Promoter type influences transcriptional topography by targeting genes to distinct nucleoplasmic sites

Repression of transcription by the glucocorticoid receptor: A parsimonious model for the genomics era

Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs that are used to treat an extraordinary range of human disease, including COVID-19, underscoring the ongoing importance of understanding their molecular mechanisms. Early studies of GR signaling led to broad acceptance of models in which glucocorticoid receptor (GR) monomers tether repressively to inflammatory transcription factors, thus abrogating inflammatory gene expression. However, newer data challenge this core concept and present an exciting opportunity to reframe our understanding of GR signaling. Here, we present an alternate, two-part model for transcriptional repression by glucocorticoids. First, widespread GR-mediated induction of transcription results in rapid, primary repression of inflammatory gene transcription and associated enhancers through competition-based mechanisms. Second, a subset of GR-induced genes, including targets that are regulated in coordination with inflammatory transcription factors such as NF-κB, exerts secondary repressive effects on inflammatory gene expression. Within this framework, emerging data indicate that the gene set regulated through the cooperative convergence of GR and NF-κB signaling is central to the broad clinical effectiveness of glucocorticoids in terminating inflammation and promoting tissue repair.

Duplication of a germline promoter downstream of the IgH 3' regulatory region impairs class switch recombination

During an adaptive immune response, B cells can change their surface immunoglobulins from IgM to IgG, IgE or IgA through a process called class switch recombination (CSR). Switching is preceded by inducible non-coding germline transcription (GLT) of the selected constant gene(s), which is largely controlled by a super-enhancer called the 3' regulatory region (3'RR). Despite intense efforts, the precise mechanisms that regulate GLT are still elusive. In order to gain additional insights into these mechanisms, we analyzed GLT and CSR in mutant B cells carrying a duplication of the promoter of the α constant gene (Iα) downstream of 3'RR. Duplication of the Iα promoter affected differently GLT and CSR. While for most isotypes a drop in GLT was accompanied by a decrease in CSR, that was not the case for switching to IgA, which diminished despite unchanged GLT. Unexpectedly, there was no obvious effect on GLT and CSR to IgG3. Remarkably, specific stimuli that normally induce switching to IgG2b had contrasting effects in mutant B cells; Iγ2b was now preferentially responsive to the stimulus that induced Iα promoter. We propose that one mechanism underlying the induced 3'RR-mediated activation of GL promoters involves, at least in part, specific transcription factories.

Higher-Order Chromatin Regulation of Inflammatory Gene Expression

Whether it is caused by viruses and bacteria infection, or low-grade chronic inflammation of atherosclerosis and cellular senescence, the transcription factor (TF) NF-κB plays a central role in the inducible expression of inflammatory genes. Accumulated evidence has indicated that the chromatin environment is the main determinant of TF binding in gene expression regulation, including the stimulus-responsive NF-κB. Dynamic changes in intra- and interchromosomes are the key regulatory mechanisms promoting the binding of TFs. When an inflammatory process is triggered, NF-κB binds to enhancers or superenhancers, triggering the transcription of enhancer RNA (eRNA), driving the chromatin of the NF-κB-binding gene locus to construct transcriptional factories, and forming intra- or interchromosomal contacts. These processes reveal a mechanism in which intrachromosomal contacts appear to be cis-control enhancer-promoter communications, whereas interchromosomal regulatory elements construct trans-form relationships with genes on other chromosomes. This article will review emerging evidence on the genome organization hierarchy underlying the inflammatory response.

Super-resolution measurement of distance between transcription sites using RNA FISH with intronic probes

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Label intronic RNA using FISH to identify sites of transcription by RNA polymerase II.

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Low-tech microscopes are used to acquire images for super-resolution measurements.

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Distances between sites of transcription are determined with precision near 20 nm.

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Spatial-temporal relationships between active genes are studied with this method.

Nascent transcripts being copied from specific human genes can be detected using RNA FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) with intronic probes, and the distance between two different nascent transcripts is often measured when studying structure–function relationships. Such distance measurements are limited by the resolution of the light microscope. Here we describe methods for measuring these distances in cultured cells with a precision of a few tens of nanometers, using equipment found in most laboratories (i.e., a wide-field fluorescence microscope equipped with a charged-coupled-device camera). Using images of pairs of transcripts that are often co-transcribed, we discuss how selection of cell type, design of FISH probes, image acquisition, and image processing affect the precision that can be achieved.

Study of RNA Polymerase II Clustering inside Live-Cell Nuclei Using Bayesian Nanoscopy

Nanoscale spatiotemporal clustering of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) plays an important role in transcription regulation. However, dynamics of individual Pol II clusters in live-cell nuclei has not been measured directly, prohibiting in-depth understanding of their working mechanisms. In this work, we studied the dynamics of Pol II clustering using Bayesian nanoscopy in live mammalian cell nuclei. With 50 nm spatial resolution and 4 s temporal resolution, Bayesian nanoscopy allows direct observation of the assembly and disassembly dynamics of individual Pol II clusters. The results not only provide quantifications of Pol II clusters but also shed light on the understanding of cluster formation and regulation. Our study suggests that transcription factories form on-demand and recruit Pol II molecules in their pre-elongation phase. The assembly and disassembly of individual Pol II clusters take place asynchronously. Overall, the methods developed herein are also applicable to studying a wide realm of real-time nanometer-scale nuclear processes in live cells.

Spatial Organization of Epigenomes

The role of genome architecture in transcription regulation has become the focus of an increasing number of studies over the past decade. Chromatin organization can have a significant impact on gene expression by promoting or restricting the physical proximity between regulatory DNA elements. Given that any change in chromatin state has the potential to alter DNA folding and the proximity between control elements, the spatial organization of chromatin is inherently linked to its molecular composition. In this review, we explore how modulators of chromatin state and organization might keep gene expression in check. We discuss recent findings and present some of the less well-studied aspects of spatial genome organization such as chromatin dynamics and regulation by non-coding RNAs.

The dynamic architectural and epigenetic nuclear landscape: developing the genomic almanac of biology and disease

Compaction of the eukaryotic genome into the confined space of the cell nucleus must occur faithfully throughout each cell cycle to retain gene expression fidelity. For decades, experimental limitations to study the structural organization of the interphase nucleus restricted our understanding of its contributions towards gene regulation and disease. However, within the past few years, our capability to visualize chromosomes in vivo with sophisticated fluorescence microscopy, and to characterize chromosomal regulatory environments via massively parallel sequencing methodologies have drastically changed how we currently understand epigenetic gene control within the context of three-dimensional nuclear structure. The rapid rate at which information on nuclear structure is unfolding brings challenges to compare and contrast recent observations with historic findings. In this review, we discuss experimental breakthroughs that have influenced how we understand and explore the dynamic structure and function of the nucleus, and how we can incorporate historical perspectives with insights acquired from the ever-evolving advances in molecular biology and pathology.

Are genes switched on when they kiss?

Chromatin loops are pervasive and permit the tight compaction of DNA within the confined space of the nucleus. Looping enables distal genes and DNA elements to engage in chromosomal contact, to form multigene complexes. Advances in biochemical and imaging techniques reveal that loop-mediated contact is strongly correlated with transcription of interacting DNA. However, these approaches only provide a snapshot of events and therefore are unable to reveal the dynamics of multigene complex assembly. This highlights the necessity to develop single cell-based assays that provide single molecule resolution, and are able to functionally interrogate the role of chromosomal contact on gene regulation. To this end, high-resolution single cell imaging regimes, combined with genome editing approaches, are proving to be pivotal to advancing our understanding of loop-mediated dynamics.

Chromosomal contact permits transcription between coregulated genes

Transcription of coregulated genes occurs in the context of long-range chromosomal contacts that form multigene complexes. Such contacts and transcription are lost in knockout studies of transcription factors and structural chromatin proteins. To ask whether chromosomal contacts are required for cotranscription in multigene complexes, we devised a strategy using TALENs to cleave and disrupt gene loops in a well-characterized multigene complex. Monitoring this disruption using RNA FISH and immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that perturbing the site of contact had a direct effect on transcription of other interacting genes. Unexpectedly, this effect on cotranscription was hierarchical, with dominant and subordinate members of the multigene complex engaged in both intra- and interchromosomal contact. This observation reveals the profound influence of these chromosomal contacts on the transcription of coregulated genes in a multigene complex.