Manipulation of SMARCA2 and SMARCA4 transcript levels in porcine embryos differentially alters development and expression of SMARCA1, SOX2, NANOG, and EIF1

SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 co-deficiency: An uncommon molecular signature defining a subset of rare, aggressive and undifferentiated malignancies associated with defective chromatin remodeling

Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications affecting multiple cancer-related genes occur synergistically to drive tumorigenesis. Across a wide spectrum of cancers, pathogenic changes have been identified in members of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable complex including its two catalytic subunits, SMARCA4 and SMARCA2. During cancer development, it is not uncommon to lose the function of either SMARCA4 or SMARCA2, however, loss of both together has been reported to be synthetic lethal and therefore unexpected. Co-deficiency of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 occurs as a pathognomonic feature of the early-onset ovarian cancer Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. The loss of both catalytic subunits is also described in other rare undifferentiated neoplasms including Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors, Malignant rhabdoid tumors and dedifferentiated or undifferentiated carcinomas, predominantly of lung, gastrointestinal, and endometrial origin. This review provides the first extensive characterization of cancers with concurrent SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 loss through the discussion of shared clinical and molecular features. Further, we discuss the mechanisms triggering the loss of catalytic activity, the cellular processes that are dysfunctional as a consequence, and finally, current therapeutic candidates which may selectively target these cancers.

Identification of SWI/SNF Subcomplex GBAF Presence, Intra-Complex Interactions, and Transcriptional Dynamics during Early Porcine Development

Understanding the complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors is vital for enhancing livestock production efficiency while safeguarding animal health. Despite extensive studies on production-specific genes in livestock, exploring how epigenetic mechanisms and heritable modifications govern animal growth and development remains an under-explored frontier with potential implications across all life stages. This study focuses on the GBAF chromatin remodeling complex and evaluates its presence during embryonic and fetal development in swine. Immunocytochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation techniques were employed to investigate the presence and interactions of GBAF subunits BRD9 and GLTSCR1 in porcine oocytes, preimplantation embryos, and cell lines, and transcriptional dynamics of GBAF subunits across these key developmental stages were analyzed using existing RNA-seq datasets. BRD9 and GLTSCR1 were identified across all represented stages, and an interaction between GLTSCR1 and BAF170 was shown in PTr2 and PFF cells. Our findings highlight the ubiquitous presence of GBAF in porcine early development and the potentially novel association between GLTSCR1 and BAF170 in swine. The transcriptional dynamics findings may suggest GBAF-specific contributions during key developmental events. This study contributes to the growing understanding of epigenetic regulators in both swine and mammalian development, emphasizing the implications of GBAF as a modulator of key developmental events.

The chromatin remodeling protein BPTF mediates cell cycle, proliferation and apoptosis in porcine ovarian granulosa cells

Bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor (BPTF), a core subunit of nucleosome-remodeling factor (NURF) complex, plays an important role in chromatin remodeling. However, few information of BPTF is available in pig, especially in mammalian follicular granulosa cells (GCs). The present study firstly confirmed that BPTF in porcine was relative close to human and mouse. The expression of BPTF could be detected in ovary, testes, lung, kidney, large intestine, and small intestine. And a relative high expression of BPTF was observed in ovarian follicles and GCs. When BPTF was knocked down (BPTF-siRNA), the viability of GCs was affected. And the expression level of CDK1, cyclin B1, CDK4 and CDK2 was higher than the control, which might indicate that the cell cycle of GCs was inhibited from S to G2/M phase. Although the apoptosis level was induced in the BPTF-siRNA GCs, the reduced level of H3K4 methylation was detected with the down regulation of SMYD3, EHMT2 and DPY30. Thereby, results in the present might provide the primary knowledge of BPTF in GCs and the follicular development in pig.

SMARCA4: Current status and future perspectives in non-small-cell lung cancer

SMARCA4, also known as transcription activator, is an ATP-dependent catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF (SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable) chromatin-remodeling complexes that participates in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression by supplying energy. As a tumor suppressor that has aberrant expression in ∼10% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), SMARCA4 possesses many biological functions, including regulating gene expression, differentiation and transcription. Furthermore, NSCLC patients with SMARCA4 alterations have a weak response to conventional chemotherapy and poor prognosis. Therefore, the mechanisms of SMARCA4 in NSCLC development urgently need to be explored to identify novel biomarkers and precise therapeutic strategies for this subtype. This review systematically describes the biological functions of SMARCA4 and its role in NSCLC development, metastasis, functional epigenetics and potential therapeutic approaches for NSCLCs with SMARCA4 alterations. Additionally, this paper explores the relationship and regulatory mechanisms shared by SMARCA4 and its mutually exclusive catalytic subunit SMARCA2. We aim to provide innovative treatment strategies and improve clinical outcomes for NSCLC patients with SMARCA4 alterations.

Single‐cell profiling of transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation of human oocytes

Purpose

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes offers an invaluable opportunity for infertility treatment. However, in vitro matured oocytes often show lower developmental abilities than their in vivo counterparts, and molecular mechanisms underlying successful maturation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles of in vitro matured oocytes at the single‐cell level to gain mechanistic insight into IVM of human oocytes.

Methods

Human oocytes were retrieved by follicular puncture and in vitro matured. In total, 19 oocytes from 11 patients were collected and subjected to single‐cell RNA‐seq analyses.

Results

Global gene expression profiles were similar among oocytes at the same maturation stage, while a small number of oocytes showed distinct transcriptomes from those at the corresponding maturation stage. Differential gene expression analysis identified hundreds of transcripts that dynamically altered their expression during IVM, and we revealed molecular pathways and upstream regulators that may govern oocyte maturation. Furthermore, oocytes that were delayed in their maturation showed distinct transcriptomes. Finally, we identified genes whose transcripts were enriched in each stage of oocyte maturation.

Conclusions

Our work uncovers transcriptomic changes during human oocyte IVM and the differential gene expression profile of each oocyte.

SMARCA4: Implications of an Altered Chromatin-Remodeling Gene for Cancer Development and Therapy

The SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, via nucleosome topology modulation, regulates transcription. The SMARCA4 (BRG1) subunit codes for the ATPase energy engine of the SWI/SNF complex. SMARCA4 is a tumor suppressor that is aberrant in ∼5% to 7% of human malignancies. Class I SMARCA4 alterations (truncating mutations, fusions, and homozygous deletion) lead to loss of function whereas class II alterations (missense mutations) have a dominant negative/gain-of-function effect and/or loss-of function. SMARCA4 alterations typify the ultra-rare small cell carcinomas of the ovary hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) and SMARCA4-deficient thoracic and uterine sarcomas; they are also found in a subset of more common tumors, for example, lung, colon, bladder, and breast carcinomas. Germline variants in the SMARCA4 gene lead to various hereditary conditions: rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome-2 (RTPS2), characterized by loss-of-function alterations and aggressive rhabdoid tumors presenting in infants and young children; and Coffin-Siris syndrome, characterized by dominant negative/gain-of function alterations and developmental delays, microcephaly, unique facies, and hypoplastic nails of the fifth fingers or toes. A minority of rhabdoid tumors have a germline SMARCA4 variant as do >40% of women with SCCOHT. Importantly, immune checkpoint blockade has shown remarkable, albeit anecdotal, responses in SCCOHT. In addition, there is ongoing research into BET, EZH2, HDAC, CDK4/6, and FGFR inhibitors, as well as agents that might induce synthetic lethality via DNA damage repair impairment (ATR inhibitors and platinum chemotherapy), or via the exploitation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors or AURKA inhibitors, in SMARCA4-aberrant cancers.

GBAF, a small BAF sub-complex with big implications: a systematic review

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling by histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling complexes is crucial for maintaining chromatin organization and facilitating gene transcription. In the SWI/SNF family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, distinct complexes such as BAF, PBAF, GBAF, esBAF and npBAF/nBAF are of particular interest regarding their implications in cellular differentiation and development, as well as in various diseases. The recently identified BAF subcomplex GBAF is no exception to this, and information is emerging linking this complex and its components to crucial events in mammalian development. Furthermore, given the essential nature of many of its subunits in maintaining effective chromatin remodeling function, it comes as no surprise that aberrant expression of GBAF complex components is associated with disease development, including neurodevelopmental disorders and numerous malignancies. It becomes clear that building upon our knowledge of GBAF and BAF complex function will be essential for advancements in both mammalian reproductive applications and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions and strategies. Here, we review the roles of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling subcomplex GBAF and its subunits in mammalian development and disease.

Heat stress-induced alterations in the expression of genes associated with gonadal integrity of the teleost Puntius sophore

Temperature plays an important role on reproductive physiology of vertebrates including mammals, fish, and birds. It has varying effects on fish reproduction depending on the species; higher temperatures favor the spring-spawning species, while lower temperatures stimulate reproduction in autumn spawners. To evaluate the impact of high temperature on the reproductive physiology of minnow Puntius sophore, we carried out expression analysis of selected genes associated with gamete quality (hsp60, hsp70, hsp90, hsf1, vtg), pleuripotency (sox2, oct4, nanog), and sex determination (dmrt1) in gonads (ovary and testis) of P. sophore, heat stressed for different time periods (36 °C/7 days or 60 days) using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Expression of most of the hsp, vtg, and pleuripotency marker genes sox-2, oct-4, and nanog genes was downregulated in both ovary and testis of heat-stressed fish. The expression of dmrt-1 was upregulated in testis but downregulated in ovary of the heat-stressed fish which could be a male favoring effect of high temperature in P. sophore. This study suggests that the reproductive physiology and health of the nutrient dense P. sophore would be negatively affected by high temperature stress.

Effect of co-culture human endothelial progenitor cells with porcine oocytes during maturation and subsequent embryo development of parthenotes in vitro

Human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been applied to regenerative medicine for their roles in angiogenesis as well as neovascularization, and these angiogenetic functions have beneficial effects on maturation of ovarian follicles. However, little information is available on whether EPCs on culture systems affect oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of EPC co-culture on porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryo development, and to examine gene expression in cumulus cells, oocytes and blastocysts. The effect of co-culture using EPC on porcine oocyte IVM was investigated. Oocytes were activated using electrical stimulation and embryo developmental competence was estimated. The expression of the genes related to cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, embryo development, and apoptosis were analyzed. In result, there was a significantly increased maturation rate in EPC group compared with control (p < 0.05). Also, oocytes co-cultured with EPCs exhibited significantly improved blastocyst formation rates (p < 0.05). The expression of mRNAs associated with cumulus expansion and apoptosis in cumulus cells was significantly up-regulated in EPC group. Also, markedly increased levels of GDF9, BMP15, and BCL2 were observed in oocytes from the EPC group. Blastocysts in the co-culture group showed significantly higher SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG levels. In conclusion, co-culturing porcine oocytes with EPCs improves their maturation by regulating genes involved in cumulus cell expansion, oocyte maturation, and apoptosis. Moreover, EPC co-culture during IVM enhanced embryo development as shown by increased blastocyst formation rate and pluripotency-related gene expression.

ARID1A, a component of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes, is required for porcine embryo development

Mammalian embryos undergo dramatic epigenetic remodeling that can have a profound impact on both gene transcription and overall embryo developmental competence. Members of the SWI/SNF (Switch/Sucrose non-fermentable) family of chromatin-remodeling complexes reposition nucleosomes and alter transcription factor accessibility. These large, multi-protein complexes possess an SNF2-type ATPase (either SMARCA4 or SMARCA2) as their core catalytic subunit, and are directed to specific loci by associated subunits. Little is known about the identity of specific SWI/SNF complexes that serve regulatory roles during cleavage development. ARID1A, one of the SWI/SNF complex subunits, can affect histone methylation in somatic cells; here, we determined the developmental requirements of ARID1A in porcine oocytes and embryos. We found ARID1A transcript levels were significantly reduced in 4-cell porcine embryos as compared to germinal vesicle-stage oocytes, suggesting that ARID1A would be required for porcine cleavage-stage development. Indeed, injecting in vitro-matured and fertilized porcine oocytes with double-stranded interfering RNAs that target ARID1A, and evaluating their phenotype after seven days, revealed that the depletion of ARID1A results in significantly fewer cells than their respective control groups (p < 0.001).

Chromatin Remodeling BAF (SWI/SNF) Complexes in Neural Development and Disorders

The ATP-dependent BRG1/BRM associated factor (BAF) chromatin remodeling complexes are crucial in regulating gene expression by controlling chromatin dynamics. Over the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that during neural development in mammals, distinct ontogenetic stage-specific BAF complexes derived from combinatorial assembly of their subunits are formed in neural progenitors and post-mitotic neural cells. Proper functioning of the BAF complexes plays critical roles in neural development, including the establishment and maintenance of neural fates and functionality. Indeed, recent human exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies have revealed that mutations in BAF complex subunits are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders such as Coffin-Siris syndrome, Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome, Kleefstra's syndrome spectrum, Hirschsprung's disease, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. In this review, we focus on the latest insights into the functions of BAF complexes during neural development and the plausible mechanistic basis of how mutations in known BAF subunits are associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders.

Multi-omic measurement of mutually exclusive loss-of-function enriches for candidate synthetic lethal gene pairs

Background

Identification of synthetic lethal interactions in cancer cells could offer promising new therapeutic targets. Large-scale functional genomic screening presents an opportunity to test large numbers of cancer synthetic lethal hypotheses. Methods enriching for candidate synthetic lethal targets in molecularly defined cancer cell lines can steer effective design of screening efforts. Loss of one partner of a synthetic lethal gene pair creates a dependency on the other, thus synthetic lethal gene pairs should never show simultaneous loss-of-function. We have developed a computational approach to mine large multi-omic cancer data sets and identify gene pairs with mutually exclusive loss-of-function. Since loss-of-function may not always be genetic, we look for deleterious mutations, gene deletion and/or loss of mRNA expression by bimodality defined with a novel algorithm BiSEp.

Results

Applying this toolkit to both tumour cell line and patient data, we achieve statistically significant enrichment for experimentally validated tumour suppressor genes and synthetic lethal gene pairings. Notably non-reliance on genetic loss reveals a number of known synthetic lethal relationships otherwise missed, resulting in marked improvement over genetic-only predictions. We go on to establish biological rationale surrounding a number of novel candidate synthetic lethal gene pairs with demonstrated dependencies in published cancer cell line shRNA screens.

Conclusions

This work introduces a multi-omic approach to define gene loss-of-function, and enrich for candidate synthetic lethal gene pairs in cell lines testable through functional screens. In doing so, we offer an additional resource to generate new cancer drug target and combination hypotheses. Algorithms discussed are freely available in the BiSEp CRAN package at http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/BiSEp/index.html.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2375-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Phenotype and genotype in Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome

Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome (NCBRS) is an intellectual disability (ID)/multiple congenital anomalies syndrome caused by non-truncating mutations in the ATPase region of SMARCA2, which codes for one of the two alternative catalytic subunits of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex. We analyzed 61 molecularly confirmed cases, including all previously reported patients (n = 47) and 14 additional unpublished individuals. NCBRS is clinically and genetically homogeneous. The cardinal features (ID, short stature, microcephaly, typical face, sparse hair, brachydactyly, prominent interphalangeal joints, behavioral problems and seizures), are almost universally present. There is variability however, as ID can range from severe to mild, and sparse hair may be present only in certain age groups. There may be a correlation between the severity of the ID and presence of seizures, absent speech, short stature and microcephaly. SMARCA2 mutations causing NCBRS are likely to act through a dominant-negative effect. There may be some genotype-phenotype correlations (mutations at domain VI with severe ID and seizures; mutations affecting residues Pro883, Leu946, and Ala1201 with mild phenotypes) but numbers are still too small to draw definitive conclusions.

DOTS-Finder: a comprehensive tool for assessing driver genes in cancer genomes

A key challenge in the analysis of cancer genomes is the identification of driver genes from the vast number of mutations present in a cohort of patients. DOTS-Finder is a new tool that allows the detection of driver genes through the sequential application of functional and frequentist approaches, and is specifically tailored to the analysis of few tumor samples. We have identified driver genes in the genomic data of 34 tumor types derived from existing exploratory projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas and from studies investigating the usefulness of genomic information in the clinical settings. DOTS-Finder is available at https://cgsb.genomics.iit.it/wiki/projects/DOTS-Finder/.

RNA profiles of porcine embryos during genome activation reveal complex metabolic switch sensitive to in vitro conditions

Fertilization is followed by complex changes in cytoplasmic composition and extensive chromatin reprogramming which results in the abundant activation of totipotent embryonic genome at embryonic genome activation (EGA). While chromatin reprogramming has been widely studied in several species, only a handful of reports characterize changing transcriptome profiles and resulting metabolic changes in cleavage stage embryos. The aims of the current study were to investigate RNA profiles of in vivo developed (ivv) and in vitro produced (ivt) porcine embryos before (2-cell stage) and after (late 4-cell stage) EGA and determine major metabolic changes that regulate totipotency. The period before EGA was dominated by transcripts responsible for cell cycle regulation, mitosis, RNA translation and processing (including ribosomal machinery), protein catabolism, and chromatin remodelling. Following EGA an increase in the abundance of transcripts involved in transcription, translation, DNA metabolism, histone and chromatin modification, as well as protein catabolism was detected. The further analysis of members of overlapping GO terms revealed that despite that comparable cellular processes are taking place before and after EGA (RNA splicing, protein catabolism), different metabolic pathways are involved. This strongly suggests that a complex metabolic switch accompanies EGA. In vitro conditions significantly altered RNA profiles before EGA, and the character of these changes indicates that they originate from oocyte and are imposed either before oocyte aspiration or during in vitro maturation. IVT embryos have altered content of apoptotic factors, cell cycle regulation factors and spindle components, and transcription factors, which all may contribute to reduced developmental competence of embryos produced in vitro. Overall, our data are in good accordance with previously published, genome-wide profiling data in other species. Moreover, comparison with mouse and human embryos showed striking overlap in functional annotation of transcripts during the EGA, suggesting conserved basic mechanisms regulating establishment of totipotency in mammalian development.

Phosphorylation Status of RNA Polymerase II Carboxyl-terminal Domain in Porcine Oocytes and Early Embryos

Fertilization of the oocyte commences embryogenesis during which maternally inherited mRNAs are degraded and the embryonic genome is activated. Transcription of embryonic mRNA is initiated by embryonic genome activation (EGA). RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is responsible for the synthesis of mRNAs and most small nuclear RNAs, and consists of 12 subunits, the largest of which characteristically harbors a unique C-terminal domain (CTD). Transcriptional activity of RNA Pol II is highly regulated, in particular, by phosphorylation of serine residues in the CTD. Here, we have shown the presence of RNA Pol II CTD phosphoisoforms in porcine oocytes and preimplantation embryos. The distribution pattern as well as phosphorylation dynamics in germinal vesicles and during embryogenesis differed in developmental stages with these isoforms, indicating a role of RNA Pol II CTD phosphorylation at the serine residue in transcriptional activation during both oocyte growth and embryonic genome activation. We additionally examined the effects of the RNA Pol II inhibitor, α-amanitin, on embryo development. Our results show that inhibition of polymerase, even at very early stages and for a short period of time, dramatically impaired blastocyst formation. These findings collectively suggest that the functionality of maternal RNA Pol II, and consequently, expression of early genes regulated by this enzyme are essential for proper embryo development.

Effect of ICSI on gene expression and development of mouse preimplantation embryos

BACKGROUND

In vitro culture (IVC) and IVF of preimplantation mouse embryos are associated with changes in gene expression. It is however not known whether ICSI has additional effects on the transcriptome of mouse blastocysts.

METHODS

We compared gene expression and development of mouse blastocysts produced by ICSI and cultured in Whitten's medium (ICSI(WM)) or KSOM medium with amino acids (ICSI(KSOMaa)) with control blastocysts flushed out of the uterus on post coital Day 3.5 (in vivo). In addition, we compared gene expression in embryos generated by IVF or ICSI using WM. Global pattern of gene expression was assessed using the Affymetrix 430 2.0 chip.

RESULTS

Blastocysts from ICSI fertilization have a reduction in the number of trophoblastic and inner cell mass cells compared with embryos generated in vivo. Approximately 1000 genes are differentially expressed between ICSI blastocyst and in vivo blastocysts; proliferation, apoptosis and morphogenetic pathways are the most common pathways altered after IVC. Unexpectedly, expression of only 41 genes was significantly different between embryo cultured in suboptimal conditions (WM) or optimal conditions (KSOM(aa)).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that fertilization by ICSI may play a more important role in shaping the transcriptome of the developing mouse embryo than the culture media used.