PRC1 and PRC2 are not required for targeting of H2A.Z to developmental genes in embryonic stem cells

Incorporation of the histone variant H2A.Z counteracts gene silencing mediated by H3K27 trimethylation in Fusarium fujikuroi

BACKGROUND

Fusarium fujikuroi is a pathogen of rice causing diverse disease symptoms such as 'bakanae' or stunting, most likely due to the production of various natural products (NPs) during infection. Fusaria have the genetic potential to synthesize a plethora of these compounds with often diverse bioactivity. The capability to synthesize NPs exceeds the number of those being produced by far, implying a gene regulatory network decisive to induce production. One such regulatory layer is the chromatin structure and chromatin-based modifications associated with it. One prominent example is the exchange of histones against histone variants such as the H2A variant H2A.Z. Though H2A.Z already is well studied in several model organisms, its regulatory functions are not well understood. Here, we used F. fujikuroi as a model to explore the role of the prominent histone variant FfH2A.Z in gene expression within euchromatin and facultative heterochromatin.

RESULTS

Through the combination of diverse '-omics' methods, we show the global distribution of FfH2A.Z and analyze putative crosstalks between the histone variant and two prominent histone marks, i.e., H3K4me3 and H3K27me3, important for active gene transcription and silencing, respectively. We demonstrate that, if FfH2A.Z is positioned at the + 1-nucleosome, it poises chromatin for gene transcription, also within facultative heterochromatin. Lastly, functional characterization of FfH2A.Z overexpression and depletion mutants revealed that FfH2A.Z is important for wild type-like fungal development and secondary metabolism.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we show that the histone variant FfH2A.Z is a mark of positive gene transcription and acts independently of the chromatin state most likely through the stabilization of the + 1-nucleosome. Furthermore, we demonstrate that FfH2A.Z depletion does not influence the establishment of both H3K27me3 and H3K4me3, thus indicating no crosstalk between FfH2A.Z and both histone marks. These results highlight the manifold functions of the histone variant FfH2A.Z in the phytopathogen F. fujikuroi, which are distinct regarding gene transcription and crosstalk with the two prominent histone marks H3K27me3 and H3K4me3, as proposed for other model organisms.

Two target gene activation pathways for orphan ERR nuclear receptors

Estrogen-related receptors (ERRα/β/γ) are orphan nuclear receptors that function in energy-demanding physiological processes, as well as in development and stem cell maintenance, but mechanisms underlying target gene activation by ERRs are largely unknown. Here, reconstituted biochemical assays that manifest ERR-dependent transcription have revealed two complementary mechanisms. On DNA templates, ERRs activate transcription with just the normal complement of general initiation factors through an interaction of the ERR DNA-binding domain with the p52 subunit of initiation factor TFIIH. On chromatin templates, activation by ERRs is dependent on AF2 domain interactions with the cell-specific coactivator PGC-1α, which in turn recruits the ubiquitous p300 and MED1/Mediator coactivators. This role of PGC-1α may also be fulfilled by other AF2-interacting coactivators like NCOA3, which is shown to recruit Mediator selectively to ERRβ and ERRγ. Importantly, combined genetic and RNA-seq analyses establish that both the TFIIH and the AF2 interaction-dependent pathways are essential for ERRβ/γ-selective gene expression and pluripotency maintenance in embryonic stem cells in which NCOA3 is a critical coactivator.

Functions of Polycomb Proteins on Active Targets

Chromatin regulators of the Polycomb group of genes are well-known by their activities as transcriptional repressors. Characteristically, their presence at genomic sites occurs with specific histone modifications and sometimes high-order chromatin structures correlated with silencing of genes involved in cell differentiation. However, evidence gathered in recent years, on flies and mammals, shows that in addition to these sites, Polycomb products bind to a large number of active regulatory regions. Occupied sites include promoters and also intergenic regions, containing enhancers and super-enhancers. Contrasting with occupancies at repressed targets, characteristic histone modifications are low or undetectable. Functions on active targets are dual, restraining gene expression at some targets while promoting activity at others. Our aim here is to summarize the evidence available and discuss the convenience of broadening the scope of research to include Polycomb functions on active targets.

Biology and Physics of Heterochromatin-Like Domains/Complexes

The hallmarks of constitutive heterochromatin, HP1 and H3K9me2/3, assemble heterochromatin-like domains/complexes outside canonical constitutively heterochromatic territories where they regulate chromatin template-dependent processes. Domains are more than 100 kb in size; complexes less than 100 kb. They are present in the genomes of organisms ranging from fission yeast to human, with an expansion in size and number in mammals. Some of the likely functions of domains/complexes include silencing of the donor mating type region in fission yeast, preservation of DNA methylation at imprinted germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) and regulation of the phylotypic progression during vertebrate development. Far cis- and trans-contacts between micro-phase separated domains/complexes in mammalian nuclei contribute to the emergence of epigenetic compartmental domains (ECDs) detected in Hi-C maps. A thermodynamic description of micro-phase separation of heterochromatin-like domains/complexes may require a gestalt shift away from the monomer as the "unit of incompatibility" that determines the sign and magnitude of the Flory-Huggins parameter, χ. Instead, a more dynamic structure, the oligo-nucleosomal "clutch", consisting of between 2 and 10 nucleosomes is both the long sought-after secondary structure of chromatin and its unit of incompatibility. Based on this assumption we present a simple theoretical framework that enables an estimation of χ for domains/complexes flanked by euchromatin and thereby an indication of their tendency to phase separate. The degree of phase separation is specified by χN, where N is the number of "clutches" in a domain/complex. Our approach could provide an additional tool for understanding the biophysics of the 3D genome.

Chromatin regulation and dynamics in stem cells

In eukaryotes, DNA is highly compacted within the nucleus into a structure known as chromatin. Modulation of chromatin structure allows for precise regulation of gene expression, and thereby controls cell fate decisions. Specific chromatin organization is established and preserved by numerous factors to generate desired cellular outcomes. In embryonic stem (ES) cells, chromatin is precisely regulated to preserve their two defining characteristics: self-renewal and pluripotent state. This action is accomplished by a litany of nucleosome remodelers, histone variants, epigenetic marks, and other chromatin regulatory factors. These highly dynamic regulatory factors come together to precisely define a chromatin state that is conducive to ES cell maintenance and development, where dysregulation threatens the survival and fitness of the developing organism.

DNA Methylation Directs Polycomb-Dependent 3D Genome Re-organization in Naive Pluripotency

The DNA hypomethylation that occurs when embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are directed to the ground state of naive pluripotency by culturing in two small molecule inhibitors (2i) results in redistribution of polycomb (H3K27me3) away from its target loci. Here, we demonstrate that 3D genome organization is also altered in 2i, with chromatin decompaction at polycomb target loci and a loss of long-range polycomb interactions. By preventing DNA hypomethylation during the transition to the ground state, we are able to restore to ESC in 2i the H3K27me3 distribution, as well as polycomb-mediated 3D genome organization that is characteristic of primed ESCs grown in serum. However, these cells retain the functional characteristics of 2i ground-state ESCs. Our findings demonstrate the central role of DNA methylation in shaping major aspects of 3D genome organization but caution against assuming causal roles for the epigenome and 3D genome in gene regulation and function in ESCs.

Polycomb Assemblies Multitask to Regulate Transcription

The Polycomb system is made of an evolutionary ancient group of proteins, present throughout plants and animals. Known initially from developmental studies with the fly Drosophila melanogaster, they were associated with stable sustainment of gene repression and maintenance of cell identity. Acting as multiprotein assemblies with an ability to modify chromatin, through chemical additions to histones and organization of topological domains, they have been involved subsequently in control of developmental transitions and in cell homeostasis. Recent work has unveiled an association of Polycomb components with transcriptionally active loci and the promotion of gene expression, in clear contrast with conventional recognition as repressors. Focusing on mammalian models, I review here advances concerning roles in transcriptional control. Among new findings highlighted is the regulation of their catalytic properties, recruiting to targets, and activities in chromatin organization and compartmentalization. The need for a more integrated approach to the study of the Polycomb system, given its fundamental complexity and its adaptation to cell context, is discussed.

The base pair-scale diffusion of nucleosomes modulates binding of transcription factors

The structure of promoter chromatin determines the ability of transcription factors (TFs) to bind to DNA and therefore has a profound effect on the expression levels of genes. However, the role of spontaneous nucleosome movements in this process is not fully understood. Here, we developed a single-molecule optical tweezers assay capable of simultaneously characterizing the base pair-scale diffusion of a nucleosome on DNA and the binding of a TF, using the luteinizing hormone β subunit gene (Lhb) promoter and Egr-1 as a model system. Our results demonstrate that nucleosomes undergo confined diffusion, and that the incorporation of the histone variant H2A.Z serves to partially relieve this confinement, inducing a different type of nucleosome repositioning. The increase in diffusion leads to exposure of a TF's binding site and facilitates its association with the DNA, which, in turn, biases the subsequent movement of the nucleosome. Our findings suggest the use of mobile nucleosomes as a general transcriptional regulatory mechanism.

Chromatin folding and nuclear architecture: PRC1 function in 3D

Embryonic development requires the intricate balance between the expansion and specialisation of defined cell types in time and space. The gene expression programmes that underpin this balance are regulated, in part, by modulating the chemical and structural state of chromatin. Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs), a family of essential developmental regulators, operate at this level to stabilise or perpetuate a repressed but transcriptionally poised chromatin configuration. This dynamic state is required to control the timely initiation of productive gene transcription during embryonic development. The two major PRCs cooperate to target the genome, but it is PRC1 that appears to be the primary effector that controls gene expression. In this review I will discuss recent findings relating to how PRC1 alters chromatin accessibility, folding and global 3D nuclear organisation to control gene transcription.

Histone variants H2A.Z and H3.3 coordinately regulate PRC2-dependent H3K27me3 deposition and gene expression regulation in mES cells

Background

The hierarchical organization of eukaryotic chromatin plays a central role in gene regulation, by controlling the extent to which the transcription machinery can access DNA. The histone variants H3.3 and H2A.Z have recently been identified as key regulatory players in this process, but the underlying molecular mechanisms by which they permit or restrict gene expression remain unclear. Here, we investigated the regulatory function of H3.3 and H2A.Z on chromatin dynamics and Polycomb-mediated gene silencing.

Results

Our ChIP-seq analysis reveals that in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells, H3K27me3 enrichment correlates strongly with H2A.Z. We further demonstrate that H2A.Z promotes PRC2 activity on H3K27 methylation through facilitating chromatin compaction both in vitro and in mES cells. In contrast, PRC2 activity is counteracted by H3.3 through impairing chromatin compaction. However, a subset of H3.3 may positively regulate PRC2-dependent H3K27 methylation via coordinating depositions of H2A.Z to developmental and signaling genes in mES cells. Using all-trans retinoic acid (tRA)-induced gene as a model, we show that the dynamic deposition of H2A.Z and H3.3 coordinately regulates the PRC2-dependent H3K27 methylation by modulating local chromatin structure at the promoter region during the process of turning genes off.

Conclusions

Our study provides key insights into the mechanism of how histone variants H3.3 and H2A.Z function coordinately to finely tune the PRC2 enzymatic activity during gene silencing, through promoting or impairing chromosome compaction respectively.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-018-0568-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Bivalent Epigenetic Control of Oncofetal Gene Expression in Cancer

Multiple mechanisms of epigenetic control that include DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNAs, and mitotic gene bookmarking play pivotal roles in stringent gene regulation during lineage commitment and maintenance. Experimental evidence indicates that bivalent chromatin domains, i.e., genome regions that are marked by both H3K4me3 (activating) and H3K27me3 (repressive) histone modifications, are a key property of pluripotent stem cells. Bivalency of developmental genes during the G₁ phase of the pluripotent stem cell cycle contributes to cell fate decisions. Recently, some cancer types have been shown to exhibit partial recapitulation of bivalent chromatin modifications that are lost along with pluripotency, suggesting a mechanism by which cancer cells reacquire properties that are characteristic of undifferentiated, multipotent cells. This bivalent epigenetic control of oncofetal gene expression in cancer cells may offer novel insights into the onset and progression of cancer and may provide specific and selective options for diagnosis as well as for therapeutic intervention.

Causal role of histone acetylations in enhancer function

Enhancers control development and cellular function by spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression. Co-occurrence of acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27ac) and mono methylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me1) has been widely used for identification of active enhancers. However, increasing evidence suggests that using this combination of marks alone for enhancer identification gives an incomplete picture of the active enhancer repertoire. We have shown that the H3 globular domain acetylations, H3K64ac and H3K122ac, and an H4 tail acetylation, H4K16ac, are enriched at active enhancers together with H3K27ac, and also at a large number of enhancers without detectable H3K27ac. We propose that acetylations at these lysine residues of histones H3 and H4 might function by directly affecting chromatin structure, nucleosome-nucleosome interactions, nucleosome stability, and transcription factor accessibility.

RNF2 E3 or Not to E3: Dual Roles of RNF2 Overexpression in Melanoma

RNF2/RING1B is amplified and overexpressed in numerous tumors and contributes to tumorigenicity; however, the biologic importance is poorly understood. Surprisingly, the role of RNF2 in tumorigenesis and invasion can be separated into catalytically independent and catalytically dependent processes.

Barcelona conference on epigenetics and cancer 2015: Coding and non-coding functions of the genome

The Barcelona Conference on Epigenetics and Cancer (BCEC) entitled "Coding and Non-Coding functions of the Genome" took place October 29-30, 2015 in Barcelona. The 2015 BCEC was the third edition of a series of annual conferences jointly organized by 5 leading research centers in Barcelona together with B-Debate, an initiative of BioCat. Luciano Di Croce from the Center for Genomic Regulation and Marcus Buschbeck from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute put together the scientific program with a particular focus on the role of non-coding RNAs in enhancer regulation, epigenetic control by Polycomb complexes, histone variants, and nuclear organization. In one and a half days, 22 talks and 56 posters were presented to an audience of 215 participants.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of RING1B is not essential for early mouse development

Polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 maintain repression at many developmental genes in mouse embryonic stem cells and are required for early development. However, it is still unclear how they are targeted and how they function. We show that the ability of RING1B, a core component of PRC1, to ubiquitinate histone H2A is dispensable for early mouse embryonic development and much of the gene repression activity of PRC1. Our data support a model in which PRC1 and PRC2 reinforce each other's binding but suggest that the key functions of PRC1 lie beyond the enzymatic capabilities of RING1B.

Regulation of gene transcription by Polycomb proteins

The Polycomb group (PcG) of proteins defines a subset of factors that physically associate and function to maintain the positional identity of cells from the embryo to adult stages. PcG has long been considered a paradigmatic model for epigenetic maintenance of gene transcription programs. Despite intensive research efforts to unveil the molecular mechanisms of action of PcG proteins, several fundamental questions remain unresolved: How many different PcG complexes exist in mammalian cells? How are PcG complexes targeted to specific loci? How does PcG regulate transcription? In this review, we discuss the diversity of PcG complexes in mammalian cells, examine newly identified modes of recruitment to chromatin, and highlight the latest insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the function of PcGs in transcription regulation and three-dimensional chromatin conformation.

Distinct features of lamin A-interacting chromatin domains mapped by ChIP-sequencing from sonicated or micrococcal nuclease-digested chromatin

The nuclear lamina has been shown to interact with the genome through lamina-associated domains (LADs). LADs have been identified by DamID, a proximity labeling assay, and more recently by chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) of A- and B-type lamins. LADs form megabase-size domains at the nuclear periphery, they are gene-poor and mostly heterochromatic. Here, we show that the mode of chromatin fragmentation for ChIP, namely bath sonication or digestion with micrococcal nuclease (MNase), leads to the discovery of common but also distinct sets of lamin-interacting domains, or LiDs. Using ChIP-seq, we show the existence of lamin A/C (LMNA) LiDs with distinct gene contents, histone composition enrichment and relationships to lamin B1-interacting domains. The extent of genome coverage of lamin A/C (LMNA) LiDs in sonicated or MNase-digested chromatin is similar (∼730 megabases); however over half of these domains are uniquely detected in sonicated or MNase-digested chromatin. Sonication-specific LMNA LiDs are gene-poor and devoid of a broad panel of histone modifications, while MNase-specific LMNA LiDs are of higher gene density and are enriched in H3K9me3, H3K27me3 and in histone variant H2A.Z. LMNB1 LiDs are gene-poor and show no or little enrichment in these marks. Comparison of published LMNB1 DamID LADs with LMNB1 and LMNA LiDs identified here by ChIP-seq further shows that LMNA can associate with 'open' chromatin domains displaying euchromatin characteristics, and which are not associated with LMNB1. The differential genomic and epigenetic properties of lamin-interacting domains reflect the existence of distinct LiD populations identifiable in different chromatin contexts, including nuclease-accessible regions presumably localized in the nuclear interior.

Dual Roles of RNF2 in Melanoma Progression

Epigenetic regulators have emerged as critical factors governing the biology of cancer. Here, in the context of melanoma, we show that RNF2 is prognostic, exhibiting progression-correlated expression in human melanocytic neoplasms. Through a series of complementary gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in mouse and human systems, we establish that RNF2 is oncogenic and prometastatic. Mechanistically, RNF2-mediated invasive behavior is dependent on its ability to monoubiquitinate H2AK119 at the promoter of LTBP2, resulting in silencing of this negative regulator of TGFβ signaling. In contrast, RNF2's oncogenic activity does not require its catalytic activity nor does it derive from its canonical gene repression function. Instead, RNF2 drives proliferation through direct transcriptional upregulation of the cell-cycle regulator CCND2. We further show that MEK1-mediated phosphorylation of RNF2 promotes recruitment of activating histone modifiers UTX and p300 to a subset of poised promoters, which activates gene expression. In summary, RNF2 regulates distinct biologic processes in the genesis and progression of melanoma via different molecular mechanisms.

SIGNIFICANCE

The role of epigenetic regulators in cancer progression is being increasingly appreciated. We show novel roles for RNF2 in melanoma tumorigenesis and metastasis, albeit via different mechanisms. Our findings support the notion that epigenetic regulators, such as RNF2, directly and functionally control powerful gene networks that are vital in multiple cancer processes.

Polycomb recruitment at the Class II transactivator gene

The Class II Transactivator (CIITA) is the master regulator of Major Histocompatibility Class II (MHC II) genes. Transcription of CIITA through the IFN-γ inducible CIITA promoter IV (CIITA pIV) during activation is characterized by a decrease in trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3), catalyzed by the histone methyltransferase Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2). While EZH2 is the known catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and is present at the inactive CIITA pIV, the mechanism of PRC2 recruitment to mammalian promoters remains unknown. Here we identify two DNA-binding proteins, which interact with and regulate PRC2 recruitment to CIITA pIV. We demonstrate Yin Yang 1 (YY1) and Jumonji domain containing protein 2 (JARID2) are binding partners along with EZH2 in mammalian cells. Upon IFN-γ stimulation, YY1 dissociates from CIITA pIV while JARID2 binding to CIITA pIV increases, suggesting novel roles for these proteins in regulating expression of CIITA pIV. Knockdown of YY1 and JARID2 yields decreased binding of EZH2 and H3K27me3 at CIITA pIV, suggesting important roles for YY1 and JARID2 at CIITA pIV. JARID2 knockdown also results in significantly elevated levels of CIITA mRNA upon IFN-γ stimulation. This study is the first to identify novel roles of YY1 and JARID2 in the epigenetic regulation of the CIITA pIV by recruitment of PRC2. Our observations indicate the importance of JARID2 in CIITA pIV silencing, and also provide a novel YY1-JARID2-PRC2 regulatory complex as a possible explanation of differential PRC2 recruitment at inducible versus permanently silenced genes.

Upregulated expression of polycomb protein Ring1 contributes to poor prognosis and accelerated proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Ring finger protein 1 (Ring1) have recently been reported to be closely related to aggressive tumor features in multiple cancer types, including prostate cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer, and bladder cancer. However, the role of Ring1 in human hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed at investigating the latent role of Ring1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The expression of Ring1 was evaluated using Western blot analysis in 8 paired fresh HCC tissues and immunohistochemistry on 98 paraffin-embedded sections from 2005 to 2008. Moreover, RNA interference, CCK-8, colony formation, and flow-cytometry analyses were performed to investigate the role of Ring1 in the regulation of HCC cell proliferation. Compared with adjacent normal tissues, the level of Ring1 was significantly increased in HCC specimens. High expression of Ring1 was associated with histological grade (P = 0.011) and tumor size (P = 0.004), and Ring1 expression was positively related with the proliferation marker Ki-67 (P < 0.001). Moreover, knocking down Ring1 induced growth impairment and G1/S cell cycle arrest in HCC cells. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that high expression of Ring1 indicated poor prognosis of HCC (P = 0.03). On the basis of these results, we proposed that the expression of Ring1 protein may be a novel indicator of HCC prognosis.

A critical perspective of the diverse roles of O-GlcNAc transferase in chromatin

O-linked β-N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) is a posttranslational modification that is catalyzed by O-GlcNAc transferase (Ogt) and found on a plethora of nuclear and cytosolic proteins in animals and plants. Studies in different model organisms revealed that while O-GlcNAc is required for selected processes in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila, it has evolved to become required for cell viability in mice, and this has challenged investigations to identify cellular functions that critically require this modification in mammals. Nevertheless, a principal cellular process that engages O-GlcNAcylation in all of these species is the regulation of gene transcription. Here, we revisit several of the primary experimental observations that led to current models of how O-GlcNAcylation affects gene expression. In particular, we discuss the role of the stable association of Ogt with the transcription factors Hcf1 and Tet, the two main Ogt-interacting proteins in nuclei of mammalian cells. We also critically evaluate the evidence that specific residues on core histones, including serine 112 of histone 2B (H2B-S112), are O-GlcNAcylated in vivo and discuss possible physiological effects of these modifications. Finally, we review our understanding of the role of O-GlcNAcylation in Drosophila, where recent studies suggest that the developmental defects in Ogt mutants are all caused by lack of O-GlcNAcylation of a single transcriptional regulator, the Polycomb repressor protein Polyhomeotic (Ph). Collectively, this reexamination of the experimental evidence suggests that a number of recently propagated models about the role of O-GlcNAcylation in transcriptional control should be treated cautiously.

PRC2-independent chromatin compaction and transcriptional repression in cancer

The silencing of large chromosomal regions by epigenetic mechanisms has been reported to occur frequently in cancer. Epigenetic marks, such as histone methylation and acetylation, are altered at these loci. However, the mechanisms of formation of such aberrant gene clusters remain largely unknown. Here, we show that, in cancer cells, the epigenetic remodeling of chromatin into hypoacetylated domains covered with histone H3K27 trimethylation is paralleled by changes in higher-order chromatin structures. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that regional epigenetic silencing corresponds to the establishment of compact chromatin domains. We show that gene repression is tightly correlated to the state of chromatin compaction and not to the levels of H3K27me3-its removal through the knockdown of EZH2 does not induce significant gene expression nor chromatin decompaction. Moreover, transcription can occur with intact high-H3K27me3 levels; treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors can relieve chromatin compaction and gene repression, without altering H3K27me3 levels. Our findings imply that compaction and subsequent repression of large chromatin domains are not direct consequences of PRC2 deregulation in cancer cells. By challenging the role of EZH2 in aberrant gene silencing in cancer, these findings have therapeutical implications, notably for the choice of epigenetic drugs for tumors with multiple regional epigenetic alterations.

Identification of protein complexes that bind to histone H3 combinatorial modifications using super-SILAC and weighted correlation network analysis

The large number of chemical modifications that are found on the histone proteins of eukaryotic cells form multiple complex combinations, which can act as recognition signals for reader proteins. We have used peptide capture in conjunction with super-SILAC quantification to carry out an unbiased high-throughput analysis of the composition of protein complexes that bind to histone H3K9/S10 and H3K27/S28 methyl-phospho modifications. The accurate quantification allowed us to perform Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to obtain a systems-level view of the histone H3 histone tail interactome. The analysis reveals the underlying modularity of the histone reader network with members of nuclear complexes exhibiting very similar binding signatures, which suggests that many proteins bind to histones as part of pre-organized complexes. Our results identify a novel complex that binds to the double H3K9me3/S10ph modification, which includes Atrx, Daxx and members of the FACT complex. The super-SILAC approach allows comparison of binding to multiple peptides with different combinations of modifications and the resolution of the WGCNA analysis is enhanced by maximizing the number of combinations that are compared. This makes it a useful approach for assessing the effects of changes in histone modification combinations on the composition and function of bound complexes.

Spatial genome organization: contrasting views from chromosome conformation capture and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Although important for gene regulation, most studies of genome organization use either fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or chromosome conformation capture (3C) methods. FISH directly visualizes the spatial relationship of sequences but is usually applied to a few loci at a time. The frequency at which sequences are ligated together by formaldehyde cross-linking can be measured genome-wide by 3C methods, with higher frequencies thought to reflect shorter distances. FISH and 3C should therefore give the same views of genome organization, but this has not been tested extensively. We investigated the murine HoxD locus with 3C carbon copy (5C) and FISH in different developmental and activity states and in the presence or absence of epigenetic regulators. We identified situations in which the two data sets are concordant but found other conditions under which chromatin topographies extrapolated from 5C or FISH data are not compatible. We suggest that products captured by 3C do not always reflect spatial proximity, with ligation occurring between sequences located hundreds of nanometers apart, influenced by nuclear environment and chromatin composition. We conclude that results obtained at high resolution with either 3C methods or FISH alone must be interpreted with caution and that views about genome organization should be validated by independent methods.

Cell activation-induced phosphoinositide 3-kinase alpha/beta dimerization regulates PTEN activity

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) pathway is one of the central routes that enhances cell survival, division, and migration, and it is frequently deregulated in cancer. PI3K catalyzes formation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate [PI(3,4,5)P3] after cell activation; PTEN subsequently reduces these lipids to basal levels. Activation of the ubiquitous p110α isoform precedes that of p110β at several points during the cell cycle. We studied the potential connections between p110α and p110β activation, and we show that cell stimulation promotes p110α and p110β association, demonstrating oligomerization of PI3K catalytic subunits within cells. Cell stimulation also promoted PTEN incorporation into this complex, which was necessary for PTEN activation. Our results show that PI3Ks dimerize in vivo and that PI3K and PTEN activities modulate each other in a complex that controls cell PI(3,4,5)P3 levels.

Histone variants: dynamic punctuation in transcription

Eukaryotic gene regulation involves a balance between packaging of the genome into nucleosomes and enabling access to regulatory proteins and RNA polymerase. Nucleosomes, consisting of DNA wrapped around a core of histone proteins, are integral components of gene regulation that restrict access to both regulatory sequences and the underlying template. In this review, Weber and Henikoff consider how histone variants and their interacting partners are involved in transcriptional regulation through the creation of unique chromatin states.

Eukaryotic gene regulation involves a balance between packaging of the genome into nucleosomes and enabling access to regulatory proteins and RNA polymerase. Nucleosomes are integral components of gene regulation that restrict access to both regulatory sequences and the underlying template. Whereas canonical histones package the newly replicated genome, they can be replaced with histone variants that alter nucleosome structure, stability, dynamics, and, ultimately, DNA accessibility. Here we consider how histone variants and their interacting partners are involved in transcriptional regulation through the creation of unique chromatin states.

Lsh regulates LTR retrotransposon repression independently of Dnmt3b function

BACKGROUND

DNA methylation contributes to genomic integrity by suppressing repeat-associated transposition. In addition to the canonical DNA methyltransferases, several auxiliary chromatin factors are required to maintain DNA methylation at intergenic and satellite repeats. The interaction between Lsh, a chromatin helicase, and the de novo methyltransferase Dnmt3b facilitates deposition of DNA methylation at stem cell genes, which are hypomethylated in Lsh-/- embryos. We wished to determine if a similar targeting mechanism operates to maintain DNA methylation at repetitive sequences.

RESULTS

We mapped genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in Lsh-/- and Dnmt3b-/- somatic cells. DNA methylation is predominantly lost from specific genomic repeats in Lsh-/- cells: LTR -retrotransposons, LINE-1 repeats and mouse satellites. RNA-seq experiments demonstrate that specific IAP LTRs and satellites, but not LINE-1 elements, are aberrantly transcribed in Lsh-/- cells. LTR hypomethylation in Dnmt3b-/- cells is moderate, whereas IAP, LINE-1 and satellite elements are hypomethylated but silent. Repressed LINE-1 elements in Lsh-/- cells gain H3K4me3, but H3K9me3 levels are unaltered, indicating that DNA hypomethylation alone is not permissive for their transcriptional activation. Mis-expressed IAPs and satellites lose H3K9me3 and gain H3K4me3 in Lsh-/- cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study emphasizes that regulation of repetitive elements by Lsh and DNA methylation is selective and context dependent. Silencing of repeats in somatic cells appears not to be critically dependent on Dnmt3b function. We propose a model where Lsh is specifically required at a precise developmental window to target de novo methylation to repeat sequences, which is subsequently maintained by Dnmt1 to enforce selective repeat silencing.

The epigenomics of embryonic stem cell differentiation

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) possess an open and highly dynamic chromatin landscape, which underlies their plasticity and ultimately maintains ESC pluripotency. The ESC epigenome must not only maintain the transcription of pluripotency-associated genes but must also, through gene priming, facilitate rapid and cell type-specific activation of developmental genes upon lineage commitment. Trans-generational inheritance ensures that the ESC chromatin state is stably transmitted from one generation to the next; yet at the same time, epigenetic marks are highly dynamic, reversible and responsive to extracellular cues. Once committed to differentiation, the ESC epigenome is remodeled and resolves into a more compact chromatin state. A thorough understanding of the role of chromatin modifiers in ESC fate and differentiation will be important if they are to be used for therapeutic purposes.

Recent technical advances, particularly in next-generation sequencing technologies, have provided a genome-scale view of epigenetic marks and chromatin modifiers. More affordable and faster sequencing platforms have led to a comprehensive characterization of the ESC epigenome and epigenomes of differentiated cell types. In this review, we summarize and discuss the recent progress that has highlighted the central role of histone modifications, histone variants, DNA methylation and chromatin modifiers in ESC pluripotency and ESC fate. We provide a detailed and comprehensive discussion of genome-wide studies that are pertinent to our understanding of mammalian development.

Epidermal stem cells and their epigenetic regulation

Stem cells play an essential role in embryonic development, cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. Tissue homeostasis in adults is maintained by adult stem cells resident in the niches of different tissues. As one kind of adult stem cell, epidermal stem cells have the potential to generate diversified types of progeny cells in the skin. Although its biology is still largely unclarified, epidermal stem cells are widely used in stem cell research and regenerative medicine given its easy accessibility and pluripotency. Despite the same genome, cells within an organism have different fates due to the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. In this review, we will briefly discuss the current understanding of epigenetic modulation in epidermal stem cells.

A double take on bivalent promoters

Histone modifications and chromatin-associated protein complexes are crucially involved in the control of gene expression, supervising cell fate decisions and differentiation. Many promoters in embryonic stem (ES) cells harbor a distinctive histone modification signature that combines the activating histone H3 Lys 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) mark and the repressive H3K27me3 mark. These bivalent domains are considered to poise expression of developmental genes, allowing timely activation while maintaining repression in the absence of differentiation signals. Recent advances shed light on the establishment and function of bivalent domains; however, their role in development remains controversial, not least because suitable genetic models to probe their function in developing organisms are missing. Here, we explore avenues to and from bivalency and propose that bivalent domains and associated chromatin-modifying complexes safeguard proper and robust differentiation.

FGF signalling regulates chromatin organisation during neural differentiation via mechanisms that can be uncoupled from transcription

Changes in higher order chromatin organisation have been linked to transcriptional regulation; however, little is known about how such organisation alters during embryonic development or how it is regulated by extrinsic signals. Here we analyse changes in chromatin organisation as neural differentiation progresses, exploiting the clear spatial separation of the temporal events of differentiation along the elongating body axis of the mouse embryo. Combining fluorescence in situ hybridisation with super-resolution structured illumination microscopy, we show that chromatin around key differentiation gene loci Pax6 and Irx3 undergoes both decompaction and displacement towards the nuclear centre coincident with transcriptional onset. Conversely, down-regulation of Fgf8 as neural differentiation commences correlates with a more peripheral nuclear position of this locus. During normal neural differentiation, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling is repressed by retinoic acid, and this vitamin A derivative is further required for transcription of neural genes. We show here that exposure to retinoic acid or inhibition of FGF signalling promotes precocious decompaction and central nuclear positioning of differentiation gene loci. Using the Raldh2 mutant as a model for retinoid deficiency, we further find that such changes in higher order chromatin organisation are dependent on retinoid signalling. In this retinoid deficient condition, FGF signalling persists ectopically in the elongating body, and importantly, we find that inhibiting FGF receptor (FGFR) signalling in Raldh2−/− embryos does not rescue differentiation gene transcription, but does elicit both chromatin decompaction and nuclear position change. These findings demonstrate that regulation of higher order chromatin organisation during differentiation in the embryo can be uncoupled from the machinery that promotes transcription and, for the first time, identify FGF as an extrinsic signal that can direct chromatin compaction and nuclear organisation of gene loci.

Changes in the position of genes within the nucleus and in their local organisation frequently correlate with whether or not genes are turned on. However, little is known about how such nuclear organisation is controlled and whether this can be separated from the mechanisms that promote transcription. We show here that central nuclear position and chromatin de-compaction correlate with onset of expression at key neural differentiation gene loci in the mouse embryo. Conversely, the locus of a gene that is down-regulated as neural differentiation commences exhibits a shift towards the nuclear periphery as this takes place. Importantly, we show that signalling through the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway regulates changes at this level of nuclear organisation. FGF represses differentiation gene transcription and keeps differentiation gene loci compact and at the nuclear periphery. By blocking FGF signalling in a retinoid deficient embryo in which differentiation genes are not expressed, we further show that control of nuclear organisation by FGF is not just a consequence of gene transcription. These findings are the first to demonstrate that such higher order nuclear organisation is regulated in the developing embryo, that this takes place downstream of FGF signaling, and can be uncoupled from the machinery of gene transcription.

SETD6 monomethylates H2AZ on lysine 7 and is required for the maintenance of embryonic stem cell self-renewal

The histone H2A variant H2AZ is an essential chromatin signaling factor. Herein, we report that H2AZ is monomethylated at lysine 7 (H2AZK7me1) by the lysine methyltransferase SETD6. We observed that methylation of H2AZ increased noticeably upon cellular differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). H2AZK7me1 and the repressive H3K27me3 mark were found near the transcriptional start sites of differentiation marker genes, but were removed upon retinoic acid-induced cellular differentiation. The depletion of Setd6 in mESCs led to cellular differentiation, compromised self-renewal, and poor clonogenicity. These findings demonstrate that mESCs require Setd6 for self-renewal and portray H2AZK7me1 as a marker of cellular differentiation.

KDM2B links the Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) to recognition of CpG islands

CpG islands (CGIs) are associated with most mammalian gene promoters. A subset of CGIs act as polycomb response elements (PREs) and are recognized by the polycomb silencing systems to regulate expression of genes involved in early development. How CGIs function mechanistically as nucleation sites for polycomb repressive complexes remains unknown. Here we discover that KDM2B (FBXL10) specifically recognizes non-methylated DNA in CGIs and recruits the polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1). This contributes to histone H2A lysine 119 ubiquitylation (H2AK119ub1) and gene repression. Unexpectedly, we also find that CGIs are occupied by low levels of PRC1 throughout the genome, suggesting that the KDM2B-PRC1 complex may sample CGI-associated genes for susceptibility to polycomb-mediated silencing. These observations demonstrate an unexpected and direct link between recognition of CGIs by KDM2B and targeting of the polycomb repressive system. This provides the basis for a new model describing the functionality of CGIs as mammalian PREs.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00205.001.

H2A.Z landscapes and dual modifications in pluripotent and multipotent stem cells underlie complex genome regulatory functions

Background

The histone variant H2A.Z has been implicated in nucleosome exchange, transcriptional activation and Polycomb repression. However, the relationships among these seemingly disparate functions remain obscure.

Results

We mapped H2A.Z genome-wide in mammalian ES cells and neural progenitors. H2A.Z is deposited promiscuously at promoters and enhancers, and correlates strongly with H3K4 methylation. Accordingly, H2A.Z is present at poised promoters with bivalent chromatin and at active promoters with H3K4 methylation, but is absent from stably repressed promoters that are specifically enriched for H3K27 trimethylation. We also characterized post-translational modification states of H2A.Z, including a novel species dually-modified by ubiquitination and acetylation that is enriched at bivalent chromatin.

Conclusions

Our findings associate H2A.Z with functionally distinct genomic elements, and suggest that post-translational modifications may reconcile its contrasting locations and roles.