1
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Atinbayeva N, Valent I, Zenk F, Loeser E, Rauer M, Herur S, Quarato P, Pyrowolakis G, Gomez-Auli A, Mittler G, Cecere G, Erhardt S, Tiana G, Zhan Y, Iovino N. Inheritance of H3K9 methylation regulates genome architecture in Drosophila early embryos. EMBO J 2024:10.1038/s44318-024-00127-z. [PMID: 38831123 DOI: 10.1038/s44318-024-00127-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Constitutive heterochromatin is essential for transcriptional silencing and genome integrity. The establishment of constitutive heterochromatin in early embryos and its role in early fruitfly development are unknown. Lysine 9 trimethylation of histone H3 (H3K9me3) and recruitment of its epigenetic reader, heterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a), are hallmarks of constitutive heterochromatin. Here, we show that H3K9me3 is transmitted from the maternal germline to the next generation. Maternally inherited H3K9me3, and the histone methyltransferases (HMT) depositing it, are required for the organization of constitutive heterochromatin: early embryos lacking H3K9 methylation display de-condensation of pericentromeric regions, centromere-centromere de-clustering, mitotic defects, and nuclear shape irregularities, resulting in embryo lethality. Unexpectedly, quantitative CUT&Tag and 4D microscopy measurements of HP1a coupled with biophysical modeling revealed that H3K9me2/3 is largely dispensable for HP1a recruitment. Instead, the main function of H3K9me2/3 at this developmental stage is to drive HP1a clustering and subsequent heterochromatin compaction. Our results show that HP1a binding to constitutive heterochromatin in the absence of H3K9me2/3 is not sufficient to promote proper embryo development and heterochromatin formation. The loss of H3K9 HMTs and H3K9 methylation alters genome organization and hinders embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazerke Atinbayeva
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Fahnenbergplatz, 79085, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Iris Valent
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Zoological Institute, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Fides Zenk
- Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences EPFL, SV3809, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Loeser
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Michael Rauer
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Shwetha Herur
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Piergiuseppe Quarato
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgos Pyrowolakis
- Centre for Biological signaling studies, University of Freiburg, 79104, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Alejandro Gomez-Auli
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Gerhard Mittler
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Germano Cecere
- Institute Pasteur, Mechanisms of Epigenetic Inheritance, Department of Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, UMR3738, CNRS, 75724, Cedex 15, Paris, France
| | - Sylvia Erhardt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Zoological Institute, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Guido Tiana
- Università degli Studi di Milano and INFN, Milan, Italy
| | - Yinxiu Zhan
- Department of Experimental Oncology, European Institute of Oncology-IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
| | - Nicola Iovino
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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2
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Benner L, Muron S, Gomez JG, Oliver B. OVO Positively Regulates Essential Maternal Pathways by Binding Near the Transcriptional Start Sites in the Drosophila Female Germline. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.01.565184. [PMID: 38076814 PMCID: PMC10705541 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Differentiation of female germline stem cells into a mature oocyte includes the expression of RNAs and proteins that drive early embryonic development in Drosophila. We have little insight into what activates the expression of these maternal factors. One candidate is the zinc-finger protein OVO. OVO is required for female germline viability and has been shown to positively regulate its own expression, as well as a downstream target, ovarian tumor, by binding to the transcriptional start site (TSS). To find additional OVO targets in the female germline and further elucidate OVO's role in oocyte development, we performed ChIP-seq to determine genome-wide OVO occupancy, as well as RNA-seq comparing hypomorphic and wild type rescue ovo alleles. OVO preferentially binds in close proximity to target TSSs genome-wide, is associated with open chromatin, transcriptionally active histone marks, and OVO-dependent expression. Motif enrichment analysis on OVO ChIP peaks identified a 5'-TAACNGT-3' OVO DNA binding motif spatially enriched near TSSs. However, the OVO DNA binding motif does not exhibit precise motif spacing relative to the TSS characteristic of RNA Polymerase II complex binding core promoter elements. Integrated genomics analysis showed that 525 genes that are bound and increase in expression downstream of OVO are known to be essential maternally expressed genes. These include genes involved in anterior/posterior/germ plasm specification (bcd, exu, swa, osk, nos, aub, pgc, gcl), egg activation (png, plu, gnu, wisp, C(3)g, mtrm), translational regulation (cup, orb, bru1, me31B), and vitelline membrane formation (fs(1)N, fs(1)M3, clos). This suggests that OVO is a master transcriptional regulator of oocyte development and is responsible for the expression of structural components of the egg as well as maternally provided RNAs that are required for early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Benner
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Savannah Muron
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jillian G Gomez
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Brian Oliver
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Yue B, Wang HY, Huang Y, Li S, Ma W, Liu Q, Shao C. Molecular functional characterization of the setdb1 and its potential target gene sox5 illuminate the histone modification-mediated orchestration of gonadal development in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Gene 2024; 901:148199. [PMID: 38253299 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
SET (SuVar3-9, Enhancer of Zeste, Trithorax) domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1, setdb1, is the predominant histone lysine methyltransferase catalyzing H3K9me3. Prior studies have illustrated that setdb1 and H3K9me3 critically regulate sex differentiation and gametogenesis. However, the molecular details by which setdb1 is involved in these processes in fish have been poorly reported. Here, we cloned and characterized the setdb1 ORF (open reading frame) sequence from Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). The setdb1 ORF sequence was 3,669 bp, encoding a 1,222-amino-acid protein. Phylogenetic analysis showed that setdb1 was structurally conserved. qRT-PCR revealed that setdb1 had a high expression level in the testes at 12 mpf (months post fertilization). Single-cell RNA-seq data at 24 mpf indicated that setdb1 was generally expressed in spermatogenic cells at each stage except for sperm and was centrally expressed in oogonia. H3K9me3 modification was observed in gonads with the immunofluorescence technique. Furthermore, the overexpression experiment suggested that sox5 was a candidate target of setdb1. sox5 was abundantly expressed in male and pseudomale gonads at 24 mpf. Single-cell RNA-seq data showed that sox5 was mainly expressed in spermatogonia and its expression gradually declined with differentiation. Taken together, our findings imply that setdb1 regulates sox5 transcription in gonads, which provides molecular clues into histone modification-mediated orchestration of sex differentiation and gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Yue
- College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Hong-Yan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Yingyi Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Shuo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Wenxiu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Changwei Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Mariculture Biobreeding and Sustainable Goods, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
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4
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Lim B, Domsch K, Mall M, Lohmann I. Canalizing cell fate by transcriptional repression. Mol Syst Biol 2024; 20:144-161. [PMID: 38302581 PMCID: PMC10912439 DOI: 10.1038/s44320-024-00014-z] [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: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision in the establishment and maintenance of cellular identities is crucial for the development of multicellular organisms and requires tight regulation of gene expression. While extensive research has focused on understanding cell type-specific gene activation, the complex mechanisms underlying the transcriptional repression of alternative fates are not fully understood. Here, we provide an overview of the repressive mechanisms involved in cell fate regulation. We discuss the molecular machinery responsible for suppressing alternative fates and highlight the crucial role of sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) in this process. Depletion of these TFs can result in unwanted gene expression and increased cellular plasticity. We suggest that these TFs recruit cell type-specific repressive complexes to their cis-regulatory elements, enabling them to modulate chromatin accessibility in a context-dependent manner. This modulation effectively suppresses master regulators of alternative fate programs and their downstream targets. The modularity and dynamic behavior of these repressive complexes enables a limited number of repressors to canalize and maintain major and minor cell fate decisions at different stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce Lim
- Cell Fate Engineering and Disease Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Katrin Domsch
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Moritz Mall
- Cell Fate Engineering and Disease Modeling Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- HITBR Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research gGmbH, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Ingrid Lohmann
- Heidelberg University, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS) Heidelberg, Department of Developmental Biology and Cell Networks - Cluster of Excellence, Heidelberg, Germany.
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5
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Luo H, Wu X, Zhu XH, Yi X, Du D, Jiang DS. The functions of SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (SETDB1) in biological process and disease. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:47. [PMID: 38057834 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone methyltransferase SETDB1 (SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1, also known as ESET or KMT1E) is known to be involved in the deposition of the di- and tri-methyl marks on H3K9 (H3K9me2 and H3K9me3), which are associated with transcription repression. SETDB1 exerts an essential role in the silencing of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in embryonic stem cells (mESCs) by tri-methylating H3K9 (H3K9me3) and interacting with DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Additionally, SETDB1 is engaged in regulating multiple biological processes and diseases, such as ageing, tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by methylating both histones and non-histone proteins. In this review, we provide an overview of the complex biology of SETDB1, review the upstream regulatory mechanisms of SETDB1 and its partners, discuss the functions and molecular mechanisms of SETDB1 in cell fate determination and stem cell, as well as in tumors and other diseases. Finally, we discuss the current challenges and prospects of targeting SETDB1 for the treatment of different diseases, and we also suggest some future research directions in the field of SETDB1 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanshen Luo
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xingliang Wu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xue-Hai Zhu
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan, 430030, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xin Yi
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dunfeng Du
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
- Institute of Organ Transplantation, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Ding-Sheng Jiang
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Ave., Wuhan, 430030, China.
- Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education; NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation; Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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6
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Sarkar K, Kotb NM, Lemus A, Martin ET, McCarthy A, Camacho J, Iqbal A, Valm AM, Sammons MA, Rangan P. A feedback loop between heterochromatin and the nucleopore complex controls germ-cell-to-oocyte transition during Drosophila oogenesis. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2580-2596.e6. [PMID: 37673064 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Germ cells differentiate into oocytes that launch the next generation upon fertilization. How the highly specialized oocyte acquires this distinct cell fate is poorly understood. During Drosophila oogenesis, H3K9me3 histone methyltransferase SETDB1 translocates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of germ cells concurrently with oocyte specification. Here, we discovered that nuclear SETDB1 is required for silencing a cohort of differentiation-promoting genes by mediating their heterochromatinization. Intriguingly, SETDB1 is also required for upregulating 18 of the ∼30 nucleoporins (Nups) that compose the nucleopore complex (NPC), promoting NPC formation. NPCs anchor SETDB1-dependent heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery to maintain H3K9me3 and gene silencing in the egg chambers. Aberrant gene expression due to the loss of SETDB1 or Nups results in the loss of oocyte identity, cell death, and sterility. Thus, a feedback loop between heterochromatin and NPCs promotes transcriptional reprogramming at the onset of oocyte specification, which is critical for establishing oocyte identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kahini Sarkar
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Noor M Kotb
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alex Lemus
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Elliot T Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alicia McCarthy
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Justin Camacho
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Ayman Iqbal
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alex M Valm
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Morgan A Sammons
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences and RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
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7
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Cheng J, Li T, Zheng Z, Zhang X, Cao M, Tang W, Hong K, Zheng R, Shao J, Zhao X, Jiang H, Xu W, Lin H. Loss of histone reader Phf7 leads to immune pathways activation via endogenous retroviruses during spermiogenesis. iScience 2023; 26:108030. [PMID: 37920670 PMCID: PMC10618686 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic studies have elucidated the critical roles of Phf7 in germline development in animals; however, the exact etiology of Phf7 mutations leading to male infertility and the possibility of mechanism-based therapy are still unclear and warrant further investigation. Using the Phf7 knockout mouse model, we verified that genetic defects were responsible for male infertility by preventing histone-to-protamine exchange, as previously reported. The deficiency of spermatogenesis caused by Phf7 deletion through the endogenous retrovirus-mediated activation of the immune pathway is a common mechanism of infertility. Furthermore, we identified PPARα as a promising target of immunity and inflammation in the testis, where endogenous retroviruses are suppressed, and Phf7 as a crucial regulator of endogenous retrovirus-mediated immune regulation and revealed its role as an epigenetic reader. The loss of Phf7 activates immune pathways, which can be rescued by the PPARα agonist astaxanthin. These results showed that astaxanthin is a potential therapeutic agent for treating male infertility. The findings in our study provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility and suggest potential targets for future research and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxing Cheng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Tongtong Li
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhongjie Zheng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Mengyang Cao
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhao Tang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Human Sperm Bank, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jichun Shao
- Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College (China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, 106 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Haocheng Lin
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
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8
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Yao YL, Ma XY, Wang TY, Yan JY, Chen NF, Hong JS, Liu BQ, Xu ZQ, Zhang N, Lv C, Sun X, Luan JB. A bacteriocyte symbiont determines whitefly sex ratio by regulating mitochondrial function. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112102. [PMID: 36774548 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional symbionts influence host reproduction, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear. We previously found that the bacteriocyte symbiont Hamiltonella impacts the sex ratio of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Hamiltonella synthesizes folate by cooperation with the whitefly. Folate deficiency by Hamiltonella elimination or whitefly gene silencing distorted whitefly sex ratio, and folate supplementation restored the sex ratio. Hamiltonella deficiency or gene silencing altered histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) level, which was restored by folate supplementation. Genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation-seq analysis of H3K9me3 indicated mitochondrial dysfunction in symbiont-deficient whiteflies. Hamiltonella deficiency compromised mitochondrial quality of whitefly ovaries. Repressing ovary mitochondrial function led to distorted whitefly sex ratio. These findings indicate that the symbiont-derived folate regulates host histone methylation modifications, which thereby impacts ovary mitochondrial function, and finally determines host sex ratio. Our study suggests that a nutritional symbiont can regulate animal reproduction in a way that differs from reproductive manipulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Lin Yao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xin-Yu Ma
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Tian-Yu Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jin-Yang Yan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Nai-Fei Chen
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Ji-Sheng Hong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Bing-Qi Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Zi-Qi Xu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Nuo Zhang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Chao Lv
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Xiang Sun
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China
| | - Jun-Bo Luan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Economic and Applied Entomology, College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China.
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9
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Gleason RJ, Chen X. Epigenetic dynamics during germline development: insights from Drosophila and C. elegans. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 78:102017. [PMID: 36549194 PMCID: PMC10100592 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2022.102017] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gametogenesis produces the only cell type within a metazoan that contributes both genetic and epigenetic information to the offspring. Extensive epigenetic dynamics are required to express or repress gene expression in a precise spatiotemporal manner. On the other hand, early embryos must be extensively reprogrammed as they begin a new life cycle, involving intergenerational epigenetic inheritance. Seminal work in both Drosophila and C. elegans has elucidated the role of various regulators of epigenetic inheritance, including (1) histones, (2) histone-modifying enzymes, and (3) small RNA-dependent epigenetic regulation in the maintenance of germline identity. This review highlights recent discoveries of epigenetic regulation during the stepwise changes of transcription and chromatin structure that takes place during germline stem cell self-renewal, maintenance of germline identity, and intergenerational epigenetic inheritance. Findings from these two species provide precedence and opportunity to extend relevant studies to vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J. Gleason
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- HHMI, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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10
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Wang W, Yang Y, Tan S, Zhou T, Liu Y, Tian C, Bao L, Xing D, Su B, Wang J, Zhang Y, Liu S, Shi H, Gao D, Dunham R, Liu Z. Genomic imprinting-like monoallelic paternal expression determines sex of channel catfish. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadc8786. [PMID: 36542716 PMCID: PMC9770954 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adc8786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The X and Y chromosomes of channel catfish have the same gene contents. Here, we report allelic hypermethylation of the X chromosome within the sex determination region (SDR). Accordingly, the X-borne hydin-1 gene was silenced, whereas the Y-borne hydin-1 gene was expressed, making monoallelic expression of hydin-1 responsible for sex determination, much like genomic imprinting. Treatment with a methylation inhibitor, 5-aza-dC, erased the epigenetic marks within the SDR and caused sex reversal of genetic females into phenotypic males. After the treatment, hydin-1 and six other genes related to cell cycle control and proliferative growth were up-regulated, while three genes related to female sex differentiation were down-regulated in genetic females, providing additional support for epigenetic sex determination in catfish. This mechanism of sex determination provides insights into the plasticity of genetic sex determination in lower vertebrates and its connection with temperature sex determination where DNA methylation is broadly involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Wang
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Yujia Yang
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Suxu Tan
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Tao Zhou
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Genetics and Breeding of Marine Organisms, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yang Liu
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Changxu Tian
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Lisui Bao
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - De Xing
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Baofeng Su
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Jinhai Wang
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Yu Zhang
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Shikai Liu
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Huitong Shi
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Dongya Gao
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Rex Dunham
- The Fish Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Zhanjiang Liu
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA
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11
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Kang Y, Bi Y, Tang Q, Xu H, Lan X, Zhang Q, Pan C. A 7-nt nucleotide sequence variant within the sheep KDM3B gene affects female reproduction traits. Anim Biotechnol 2022; 33:1661-1667. [PMID: 34081570 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2021.1929270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Lysine demethylase 3B (KDM3B) gene is a histone demethylase, demonstrating specific demethylation of the histone H3 lysine 9. It was detected as a sheep reproductive candidate gene by genome-wide scans, and related studies also showed its significance in female reproductive process. However, rare study researched its polymorphism. Herein, we hypothesized that the polymorphisms of KDM3B gene were associated with sheep reproduction traits. A 7-nt nucleotide sequence variant (rs1088697156) within KDM3B gene was identified in a total of 888 individuals, including the Australian White (AUW) sheep and Lanzhou Fat-tailed (LFT) sheep. II (insertion/insertion) and ID (insertion/deletion) genotypes of 7-nt variant were detected, which were at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) in detected breeds. Association analysis illustrated the 7-nt variant was significantly associated with the litter size, duration of pregnancy, live lamb number, live lamb rate, stillbirth number, stillbirth rate of average and different parity (P < 0.05) in AUW sheep. Moreover, 'ID' was the dominant genotype with excellent consistency in reproductive traits. It is instrumental to select individuals with ID genotype for improving the sheep reproduction traits. These findings suggest that the 7-nt variant within KDM3B gene can be used as a candidate marker of reproduction traits for sheep breeding improvement by marker-assisted selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Kang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yi Bi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongwei Xu
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China.,Gansu Tech Innovation Center of Animal Cell, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xianyong Lan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingfeng Zhang
- Tianjin Aoqun Sheep Industry Academy Company, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Aoqun Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Chuanying Pan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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12
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Shapiro-Kulnane L, Selengut M, Salz HK. Safeguarding Drosophila female germ cell identity depends on an H3K9me3 mini domain guided by a ZAD zinc finger protein. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010568. [PMID: 36548300 PMCID: PMC9822104 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
H3K9me3-based gene silencing is a conserved strategy for securing cell fate, but the mechanisms controlling lineage-specific installation of this epigenetic mark remain unclear. In Drosophila, H3K9 methylation plays an essential role in securing female germ cell fate by silencing lineage inappropriate phf7 transcription. Thus, phf7 regulation in the female germline provides a powerful system to dissect the molecular mechanism underlying H3K9me3 deposition onto protein coding genes. Here we used genetic studies to identify the essential cis-regulatory elements, finding that the sequences required for H3K9me3 deposition are conserved across Drosophila species. Transposable elements are also silenced by an H3K9me3-mediated mechanism. But our finding that phf7 regulation does not require the dedicated piRNA pathway components, piwi, aub, rhino, panx, and nxf2, indicates that the mechanisms of H3K9me3 recruitment are distinct. Lastly, we discovered that an uncharacterized member of the zinc finger associated domain (ZAD) containing C2H2 zinc finger protein family, IDENTITY CRISIS (IDC; CG4936), is necessary for H3K9me3 deposition onto phf7. Loss of idc in germ cells interferes with phf7 transcriptional regulation and H3K9me3 deposition, resulting in ectopic PHF7 protein expression. IDC's role is likely to be direct, as it localizes to a conserved domain within the phf7 gene. Collectively, our findings support a model in which IDC guides sequence-specific establishment of an H3K9me3 mini domain, thereby preventing accidental female-to-male programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Micah Selengut
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Helen K. Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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13
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Zinshteyn D, Barbash DA. Stonewall prevents expression of ectopic genes in the ovary and accumulates at insulator elements in D. melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010110. [PMID: 35324887 PMCID: PMC8982855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the progenitor cells of the germline for the lifetime of an animal. In Drosophila, these cells reside in a cellular niche that is required for both their maintenance (self-renewal) and differentiation (asymmetric division resulting in a daughter cell that differs from the GSC). The stem cell—daughter cell transition is tightly regulated by a number of processes, including an array of proteins required for genome stability. The germline stem-cell maintenance factor Stonewall (Stwl) associates with heterochromatin, but its molecular function is poorly understood. We performed RNA-Seq on stwl mutant ovaries and found significant derepression of many transposon families but not heterochromatic genes. We also discovered inappropriate expression of multiple classes of genes. Most prominent are testis-enriched genes, including the male germline sex-determination switch Phf7, the differentiation factor bgcn, and a large testis-specific gene cluster on chromosome 2, all of which are upregulated or ectopically expressed in stwl mutant ovaries. Surprisingly, we also found that RNAi knockdown of stwl in somatic S2 cells results in ectopic expression of these testis genes. Using parallel ChIP-Seq and RNA-Seq experiments in S2 cells, we discovered that Stwl localizes upstream of transcription start sites and at heterochromatic sequences including repetitive sequences associated with telomeres. Stwl is also enriched at bgcn, suggesting that it directly regulates this essential differentiation factor. Finally, we identify Stwl binding motifs that are shared with known insulator binding proteins. We propose that Stwl affects gene regulation, including repression of male transcripts in the female germline, by binding insulators and establishing chromatin boundaries. Stem cells are defined by their ability to divide asymmetrically, resulting in a differentiated cell and a stem cell daughter. In fruit flies, sperm and egg production begins with germline stem cells (GSCs). The ability of a GSC to differentiate or self-renew is tightly regulated by a myriad of factors. Some of these are transcription factors, which are responsible for activating or suppressing other genes to promote one state in favor of another. Stonewall is an ovarian nuclear protein required for GSC self-renewal, whose molecular function is poorly understood. Here we show that Stonewall is responsible for preventing the activation of “male” molecular programming in the fruit fly ovary. When Stonewall is absent from the ovary, egg production is terminated and testis-specific genes become highly expressed, including the male transcript of Phf7, which induces male sexual identity in female germ cells. We also show that Stonewall is likely localizing to genomic insulators, which are regions of the genome that shield genes from nearby regulators. Our findings suggest that Stonewall helps to organize the genome in ovarian germ cells and prevent expression of male genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Zinshteyn
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Barbash
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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14
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Grmai L, Pozmanter C, Van Doren M. The Regulation of Germline Sex Determination in Drosophila by Sex lethal. Sex Dev 2022; 16:323-328. [PMID: 35259743 PMCID: PMC10540089 DOI: 10.1159/000521235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The establishment of male or female identity (sex determination) is essential for creating the anatomical, physiological, and behavioral differences between 2 sexes of the same species (sexual dimorphism). In many organisms, including mammals and Drosophila, sex is determined by inheritance of sex chromosomes, while in other animals, sex is determined by environmental factors. Arguably the most important consequence of sex determination is the production of healthy gametes necessary for reproduction: female oocytes and male spermatids. SUMMARY The generation of sperm and oocytes requires cooperation between 2 different cell types within the gonad: germ cells and somatic cells. Defects in sex determination in either the somatic gonad or germline lead to disorders of sexual development and infertility. In Drosophila, the gene Sex lethal (Sxl) is the key determinant of sex in both the soma and the germline. However, how Sxl controls sex determination is much more well understood in the soma than the germline. Key Mesage: This review will focus on Sxl in the germline, how it is activated specifically in female germ cells, and how it regulates germline sex determination and sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Grmai
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Caitlin Pozmanter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Torres-Campana D, Horard B, Denaud S, Benoit G, Loppin B, Orsi GA. Three classes of epigenomic regulators converge to hyperactivate the essential maternal gene deadhead within a heterochromatin mini-domain. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009615. [PMID: 34982772 PMCID: PMC8759638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of a diploid zygote is a highly complex cellular process that is entirely controlled by maternal gene products stored in the egg cytoplasm. This highly specialized transcriptional program is tightly controlled at the chromatin level in the female germline. As an extreme case in point, the massive and specific ovarian expression of the essential thioredoxin Deadhead (DHD) is critically regulated in Drosophila by the histone demethylase Lid and its partner, the histone deacetylase complex Sin3A/Rpd3, via yet unknown mechanisms. Here, we identified Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) as essential for dhd expression and investigated how these epigenomic effectors act with Lid and Sin3A to hyperactivate dhd. Using Cut&Run chromatin profiling with a dedicated data analysis procedure, we found that dhd is intriguingly embedded in an H3K27me3/H3K9me3-enriched mini-domain flanked by DNA regulatory elements, including a dhd promoter-proximal element essential for its expression. Surprisingly, Lid, Sin3a, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) impact H3K27me3 and this regulatory element in distinct manners. However, we show that these effectors activate dhd independently of H3K27me3/H3K9me3, and that dhd remains silent in the absence of these marks. Together, our study demonstrates an atypical and critical role for chromatin regulators Lid, Sin3A, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) to trigger tissue-specific hyperactivation within a unique heterochromatin mini-domain. Multicellular development depends on a tight control of gene expression in each cell type. This relies on the coordinated activities of nuclear proteins that interact with DNA or its histone scaffold to promote or restrict gene transcription. For example, we previously showed that the histone modifying enzymes Lid and Sin3A/Rpd3 are required in Drosophila ovaries for the massive expression of deadhead (dhd), a gene encoding for a thioredoxin that is essential for fertility. In this paper, we have further identified two additional dhd regulators, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) and dissected the mechanism behind hyperactivation of this gene. Using the epigenomic profiling method Cut&Run with a dedicated data analysis approach, we unexpectedly found that dhd is embedded in an unusual chromatin mini-domain featuring repressive histone modifications H3K27me3 and H3K9me3 and flanked by two regulatory elements. However, we further showed that Lid, Sin3A, Snr1 and Mod(mdg4) behave like obligatory activators of dhd independently of this mini-domain. Our study unveils how multiple broad-acting epigenomic effectors operate in non-canonical manners to ensure a critical and specialized gene activation event. These findings challenge our knowledge on these regulatory mechanisms and their roles in development and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Torres-Campana
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Béatrice Horard
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Sandrine Denaud
- Institute of Human Genetics, UMR 9002, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Gérard Benoit
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Benjamin Loppin
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- * E-mail: (BL); (GAO)
| | - Guillermo A. Orsi
- Laboratoire de Biologie et Modélisation de la Cellule, CNRS UMR5239, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- * E-mail: (BL); (GAO)
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16
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Complex Genetic Interactions between Piwi and HP1a in the Repression of Transposable Elements and Tissue-Specific Genes in the Ovarian Germline. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413430. [PMID: 34948223 PMCID: PMC8707237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413430] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insertions of transposable elements (TEs) in eukaryotic genomes are usually associated with repressive chromatin, which spreads to neighbouring genomic sequences. In ovaries of Drosophila melanogaster, the Piwi-piRNA pathway plays a key role in the transcriptional silencing of TEs considered to be exerted mostly through the establishment of H3K9me3 histone marks recruiting Heterochromatin Protein 1a (HP1a). Here, using RNA-seq, we investigated the expression of TEs and the adjacent genomic regions upon Piwi and HP1a germline knockdowns sharing a similar genetic background. We found that the depletion of Piwi and HP1a led to the derepression of only partially overlapping TE sets. Several TEs were silenced predominantly by HP1a, whereas the upregulation of some other TEs was more pronounced upon Piwi knockdown and, surprisingly, was diminished upon a Piwi/HP1a double-knockdown. We revealed that HP1a loss influenced the expression of thousands of protein-coding genes mostly not adjacent to TE insertions and, in particular, downregulated a putative transcriptional factor required for TE activation. Nevertheless, our results indicate that Piwi and HP1a cooperatively exert repressive effects on the transcription of euchromatic loci flanking the insertions of some Piwi-regulated TEs. We suggest that this mechanism controls the silencing of a small set of TE-adjacent tissue-specific genes, preventing their inappropriate expression in ovaries.
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17
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Identifying regulators of parental imprinting by CRISPR/Cas9 screening in haploid human embryonic stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6718. [PMID: 34795250 PMCID: PMC8602306 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, imprinted genes are regulated by differentially methylated regions (DMRs) that are inherited from germ cells, leading to monoallelic expression in accordance with parent-of-origin. Yet, it is largely unknown how imprinted DMRs are maintained in human embryos despite global DNA demethylation following fertilization. Here, we explored the mechanisms involved in imprinting regulation by employing human parthenogenetic embryonic stem cells (hpESCs), which lack paternal alleles. We show that although global loss of DNA methylation in hpESCs affects most imprinted DMRs, many paternally-expressed genes (PEGs) remain repressed. To search for factors regulating PEGs, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screen in haploid hpESCs. This revealed ATF7IP as an essential repressor of a set of PEGs, which we further show is also required for silencing sperm-specific genes. Our study reinforces an important role for histone modifications in regulating imprinted genes and suggests a link between parental imprinting and germ cell identity. Genetic imprinting ensures monoallelic gene expression critical for normal embryonic development. Here the authors take advantage of human haploid parthenogenic embryonic stem cells lacking paternal alleles to identify, by genome-wide screening, factors involved in the regulation of imprinted genes.
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18
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Markouli M, Strepkos D, Piperi C. Structure, Activity and Function of the SETDB1 Protein Methyltransferase. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11080817. [PMID: 34440561 PMCID: PMC8397983 DOI: 10.3390/life11080817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The SET Domain Bifurcated Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 1 (SETDB1) is a prominent member of the Suppressor of Variegation 3–9 (SUV39)-related protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs), comprising three isoforms that differ in length and domain composition. SETDB1 is widely expressed in human tissues, methylating Histone 3 lysine 9 (H3K9) residues, promoting chromatin compaction and exerting negative regulation on gene expression. SETDB1 has a central role in normal physiology and nervous system development, having been implicated in the regulation of cell cycle progression, inactivation of the X chromosome, immune cells function, expression of retroelements and formation of promyelocytic leukemia (PML) nuclear bodies (NB). SETDB1 has been frequently deregulated in carcinogenesis, being implicated in the pathogenesis of gliomas, melanomas, as well as in lung, breast, gastrointestinal and ovarian tumors, where it mainly exerts an oncogenic role. Aberrant activity of SETDB1 has also been implicated in several neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, including schizophrenia, Huntington’s disease, congenital heart defects and inflammatory bowel disease. Herein, we provide an update on the unique structural and biochemical features of SETDB1 that contribute to its regulation, as well as its molecular and cellular impact in normal physiology and disease with potential therapeutic options.
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19
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Shapiro-Kulnane L, Bautista O, Salz HK. An RNA-interference screen in Drosophila to identify ZAD-containing C2H2 zinc finger genes that function in female germ cells. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:6025177. [PMID: 33561227 PMCID: PMC8022714 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The zinc finger-associated domain (ZAD) is present in over 90 C2H2 zinc finger (ZNF) proteins. Despite their abundance, only a few ZAD-ZNF genes have been characterized to date. Here, we systematically analyze the function of 68 ZAD-ZNF genes in Drosophila female germ cells by performing an in vivo RNA-interference screen. We identified eight ZAD-ZNF genes required for oogenesis, and based on further characterization of the knockdown phenotypes, we uncovered defects broadly consistent with functions in germ cell specification and/or survival, early differentiation, and egg chamber maturation. These results provide a candidate pool for future studies aimed at functionalization of this large but poorly characterized gene family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Oscar Bautista
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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20
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Yang SY. Germline masculinization by Phf7 in D. melanogaster requires its evolutionarily novel C-terminus and the HP1-family protein HP1D3csd. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6308. [PMID: 33737548 PMCID: PMC7973481 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85560-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells in Drosophila melanogaster need intrinsic factors along with somatic signals to activate proper sexual programs. A key factor for male germline sex determination is PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7), a histone reader expressed in the male germline that can trigger sex reversal in female germ cells and is also important for efficient spermatogenesis. Here we find that the evolutionarily novel C-terminus in Phf7 is necessary to turn on the complete male program in the early germline of D. melanogaster, suggesting that this domain may have been uniquely acquired to regulate sexual differentiation. We further looked for genes regulated by Phf7 related to sex determination in the embryonic germline by transcriptome profiling of FACS-purified embryonic gonads. One of the genes positively-regulated by Phf7 in the embryonic germline was an HP1family member, Heterochromatin Protein 1D3 chromoshadow domain (HP1D3csd). We find that this gene is needed for Phf7 to induce male-like development in the female germline, indicating that HP1D3csd is an important factor acting downstream of Phf7 to regulate germline masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yuan Yang
- Department and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan. .,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan.
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21
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Palli SR. Epigenetic regulation of post-embryonic development. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 43:63-69. [PMID: 33068783 PMCID: PMC8044252 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Modifications to DNA and core histones influence chromatin organization and expression of the genome. DNA methylation plays a significant role in the regulation of multiple biological processes that regulate behavior and caste differentiation in social insects. Histone modifications play significant roles in the regulation of development and reproduction in other insects. Genes coding for acetyltransferases, deacetylases, methyltransferases, and demethylases that modify core histones have been identified in genomes of multiple insects. Studies on the function and mechanisms of action of some of these enzymes uncovered their contribution to post-embryonic development. The results from studies on epigenetic modifiers could help in the identification of inhibitors of epigenetic modifiers that could be developed to control pests and disease vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subba Reddy Palli
- Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, S225 Ag. Science N, Lexington, KY 40546, United States.
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22
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23
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Smolko AE, Shapiro-Kulnane L, Salz HK. An autoregulatory switch in sex-specific phf7 transcription causes loss of sexual identity and tumors in the Drosophila female germline. Development 2020; 147:dev.192856. [PMID: 32816970 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Maintenance of germ cell sexual identity is essential for reproduction. Entry into the spermatogenesis or oogenesis pathway requires that the appropriate gene network is activated and the antagonist network is silenced. For example, in Drosophila female germ cells, forced expression of the testis-specific PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) disrupts oogenesis, leading to either an agametic or germ cell tumor phenotype. Here, we show that PHF7-expressing ovarian germ cells inappropriately express hundreds of genes, many of which are male germline genes. We find that the majority of genes under PHF7 control in female germ cells are not under PHF7 control in male germ cells, suggesting that PHF7 is acting in a tissue-specific manner. Remarkably, transcriptional reprogramming includes a positive autoregulatory feedback mechanism in which ectopic PHF7 overcomes its own transcriptional repression through promoter switching. Furthermore, we find that tumorigenic capacity is dependent on the dosage of phf7 This study reveals that ectopic PHF7 in female germ cells leads to a loss of sexual identity and the promotion of a regulatory circuit that is beneficial for tumor initiation and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne E Smolko
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Laura Shapiro-Kulnane
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
| | - Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4955, USA
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24
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Rogers AK, Phillips CM. RNAi pathways repress reprogramming of C. elegans germ cells during heat stress. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:4256-4273. [PMID: 32187370 PMCID: PMC7192617 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Repression of cellular reprogramming in germ cells is critical to maintaining cell fate and fertility. When germ cells mis-express somatic genes they can be directly converted into other cell types, resulting in loss of totipotency and reproductive potential. Identifying the molecular mechanisms that coordinate these cell fate decisions is an active area of investigation. Here we show that RNAi pathways play a key role in maintaining germline gene expression and totipotency after heat stress. By examining transcriptional changes that occur in mut-16 mutants, lacking a key protein in the RNAi pathway, at elevated temperature we found that genes normally expressed in the soma are mis-expressed in germ cells. Furthermore, these genes displayed increased chromatin accessibility in the germlines of mut-16 mutants at elevated temperature. These findings indicate that the RNAi pathway plays a key role in preventing aberrant expression of somatic genes in the germline during heat stress. This regulation occurs in part through the maintenance of germline chromatin, likely acting through the nuclear RNAi pathway. Identification of new pathways governing germ cell reprogramming is critical to understanding how cells maintain proper gene expression and may provide key insights into how cell identity is lost in some germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia K Rogers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Carolyn M Phillips
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
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25
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Duan T, Green N, Tootle TL, Geyer PK. Nuclear architecture as an intrinsic regulator of Drosophila female germline stem cell maintenance. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 37:30-38. [PMID: 32087561 PMCID: PMC7089816 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Homeostasis of Drosophila germline stem cells (GSC) depends upon the integration of intrinsic and extrinsic signals. This review highlights emerging data that support nuclear architecture as an intrinsic regulator of GSC maintenance and germ cell differentiation. Here, we focus on the nuclear lamina (NL) and the nucleolus, two compartments that undergo alterations in composition upon germ cell differentiation. Loss of NL or nucleolar components leads to GSC loss, resulting from activation of GSC quality control checkpoint pathways. We suggest that the NL and nucleolus integrate signals needed for the switch between GSC maintenance and germ cell differentiation, and propose regulation of nuclear actin pools as one mechanism that connects these compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Duan
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Nicole Green
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Tina L Tootle
- Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Pamela K Geyer
- Departments of Biochemistry, University of Iowa, College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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26
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Gulati P, Kohli S, Narang A, Brahmachari V. Mining histone methyltransferases and demethylases from whole genome sequence. J Biosci 2020; 45:9. [PMID: 31965987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation through post-translational modification of histones, especially methylation, is well conserved in evolution. Although there are several insect genomes sequenced, an analysis with a focus on their epigenetic repertoire is limited. We have utilized a novel work-flow to identify one or more domains as highpriority domain (HPD), if present in at least 50% of the genes of a given functional class in the reference genome, namely, that of Drosophila melanogaster. Based on this approach, we have mined histone methyltransferases and demethylases from the whole genome sequence of Aedes aegypti (Diptera), the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum, the triatomid bug Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera), the honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera), the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera) and the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera). We identified 38 clusters consisting of arginine methyltransferases, lysine methyltransferases and demethylases using OrthoFinder, and the presence of HPD was queried in these sequences using InterProScan. This approach led us to identify putative novel members and currently inaccurate ones. Other than the highpriority domains, these proteins contain shared and unique domains that can mediate protein-protein interaction. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that there is different extent of protein sequence similarity; average similarity between histone lysine methyltransferases varies from 41% (for active mark) to 48% (for repressive mark), arginine methyltransferases is 51%, and demethylases is 52%. The method utilized here facilitates reliable identification of desired functional class in newly sequenced genomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Gulati
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India
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27
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The SUMO Ligase Su(var)2-10 Controls Hetero- and Euchromatic Gene Expression via Establishing H3K9 Trimethylation and Negative Feedback Regulation. Mol Cell 2019; 77:571-585.e4. [PMID: 31901448 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2019.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Сhromatin is critical for genome compaction and gene expression. On a coarse scale, the genome is divided into euchromatin, which harbors the majority of genes and is enriched in active chromatin marks, and heterochromatin, which is gene-poor but repeat-rich. The conserved molecular hallmark of heterochromatin is the H3K9me3 modification, which is associated with gene silencing. We found that in Drosophila, deposition of most of the H3K9me3 mark depends on SUMO and the SUMO ligase Su(var)2-10, which recruits the histone methyltransferase complex SetDB1/Wde. In addition to repressing repeats, H3K9me3 influences expression of both hetero- and euchromatic host genes. High H3K9me3 levels in heterochromatin are required to suppress spurious transcription and ensure proper gene expression. In euchromatin, a set of conserved genes is repressed by Su(var)2-10/SetDB1-induced H3K9 trimethylation, ensuring tissue-specific gene expression. Several components of heterochromatin are themselves repressed by this pathway, providing a negative feedback mechanism to ensure chromatin homeostasis.
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28
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Blatt P, Martin ET, Breznak SM, Rangan P. Post-transcriptional gene regulation regulates germline stem cell to oocyte transition during Drosophila oogenesis. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 140:3-34. [PMID: 32591078 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
During oogenesis, several developmental processes must be traversed to ensure effective completion of gametogenesis including, stem cell maintenance and asymmetric division, differentiation, mitosis and meiosis, and production of maternally contributed mRNAs, making the germline a salient model for understanding how cell fate transitions are mediated. Due to silencing of the genome during meiotic divisions, there is little instructive transcription, barring a few examples, to mediate these critical transitions. In Drosophila, several layers of post-transcriptional regulation ensure that the mRNAs required for these processes are expressed in a timely manner and as needed during germline differentiation. These layers of regulation include alternative splicing, RNA modification, ribosome production, and translational repression. Many of the molecules and pathways involved in these regulatory activities are conserved from Drosophila to humans making the Drosophila germline an elegant model for studying the role of post-transcriptional regulation during stem cell differentiation and meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Blatt
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Elliot T Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Shane M Breznak
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States; University at Albany SUNY, Albany, NY, United States.
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29
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Benner L, Castro EA, Whitworth C, Venken KJT, Yang H, Fang J, Oliver B, Cook KR, Lerit DA. Drosophila Heterochromatin Stabilization Requires the Zinc-Finger Protein Small Ovary. Genetics 2019; 213:877-895. [PMID: 31558581 PMCID: PMC6827387 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin-mediated repression is essential for controlling the expression of transposons and for coordinated cell type-specific gene regulation. The small ovary (sov) locus was identified in a screen for female-sterile mutations in Drosophila melanogaster, and mutants show dramatic ovarian morphogenesis defects. We show that the null sov phenotype is lethal and map the locus to the uncharacterized gene CG14438, which encodes a nuclear zinc-finger protein that colocalizes with the essential Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1a). We demonstrate Sov functions to repress inappropriate gene expression in the ovary, silence transposons, and suppress position-effect variegation in the eye, suggesting a central role in heterochromatin stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leif Benner
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
| | - Elias A Castro
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Cale Whitworth
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Koen J T Venken
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- McNair Medical Institute at the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
- Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Center for Drug Discovery
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Haiwang Yang
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Junnan Fang
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Brian Oliver
- Section of Developmental Genomics, Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Kevin R Cook
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405
| | - Dorothy A Lerit
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
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30
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Costello ME, Petrella LN. C. elegans synMuv B proteins regulate spatial and temporal chromatin compaction during development. Development 2019; 146:dev174383. [PMID: 31515206 PMCID: PMC6803374 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-specific establishment of repressive chromatin through creation of compact chromatin domains during development is necessary to ensure proper gene expression and cell fate. Caenorhabditis elegans synMuv B proteins are important for the soma/germline fate decision and mutants demonstrate ectopic germline gene expression in somatic tissue, especially at high temperature. We show that C. elegans synMuv B proteins regulate developmental chromatin compaction and that the timing of chromatin compaction is temperature sensitive in both wild type and synMuv B mutants. Chromatin compaction in mutants is delayed into developmental time periods when zygotic gene expression is upregulated and demonstrates an anterior-to-posterior pattern. Loss of this patterned compaction coincides with the developmental time period of ectopic germline gene expression, which leads to a developmental arrest in synMuv B mutants. Finally, accelerated cell division rates at elevated temperature may contribute to a lack of coordination between expression of tissue specific transcription programs and chromatin compaction at high temperature. Thus, chromatin organization during development is regulated both spatially and temporally by synMuv B proteins to establish repressive chromatin in a tissue-specific manner to ensure proper gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Costello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
| | - Lisa N Petrella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
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31
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Ninova M, Fejes Tóth K, Aravin AA. The control of gene expression and cell identity by H3K9 trimethylation. Development 2019; 146:dev181180. [PMID: 31540910 PMCID: PMC6803365 DOI: 10.1242/dev.181180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Histone 3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) is a conserved histone modification that is best known for its role in constitutive heterochromatin formation and the repression of repetitive DNA elements. More recently, it has become evident that H3K9me3 is also deposited at certain loci in a tissue-specific manner and plays important roles in regulating cell identity. Notably, H3K9me3 can repress genes encoding silencing factors, pointing to a fundamental principle of repressive chromatin auto-regulation. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that H3K9me3 deposition requires protein SUMOylation in different contexts, suggesting that the SUMO pathway functions as an important module in gene silencing and heterochromatin formation. In this Review, we discuss the role of H3K9me3 in gene regulation in various systems and the molecular mechanisms that guide the silencing machinery to target loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ninova
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Katalin Fejes Tóth
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Alexei A Aravin
- California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, 147-75, 1200 East California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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32
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Maksimov DA, Koryakov DE. Binding of SU(VAR)3-9 Partially Depends on SETDB1 in the Chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091030. [PMID: 31491894 PMCID: PMC6769583 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
H3K9 methylation is known to play a critical role in gene silencing. This modification is established and maintained by several enzymes, but relationships between them are not fully understood. In the present study, we decipher the interplay between two Drosophila H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases, SU(VAR)3-9 and SETDB1. We asked whether SETDB1 is required for targeting of SU(VAR)3-9. Using DamID-seq, we obtained SU(VAR)3-9 binding profiles for the chromosomes from larval salivary glands and germline cells from adult females, and compared profiles between the wild type and SETDB1-mutant backgrounds. Our analyses indicate that the vast majority of single copy genes in euchromatin are targeted by SU(VAR)3-9 only in the presence of SETDB1, whereas SU(VAR)3-9 binding at repeated sequences in heterochromatin is largely SETDB1-independent. Interestingly, piRNA clusters 42AB and 38C in salivary gland chromosomes bind SU(VAR)3-9 regardless of SETDB1, whereas binding to the same regions in the germline cells is SETDB1-dependent. In addition, we compared SU(VAR)3-9 profiles in female germline cells at different developmental stages (germarium cells in juvenile ovaries and mature nurse cells). It turned out that SU(VAR)3-9 binding is influenced both by the presence of SETDB1, as well as by the differentiation stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil A Maksimov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
| | - Dmitry E Koryakov
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology SB RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia.
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33
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Molnar C, Heinen JP, Reina J, Llamazares S, Palumbo E, Breschi A, Gay M, Villarreal L, Vilaseca M, Pollarolo G, Gonzalez C. The histone code reader PHD finger protein 7 controls sex-linked disparities in gene expression and malignancy in Drosophila. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw7965. [PMID: 31453329 PMCID: PMC6693905 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw7965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The notable male predominance across many human cancer types remains unexplained. Here, we show that Drosophila l(3)mbt brain tumors are more invasive and develop as malignant neoplasms more often in males than in females. By quantitative proteomics, we have identified a signature of proteins that are differentially expressed between male and female tumor samples. Prominent among them is the conserved chromatin reader PHD finger protein 7 (Phf7). We show that Phf7 depletion reduces sex-dependent differences in gene expression and suppresses the enhanced malignant traits of male tumors. Our results identify potential regulators of sex-linked tumor dimorphism and show that these genes may serve as targets to suppress sex-linked malignant traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Molnar
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan Peter Heinen
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Reina
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Salud Llamazares
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Palumbo
- CRG, BIST, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- UPF, Plaça de la Mercè, 10, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- IMIM, Carrer del Dr. Aiguader, 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Marina Gay
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Villarreal
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Vilaseca
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giulia Pollarolo
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cayetano Gonzalez
- IRB Barcelona, BIST, Carrer de Baldiri Reixac, 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Passeig Lluís Companys, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- Corresponding author.
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34
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Rechtsteiner A, Costello ME, Egelhofer TA, Garrigues JM, Strome S, Petrella LN. Repression of Germline Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans Somatic Tissues by H3K9 Dimethylation of Their Promoters. Genetics 2019; 212:125-140. [PMID: 30910798 PMCID: PMC6499516 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.301878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Repression of germline-promoting genes in somatic cells is critical for somatic development and function. To study how germline genes are repressed in somatic tissues, we analyzed key histone modifications in three Caenorhabditis elegans synMuv B mutants, lin-15B, lin-35, and lin-37-all of which display ectopic expression of germline genes in the soma. LIN-35 and LIN-37 are members of the conserved DREAM complex. LIN-15B has been proposed to work with the DREAM complex but has not been shown biochemically to be a member of the complex. We found that, in wild-type worms, synMuv B target genes and germline genes are enriched for the repressive histone modification dimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 9 (H3K9me2) at their promoters. Genes with H3K9me2 promoter localization are evenly distributed across the autosomes, not biased toward autosomal arms, as are the broad H3K9me2 domains. Both synMuv B targets and germline genes display a dramatic reduction of H3K9me2 promoter localization in lin-15B mutants, but much weaker reduction in lin-35 and lin-37 mutants. This difference between lin-15B and DREAM complex mutants likely represents a difference in molecular function for these synMuv B proteins. In support of the pivotal role of H3K9me2 in regulation of germline genes by LIN-15B, global loss of H3K9me2 but not H3K9me3 results in phenotypes similar to synMuv B mutants, high-temperature larval arrest, and ectopic expression of germline genes in the soma. We propose that LIN-15B-driven enrichment of H3K9me2 at promoters of germline genes contributes to repression of those genes in somatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Meghan E Costello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
| | - Thea A Egelhofer
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Jacob M Garrigues
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Susan Strome
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064
| | - Lisa N Petrella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
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35
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Seller CA, Cho CY, O'Farrell PH. Rapid embryonic cell cycles defer the establishment of heterochromatin by Eggless/SetDB1 in Drosophila. Genes Dev 2019; 33:403-417. [PMID: 30808658 PMCID: PMC6446540 DOI: 10.1101/gad.321646.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Acquisition of chromatin modifications during embryogenesis distinguishes different regions of an initially naïve genome. In many organisms, repetitive DNA is packaged into constitutive heterochromatin that is marked by di/trimethylation of histone H3K9 and the associated protein HP1a. These modifications enforce the unique epigenetic properties of heterochromatin. However, in the early Drosophila melanogaster embryo, the heterochromatin lacks these modifications, which appear only later, when rapid embryonic cell cycles slow down at the midblastula transition (MBT). Here we focus on the initial steps restoring heterochromatic modifications in the embryo. We describe the JabbaTrap, a technique for inactivating maternally provided proteins in embryos. Using the JabbaTrap, we reveal a major requirement for the methyltransferase Eggless/SetDB1 in the establishment of heterochromatin. In contrast, other methyltransferases contribute minimally. Live imaging reveals that endogenous Eggless gradually accumulates on chromatin in interphase but then dissociates in mitosis, and its accumulation must restart in the next cell cycle. Cell cycle slowing as the embryo approaches the MBT permits increasing accumulation and action of Eggless at its targets. Experimental manipulation of interphase duration shows that cell cycle speed regulates Eggless. We propose that developmental slowing of the cell cycle times embryonic heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Seller
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Chun-Yi Cho
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
| | - Patrick H O'Farrell
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA
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