems to be important for facilitation of heterochromatin formation. Introns in euchromatic regions are removed by splicing to generate functional RNAs, whereas centromeric introns are retained in ncRNAs by splicing repression and play roles in gene silencing. Our findings shed light on the novel roles of introns in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and heterochromatin formation.

Swi1Timeless Prevents Repeat Instability at Fission Yeast Telomeres

Genomic instability associated with DNA replication stress is linked to cancer and genetic pathologies in humans. If not properly regulated, replication stress, such as fork stalling and collapse, can be induced at natural replication impediments present throughout the genome. The fork protection complex (FPC) is thought to play a critical role in stabilizing stalled replication forks at several known replication barriers including eukaryotic rDNA genes and the fission yeast mating-type locus. However, little is known about the role of the FPC at other natural impediments including telomeres. Telomeres are considered to be difficult to replicate due to the presence of repetitive GT-rich sequences and telomere-binding proteins. However, the regulatory mechanism that ensures telomere replication is not fully understood. Here, we report the role of the fission yeast Swi1^Timeless, a subunit of the FPC, in telomere replication. Loss of Swi1 causes telomere shortening in a telomerase-independent manner. Our epistasis analyses suggest that heterochromatin and telomere-binding proteins are not major impediments for telomere replication in the absence of Swi1. Instead, repetitive DNA sequences impair telomere integrity in swi1Δ mutant cells, leading to the loss of repeat DNA. In the absence of Swi1, telomere shortening is accompanied with an increased recruitment of Rad52 recombinase and more frequent amplification of telomere/subtelomeres, reminiscent of tumor cells that utilize the alternative lengthening of telomeres pathway (ALT) to maintain telomeres. These results suggest that Swi1 ensures telomere replication by suppressing recombination and repeat instability at telomeres. Our studies may also be relevant in understanding the potential role of Swi1^Timeless in regulation of telomere stability in cancer cells.

In every round of the cell cycle, cells must accurately replicate their full genetic information. This process is highly regulated, as defects during DNA replication cause genomic instability, leading to various genetic disorders including cancers. To thwart these problems, cells carry an array of complex mechanisms to deal with various obstacles found across the genome that can hamper DNA replication and cause DNA damage. Understanding how these mechanisms are regulated and orchestrated is of paramount importance in the field. In this report, we describe how Swi1, a Timeless-related protein in fission yeast, regulates efficient replication of telomeres, which are considered to be difficult to replicate due to the presence of repetitive DNA and telomere-binding proteins. We show that Swi1 prevents telomere damage and maintains telomere length by protecting integrity of telomeric repeats. Swi1-mediated telomere maintenance is independent of telomerase activity, and loss of Swi1 causes hyper-activation of recombination-based telomere maintenance, which generates heterogeneous telomeres. Similar telomerase-independent and recombination-dependent mechanism is utilized by approximately 15% of human cancers, linking telomere replication defects with cancer development. Thus, our study may be relevant in understanding the role of telomere replication defects in the development of cancers in humans.

A Novel Epigenetic Silencing Pathway Involving the Highly Conserved 5'-3' Exoribonuclease Dhp1/Rat1/Xrn2 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Epigenetic gene silencing plays a critical role in regulating gene expression and contributes to organismal development and cell fate acquisition in eukaryotes. In fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, heterochromatin-associated gene silencing is known to be mediated by RNA processing pathways including RNA interference (RNAi) and a 3’-5’ exoribonuclease complex, the exosome. Here, we report a new RNA-processing pathway that contributes to epigenetic gene silencing and assembly of heterochromatin mediated by 5’-3’ exoribonuclease Dhp1/Rat1/Xrn2. Dhp1 mutation causes defective gene silencing both at peri-centromeric regions and at the silent mating type locus. Intriguingly, mutation in either of the two well-characterized Dhp1-interacting proteins, the Din1 pyrophosphohydrolase or the Rhn1 transcription termination factor, does not result in silencing defects at the main heterochromatic regions. We demonstrate that Dhp1 interacts with heterochromatic factors and is essential in the sequential steps of establishing silencing in a manner independent of both RNAi and the exosome. Genomic and genetic analyses suggest that Dhp1 is involved in post-transcriptional silencing of repetitive regions through its RNA processing activity. The results describe the unexpected role of Dhp1/Rat1/Xrn2 in chromatin-based silencing and elucidate how various RNA-processing pathways, acting together or independently, contribute to epigenetic regulation of the eukaryotic genome.

Epigenetic mechanisms regulate when, where, and how an organism uses the genetic information stored in its genome. They are essential to many cellular processes, such as the regulation of gene expression, genome organization, and cell-fate determination. They also govern growth, development, and ultimately human health. Heterochromatin constitutes silenced chromatic domains, in which gene silencing occurs through epigenetic mechanisms. RNA processing pathways, such as RNA interference (RNAi) and the exosome, are known to mediate the silencing of genes via degradation of unwanted or aberrant transcripts. In this study, we describe a new RNA processing mechanism in epigenetic silencing using fission yeast, a premier model for studying these processes. With genetic, cell biology, and genomic approaches, we uncovered a previously unrecognized function of Dhp1, a highly conserved 5’-3’ exoribonuclease and ortholog of budding yeast Rat1 and metazoan Xrn2. We show that Dhp1 mediates a novel RNA processing mechanism in epigenetic silencing which occurs independently of both RNAi and the exosome. Our results clarify how multiple RNA processing pathways are involved in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression and chromatin organization.

The long non-coding RNA world in yeasts

In recent years, it has become evident that eukaryotic genomes are pervasively transcribed and produce numerous non-coding transcripts, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Although research of such genomic enigmas is in the early stages, a growing number of lncRNAs have been characterized and found to be principal actors in a variety of biological processes rather than merely representing transcriptional noise. Here, we review recent findings on lncRNAs in yeast systems. We especially focus on lncRNA-mediated cellular regulations to respond to environmental changes in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Clues to long noncoding RNA taxonomy1, edited by Dr. Tetsuro Hirose and Dr. Shinichi Nakagawa.

RNAi and heterochromatin assembly

SUMMARY

The involvement of RNA interference (RNAi) in heterochromatin formation has become clear largely through studies in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and plants like Arabidopsis thaliana. This article discusses how heterochromatic small interfering RNAs are produced and how the RNAi machinery participates in the formation and function of heterochromatin.

The histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase DIM-5 modifies chromatin at frequency and represses light-activated gene expression

The transcriptional program controlling the circadian rhythm requires coordinated regulation of chromatin. Characterization of the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding enzyme CHD1 revealed DNA methylation in the promoter of the central clock gene frequency (frq) in Neurospora crassa. In this report, we show that the DNA methylation at frq is not only dependent on the DNA methyltransferase DIM-2 but also on the H3K9 methyltransferase DIM-5 and HP1. Histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) occurs at frq and is most prominent 30 min after light-activated expression. Strains lacking dim-5 have an increase in light-induced transcription, and more White Collar-2 is found associated with the frq promoter. Consistent with the notion that DNA methylation assists in establishing the proper circadian phase, loss of H3K9 methylation results in a phase advance suggesting it delays the onset of frq expression. The dim-5 deletion strain displays an increase in circadian-regulated conidia formation on race tubes and there is a synthetic genetic interaction between dim-5 and ras-1(bd). These results indicate DIM-5 has a regulatory role in muting circadian output. Overall, the data support a model where facultative heterochromatic at frq serves to establish the appropriate phase, mute the light response, and repress circadian output.

Minireview: transgenerational epigenetic inheritance: focus on endocrine disrupting compounds

The idea that what we eat, feel, and experience influences our physical and mental state and can be transmitted to our offspring and even to subsequent generations has been in the popular realm for a long time. In addition to classic gene mutations, we now recognize that some mechanisms for inheritance do not require changes in DNA. The field of epigenetics has provided a new appreciation for the variety of ways biological traits can be transmitted to subsequent generations. Thus, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance has emerged as a new area of research. We have four goals for this minireview. First, we describe the topic and some of the nomenclature used in the literature. Second, we explain the major epigenetic mechanisms implicated in transgenerational inheritance. Next, we examine some of the best examples of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, with an emphasis on those produced by exposing the parental generation to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Finally, we discuss how whole-genome profiling approaches can be used to identify aberrant epigenomic features and gain insight into the mechanism of EDC-mediated transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Our goal is to educate readers about the range of possible epigenetic mechanisms that exist and encourage researchers to think broadly and apply multiple genomic and epigenomic technologies to their work.

Long noncoding RNA-based chromatin control of germ cell differentiation: a yeast perspective

Germ cell differentiation, the cellular process by which a diploid progenitor cell produces by meiotic divisions haploid cells, is conserved from the unicellular yeasts to mammals. Over the recent years, yeast germ cell differentiation process has proven to be a powerful biological system to identify and study several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that play a central role in regulating cellular differentiation by acting directly on chromatin. Remarkably, in the well-studied budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the lncRNA-based chromatin regulations of germ cell differentiation are quite different. In this review, we present an overview of these regulations by focusing on the mechanisms and their respective functions both in S. cerevisiae and in S. pombe. Part of these lncRNA-based chromatin regulations may be conserved in other eukaryotes and play critical roles either in the context of germ cell differentiation or, more generally, in the development of multicellular organisms.

Roles of Piwi proteins in transcriptional regulation mediated by HP1s in cultured silkworm cells

Piwi proteins are part of a superfamily of Argonaute proteins, which are one of the core components of the RNA silencing pathway in many eukaryotes. Piwi proteins are thought to repress the transposon expression both transcriptionally and post-transcriptionally. Recently, Drosophila melanogaster Piwi was recently reported to associate with chromatin and to interact directly with the Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1a). However, similar interactions have not been reported in other higher eukaryotes. Here we show that silkworm Piwi proteins interact with HP1s in the nucleus. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, has two Piwi proteins, Ago3 and Siwi, and two typical HP1 proteins, HP1a and HP1b. We found that HP1a plays an important role in the interaction between Ago3/Siwi and HP1b in the ovary-derived BmN4 cell line. We also found that Ago3/Siwi regulates the transcription in an HP1-dependent manner. These results suggest that silkworm Piwi proteins function as a chromatin regulator in collaboration with HP1a and HP1b.

Neocentromeres: a place for everything and everything in its place

Centromeres are essential for chromosome inheritance and genome stability. Centromeric proteins, including the centromeric histone centromere protein A (CENP-A), define the site of centromeric chromatin and kinetochore assembly. In many organisms, centromeres are located in or near regions of repetitive DNA. However, some atypical centromeres spontaneously form on unique sequences. These neocentromeres, or new centromeres, were first identified in humans, but have since been described in other organisms. Neocentromeres are functionally and structurally similar to endogenous centromeres, but lack the added complication of underlying repetitive sequences. Here, we discuss recent studies in chicken and fungal systems where genomic engineering can promote neocentromere formation. These studies reveal key genomic and epigenetic factors that support de novo centromere formation in eukaryotes.

The epigenome of evolving Drosophila neo-sex chromosomes: dosage compensation and heterochromatin formation

This study shows how young sex chromosomes have altered their chromatin structure in Drosophila, and what genomic changes have led to silencing of the Y, and hyper-transcription of the X.

Sex chromosomes originated from autosomes but have evolved a highly specialized chromatin structure. Drosophila Y chromosomes are composed entirely of silent heterochromatin, while male X chromosomes have highly accessible chromatin and are hypertranscribed as a result of dosage compensation. Here, we dissect the molecular mechanisms and functional pressures driving heterochromatin formation and dosage compensation of the recently formed neo-sex chromosomes of Drosophila miranda. We show that the onset of heterochromatin formation on the neo-Y is triggered by an accumulation of repetitive DNA. The neo-X has evolved partial dosage compensation and we find that diverse mutational paths have been utilized to establish several dozen novel binding consensus motifs for the dosage compensation complex on the neo-X, including simple point mutations at pre-binding sites, insertion and deletion mutations, microsatellite expansions, or tandem amplification of weak binding sites. Spreading of these silencing or activating chromatin modifications to adjacent regions results in massive mis-expression of neo-sex linked genes, and little correspondence between functionality of genes and their silencing on the neo-Y or dosage compensation on the neo-X. Intriguingly, the genomic regions being targeted by the dosage compensation complex on the neo-X and those becoming heterochromatic on the neo-Y show little overlap, possibly reflecting different propensities along the ancestral chromosome that formed the sex chromosome to adopt active or repressive chromatin configurations. Our findings have broad implications for current models of sex chromosome evolution, and demonstrate how mechanistic constraints can limit evolutionary adaptations. Our study also highlights how evolution can follow predictable genetic trajectories, by repeatedly acquiring the same 21-bp consensus motif for recruitment of the dosage compensation complex, yet utilizing a diverse array of random mutational changes to attain the same phenotypic outcome.

Sex chromosomes differ from non-sex chromosomes (“autosomes”) at the genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic level, yet the X and Y share a common evolutionary origin. The Drosophila Y chromosome is gene-poor and associated with a compact and transcriptionally inactive form of genetic material called heterochromatin. The X, in contrast, is enriched for activating chromatin marks and is consequently hyper-transcribed, a process thought to be an adaptation to decay and silencing of genes on the Y, resulting in “dosage compensation.” How sex chromosomes have altered their chromatin structure, and what genomic changes led to this dramatically different epigenetic makeup, however, has remained a mystery. By studying the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome of a species with a very recently evolved pair of sex chromosomes (the neo-X and neo-Y of a fruit fly, Drosophila miranda), we here recapitulate how both dosage compensation and heterochromatin formation evolve in Drosophila and establish several novel and important principles governing the evolution of chromatin structure. We dissect the evolutionary history of over 60 novel binding sites for the dosage compensation complex that evolved by natural selection on the neo-X within the last one million years. We show that the 21-bp consensus motifs for recruiting the dosage compensation complex were acquired by diverse molecular mechanisms along the neo-X, while the onset of heterochromatin formation is triggered by the accumulation of transposable elements, leading to silencing of adjacent neo-Y genes. We find that spreading of these chromatin modifications results in massive mis-expression of neo-sex linked genes, and that little correspondence exists between functional activity of genes on the neo-Y and whether they are dosage-compensated on the neo-X. Intriguingly, the genomic regions being targeted by the dosage compensation complex on the neo-X and those that are heterochromatic on the neo-Y show little overlap, possibly reflecting different propensities of the ancestral chromosome that formed the sex chromosome to evolve active versus repressive chromatin configurations. These findings have broad implications for current models of sex chromosome evolution.

Telomeric repeats facilitate CENP-A(Cnp1) incorporation via telomere binding proteins

The histone H3 variant, CENP-A, is normally assembled upon canonical centromeric sequences, but there is no apparent obligate coupling of sequence and assembly, suggesting that centromere location can be epigenetically determined. To explore the tolerances and constraints on CENP-A deposition we investigated whether certain locations are favoured when additional CENP-A^Cnp1 is present in fission yeast cells. Our analyses show that additional CENP-A^Cnp1 accumulates within and close to heterochromatic centromeric outer repeats, and over regions adjacent to rDNA and telomeres. The use of minichromosome derivatives with unique DNA sequences internal to chromosome ends shows that telomeres are sufficient to direct CENP-A^Cnp1 deposition. However, chromosome ends are not required as CENP-A^Cnp1 deposition also occurs at telomere repeats inserted at an internal locus and correlates with the presence of H3K9 methylation near these repeats. The Ccq1 protein, which is known to bind telomere repeats and recruit telomerase, was found to be required to induce H3K9 methylation and thus promote the incorporation of CENP-A^Cnp1 near telomere repeats. These analyses demonstrate that at non-centromeric chromosomal locations the presence of heterochromatin influences the sites at which CENP-A is incorporated into chromatin and, thus, potentially the location of centromeres.

Toxoplasma histone acetylation remodelers as novel drug targets

Toxoplasma gondii is a leading cause of neurological birth defects and a serious opportunistic pathogen. The authors and others have found that Toxoplasma uses a unique nucleosome composition supporting a fine gene regulation together with other factors. Post-translational modifications in histones facilitate the establishment of a global chromatin environment and orchestrate DNA-related biological processes. Histone acetylation is one of the most prominent post-translational modifications influencing gene expression. Histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases have been intensively studied as potential drug targets. In particular, histone deacetylase inhibitors have activity against apicomplexan parasites, underscoring their potential as a new class of antiparasitic compounds. In this review, we summarize what is known about Toxoplasma histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases, and discuss the inhibitors studied to date. Finally, the authors discuss the distinct possibility that the unique nucleosome composition of Toxoplasma, which harbors a nonconserved H2Bv variant histone, might be targeted in novel therapeutics directed against this parasite.

A major epigenetic programming mechanism guided by piRNAs

A central enigma in epigenetics is how epigenetic factors are guided to specific genomic sites for their function. Previously, we reported that a Piwi-piRNA complex associates with the piRNA-complementary site in the Drosophila genome and regulates its epigenetic state. Here, we report that Piwi-piRNA complexes bind to numerous piRNA-complementary sequences throughout the genome, implicating piRNAs as a major mechanism that guides Piwi and Piwi-associated epigenetic factors to program the genome. To test this hypothesis, we demonstrate that inserting piRNA-complementary sequences to an ectopic site leads to Piwi, HP1a, and Su(var)3-9 recruitment to the site as well as H3K9me2/3 enrichment and reduced RNA polymerase II association, indicating that piRNA is both necessary and sufficient to recruit Piwi and epigenetic factors to specific genomic sites. Piwi deficiency drastically changed the epigenetic landscape and polymerase II profile throughout the genome, revealing the Piwi-piRNA mechanism as a major epigenetic programming mechanism in Drosophila.

Large domain motions in Ago protein controlled by the guide DNA-strand seed region determine the Ago-DNA-mRNA complex recognition process

The recognition mechanism and cleavage activity of argonaute (Ago), miRNA, and mRNA complexes are the core processes to the small non-coding RNA world. The 5′ nucleation at the ‘seed’ region (position 2–8) of miRNA was believed to play a significant role in guiding the recognition of target mRNAs to the given miRNA family. In this paper, we have performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of the related and recently revealed Ago-DNA:mRNA ternary complexes to study the dynamics of the guide-target recognition and the effect of mutations by introducing “damaging” C·C mismatches at different positions in the seed region of the DNA-RNA duplex. Our simulations show that the A-form-like helix duplex gradually distorts as the number of seed mismatches increases and the complex can survive no more than two such mismatches. Severe distortions of the guide-target heteroduplex are observed in the ruinous 4-sites mismatch mutant, which give rise to a bending motion of the PAZ domain along the L1/L2 “hinge-like” connection segment, resulting in the opening of the nucleic-acid-binding channel. These long-range interactions between the seed region and PAZ domain, moderated by the L1/L2 segments, reveal the central role of the seed region in the guide-target strands recognition: it not only determines the guide-target heteroduplex’s nucleation and propagation, but also regulates the dynamic motions of Ago domains around the nucleic-acid-binding channel.

RNA interference pathways in fungi: mechanisms and functions

RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved eukaryotic gene regulatory mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs to mediate posttranscriptional/transcriptional gene silencing. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe and the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa have served as important model systems for RNAi research. Studies on these two organisms and other fungi have contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanisms and functions of RNAi in eukaryotes. In addition, surprisingly diverse RNAi-mediated processes and small RNA biogenesis pathways have been discovered in fungi. In this review, we give an overview of different fungal RNAi pathways with a focus on their mechanisms and functions.

Beyond homeostasis: a predictive-dynamic framework for understanding cellular behavior

Microbial regulatory strategies have long been understood in terms of the homeostatic framework, in which a response is interpreted as a restoring force counteracting the immediate intracellular consequences of a change in the environment. In this review, we summarize the breadth of recent discoveries of cellular behavior extending beyond the homeostatic framework. We argue that the nonrandom structure of native habitats makes environmental fluctuations inherently multidimensional. Beyond its utility for accurate perception of immediate events, the temporal regularity of this multidimensional correlation structure allows microbes to make predictions about the trajectory of their sensory environment. We describe recently discovered examples of such predictive behavior, their physiological benefits, and the underlying evolutionary forces shaping them. These observations compel us to go beyond homeostasis and consider a predictive-dynamic framework in which cellular behavior is orchestrated in response to the meaning of an environmental perturbation, not only its direct and immediate fitness consequences.

Mmi1 RNA surveillance machinery directs RNAi complex RITS to specific meiotic genes in fission yeast

RNA interference (RNAi) silences gene expression by acting both at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in a broad range of eukaryotes. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe the RNA-Induced Transcriptional Silencing (RITS) RNAi complex mediates heterochromatin formation at non-coding and repetitive DNA. However, the targeting and role of RITS at other genomic regions, including protein-coding genes, remain unknown. Here we show that RITS localizes to specific meiotic genes and mRNAs. Remarkably, RITS is guided to these meiotic targets by the RNA-binding protein Mmi1 and its associated RNA surveillance machinery that together degrade selective meiotic mRNAs during vegetative growth. Upon sexual differentiation, RITS localization to the meiotic genes and mRNAs is lost. Large-scale identification of Mmi1 RNA targets reveals that RITS subunit Chp1 associates with the vast majority of them. In addition, loss of RNAi affects the effective repression of sexual differentiation mediated by the Mmi1 RNA surveillance machinery. These findings uncover a new mechanism for recruiting RNAi to specific meiotic genes and suggest that RNAi participates in the control of sexual differentiation in fission yeast.

Linking DNA replication to heterochromatin silencing and epigenetic inheritance

Chromatin is organized into distinct functional domains. During mitotic cell division, both genetic information encoded in DNA sequence and epigenetic information embedded in chromatin structure must be faithfully duplicated. The inheritance of epigenetic states is critical in maintaining the genome integrity and gene expression state. In this review, we will discuss recent progress on how proteins known to be involved in DNA replication and DNA replication-coupled nucleosome assembly impact on the inheritance and maintenance of heterochromatin, a tightly compact chromatin structure that silences gene transcription. As heterochromatin is important in regulating gene expression and maintaining genome stability, understanding how heterochromatin states are inherited during S phase of the cell cycle is of fundamental importance.

Nucleus-localized antisense small RNAs with 5'-polyphosphate termini regulate long term transcriptional gene silencing in Entamoeba histolytica G3 strain

In the deep-branching eukaryotic parasite Entamoeba histolytica, transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) of the Amoebapore A gene (ap-a) in the G3 strain has been reported with subsequent development of this parasite strain for gene silencing. However, the mechanisms underlying this gene silencing approach are poorly understood. Here we report that antisense small RNAs (sRNAs) specific to the silenced ap-a gene can be identified in G3 parasites. Furthermore, when additional genes are silenced in the G3 strain, antisense sRNAs to the newly silenced genes can also be detected. Characterization of these sRNAs demonstrates that they are ~27 nucleotides in size, have 5'-polyphosphate termini, and persist even after removal of the silencing plasmid. Immunofluorescence analysis (IFA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) show that both the Argonaute protein EhAGO2-2 and antisense sRNAs to the silenced genes are localized to the parasite nucleus. Furthermore, α-EhAGO2-2 immunoprecipitation confirmed the direct association of the antisense sRNAs with EhAGO2-2. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrate that the loci of the silenced genes are enriched for histone H3 and EhAGO2-2, indicating that both chromatin modification and the RNA-induced transcriptional silencing complex are involved in permanent gene silencing in G3 parasites. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that G3-based gene silencing in E. histolytica is mediated by an siRNA pathway, which utilizes antisense 5'-polyphosphate sRNAs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that 5'- polyphosphate antisense sRNAs can mediate TGS, and it is the first example of RNAi-mediated TGS in protozoan parasites.

Evidence for involvement of Dicer-like, Argonaute and histone deacetylase proteins in gene silencing in Phytophthora infestans

Gene silencing may have a direct or indirect impact on many biological processes in eukaryotic cells, and is a useful tool for the determination of the roles of specific genes. In this article, we report silencing in Phytophthora infestans, an oomycete pathogen of potato and tomato. Gene silencing is known to occur in P. infestans, but its genetic basis has yet to be determined. Genes encoding the major components of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, Dicer-like (Pidcl1), Argonaute (Piago1-5) and RNA-directed RNA polymerase (Pirdr1), were identified in the P. infestans genome by comparative genomics, together with families of other genes potentially involved in gene silencing, such as histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases, DEAD helicases, chromodomain proteins and a class 1 RNaseIII. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated transcript accumulation for all candidate genes throughout the asexual lifecycle and plant infection, but at different levels of mRNA abundance. A functional assay was developed in which silencing of the sporulation-associated Picdc14 gene was released by the treatment of protoplasts with in vitro-synthesized double-stranded RNAs homologous to Pidcl1, Piago1/2 and histone deacetylase Pihda1. These results suggest that the components of gene silencing, namely Dicer-like, Argonaute and histone deacetylase, are functional in P. infestans. Our data demonstrate that this oomycete possesses canonical gene silencing pathways similar to those of other eukaryotes.

Mapping Post-translational Modifications of Histones H2A, H2B and H4 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Core histones are known to carry a variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation and ubiquitination, which play important roles in the epigenetic control of gene expression. The nature and biological functions of these PTMs in histones from plants, animals and budding yeast have been extensively investigated. In contrast, the corresponding studies for fission yeast were mainly focused on histone H3. In the present study, we applied LC-nano-ESI-MS/MS, coupled with multiple protease digestion, to identify PTMs in histones H2A, H2B and H4 from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (S. pombe), the typical model organism of fission yeast. Various protease digestions provided high sequence coverage for PTM mapping, and accurate mass measurement of fragment ions allowed for unambiguous differentiation of acetylation from tri-methylation. Many modification sites conserved in other organisms were identified in S. pombe. In addition, some unique modification sites, including N-terminal acetylation in H2A and H2B as well as K123 acetylation in H2A.β, were observed. Our results provide a comprehensive picture of the PTMs of histones H2A, H2B and H4 in S. pombe, which serves as a foundation for future investigations on the regulation and functions of histone modifications in this important model organism.

Characterization of the contradictory chromatin signatures at the 3' exons of zinc finger genes

The H3K9me3 histone modification is often found at promoter regions, where it functions to repress transcription. However, we have previously shown that 3′ exons of zinc finger genes (ZNFs) are marked by high levels of H3K9me3. We have now further investigated this unusual location for H3K9me3 in ZNF genes. Neither bioinformatic nor experimental approaches support the hypothesis that the 3′ exons of ZNFs are promoters. We further characterized the histone modifications at the 3′ ZNF exons and found that these regions also contain H3K36me3, a mark of transcriptional elongation. A genome-wide analysis of ChIP-seq data revealed that ZNFs constitute the majority of genes that have high levels of both H3K9me3 and H3K36me3. These results suggested the possibility that the ZNF genes may be imprinted, with one allele transcribed and one allele repressed. To test the hypothesis that the contradictory modifications are due to imprinting, we used a SNP analysis of RNA-seq data to demonstrate that both alleles of certain ZNF genes having H3K9me3 and H3K36me3 are transcribed. We next analyzed isolated ZNF 3′ exons using stably integrated episomes. We found that although the H3K36me3 mark was lost when the 3′ ZNF exon was removed from its natural genomic location, the isolated ZNF 3′ exons retained the H3K9me3 mark. Thus, the H3K9me3 mark at ZNF 3′ exons does not impede transcription and it is regulated independently of the H3K36me3 mark. Finally, we demonstrate a strong relationship between the number of tandemly repeated domains in the 3′ exons and the H3K9me3 mark. We suggest that the H3K9me3 at ZNF 3′ exons may function to protect the genome from inappropriate recombination rather than to regulate transcription.

HP1 recruits activity-dependent neuroprotective protein to H3K9me3 marked pericentromeric heterochromatin for silencing of major satellite repeats

H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) is a histone posttranslational modification (PTM) that has emerged as hallmark of pericentromeric heterochromatin. This constitutive chromatin domain is composed of repetitive DNA elements, whose transcription is differentially regulated. Mammalian cells contain three HP1 proteins, HP1α, HP1β and HP1γ These have been shown to bind to H3K9me3 and are thought to mediate the effects of this histone PTM. However, the mechanisms of HP1 chromatin regulation and the exact functional role at pericentromeric heterochromatin are still unclear. Here, we identify activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) as an H3K9me3 associated factor. We show that ADNP does not bind H3K9me3 directly, but that interaction is mediated by all three HP1 isoforms in vitro. However, in cells ADNP localization to areas of pericentromeric heterochromatin is only dependent on HP1α and HP1β. Besides a PGVLL sequence patch we uncovered an ARKS motif within the ADNP homeodomain involved in HP1 dependent H3K9me3 association and localization to pericentromeric heterochromatin. While knockdown of ADNP had no effect on HP1 distribution and heterochromatic histone and DNA modifications, we found ADNP silencing major satellite repeats. Our results identify a novel factor in the translation of H3K9me3 at pericentromeric heterochromatin that regulates transcription.

ZNF274 recruits the histone methyltransferase SETDB1 to the 3' ends of ZNF genes

Only a small percentage of human transcription factors (e.g. those associated with a specific differentiation program) are expressed in a given cell type. Thus, cell fate is mainly determined by cell type-specific silencing of transcription factors that drive different cellular lineages. Several histone modifications have been associated with gene silencing, including H3K27me3 and H3K9me3. We have previously shown that genes for the two largest classes of mammalian transcription factors are marked by distinct histone modifications; homeobox genes are marked by H3K27me3 and zinc finger genes are marked by H3K9me3. Several histone methyltransferases (e.g. G9a and SETDB1) may be involved in mediating the H3K9me3 silencing mark. We have used ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq to demonstrate that SETDB1, but not G9a, is associated with regions of the genome enriched for H3K9me3. One current model is that SETDB1 is recruited to specific genomic locations via interaction with the corepressor TRIM28 (KAP1), which is in turn recruited to the genome via interaction with zinc finger transcription factors that contain a Kruppel-associated box (KRAB) domain. However, specific KRAB-ZNFs that recruit TRIM28 (KAP1) and SETDB1 to the genome have not been identified. We now show that ZNF274 (a KRAB-ZNF that contains 5 C2H2 zinc finger domains), can interact with KAP1 both in vivo and in vitro and, using ChIP-seq, we show that ZNF274 binding sites co-localize with SETDB1, KAP1, and H3K9me3 at the 3′ ends of zinc finger genes. Knockdown of ZNF274 with siRNAs reduced the levels of KAP1 and SETDB1 recruitment to the binding sites. These studies provide the first identification of a KRAB domain-containing ZNF that is involved in recruitment of the KAP1 and SETDB1 to specific regions of the human genome.

Advancing our understanding of functional genome organisation through studies in the fission yeast

Significant progress has been made in understanding the functional organisation of the cell nucleus. Still many questions remain to be answered about the relationship between the spatial organisation of the nucleus and the regulation of the genome function. There are many conflicting data in the field making it very difficult to merge published results on mammalian cells into one model on subnuclear chromatin organisation. The fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, over the last decades has emerged as a valuable model organism in understanding basic biological mechanisms, especially the cell cycle and chromosome biology. In this review we describe and compare the nuclear organisation in mammalian and fission yeast cells. We believe that fission yeast is a good tool to resolve at least some of the contradictions and unanswered questions concerning functional nuclear architecture, since S. pombe has chromosomes structurally similar to that of human. S. pombe also has the advantage over higher eukaryotes in that the genome can easily be manipulated via homologous recombination making it possible to integrate the tools needed for visualisation of chromosomes using live-cell microscopy. Classical genetic experiments can be used to elucidate what factors are involved in a certain mechanism. The knowledge we have gained during the last few years indicates similarities between the genome organisation in fission yeast and mammalian cells. We therefore propose the use of fission yeast for further advancement of our understanding of functional nuclear organisation.

Cell-free construction of disarmed Abutilon mosaic virus-based gene silencing vectors

The bipartite Abutilon mosaic virus (AbMV) was engineered as a versatile silencing vector in which the coat protein gene of DNA A was deleted and replaced by sequences of interest. Plants transgenic for the dimeric AbMV DNA B component were used as test hosts to minimize the risk of unintended release of the recombinant DNA. The vector construct was stable genetically upon systemic infection and, in common with the parental virus, the vector remained phloem-limited. For virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), a phytoene desaturase gene fragment was isolated from Nicotiana benthamiana (NbPDS) and inserted into the vector. After agroinfection, phytoene desaturase silencing was triggered efficiently in all leaf tissues without interference by viral symptoms. In order to facilitate further the use of the system, a technique for cell-free construction of recombinants was established using rolling circle amplification and biolistic inoculation of DNA B-transgenic plants. This novel procedure provides a convenient and safe way for delivering VIGS constructs for functional genomics.

Insulators and promoters: closer than we think

Insulators prevent promiscuous gene regulation by restricting the action of enhancers and silencers. Recent studies have revealed a number of similarities between insulators and promoters, including binding of specific transcription factors, chromatin-modification signatures and localization to specific subnuclear positions. We propose that enhancer-blockers and silencing barrier-insulators might have evolved as specialized derivatives of promoters and that the two types of element use related mechanisms to mediate their distinct functions. These insights can help to reconcile different models of insulator action.

Sex chromosome inactivation in the male

Mammalian females have two X chromosomes, while males have only one X plus a Y chromosome. In order to balance X-linked gene dosage between the sexes, one X chromosome undergoes inactivation during development of female embryos. This process has been termed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). Inactivation of the single X chromosome also occurs in the male, but is transient and is confined to the late stages of first meiotic prophase during spermatogenesis. This phenomenon has been termed meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). A substantial portion ( approximately 15-25%) of X-linked mRNA-encoding genes escapes XCI in female somatic cells. While no mRNA genes are known to escape MSCI in males, approximately 80% of X-linked miRNA genes have been shown to escape this process. Recent results have led to the proposal that the RNA interference mechanism may be involved in regulating XCI in female cells. We suggest that some MSCI-escaping miRNAs may play a similar role in regulating MSCI in male germ cells.

The Drosophila HP1 homolog Rhino is required for transposon silencing and piRNA production by dual-strand clusters

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) silence transposons and maintain genome integrity during germline development. In Drosophila, transposon-rich heterochromatic clusters encode piRNAs either on both genomic strands (dual-strand clusters) or predominantly one genomic strand (uni-strand clusters). Primary piRNAs derived from these clusters are proposed to drive a ping-pong amplification cycle catalyzed by proteins that localize to the perinuclear nuage. We show that the HP1 homolog Rhino is required for nuage organization, transposon silencing, and ping-pong amplification of piRNAs. rhi mutations virtually eliminate piRNAs from the dual-strand clusters and block production of putative precursor RNAs from both strands of the major 42AB dual-strand cluster, but not of transcripts or piRNAs from the uni-strand clusters. Furthermore, Rhino protein associates with the 42AB dual-strand cluster,but does not bind to uni-strand cluster 2 or flamenco. Rhino thus appears to promote transcription of dual-strand clusters, leading to production of piRNAs that drive the ping-pong amplification cycle.

Evolutionary origin and genomic organization of micro-RNA genes in immunoglobulin lambda variable region gene family

The genomic organizations and functions of many miRNA genes have been described in recent years, but the origin and evolution of miRNAs in the exons of protein-coding genes are not well understood. The overlap of miR-650 genes with the protein-coding region of immunoglobulin lambda variable (IGVL) region genes has given a unique opportunity to witness a birth of miRNA gene. Both sequence comparisons and structure predictions indicate that the miR-650 genes are present in multiple copies and overlap in the same transcription orientation with the leader exon of primate IGVL genes of a specific phylogenetic clan (clan II). By reconstructing the phylogeny of the clan II IGVL genes, the stages in which the mutations accumulated in the leader exon and gave rise to a stable hairpin structure of miR-650 could be documented. The copy number variation of miR-650 genes among different species is the result of the duplication or deletion of the IGVL genes. To my knowledge, this is the first report of a genomic association between miRNA and the protein-coding genes of a multigene family. Analysis of the upstream region of the leader exon suggests that the IGVL and the mir-650 genes use the same promoter region for their transcription. However, in contrast to the general expectation about the expression of miRNAs that overlap with other genes in the same transcriptional orientation, this analysis provides evidence that the miR-650 gene is apparently transcribed independently of the IGVL gene with which it overlaps because they are expressed in different cell types.

Monoallelic gene expression in mammals

Three systems of monoallelic gene expression in mammals are known, namely, X-chromosome inactivation, imprinting, and allelic exclusion. In all three systems, monoallelic expression is regulated epigenetically and is frequently directed by long non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This review briefs all three systems of monoallelic gene expression in mammals focusing on chromatin modifications, spatial chromosome organization in the nucleus, and the functioning of ncRNAs.

Biogenesis of small RNAs in animals

Small RNAs of 20-30 nucleotides can target both chromatin and transcripts, and thereby keep both the genome and the transcriptome under extensive surveillance. Recent progress in high-throughput sequencing has uncovered an astounding landscape of small RNAs in eukaryotic cells. Various small RNAs of distinctive characteristics have been found and can be classified into three classes based on their biogenesis mechanism and the type of Argonaute protein that they are associated with: microRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs or esiRNAs) and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). This Review summarizes our current knowledge of how these intriguing molecules are generated in animal cells.

Small RNAs and their roles in plant development

Small RNAs of 20-30 nucleotides guide regulatory processes at the DNA or RNA level in a wide range of eukaryotic organisms. Many, although not all, small RNAs are processed from double-stranded RNAs or single-stranded RNAs with local hairpin structures by RNase III enzymes and are loaded into argonaute-protein-containing effector complexes. Many eukaryotic organisms have evolved multiple members of RNase III and the argonaute family of proteins to accommodate different classes of small RNAs with specialized molecular functions. Some small RNAs cause transcriptional gene silencing by guiding heterochromatin formation at homologous loci, whereas others lead to posttranscriptional gene silencing through mRNA degradation or translational inhibition. Small RNAs are not only made from and target foreign nucleic acids such as viruses and transgenes, but are also derived from endogenous loci and regulate a multitude of developmental and physiological processes. Here I review the biogenesis and function of three major classes of endogenous small RNAs in plants: microRNAs, trans-acting siRNAs, and heterochromatic siRNAs, with an emphasis on the roles of these small RNAs in developmental regulation.