1
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Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Updated understanding of the protein-DNA recognition code used by C2H2 zinc finger proteins. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 87:102836. [PMID: 38754172 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
C2H2 zinc-finger (ZF) proteins form the largest family of DNA-binding transcription factors coded by mammalian genomes. In a typical DNA-binding ZF module, there are twelve residues (numbered from -1 to -12) between the last zinc-coordinating cysteine and the first zinc-coordinating histidine. The established C2H2-ZF "recognition code" suggests that residues at positions -1, -4, and -7 recognize the 5', central, and 3' bases of a DNA base-pair triplet, respectively. Structural studies have highlighted that additional residues at positions -5 and -8 also play roles in specific DNA recognition. The presence of bulky and either charged or polar residues at these five positions determines specificity for given DNA bases: guanine is recognized by arginine, lysine, or histidine; adenine by asparagine or glutamine; thymine or 5-methylcytosine by glutamate; and unmodified cytosine by aspartate. This review discusses recent structural characterizations of C2H2-ZFs that add to our understanding of the principles underlying the C2H2-ZF recognition code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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2
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Zhang G, Zhou X, Feng Q, Ke W, Pan J, Zhang H, Luan Y, Lei B. Nerolidol reduces depression-like behavior in mice and suppresses microglia activation by down-regulating DNA methyltransferase 1. Neuroreport 2024; 35:457-465. [PMID: 38526920 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000002029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Modern medicine has unveiled that essential oil made from Aquilaria possesses sedative and hypnotic effects. Among the chemical components in Aquilaria, nerolidol, a natural sesquiterpene alcohol, has shown promising effects. This study aimed to unravel the potential of nerolidol in treating depression. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was utilized to induce depression-like behavior in mice, and open field test, sucrose preference, and tail suspension test was conducted. The impacts of nerolidol on the inflammatory response, microglial activation, and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) were assessed. To study the regulatory role of DNMT1, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to treat BV2 cells, followed by the evaluation of cell viability and DNMT1 level. Additionally, the influence of DNMT1 overexpression on BV2 cell activation was determined. Behavioral analysis revealed that nerolidol reduced depression-like behavior in mice. Nerolidol reduced the levels of inflammatory factors and microglial activation caused by CUMS. Nerolidol treatment was found to reduce DNMT1 levels in mouse brain tissue and it also decrease the LPS-induced increase in DNMT1 levels in BV2 cells. DNMT1 overexpression reversed the impacts of nerolidol on the inflammation response and cell activation. This study underscores the potential of nerolidol in reducing CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior and inhibiting microglial activation by downregulating DNMT1. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential of nerolidol as a therapeutic option for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangcai Zhang
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Xiaohui Zhou
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Qifan Feng
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Weihua Ke
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
- Graduate School, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiahui Pan
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Yixian Luan
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
| | - Beibei Lei
- Rehabilitation Department, Hainan Medical College Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hainan Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Haikou, Hainan
- Graduate School, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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3
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Belle R, Saraç H, Salah E, Bhushan B, Szykowska A, Roper G, Tumber A, Kriaucionis S, Burgess-Brown N, Schofield CJ, Brown T, Kawamura A. Focused Screening Identifies Different Sensitivities of Human TET Oxygenases to the Oncometabolite 2-Hydroxyglutarate. J Med Chem 2024; 67:4525-4540. [PMID: 38294854 PMCID: PMC10983004 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation enzymes (TETs) are Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate (2OG) oxygenases that catalyze the sequential oxidation of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-formylcytosine, and 5-carboxylcytosine in eukaryotic DNA. Despite their roles in epigenetic regulation, there is a lack of reported TET inhibitors. The extent to which 2OG oxygenase inhibitors, including clinically used inhibitors and oncometabolites, modulate DNA modifications via TETs has been unclear. Here, we report studies on human TET1-3 inhibition by a set of 2OG oxygenase-focused inhibitors, employing both enzyme-based and cellular assays. Most inhibitors manifested similar potencies for TET1-3 and caused increases in cellular 5hmC levels. (R)-2-Hydroxyglutarate, an oncometabolite elevated in isocitrate dehydrogenase mutant cancer cells, showed different degrees of inhibition, with TET1 being less potently inhibited than TET3 and TET2, potentially reflecting the proposed role of TET2 mutations in tumorigenesis. The results highlight the tractability of TETs as drug targets and provide starting points for selective inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roman Belle
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Chemistry
− School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Hilal Saraç
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Chemistry
− School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Radcliffe
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human
Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7BN Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eidarus Salah
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7DQ Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Bhaskar Bhushan
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Radcliffe
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human
Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7BN Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandra Szykowska
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7DQ Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Grace Roper
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Chemistry
− School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Tumber
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Ineos Oxford
Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University
of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Skirmantas Kriaucionis
- Ludwig
Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7DQ Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Burgess-Brown
- Centre
for Medicines Discovery, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building,
Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7DQ Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Schofield
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Ineos Oxford
Institute for Antimicrobial Research, University
of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Brown
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Akane Kawamura
- Chemistry
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, OX1 3TA Oxford, United Kingdom
- Chemistry
− School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
- Radcliffe
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human
Genetics, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7BN Oxford, United Kingdom
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4
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Chen Y, Xu J, Liu X, Guo L, Yi P, Cheng C. Potential therapies targeting nuclear metabolic regulation in cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e421. [PMID: 38034101 PMCID: PMC10685089 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The interplay between genetic alterations and metabolic dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal axis in cancer pathogenesis. Both elements are mutually reinforcing, thereby expediting the ontogeny and progression of malignant neoplasms. Intriguingly, recent findings have highlighted the translocation of metabolites and metabolic enzymes from the cytoplasm into the nuclear compartment, where they appear to be intimately associated with tumor cell proliferation. Despite these advancements, significant gaps persist in our understanding of their specific roles within the nuclear milieu, their modulatory effects on gene transcription and cellular proliferation, and the intricacies of their coordination with the genomic landscape. In this comprehensive review, we endeavor to elucidate the regulatory landscape of metabolic signaling within the nuclear domain, namely nuclear metabolic signaling involving metabolites and metabolic enzymes. We explore the roles and molecular mechanisms through which metabolic flux and enzymatic activity impact critical nuclear processes, including epigenetic modulation, DNA damage repair, and gene expression regulation. In conclusion, we underscore the paramount significance of nuclear metabolic signaling in cancer biology and enumerate potential therapeutic targets, associated pharmacological interventions, and implications for clinical applications. Importantly, these emergent findings not only augment our conceptual understanding of tumoral metabolism but also herald the potential for innovative therapeutic paradigms targeting the metabolism-genome transcriptional axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Xiaoyi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Linlin Guo
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chunming Cheng
- Department of Radiation OncologyJames Comprehensive Cancer Center and College of Medicine at The Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
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5
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Li J, Cui Z, Fan C, Zhou Y, Ren M, Zhou C. Photo-caged 2-butene-1,4-dial as an efficient, target-specific photo-crosslinker for covalent trapping of DNA-binding proteins. Chem Sci 2023; 14:10884-10891. [PMID: 37829010 PMCID: PMC10566456 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03719c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Covalent trapping of DNA-binding proteins via photo-crosslinking is an advantageous method for studying DNA-protein interactions. However, traditional photo-crosslinkers generate highly reactive intermediates that rapidly and non-selectively react with nearby functional groups, resulting in low target-capture yields and high non-target background capture. Herein, we report that photo-caged 2-butene-1,4-dial (PBDA) is an efficient photo-crosslinker for trapping DNA-binding proteins. Photo-irradiation (360 nm) of PBDA-modified DNA generates 2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA), a small, long-lived intermediate that reacts selectively with Lys residues of DNA-binding proteins, leading in minutes to stable DNA-protein crosslinks in up to 70% yield. In addition, BDA exhibits high specificity for target proteins, leading to low non-target background capture. The high photo-crosslinking yield and target specificity make PBDA a powerful tool for studying DNA-protein interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Zenghui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Chaochao Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Yifei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Mengtian Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
| | - Chuanzheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China
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6
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Yang J, Horton JR, Liu B, Corces VG, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Structures of CTCF-DNA complexes including all 11 zinc fingers. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:8447-8462. [PMID: 37439339 PMCID: PMC10484683 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binds tens of thousands of enhancers and promoters on mammalian chromosomes by means of its 11 tandem zinc finger (ZF) DNA-binding domain. In addition to the 12-15-bp CORE sequence, some of the CTCF binding sites contain 5' upstream and/or 3' downstream motifs. Here, we describe two structures for overlapping portions of human CTCF, respectively, including ZF1-ZF7 and ZF3-ZF11 in complex with DNA that incorporates the CORE sequence together with either 3' downstream or 5' upstream motifs. Like conventional tandem ZF array proteins, ZF1-ZF7 follow the right-handed twist of the DNA, with each finger occupying and recognizing one triplet of three base pairs in the DNA major groove. ZF8 plays a unique role, acting as a spacer across the DNA minor groove and positioning ZF9-ZF11 to make cross-strand contacts with DNA. We ascribe the difference between the two subgroups of ZF1-ZF7 and ZF8-ZF11 to residues at the two positions -6 and -5 within each finger, with small residues for ZF1-ZF7 and bulkier and polar/charged residues for ZF8-ZF11. ZF8 is also uniquely rich in basic amino acids, which allows salt bridges to DNA phosphates in the minor groove. Highly specific arginine-guanine and glutamine-adenine interactions, used to recognize G:C or A:T base pairs at conventional base-interacting positions of ZFs, also apply to the cross-strand interactions adopted by ZF9-ZF11. The differences between ZF1-ZF7 and ZF8-ZF11 can be rationalized structurally and may contribute to recognition of high-affinity CTCF binding sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Victor G Corces
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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7
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Zhou J, Horton JR, Kaur G, Chen Q, Li X, Mendoza F, Wu T, Blumenthal RM, Zhang X, Cheng X. Biochemical and structural characterization of the first-discovered metazoan DNA cytosine-N4 methyltransferase from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105017. [PMID: 37414145 PMCID: PMC10406627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Much is known about the generation, removal, and roles of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) in eukaryote DNA, and there is a growing body of evidence regarding N6-methyladenine, but very little is known about N4-methylcytosine (4mC) in the DNA of eukaryotes. The gene for the first metazoan DNA methyltransferase generating 4mC (N4CMT) was reported and characterized recently by others, in tiny freshwater invertebrates called bdelloid rotifers. Bdelloid rotifers are ancient, apparently asexual animals, and lack canonical 5mC DNA methyltransferases. Here, we characterize the kinetic properties and structural features of the catalytic domain of the N4CMT protein from the bdelloid rotifer Adineta vaga. We find that N4CMT generates high-level methylation at preferred sites, (a/c)CG(t/c/a), and low-level methylation at disfavored sites, exemplified by ACGG. Like the mammalian de novo 5mC DNA methyltransferase 3A/3B (DNMT3A/3B), N4CMT methylates CpG dinucleotides on both DNA strands, generating hemimethylated intermediates and eventually fully methylated CpG sites, particularly in the context of favored symmetric sites. In addition, like DNMT3A/3B, N4CMT methylates non-CpG sites, mainly CpA/TpG, though at a lower rate. Both N4CMT and DNMT3A/3B even prefer similar CpG-flanking sequences. Structurally, the catalytic domain of N4CMT closely resembles the Caulobacter crescentus cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase. The symmetric methylation of CpG, and similarity to a cell cycle-regulated DNA methyltransferase, together suggest that N4CMT might also carry out DNA synthesis-dependent methylation following DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jujun Zhou
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Gundeep Kaur
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Qin Chen
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xuwen Li
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fabian Mendoza
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tao Wu
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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8
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Kreibich E, Kleinendorst R, Barzaghi G, Kaspar S, Krebs AR. Single-molecule footprinting identifies context-dependent regulation of enhancers by DNA methylation. Mol Cell 2023; 83:787-802.e9. [PMID: 36758546 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Enhancers are cis-regulatory elements that control the establishment of cell identities during development. In mammals, enhancer activation is tightly coupled with DNA demethylation. However, whether this epigenetic remodeling is necessary for enhancer activation is unknown. Here, we adapted single-molecule footprinting to measure chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding as a function of the presence of methylation on the same DNA molecules. We leveraged natural epigenetic heterogeneity at active enhancers to test the impact of DNA methylation on their chromatin accessibility in multiple cell lineages. Although reduction of DNA methylation appears dispensable for the activity of most enhancers, we identify a class of cell-type-specific enhancers where DNA methylation antagonizes the binding of transcription factors. Genetic perturbations reveal that chromatin accessibility and transcription factor binding require active demethylation at these loci. Thus, in addition to safeguarding the genome from spurious activation, DNA methylation directly controls transcription factor occupancy at active enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Kreibich
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Collaboration for Joint PhD Degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rozemarijn Kleinendorst
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Guido Barzaghi
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Biosciences, Collaboration for Joint PhD Degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah Kaspar
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arnaud R Krebs
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Genome Biology Unit, Meyerhofstraße 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
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9
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Jansson-Fritzberg LI, Sousa CI, Smallegan MJ, Song JJ, Gooding AR, Kasinath V, Rinn JL, Cech TR. DNMT1 inhibition by pUG-fold quadruplex RNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 29:346-360. [PMID: 36574982 PMCID: PMC9945446 DOI: 10.1261/rna.079479.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation is one of the earliest hallmarks of cancer. DNMT1 is responsible for methylating newly replicated DNA, but the precise regulation of DNMT1 to ensure faithful DNA methylation remains poorly understood. A link between RNA and chromatin-associated proteins has recently emerged, and several studies have shown that DNMT1 can be regulated by a variety of RNAs. In this study, we have confirmed that human DNMT1 indeed interacts with multiple RNAs, including its own nuclear mRNA. Unexpectedly, we found that DNMT1 exhibits a strong and specific affinity for GU-rich RNAs that form a pUG-fold, a noncanonical G-quadruplex. We find that pUG-fold-capable RNAs inhibit DNMT1 activity by inhibiting binding of hemimethylated DNA, and we additionally provide evidence for multiple RNA binding modes with DNMT1. Together, our data indicate that a human chromatin-associated protein binds to and is regulated by pUG-fold RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea I Jansson-Fritzberg
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Camila I Sousa
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Michael J Smallegan
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Jessica J Song
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Anne R Gooding
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Vignesh Kasinath
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - John L Rinn
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
| | - Thomas R Cech
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80303, USA
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10
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Kim M, Delgado E, Ko S. DNA methylation in cell plasticity and malignant transformation in liver diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 241:108334. [PMID: 36535346 PMCID: PMC9841769 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The liver possesses extraordinary regenerative capacity mainly attributable to the ability of hepatocytes (HCs) and biliary epithelial cells (BECs) to self-replicate. This ability is left over from their bipotent parent cell, the hepatoblast, during development. When this innate regeneration is compromised due to the absence of proliferative parenchymal cells, such as during cirrhosis, HCs and BEC can transdifferentiate; thus, adding another layer of complexity to the process of liver repair. In addition, dysregulated lineage maintenance in these two cell populations has been shown to promote malignant growth in experimental conditions. Here, malignant transformation, driven in part by insufficient maintenance of lineage reprogramming, contributes to end-stage liver disease. Epigenetic changes are key drivers for cell fate decisions as well as transformation by finetuning overall transcription and gene expression. In this review, we address how altered DNA methylation contributes to the initiation and progression of hepatic cell fate conversion and cancer formation. We also discussed the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting DNA methylation in liver cancer, its current limitations, and what future research is necessary to facilitate its contribution to clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minwook Kim
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Evan Delgado
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Sungjin Ko
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America; Pittsburgh Liver Research Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America.
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11
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Xu C, Zhao S, Cai L. Epigenetic (De)regulation in Prostate Cancer. Cancer Treat Res 2023; 190:321-360. [PMID: 38113006 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-45654-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease exhibiting both genetic and epigenetic deregulations. Epigenetic alterations are defined as changes not based on DNA sequence, which include those of DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. Androgen receptor (AR) is the main driver for PCa and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a backbone treatment for patients with PCa; however, ADT resistance almost inevitably occurs and advanced diseases develop termed castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), due to both genetic and epigenetic changes. Due to the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications, inhibitors targeting epigenetic factors have become promising anti-cancer agents. In this chapter, we focus on recent studies about the dysregulation of epigenetic regulators crucially involved in the initiation, development, and progression of PCa and discuss the potential use of inhibitors targeting epigenetic modifiers for treatment of advanced PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Xu
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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12
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Ding J, Jiang H, Su B, Wang S, Chen X, Tan Y, Shen L, Wang J, Shi M, Lin H, Zhang Z. DNMT1/miR-130a/ZEB1 Regulatory Pathway Affects the Inflammatory Response in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Sepsis. DNA Cell Biol 2022; 41:479-486. [PMID: 35486848 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.1060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a global health care issue that affects millions of people. DNA methyltransferase I (DNMT1)-mediated DNA methylation is involved in a number of human diseases by affecting many types of cellular progression events. However, the role and underlying molecular mechanism of DNMT1 in development of sepsis remain largely unknown. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced lung fibrosis in the sepsis mouse model, and DNMT1 was upregulated in lung tissues of a sepsis mouse model compared with lung tissues from control mice. Then, this study demonstrated that LPS induced the production of interleukin (IL)-7 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and promoted DNMT1 expression in primary type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECII cells). Knockdown of DNMT1 inhibited IL-7 and TNF-α secretion in AECII cells exposed to LPS. Further study demonstrated that DNMT1 repressed the expression of miR-130a in AECII cells with or without LPS exposure. Next, this study demonstrated that miR-130a inhibited ZEB1 expression in AECII cells exposed to LPS. Ultimately, this study revealed the role of the DNMT1/miR-130a/ZEB1 regulatory pathway in AECII cells exposed to LPS. Overall, our data revealed that LPS induced the secretion of inflammatory factors by modulating the DNMT1/miR-130a/ZEB1 regulatory pathway in AECII cells, thus providing a novel theoretical basis that might be beneficial for establishment of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurong Ding
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongbin Jiang
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Su
- Department of Central Laboratory, and Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shanmei Wang
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanlin Tan
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Minxing Shi
- Department of Respirology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Haixu Lin
- Department of Central Laboratory, and Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhemin Zhang
- Department of Respirology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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13
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Keating ST, El-Osta A. Metaboloepigenetics in cancer, immunity and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 119:357-370. [PMID: 35389425 PMCID: PMC10064843 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of cellular metabolism on epigenetic pathways are well documented but misunderstood. Scientists have long known of the metabolic impact on epigenetic determinants. More often than not, that title role for DNA methylation was portrayed by the metabolite SAM or S-adenosylmethionine. Technically speaking there are many other metabolites that drive epigenetic processes that instruct seemingly distant - yet highly connect pathways - and none more so than our understanding of the cancer epigenome. Recent studies have shown that available energy link the extracellular environment to influence cellular responses. This focused review examines the recent interest in epigenomics and casts cancer, metabolism and immunity in unfamiliar roles - cooperating. There are not only language lessons from cancer research, we have come round to appreciate that reaching into areas previously thought of as too distinct are also object lessons in understanding health and disease. The Warburg effect is one such signature of how glycolysis influences metabolic shift during oncogenesis. That shift in metabolism - now recognised as central to proliferation in cancer biology - influence core enzymes that not only control gene expression but are also central to replication, condensation and the repair of nucleic acid. These nuclear processes rely on metabolism and with glucose at center stage the role of respiration and oxidative metabolism are now synonymous with the mitochondria as the powerhouses of metaboloepigenetics. The emerging evidence for metaboloepigenetics in trained innate immunity has revealed recognisable signalling pathways with antecedent extracellular stimulation. With due consideration to immunometabolism we discuss the striking signalling similarities influencing these core pathways. The immunometabolic-epigenetic axis in cardiovascular disease has deeply etched connections with inflammation and we examine the chromatin template as a carrier of epigenetic indices that determine the expression of genes influencing atherosclerosis and vascular complications of diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Keating
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen DK-2200, Denmark
| | - Assam El-Osta
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.,Epigenetics in Human Health and Disease Laboratory, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.,Hong Kong Institute of Diabetes and Obesity, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 3/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, 30-32 Ngan Shing Street, Sha Tin, Hong Kong SAR.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.,University College Copenhagen, Faculty of Health, Department of Technology, Biomedical Laboratory Science, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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The Controversial Role of HCY and Vitamin B Deficiency in Cardiovascular Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071412. [PMID: 35406025 PMCID: PMC9003430 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasma homocysteine (HCY) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease CVD and stroke. However, more than two decades of intensive research activities has failed to demonstrate that Hcy lowering through B-vitamin supplementation results in a reduction in CVD risk. Therefore, doubts about a causal involvement of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and B-vitamin deficiencies in atherosclerosis persist. Existing evidence indicates that HHcy increases oxidative stress, causes endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) stress, alters DNA methylation and, thus, modulates the expression of numerous pathogenic and protective genes. Moreover, Hcy can bind directly to proteins, which can change protein function and impact the intracellular redox state. As most mechanistic evidence is derived from experimental studies with rather artificial settings, the relevance of these results in humans remains a matter of debate. Recently, it has also been proposed that HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies may promote CVD through accelerated telomere shortening and telomere dysfunction. This review provides a critical overview of the existing literature regarding the role of HHcy and B-vitamin deficiencies in CVD. At present, the CVD risk associated with HHcy and B vitamins is not effectively actionable. Therefore, routine screening for HHcy in CVD patients is of limited value. However, B-vitamin depletion is rather common among the elderly, and in such cases existing deficiencies should be corrected. While Hcy-lowering with high doses of B vitamins has no beneficial effects in secondary CVD prevention, the role of Hcy in primary disease prevention is insufficiently studied. Therefore, more intervention and experimental studies are needed to address existing gaps in knowledge.
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15
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Chen S, Zhou M, Dong A, Loppnau P, Wang M, Min J, Liu K. Structural basis of the TAM domain of BAZ2A in binding to DNA or RNA independent of methylation status. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101351. [PMID: 34715126 PMCID: PMC8600091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain protein 2A (BAZ2A) (also called transcription termination factor-1 interacting protein 5), a key component of the nucleolar remodeling complex, recruits the nucleolar remodeling complex to ribosomal RNA genes, leading to their transcriptional repression. In addition to its tandem plant homeodomain-bromodomain that is involved in binding to acetylated histone H4, BAZ2A also contains a methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD)-like Tip5/ARBP/MBD (TAM) domain that shares sequence homology with the MBD. In contrast with the methyl-CpG-binding ability of the canonical MBD, the BAZ2A TAM domain has been shown to bind to promoter-associated RNAs of ribosomal RNA genes and promoter DNAs of other genes independent of DNA methylation. Nevertheless, how the TAM domain binds to RNA/DNA mechanistically remains elusive. Here, we characterized the DNA-/RNA-binding basis of the BAZ2A TAM domain by EMSAs, isothermal titration calorimetry binding assays, mutagenesis analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Our results showed that the TAM domain of BAZ2A selectively binds to dsDNA and dsRNA and that it binds to the backbone of dsDNA in a sequence nonspecific manner, which is distinct from the base-specific binding of the canonical MBD. Thus, our results explain why the TAM domain of BAZ2A does not specifically bind to mCG or TG dsDNA like the canonical MBD and also provide insights for further biological study of BAZ2A acting as a transcription factor in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhuo Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Mengqi Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Aiping Dong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Loppnau
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Min Wang
- Testing & Analysis Center, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jinrong Min
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, PR China; Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Ke Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, PR China.
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16
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Yang Y, Ren R, Ly LC, Horton JR, Li F, Quinlan KGR, Crossley M, Shi Y, Cheng X. Structural basis for human ZBTB7A action at the fetal globin promoter. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109759. [PMID: 34592153 PMCID: PMC8553545 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Elevated levels of fetal globin protect against β-hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia. Two zinc-finger (ZF) repressors, BCL11A and ZBTB7A/LRF, bind directly to the fetal globin promoter elements positioned at −115 and −200, respectively. Here, we describe X-ray structures of the ZBTB7A DNA-binding domain, consisting of four adjacent ZFs, in complex with the −200 sequence element, which contains two copies of four consecutive C:G base pairs. ZF1 and ZF2 recognize the 5′ C:G quadruple, and ZF4 contacts the 3′ C:G quadruple. Natural non-coding DNA mutations associated with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) impair ZBTB7A DNA binding, with the most severe disruptions resulting from mutations in the base pairs recognized by ZF1 and ZF2. Our results firmly establish ZBTB7A/LRF as a key molecular regulator of fetal globin expression and inform genome-editing strategies that inhibit repressor binding and boost fetal globin expression to treat hemoglobinopathies. Yang et al. show that the transcription factor ZBTB7A has features that deviate from conventional one finger-three bases recognition. Among the four fingers, ZF1 and ZF2 each contact two DNA bases. ZF3 does not make base-specific contacts but serves as a spacer to position ZF4 into the right location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Ren Ren
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lana C Ly
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Fudong Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kate G R Quinlan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Merlin Crossley
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia.
| | - Yunyu Shi
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Membraneless Organelles and Cellular Dynamics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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17
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Bie LH, Fei JW, Gao J. Molecular mechanism of methyl-dependent and spatial-specific DNA recognition of c-Jun homodimer. J Mol Model 2021; 27:227. [PMID: 34264385 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-021-04840-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is important in regulation of gene expression and normal development because it alters the interplay between protein and DNA. Experiments have shown that a single 5-methylcytosine at different CpG sites (mCpG) might have different effects on specific recognition, but the atomistic origin and dynamic details are largely unclear. In this work, we investigated the mechanism of monomethylation at different CpG sites in the cognate motif and the cooperativity of full methylation. By constructing four models of c-Jun/Jun protein binding to the 5[Formula: see text]-XGAGTCA-3[Formula: see text] (X represents C or methylated C) motif, we characterized the dynamics of the contact interface using the all-atom molecular dynamics method. Free energy analysis of MM/GBSA suggests that regardless of whether the C12pG13 site of the bottom strand is methylated, the effects from mC25 of the top strand are dominant and can moderately enhance the binding by [Formula: see text] 31 kcal/mol, whereas mC12 showed a relatively small contribution, in agreement with the experimental data. Remarkably, we found that this spatial-specific influence was induced by different regulatory rules. The influence of the mC25 site is mainly mediated by steric hindrance. The additional methyl group leads to the conformational changes in nearby residues and triggers an obvious structural bending in the protein, which results in the formation of a new T-Asn-C triad that enhances the specific recognition of TCA half-sites. The substitution of the methyl group at the mC12 site of the bottom strand breaks the original H-bonds directly. Such changes in electrostatic interactions also lead to the remote allosteric effects of protein by multifaceted interactions but have negligible contributions to binding. Although these two influence modes are different, they can both fine-tune the local environment, which might produce remote allosteric effects through protein-protein interactions. Further analysis reveals that the discrepancies in these two modes are primarily due to their location. Moreover, when both sites are methylated, the major determinant of binding specificity depends on the context and the location of the methylation site, which is the result of crosstalk and cooperativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hua Bie
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Wen Fei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Gao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.
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18
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Abstract
The genetic information of human cells is stored in the context of chromatin, which is subjected to DNA methylation and various histone modifications. Such a 'language' of chromatin modification constitutes a fundamental means of gene and (epi)genome regulation, underlying a myriad of cellular and developmental processes. In recent years, mounting evidence has demonstrated that miswriting, misreading or mis-erasing of the modification language embedded in chromatin represents a common, sometimes early and pivotal, event across a wide range of human cancers, contributing to oncogenesis through the induction of epigenetic, transcriptomic and phenotypic alterations. It is increasingly clear that cancer-related metabolic perturbations and oncohistone mutations also directly impact chromatin modification, thereby promoting cancerous transformation. Phase separation-based deregulation of chromatin modulators and chromatin structure is also emerging to be an important underpinning of tumorigenesis. Understanding the various molecular pathways that underscore a misregulated chromatin language in cancer, together with discovery and development of more effective drugs to target these chromatin-related vulnerabilities, will enhance treatment of human malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhao
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - C David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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19
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Yu R, Zhang L, Yu Q, Zhao H, Yang H, Wang Y. Effect of LHX2 gene methylation level and its function on radiotherapy of cervical cancer. Transl Cancer Res 2021; 10:2944-2961. [PMID: 35116603 PMCID: PMC8797467 DOI: 10.21037/tcr-21-739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer is the most common malignancy of the female reproductive system, for which radiotherapy is one of the main treatments. Gene methylation in cells is an important factor in tumorigenesis, and radiotherapy can change DNA methylation in cells. At the same time, combined with the clinical effect of radiotherapy, key genes of LIM homeobox 2 (LHX2) significantly related to cervical cancer. The LHX2 are LIM-homeobox genes that play important roles in signal transduction, cell differentiation, tissue-specific differentiation, and body formation. Methods In this study, bisulfite genomic sequencing (BSP-Seq) technology was used to analyze the methylation level of LHX2 in patients with cervical cancer before and after radiotherapy. In addition, combined with the clinical effect of radiotherapy, the function of LHX2 in siHA and C33A cells were analyzed with the help of overexpression, small interfering RNA (siRNA), cell invasion, and migration ability. The expression level of the migration- and apoptosis-related genes which were affected by LHX2 were tested with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results Combined with clinical treatment, methylation level difference, and correlation enrichment analysis, it was found that LHX2 genes were closely related to the occurrence and development of cervical cancer. After 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) and radiotherapy, the methylation of LHX2 genes in siHA and C33A squamous cell carcinoma cells was decreased, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels were relatively increased; meanwhile, the LHX2 could accelerate the ability for cell invasion and migration and inhibited the apoptosis of the cell after treatment with radiotherapy. Conclusions The methylation and expression levels of LHX2 genes are closely related to cervical cancer. The methylation level of LHX2 was reduced after radiation therapy. The LHX2 gene has a positive effect on cervical cancer through acceleration of the cell invasion and migration ability and inhibition of cell apoptosis after radiotherapy treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital & Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Lihe Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital & Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qin Yu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital & Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Haiping Zhao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital & Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inner Mongolia Cancer Hospital & Affiliated People's Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Yadi Wang
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Radiotherapy Department, Oncology Faculty, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Guan Y, Hasipek M, Tiwari AD, Maciejewski JP, Jha BK. TET-dioxygenase deficiency in oncogenesis and its targeting for tumor-selective therapeutics. Semin Hematol 2021; 58:27-34. [PMID: 33509440 PMCID: PMC7938524 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
TET2 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in myeloid neoplasms. TET2 loss-of-function perturbs myeloid differentiation and causes clonal expansion. Despite extensive knowledge regarding biochemical mechanisms underlying distorted myeloid differentiation, targeted therapies are lagging. Here we review known biochemical mechanisms and candidate therapies that emerge from this. Specifically, we discuss the potential utility of vitamin C to compensate for TET-dioxygenase deficiency, to thereby restore the biochemical function. An alternative approach exploits the TET-deficient state for synthetic lethality, exploiting the fact that a minimum level of TET-dioxygenase activity is required for cell survival, rendering TET2-mutant malignant cells selectively vulnerable to inhibitors of TET-function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Guan
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Metis Hasipek
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Anand D Tiwari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Jaroslaw P Maciejewski
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Babal K Jha
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
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21
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Oh J, Xu J, Chong J, Wang D. Molecular basis of transcriptional pausing, stalling, and transcription-coupled repair initiation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1864:194659. [PMID: 33271312 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transcription elongation by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is constantly challenged by numerous types of obstacles that lead to transcriptional pausing or stalling. These obstacles include DNA lesions, DNA epigenetic modifications, DNA binding proteins, and non-B form DNA structures. In particular, lesion-induced prolonged transcriptional blockage or stalling leads to genome instability, cellular dysfunction, and cell death. Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) pathway is the first line of defense that detects and repairs these transcription-blocking DNA lesions. In this review, we will first summarize the recent research progress toward understanding the molecular basis of transcriptional pausing and stalling by different kinds of obstacles. We will then discuss new insights into Pol II-mediated lesion recognition and the roles of CSB in TC-NER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntaek Oh
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Jun Xu
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Jenny Chong
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Dong Wang
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences; University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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22
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Yang J, Horton JR, Li J, Huang Y, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Structural basis for preferential binding of human TCF4 to DNA containing 5-carboxylcytosine. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:8375-8387. [PMID: 31081034 PMCID: PMC6895265 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The psychiatric risk-associated transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is linked to schizophrenia. Rare TCF4 coding variants are found in individuals with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-an intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. TCF4 contains a C-terminal basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA binding domain which recognizes the enhancer-box (E-box) element 5'-CANNTG-3' (where N = any nucleotide). A subset of the TCF4-occupancy sites have the expanded consensus binding specificity 5'-C(A/G)-CANNTG-3', with an added outer Cp(A/G) dinucleotide; for example in the promoter for CNIH3, a gene involved in opioid dependence. In mammalian genomes, particularly brain, the CpG and CpA dinucleotides can be methylated at the 5-position of cytosine (5mC), and then may undergo successive oxidations to the 5-hydroxymethyl (5hmC), 5-formyl (5fC), and 5-carboxyl (5caC) forms. We find that, in the context of 5'-0CG-1CA-2CG-3TG-3'(where the numbers indicate successive dinucleotides), modification of the central E-box 2CG has very little effect on TCF4 binding, E-box 1CA modification has a negative influence on binding, while modification of the flanking 0CG, particularly carboxylation, has a strong positive impact on TCF4 binding to DNA. Crystallization of TCF4 in complex with unmodified or 5caC-modified oligonucleotides revealed that the basic region of bHLH domain adopts multiple conformations, including an extended loop going through the DNA minor groove, or the N-terminal portion of a long helix binding in the DNA major groove. The different protein conformations enable arginine 576 (R576) to interact, respectively, with a thymine in the minor groove, a phosphate group of DNA backbone, or 5caC in the major groove. The Pitt-Hopkins syndrome mutations affect five arginine residues in the basic region, two of them (R569 and R576) involved in 5caC recognition. Our analyses indicate, and suggest a structural basis for, the preferential recognition of 5caC by a transcription factor centrally important in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jia Li
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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23
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Hodges AJ, Hudson NO, Buck-Koehntop BA. Cys 2His 2 Zinc Finger Methyl-CpG Binding Proteins: Getting a Handle on Methylated DNA. J Mol Biol 2019:S0022-2836(19)30567-4. [PMID: 31628952 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification involved in the maintenance of genomic stability, preservation of cellular identity, and regulation of the transcriptional landscape needed to maintain cellular function. In an increasing number of disease conditions, DNA methylation patterns are inappropriately distributed in a manner that supports the disease phenotype. Methyl-CpG binding proteins (MBPs) are specialized transcription factors that read and translate methylated DNA signals into recruitment of protein assemblies that can alter local chromatin architecture and transcription. MBPs thus play a key intermediary role in gene regulation for both normal and diseased cells. Here, we highlight established and potential structure-function relationships for the best characterized members of the zinc finger (ZF) family of MBPs in propagating DNA methylation signals into downstream cellular responses. Current and future investigations aimed toward expanding our understanding of ZF MBP cellular roles will provide needed mechanistic insight into normal and disease state functions, as well as afford evaluation for the potential of these proteins as epigenetic-based therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia J Hodges
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Nicholas O Hudson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA
| | - Bethany A Buck-Koehntop
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, 315 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA.
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24
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Yang J, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Detection of DNA Modifications by Sequence-Specific Transcription Factors. J Mol Biol 2019:S0022-2836(19)30568-6. [PMID: 31626807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The establishment, detection, and alteration or elimination of epigenetic DNA modifications are essential to controlling gene expression ranging from bacteria to mammals. The DNA methylations occurring at cytosine and adenine are carried out by SAM-dependent methyltransferases. Successive oxidations of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) by Tet dioxygenases generate 5-hydroxymethyl (5hmC), 5-formyl (5fC), and 5-carboxyl (5caC) derivatives; thus, DNA elements with multiple methylation sites can have a wide range of modification states. In contrast, oxidation of N6-methyladenine by homologs of Escherichia coli AlkB removes the methyl group directly. Both Tet and AlkB enzymes are 2-oxoglutarate- and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases. DNA-binding proteins decode the modification status of specific genomic regions. This article centers on two families of sequence-specific transcription factors: bZIP (basic leucine-zipper) proteins, exemplified by the AP-1 and CEBPβ recognition of 5mC; and bHLH (basic helix-loop-helix) proteins, exemplified by MAX and TCF4 recognition of 5caC. We discuss the impact of template strand DNA modification on the activities of DNA and RNA polymerases, and the varied tendencies of modifications to alter base pairing and their interactions with DNA repair enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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25
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Leighton G, Williams DC. The Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain 2 and 3 Proteins and Formation of the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase Complex. J Mol Biol 2019:S0022-2836(19)30599-6. [PMID: 31626804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex uniquely combines both deacetylase and remodeling enzymatic activities in a single macromolecular complex. The methyl-CpG-binding domain 2 and 3 (MBD2 and MBD3) proteins provide a critical structural link between the deacetylase and remodeling components, while MBD2 endows the complex with the ability to selectively recognize methylated DNA. Hence, NuRD combines three major arms of epigenetic gene regulation. Research over the past few decades has revealed much of the structural basis driving formation of this complex and started to uncover the functional roles of NuRD in epigenetic gene regulation. However, we have yet to fully understand the molecular and biophysical basis for methylation-dependent chromatin remodeling and transcription regulation by NuRD. In this review, we discuss the structural information currently available for the complex, the role MBD2 and MBD3 play in forming and recruiting the complex to methylated DNA, and the biological functions of NuRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gage Leighton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - David C Williams
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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26
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Yang J, Horton JR, Wang D, Ren R, Li J, Sun D, Huang Y, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Structural basis for effects of CpA modifications on C/EBPβ binding of DNA. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:1774-1785. [PMID: 30566668 PMCID: PMC6393304 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky1264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) regulate gene expression in a variety of cells/tissues/organs, during a range of developmental stages, under both physiological and pathological conditions. C/EBP-related transcription factors have a consensus binding specificity of 5'-TTG-CG-CAA-3', with a central CpG/CpG and two outer CpA/TpG dinucleotides. Methylation of the CpG and CpA sites generates a DNA element with every pyrimidine having a methyl group in the 5-carbon position (thymine or 5-methylcytosine (5mC)). To understand the effects of both CpG and CpA modification on a centrally-important transcription factor, we show that C/EBPβ binds the methylated 8-bp element with modestly-increased (2.4-fold) binding affinity relative to the unmodified cognate sequence, while cytosine hydroxymethylation (particularly at the CpA sites) substantially decreased binding affinity (36-fold). The structure of C/EBPβ DNA binding domain in complex with methylated DNA revealed that the methyl groups of the 5mCpA/TpG make van der Waals contacts with Val285 in C/EBPβ. Arg289 recognizes the central 5mCpG by forming a methyl-Arg-G triad, and its conformation is constrained by Val285 and the 5mCpG methyl group. We substituted Val285 with Ala (V285A) in an Ala-Val dipeptide, to mimic the conserved Ala-Ala in many members of the basic leucine-zipper family of transcription factors, important in gene regulation, cell proliferation and oncogenesis. The V285A variant demonstrated a 90-fold binding preference for methylated DNA (particularly 5mCpA methylation) over the unmodified sequence. The smaller side chain of Ala285 permits Arg289 to adopt two alternative conformations, to interact in a similar fashion with either the central 5mCpG or the TpG of the opposite strand. Significantly, the best-studied cis-regulatory elements in RNA polymerase II promoters and enhancers have variable sequences corresponding to the central CpG or reduced to a single G:C base pair, but retain a conserved outer CpA sequence. Our analyses suggest an important modification-dependent CpA recognition by basic leucine-zipper transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dongxue Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Ren Ren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jia Li
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Deqiang Sun
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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27
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The diverse roles of DNA methylation in mammalian development and disease. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2019; 20:590-607. [PMID: 31399642 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-019-0159-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1064] [Impact Index Per Article: 212.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation is of paramount importance for mammalian embryonic development. DNA methylation has numerous functions: it is implicated in the repression of transposons and genes, but is also associated with actively transcribed gene bodies and, in some cases, with gene activation per se. In recent years, sensitive technologies have been developed that allow the interrogation of DNA methylation patterns from a small number of cells. The use of these technologies has greatly improved our knowledge of DNA methylation dynamics and heterogeneity in embryos and in specific tissues. Combined with genetic analyses, it is increasingly apparent that regulation of DNA methylation erasure and (re-)establishment varies considerably between different developmental stages. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms and functions of DNA methylation and demethylation in both mice and humans at CpG-rich promoters, gene bodies and transposable elements. We highlight the dynamic erasure and re-establishment of DNA methylation in embryonic, germline and somatic cell development. Finally, we provide insights into DNA methylation gained from studying genetic diseases.
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28
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Yang Y, Wang L, Han X, Yang WL, Zhang M, Ma HL, Sun BF, Li A, Xia J, Chen J, Heng J, Wu B, Chen YS, Xu JW, Yang X, Yao H, Sun J, Lyu C, Wang HL, Huang Y, Sun YP, Zhao YL, Meng A, Ma J, Liu F, Yang YG. RNA 5-Methylcytosine Facilitates the Maternal-to-Zygotic Transition by Preventing Maternal mRNA Decay. Mol Cell 2019; 75:1188-1202.e11. [PMID: 31399345 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) is a conserved and fundamental process during which the maternal environment is converted to an environment of embryonic-driven development through dramatic reprogramming. However, how maternally supplied transcripts are dynamically regulated during MZT remains largely unknown. Herein, through genome-wide profiling of RNA 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification in zebrafish early embryos, we found that m5C-modified maternal mRNAs display higher stability than non-m5C-modified mRNAs during MZT. We discovered that Y-box binding protein 1 (Ybx1) preferentially recognizes m5C-modified mRNAs through π-π interactions with a key residue, Trp45, in Ybx1's cold shock domain (CSD), which plays essential roles in maternal mRNA stability and early embryogenesis of zebrafish. Together with the mRNA stabilizer Pabpc1a, Ybx1 promotes the stability of its target mRNAs in an m5C-dependent manner. Our study demonstrates an unexpected mechanism of RNA m5C-regulated maternal mRNA stabilization during zebrafish MZT, highlighting the critical role of m5C mRNA modification in early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300020, China
| | - Xiao Han
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Wen-Lan Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Multiscale Research Institute for Complex Systems, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hai-Li Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bao-Fa Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ang Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jun Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jian Heng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baixing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Multiscale Research Institute for Complex Systems, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yu-Sheng Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jia-Wei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Xin Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Huan Yao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cong Lyu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Hai-Lin Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ying Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Yong-Liang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Anming Meng
- Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jinbiao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Multiscale Research Institute for Complex Systems, Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China.
| | - Yun-Gui Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China; Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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Abstract
5-Formyl-2'-deoxycytidine (5fdC) is a naturally occurring nucleobase that is broadly distributed in genomic DNA. 5fdC is produced via the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mdC) by ten-eleven translocation enzyme (TET) and can be further converted to 5-carboxylcytosine (5cadC) by TET. Both 5fdC and 5cadC can be restored to dC by TDG-mediated base excision repair and direct deformylation/decarboxylation. Thus, 5fdC is considered an intermediate in the TET-mediated DNA demethylation pathway. 5fdC also alters the structure and stability of genomic DNA and affects genetic expression. This review summarizes the recent research on 5fdC, detailing its formation, detection and distribution, biological functions and transformation in cells. The challenges and future prospects to further explore the function and metabolism of 5fdC are briefly discussed at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chuanzheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry and Department of Chemical Biology, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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30
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Dostal V, Churchill MEA. Cytosine methylation of mitochondrial DNA at CpG sequences impacts transcription factor A DNA binding and transcription. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2019; 1862:598-607. [PMID: 30807854 PMCID: PMC7806247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In eukaryotes, cytosine methylation of nuclear DNA at CpG sequences (5mCpG) regulates epigenetic inheritance through alterations in chromatin structure. However, mitochondria lack nucleosomal chromatin, therefore the molecular mechanisms by which 5mCpG influences mitochondria must be different and are as yet unknown. Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM) is both the primary DNA-compacting protein in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nucleoid and a transcription-initiation factor. TFAM must encounter hundreds of CpGs in mtDNA, so the occurrence of 5mCpG has the potential to impact TFAM-DNA recognition. We used biophysical approaches to determine whether 5mCpG alters any TFAM-dependent activities. 5mCpG in the heavy strand promoter (HSP1) increased the binding affinity of TFAM and induced TFAM multimerization with increased cooperativity compared to nonmethylated DNA. However, 5mCpG had no apparent effect on TFAM-dependent DNA compaction. Additionally, 5mCpG had a clear and context-dependent effect on transcription initiating from the three mitochondrial promoters. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that 5mCpG in the mitochondrial promoter region does impact TFAM-dependent activities in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishantie Dostal
- Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mair E A Churchill
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Program in Structural Biology and Biochemistry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
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31
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Coordinated Dialogue between UHRF1 and DNMT1 to Ensure Faithful Inheritance of Methylated DNA Patterns. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10010065. [PMID: 30669400 PMCID: PMC6360023 DOI: 10.3390/genes10010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation, catalyzed by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), is an epigenetic mark that needs to be faithfully replicated during mitosis in order to maintain cell phenotype during successive cell divisions. This epigenetic mark is located on the 5′-carbon of the cytosine mainly within cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) dinucleotides. DNA methylation is asymmetrically positioned on both DNA strands, temporarily generating a hemi-methylated state after DNA replication. Hemi-methylation is a particular status of DNA that is recognized by ubiquitin-like containing plant homeodomain (PHD) and really interesting new gene (RING) finger domains 1 (UHRF1) through its SET- (Su(var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax) and RING-associated (SRA) domain. This interaction is considered to be involved in the recruitment of DNMT1 to chromatin in order to methylate the adequate cytosine on the newly synthetized DNA strand. The UHRF1/DNMT1 tandem plays a pivotal role in the inheritance of DNA methylation patterns, but the fine-tuning mechanism remains a mystery. Indeed, because DNMT1 experiences difficulties in finding the cytosine to be methylated, it requires the help of a guide, i.e., of UHRF1, which exhibits higher affinity for hemi-methylated DNA vs. non-methylated DNA. Two models of the UHRF1/DNMT1 dialogue were suggested to explain how DNMT1 is recruited to chromatin: (i) an indirect communication via histone H3 ubiquitination, and (ii) a direct interaction of UHRF1 with DNMT1. In the present review, these two models are discussed, and we try to show that they are compatible with each other.
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de Dieuleveult M, Miotto B. DNA Methylation and Chromatin: Role(s) of Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein ZBTB38. Epigenet Insights 2018; 11:2516865718811117. [PMID: 30480223 PMCID: PMC6243405 DOI: 10.1177/2516865718811117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation plays an essential role in the control of gene expression during early stages of development as well as in disease. Although many transcription factors are sensitive to this modification of the DNA, we still do not clearly understand how it contributes to the establishment of proper gene expression patterns. We discuss here the recent findings regarding the biological and molecular function(s) of the transcription factor ZBTB38 that binds methylated DNA sequences in vitro and in cells. We speculate how these findings may help understand the role of DNA methylation and DNA methylation–sensitive transcription factors in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud de Dieuleveult
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Department of Development, Reproduction and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Benoit Miotto
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, Paris, France.,CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Department of Development, Reproduction and Cancer, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Hudson NO, Whitby FG, Buck-Koehntop BA. Structural insights into methylated DNA recognition by the C-terminal zinc fingers of the DNA reader protein ZBTB38. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:19835-19843. [PMID: 30355731 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Methyl-CpG-binding proteins (MBPs) are selective readers of DNA methylation that play an essential role in mediating cellular transcription processes in both normal and diseased cells. This physiological function of MBPs has generated significant interest in understanding the mechanisms by which these proteins read and interpret DNA methylation signals. Zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 38 (ZBTB38) represents one member of the zinc finger (ZF) family of MBPs. We recently demonstrated that the C-terminal ZFs of ZBTB38 exhibit methyl-selective DNA binding within the ((A/G)TmCG(G/A)(mC/T)(G/A)) context both in vitro and within cells. Here we report the crystal structure of the first four C-terminal ZBTB38 ZFs (ZFs 6-9) in complex with the previously identified methylated consensus sequence at 1.75 Å resolution. From the structure, methyl-selective binding is preferentially localized at the 5' mCpG site of the bound DNA, which is facilitated through a series of base-specific interactions from residues within the α-helices of ZF7 and ZF8. ZF6 and ZF9 primarily stabilize ZF7 and ZF8 to facilitate the core base-specific interactions. Further structural and biochemical analyses, including solution NMR spectroscopy and electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays, revealed that the C-terminal ZFs of ZBTB38 utilize an alternative mode of mCpG recognition from the ZF MBPs structurally evaluated to date. Combined, these findings provide insight into the mechanism by which this ZF domain of ZBTB38 selectively recognizes methylated CpG sites and expands our understanding of how ZF-containing proteins can interpret this essential epigenetic mark.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank G Whitby
- Biochemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112
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Hudson NO, Buck-Koehntop BA. Zinc Finger Readers of Methylated DNA. Molecules 2018; 23:E2555. [PMID: 30301273 PMCID: PMC6222495 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23102555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 10/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification involved in regulating a number of essential cellular processes, including genomic accessibility and transcriptional outcomes. As such, aberrant alterations in global DNA methylation patterns have been associated with a growing number of disease conditions. Nevertheless, the full mechanisms by which DNA methylation information is interpreted and translated into genomic responses is not yet fully understood. Methyl-CpG binding proteins (MBPs) function as important mediators of this essential process by selectively reading DNA methylation signals and translating this information into down-stream cellular outcomes. The Cys₂His₂ zinc finger scaffold is one of the most abundant DNA binding motifs found within human transcription factors, yet only a few zinc finger containing proteins capable of conferring selectivity for mCpG over CpG sites have been characterized. This review summarizes our current structural understanding for the mechanisms by which the zinc finger MBPs evaluated to date read this essential epigenetic mark. Further, some of the biological implications for mCpG readout elicited by this family of MBPs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas O Hudson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-0850, USA.
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