1
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Wang Y, Liu Q, Deng L, Ma X, Gong Y, Wang Y, Zhou F. The roles of epigenetic regulation in graft-versus-host disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116652. [PMID: 38692061 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116652] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) is utilized as a potential curative treatment for various hematologic malignancies. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) post-aHSCT is a severe complication that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and overall survival, becoming a major cause of non-relapse mortality. In recent years, the association between epigenetics and GVHD has garnered increasing attention. Epigenetics focuses on studying mechanisms that affect gene expression without altering DNA sequences, primarily including DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulation, and RNA modifications. This review summarizes the role of epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of GVHD, with a focus on DNA methylation, histone modifications, ncRNA, RNA modifications and their involvement and applications in the occurrence and development of GVHD. It also highlights advancements in relevant diagnostic markers and drugs, aiming to provide new insights for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of GVHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimin Wang
- The First Clinical Medical School, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qi Liu
- The First Clinical Medical School, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Deng
- Department of Hematology, the 960th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China
| | - Xiting Ma
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yuling Gong
- Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Hematology, the 960th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force, Jinan, China.
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2
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Kuraz Abebe B, Wang J, Guo J, Wang H, Li A, Zan L. A review of the role of epigenetic studies for intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle. Gene 2024; 908:148295. [PMID: 38387707 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148295] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition profoundly influences meat quality and economic value in beef cattle production. Meanwhile, contemporary developments in epigenetics have opened new outlooks for understanding the molecular basics of IMF regulation, and it has become a key area of research for world scholars. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to provide insight and synthesis into the intricate relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and IMF deposition in beef cattle. The methodology involves a thorough analysis of existing literature, including pertinent books, academic journals, and online resources, to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of epigenetic studies in IMF deposition in beef cattle. This review summarizes the contemporary studies in epigenetic mechanisms in IMF regulation, high-resolution epigenomic mapping, single-cell epigenomics, multi-omics integration, epigenome editing approaches, longitudinal studies in cattle growth, environmental epigenetics, machine learning in epigenetics, ethical and regulatory considerations, and translation to industry practices from perspectives of IMF deposition in beef cattle. Moreover, this paper highlights DNA methylation, histone modifications, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, non-coding RNAs, DNA hydroxymethylation, epigenetic readers, writers, and erasers, chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing, whole genome bisulfite sequencing, epigenome-wide association studies, and their profound impact on the expression of crucial genes governing adipogenesis and lipid metabolism. Nutrition and stress also have significant influences on epigenetic modifications and IMF deposition. The key findings underscore the pivotal role of epigenetic studies in understanding and enhancing IMF deposition in beef cattle, with implications for precision livestock farming and ethical livestock management. In conclusion, this review highlights the crucial significance of epigenetic pathways and environmental factors in affecting IMF deposition in beef cattle, providing insightful information for improving the economics and meat quality of cattle production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belete Kuraz Abebe
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China; Department of Animal Science, Werabe University, P.O. Box 46, Werabe, Ethiopia
| | - Jianfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Juntao Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbao Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Anning Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Linsen Zan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China; National Beef Cattle Improvement Center, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Ishidoya M, Fujita T, Tasaka S, Fujii H. Real-time MBDi-RPA using methyl-CpG binding protein 2: A real-time detection method for simple and rapid estimation of CpG methylation status. Anal Chim Acta 2024; 1302:342486. [PMID: 38580404 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2024.342486] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analysis of CpG methylation is informative for cancer diagnosis. Previously, we developed a novel method to discriminate CpG methylation status in target DNA by blocking recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), an isothermal DNA amplification technique, using methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) protein 2 (MBD2). The method was named MBD protein interference-RPA (MBDi-RPA). In this study, MBDi-RPA was performed using methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), another MBD family protein, as the blocking agent. RESULTS MBDi-RPA using MeCP2 detected low levels of CpG methylation, showing that it had higher sensitivity than MBDi-RPA using MBD2. We also developed real-time RPA, which enabled rapid analysis of DNA amplification without the need for laborious agarose gel electrophoresis and used it in combination with MBDi-RPA. We termed this method real-time MBDi-RPA. The method using MeCP2 could determine the abundance ratio of CpG-methylated target DNA simply and rapidly, although highly sensitive detection was challenging. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY Real-time MBDi-RPA using MeCP2 could be potentially useful for estimating CpG methylation status in target DNA prior to more detailed analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Ishidoya
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Toshitsugu Fujita
- Department of Biochemistry and Genome Biology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan.
| | - Sadatomo Tasaka
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Hodaka Fujii
- Department of Biochemistry and Genome Biology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan
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Guo J, Zou Z, Dou X, Zhao X, Wang Y, Wei L, Pi Y, Wang Y, He C, Guo S. Zebrafish Mbd5 binds to RNA m5C and regulates histone deubiquitylation and gene expression in development metabolism and behavior. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4257-4275. [PMID: 38366571 PMCID: PMC11077058 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae093] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Complex biological processes are regulated by both genetic and epigenetic programs. One class of epigenetic modifications is methylation. Evolutionarily conserved methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD)-containing proteins are known as readers of DNA methylation. MBD5 is linked to multiple human diseases but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here we report that the zebrafish Mbd5 does not bind to methylated DNA; but rather, it directly binds to 5-methylcytosine (m5C)-modified mRNAs and regulates embryonic development, erythrocyte differentiation, iron metabolism, and behavior. We further show that Mbd5 facilitates removal of the monoubiquitin mark at histone H2A-K119 through an interaction with the Polycomb repressive deubiquitinase (PR-DUB) complex in vivo. The direct target genes of Mbd5 are enriched with both RNA m5C and H2A-K119 ubiquitylation signals. Together, we propose that zebrafish MBD5 is an RNA m5C reader that potentially links RNA methylation to histone modification and in turn transcription regulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongyu Zou
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Dou
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Xiang Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yimin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, No. 399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Liqiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yan Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Biology Education, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, No. 399, Wanyuan Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Su Guo
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Programs in Human Genetics and Biological Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Trnkova L, Buocikova V, Mego M, Cumova A, Burikova M, Bohac M, Miklikova S, Cihova M, Smolkova B. Epigenetic deregulation in breast cancer microenvironment: Implications for tumor progression and therapeutic strategies. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116559. [PMID: 38603889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116559] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer comprises a substantial proportion of cancer diagnoses in women and is a primary cause of cancer-related mortality. While hormone-responsive cases generally have a favorable prognosis, the aggressive nature of triple-negative breast cancer presents challenges, with intrinsic resistance to established treatments being a persistent issue. The complexity intensifies with the emergence of acquired resistance, further complicating the management of breast cancer. Epigenetic changes, encompassing DNA methylation, histone and RNA modifications, and non-coding RNAs, are acknowledged as crucial contributors to the heterogeneity of breast cancer. The unique epigenetic landscape harbored by each cellular component within the tumor microenvironment (TME) adds great diversity to the intricate regulations which influence therapeutic responses. The TME, a sophisticated ecosystem of cellular and non-cellular elements interacting with tumor cells, establishes an immunosuppressive microenvironment and fuels processes such as tumor growth, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These factors contribute to challenging conditions in cancer treatment by fostering a hypoxic environment, inducing metabolic stress, and creating physical barriers to drug delivery. This article delves into the complex connections between breast cancer treatment response, underlying epigenetic changes, and vital interactions within the TME. To restore sensitivity to treatment, it emphasizes the need for combination therapies considering epigenetic changes specific to individual members of the TME. Recognizing the pivotal role of epigenetics in drug resistance and comprehending the specificities of breast TME is essential for devising more effective therapeutic strategies. The development of reliable biomarkers for patient stratification will facilitate tailored and precise treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Trnkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Verona Buocikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia; 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Cumova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Monika Burikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Martin Bohac
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Comenius University, Faculty of Medicine & National Cancer Institute, Bratislava 83310, Slovakia; Regenmed Ltd., Medena 29, Bratislava 811 01, Slovakia; Institute of Medical Biology, Genetics and Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 4, Bratislava 811 08, Slovakia
| | - Svetlana Miklikova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Marina Cihova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Bozena Smolkova
- Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, Bratislava 845 05, Slovakia.
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Maurici N, Phan TM, Henty-Ridilla JL, Kim YC, Mittal J, Bah A. Uncovering the molecular interactions underlying MBD2 and MBD3 phase separation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.29.591564. [PMID: 38746378 PMCID: PMC11092444 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.29.591564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin organization controls DNA's accessibility to regulatory factors to influence gene expression. Heterochromatin, or transcriptionally silent chromatin enriched in methylated DNA and methylated histone tails, self-assembles through multivalent interactions with its associated proteins into a condensed, but dynamic state. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of key heterochromatin regulators, such as heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), plays an essential role in heterochromatin assembly and function. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), the most studied member of the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) family of proteins, has been recently shown to undergo LLPS in the absence and presence of methylated DNA. These studies provide a new mechanistic framework for understanding the role of methylated DNA and its readers in heterochromatin formation. However, the details of the molecular interactions by which other MBD family members undergo LLPS to mediate genome organization and transcriptional regulation are not fully understood. Here, we focus on two MBD proteins, MBD2 and MBD3, that have distinct but interdependent roles in gene regulation. Using an integrated computational and experimental approach, we uncover the homotypic and heterotypic interactions governing MBD2 and MBD3 phase separation and DNA's influence on this process. We show that despite sharing the highest sequence identity and structural homology among all the MBD protein family members, MBD2 and MBD3 exhibit differing residue patterns resulting in distinct phase separation mechanisms. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of MBD protein condensation offers insights into the higher-order, LLPS-mediated organization of heterochromatin.
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7
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Zou Z, He C. The YTHDF proteins display distinct cellular functions on m 6A-modified RNA. Trends Biochem Sci 2024:S0968-0004(24)00086-0. [PMID: 38677920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
YTHDF proteins are main cytoplasmic 'reader' proteins of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation in mammals. They are largely responsible for m6A-mediated regulation in the cell cytosol by controlling both mRNA translation and degradation. Recent functional and mechanistic investigations of the YTHDF proteins revealed that these proteins have different functions to enable versatile regulation of the epitranscriptome. Their divergent functions largely originate from their different amino acid sequences in the low-complexity N termini. Consequently, they have different phase separation propensities and possess distinct post-translational modifications (PTMs). Different PTMs, subcellular localizations, and competition among partner proteins have emerged as three major mechanisms that control the functions of these YTHDF proteins. We also summarize recent progress on critical roles of these YTHDF proteins in anticancer immunity and the potential for targeting these proteins for developing new anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Zou
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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8
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Kosel B, Bigler K, Buchmuller BC, Acharyya SR, Linser R, Summerer D. Evolved Readers of 5-Carboxylcytosine CpG Dyads Reveal a High Versatility of the Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain for Recognition of Noncanonical Epigenetic Marks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202318837. [PMID: 38284298 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202318837] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian genomes are regulated by epigenetic cytosine (C) modifications in palindromic CpG dyads. Including canonical cytosine 5-methylation (mC), a total of four different 5-modifications can theoretically co-exist in the two strands of a CpG, giving rise to a complex array of combinatorial marks with unique regulatory potentials. While tailored readers for individual marks could serve as versatile tools to study their functions, it has been unclear whether a natural protein scaffold would allow selective recognition of marks that vastly differ from canonical, symmetrically methylated CpGs. We conduct directed evolution experiments to generate readers of 5-carboxylcytosine (caC) dyads based on the methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD), the widely conserved natural reader of mC. Despite the stark steric and chemical differences to mC, we discover highly selective, low nanomolar binders of symmetric and asymmetric caC-dyads. Together with mutational and modelling studies, our findings reveal a striking evolutionary flexibility of the MBD scaffold, allowing it to completely abandon its conserved mC recognition mode in favour of noncanonical dyad recognition, highlighting its potential for epigenetic reader design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brinja Kosel
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Katrin Bigler
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Benjamin C Buchmuller
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Suchandra R Acharyya
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rasmus Linser
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Summerer
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, TU Dortmund University, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
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9
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Haidar L, Georgescu M, Drăghici GA, Bănățean-Dunea I, Nica DV, Șerb AF. DNA Methylation Machinery in Gastropod Mollusks. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:537. [PMID: 38672807 PMCID: PMC11050768 DOI: 10.3390/life14040537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of DNA methylation in mollusks is just beginning to be understood. This review synthesizes current knowledge on this potent molecular hallmark of epigenetic control in gastropods-the largest class of mollusks and ubiquitous inhabitants of diverse habitats. Their DNA methylation machinery shows a high degree of conservation in CG maintenance methylation mechanisms, driven mainly by DNMT1 homologues, and the presence of MBD2 and MBD2/3 proteins as DNA methylation readers. The mosaic-like DNA methylation landscape occurs mainly in a CG context and is primarily confined to gene bodies and housekeeping genes. DNA methylation emerges as a critical regulator of reproduction, development, and adaptation, with tissue-specific patterns being observed in gonadal structures. Its dynamics also serve as an important regulatory mechanism underlying learning and memory processes. DNA methylation can be affected by various environmental stimuli, including as pathogens and abiotic stresses, potentially impacting phenotypic variation and population diversity. Overall, the features of DNA methylation in gastropods are complex, being an essential part of their epigenome. However, comprehensive studies integrating developmental stages, tissues, and environmental conditions, functional annotation of methylated regions, and integrated genomic-epigenomic analyses are lacking. Addressing these knowledge gaps will advance our understanding of gastropod biology, ecology, and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Haidar
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - Marius Georgescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology Discipline, Faculty of Medicine, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania;
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timişoara, Romania
| | - George Andrei Drăghici
- Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
- Research Center for Pharmaco-Toxicological Evaluations, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Bănățean-Dunea
- Biology and Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I” from Timișoara, Calea Aradului 119, 300645 Timișoara, Romania;
| | - Dragoș Vasile Nica
- The National Institute of Research—Development for Machines and Installations Designed for Agriculture and Food Industry (INMA), Bulevardul Ion Ionescu de la Brad 6, 077190 București, Romania
| | - Alina-Florina Șerb
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Biochemistry Discipline, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timișoara, Romania;
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10
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Ye S, Agalave NM, Ma F, Mahmood DFD, Al-Grety A, Khoonsari PE, Leng L, Svensson CI, Bucala R, Kultima K, Vera PL. MIF-Modulated Spinal Proteins Associated with Persistent Bladder Pain: A Proteomics Study. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4484. [PMID: 38674069 PMCID: PMC11050327 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084484] [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: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Bladder pain is a prominent symptom in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). We studied spinal mechanisms of bladder pain in mice using a model where repeated activation of intravesical Protease Activated Receptor-4 (PAR4) results in persistent bladder hyperalgesia (BHA) with little or no bladder inflammation. Persistent BHA is mediated by spinal macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and is associated with changes in lumbosacral proteomics. We investigated the contribution of individual spinal MIF receptors to persistent bladder pain as well as the spinal proteomics changes associated with relief of persistent BHA by spinal MIF antagonism. Female mice with persistent BHA received either intrathecal (i.t.) MIF monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or mouse IgG1 (isotype control antibody). MIF antagonism temporarily reversed persistent BHA (peak effect: 2 h), while control IgG1 had no effect. Moreover, i.t. antagonism of the MIF receptors CD74 and C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) partially reversed persistent BHA. For proteomics experiments, four separate groups of mice received either repeated intravesical scrambled peptide and sham i.t. injection (control, no pain group) or repeated intravesical PAR4 and: sham i.t.; isotype IgG1 i.t. (15 μg); or MIF mAb (15 μg). L6-S1 spinal segments were excised 2 h post-injection and examined for proteomics changes using LC-MS/MS. Unbiased proteomics analysis identified and relatively quantified 6739 proteins. We selected proteins that showed significant changes compared to control (no pain group) after intravesical PAR4 (sham or IgG i.t. treatment) and showed no significant change after i.t. MIF antagonism. Six proteins decreased during persistent BHA (V-set transmembrane domain-containing protein 2-like confirmed by immunohistochemistry), while two proteins increased. Spinal MIF antagonism reversed protein changes. Therefore, spinal MIF and MIF receptors mediate persistent BHA and changes in specific spinal proteins. These novel MIF-modulated spinal proteins represent possible new targets to disrupt spinal mechanisms that mediate persistent bladder pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaojing Ye
- Research & Development, Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY 40502, USA; (S.Y.); (F.M.); (D.F.D.M.)
| | - Nilesh M. Agalave
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.M.A.); (A.A.-G.); (P.E.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Fei Ma
- Research & Development, Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY 40502, USA; (S.Y.); (F.M.); (D.F.D.M.)
| | - Dlovan F. D. Mahmood
- Research & Development, Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY 40502, USA; (S.Y.); (F.M.); (D.F.D.M.)
| | - Asma Al-Grety
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.M.A.); (A.A.-G.); (P.E.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Payam E. Khoonsari
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.M.A.); (A.A.-G.); (P.E.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Lin Leng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (L.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Camilla I. Svensson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet (KI), SE-171 65 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Richard Bucala
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (L.L.); (R.B.)
| | - Kim Kultima
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, SE-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (N.M.A.); (A.A.-G.); (P.E.K.); (K.K.)
| | - Pedro L. Vera
- Research & Development, Lexington VA Health Care System, Lexington, KY 40502, USA; (S.Y.); (F.M.); (D.F.D.M.)
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
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11
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Iuzzolino G, Perrella F, Valadan M, Petrone A, Altucci C, Rega N. Photophysics of a nucleic acid-protein crosslinking model strongly depends on solvation dynamics: an experimental and theoretical study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:11755-11769. [PMID: 38563904 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp06254f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the photophysics of 5-benzyluracil (5BU) in methanol, which is a model system for interactions between nucleic acids and proteins. A molecular dynamics study of 5BU in solution through efficient DFT-based hybrid ab initio potentials revealed a remarkable conformational flexibility - allowing the population of two main conformers - as well as specific solute-solvent interactions, which both appear as relevant factors for the observed 5BU optical absorption properties. The simulated absorption spectrum, calculated on such an ensemble, enabled a molecular interpretation of the experimental UV-Vis lowest energy band, which is also involved in the induced photo-reactivity upon irradiation. In particular, the first two excited states (mainly involving the uracil moiety) both contribute to the 5BU lowest energy absorption. Moreover, as a key finding, the nature and brightness of such electronic transitions are strongly influenced by 5BU conformation and the microsolvation of its heteroatoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Iuzzolino
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, Napoli I-80138, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
| | - Fulvio Perrella
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, Napoli I-80138, Italy
| | - Mohammadhassan Valadan
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Pansini 5, Napoli I-80131, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Unità di Napoli, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Alessio Petrone
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, Napoli I-80138, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Unità di Napoli, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Carlo Altucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Avanzate, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Pansini 5, Napoli I-80131, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Unità di Napoli, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy
- Istituto di Scienze Applicate e Sistemi Intelligenti "Eduardo Caianiello", URT UNINA, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy
| | - Nadia Rega
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale, Largo San Marcellino 10, Napoli I-80138, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy.
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Unità di Napoli, via Cintia 21, Napoli I-80126, Italy
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12
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Li H, Gao S, Yang J, Zhang Y, Xuefei, Fan Y, Wang K. Prognostic value of genome-wide methylation in acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 256:155232. [PMID: 38452586 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
AIM Methylation status of genome varies between pre-acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), and chronic hepatitis B patients. This study aimed to find better prognostic indicators for acute-on-chronic liver failure. METHODS The level of global genome methylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected. The overall genome methylation rate was determined using MethylFlash™ Methylated DNA Quantification Kit(Colorimetric). DNMT activity were measured using DNA Methyltransferase Activity/Inhibition Assay Kit. Gene expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT),methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) were detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS The global genome methylation level in ACHBLF group was significantly higher than that in chronic hepatitis B group (P<0.001). There was also obvious difference of the global genome methylation level between pre-ACHBLF group and CHB group (P<0.001). Meanwhile, the activity of DNMT in ACHBLF group was significantly higher than that in chronic hepatitis B group (P<0.001). The mRNA expression level of DNMT1 was higher than that in pre-ACHBLF group (P<0.01) and CHB group (PP<0.001). The mRNA expression level of MBD1 in ACHBLF group was also higher than that in CHB group (P<0.001) and healthy controls (HCs) (P<0.01). And the mRNA expression level of MBD3 and MBD4 in ACHBLF, pre-ACHBLF and CHB group were lower than that in HCs (P<0.001). Meanwhile we observed an opposite change in the mRNA expression level of MECP2. The ROC curve suggested that global genome methylation level was a better prognostic predictor than MELD score in ACHBLF (AUC 0.950, SE 0.0237, 95%CI 0.874-0.986 VS AUC 0.863, SE 0.0439, 95%CI 0.765-0.931, P=0.0429). CONCLUSIONS Genome methylation level can be a good biomarker in predicting the severity and prognosis of ACHBLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiming Li
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Jieru Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xuefei
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yuchen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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13
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Oh CK, Cho YS. Pathogenesis and biomarkers of colorectal cancer by epigenetic alteration. Intest Res 2024; 22:131-151. [PMID: 38295766 PMCID: PMC11079515 DOI: 10.5217/ir.2023.00115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in cancer incidence and stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. CRC tumorigenesis results from a cumulative set of genetic and epigenetic alterations, disrupting cancer-regulatory processes like cell proliferation, metabolism, angiogenesis, cell death, invasion, and metastasis. Key epigenetic modifications observed in cancers encompass abnormal DNA methylation, atypical histone modifications, and irregularities in noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs. The advancement in genomic technologies has positioned these genetic and epigenetic shifts as potential clinical biomarkers for CRC patients. This review concisely covers the fundamental principles of CRC-associated epigenetic changes, and examines in detail their emerging role as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment response prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Kyo Oh
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Seok Cho
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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14
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Lin T, Engelhard L, Söldner B, Linser R, Summerer D. Light-Activatable MBD-Readers of 5-Methylcytosine Reveal Domain-Dependent Chromatin Association Kinetics In Vivo. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307930. [PMID: 38164822 PMCID: PMC10953577 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
5-Methylcytosine (5mC) is the central epigenetic mark of mammalian DNA, and plays fundamental roles in chromatin regulation. 5mC is dynamically read and translated into regulatory outputs by methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins. These multidomain readers recognize 5mC via an MBD domain, and undergo additional domain-dependent interactions with multiple additional chromatin components. However, studying this dynamic process is limited by a lack of methods to conditionally control the 5mC affinity of MBD readers in cells. Light-control of MBD association to chromatin by genetically encoding a photocaged serine at the MBD-DNA interface is reported. The authors study the association of MBD1 to mouse pericentromeres, dependent on its CxxC3 and transcriptional repressor domains (TRD) which interact with unmethylated CpG and heterochromatin-associated complexes, respectively. Both domains significantly modulate association kinetics, arguing for a model in which the CxxC3 delays methylation responses of MBD1 by holding it at unmethylated loci, whereas the TRD promotes responses by aiding heterochromatin association is studied. Their approach offers otherwise inaccessible kinetic insights into the domain-specific regulation of a central MBD reader, and sets the basis for further unravelling how the integration of MBDs into complex heterochromatin interaction networks control the kinetics of 5mC reading and translation into altered chromatin states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu‐Chen Lin
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTU Dortmund UniversityOtto‐Hahn Str. 4a44227DortmundGermany
| | - Lena Engelhard
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTU Dortmund UniversityOtto‐Hahn Str. 4a44227DortmundGermany
| | - Benedikt Söldner
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTU Dortmund UniversityOtto‐Hahn Str. 4a44227DortmundGermany
| | - Rasmus Linser
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTU Dortmund UniversityOtto‐Hahn Str. 4a44227DortmundGermany
| | - Daniel Summerer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical BiologyTU Dortmund UniversityOtto‐Hahn Str. 4a44227DortmundGermany
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15
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Hasan MM, Sekiya R, Zhang X, Yassouf MY, Li TS. Comparison of hypoxia- and hyperoxia-induced alteration of epigene expression pattern in lungs of Pleurodeles waltl and Mus musculus. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299661. [PMID: 38416753 PMCID: PMC10901355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299661] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics is an emerging field of research because of its involvement in susceptibility to diseases and aging. Hypoxia and hyperoxia are known to be involved widely in various pathophysiologies. Here, we compared the differential epigene expression pattern between Pleurodeles waltl and Mus musculus (commonly known as Iberian ribbed newt and mouse, respectively) exposed to hypoxia and hyperoxia. Adult healthy newts and mice were exposed to normobaric hypoxia (8% O2) and hyperoxia (80% O2) for 2 hours. We collected the lungs and analyzed the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (Hif1α) and several key epigenes from DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) family, histone deacetylase (HDAC) family, and methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD) family. The exposure to hypoxia significantly increased the mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (Dnmt3α), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (Mbd2), Mbd3, and histone deacetylase 2 (Hdac2) in lungs of newts, but decreased the mRNA levels of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) and Dnmt3α in lungs of mice. The exposure to hyperoxia did not significantly change the expression of any gene in either newts or mice. The differential epigene expression pattern in response to hypoxia between newts and mice may provide novel insights into the prevention and treatment of disorders developed due to hypoxia exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Diseases Institute, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Reiko Sekiya
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Diseases Institute, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Diseases Institute, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Mhd Yousuf Yassouf
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Diseases Institute, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tao-Sheng Li
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Stem Cell Biology, Atomic Bomb Diseases Institute, Nagasaki University, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, Japan
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16
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Mecca M, Picerno S, Cortellino S. The Killer's Web: Interconnection between Inflammation, Epigenetics and Nutrition in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2750. [PMID: 38473997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key contributor to both the initiation and progression of tumors, and it can be triggered by genetic instability within tumors, as well as by lifestyle and dietary factors. The inflammatory response plays a critical role in the genetic and epigenetic reprogramming of tumor cells, as well as in the cells that comprise the tumor microenvironment. Cells in the microenvironment acquire a phenotype that promotes immune evasion, progression, and metastasis. We will review the mechanisms and pathways involved in the interaction between tumors, inflammation, and nutrition, the limitations of current therapies, and discuss potential future therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisabel Mecca
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Simona Picerno
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata (IRCCS-CROB), 85028 Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cortellino
- Laboratory of Preclinical and Translational Research, Responsible Research Hospital, 86100 Campobasso, CB, Italy
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM), Clinical and Translational Oncology, 80138 Naples, NA, Italy
- S.H.R.O. Italia Foundation ETS, 10060 Candiolo, TO, Italy
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17
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Tanaka Y, Mizuguchi R, Koseki N, Suzuki H, Suzuki T. Quality assessment of enzymatic methyl-seq library constructed using crude cell lysate. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 696:149488. [PMID: 38219485 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149488] [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: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq), an enzyme-based method, identifies genome-wide DNA methylation, which enables us to obtain reliable methylome data from purified genomic DNA by avoiding bisulfite-induced DNA damage. However, the loss of DNA during purification hinders the methylome analysis of limited samples. The crude DNA extraction method is the quickest and minimal sample loss approach for obtaining useable DNA without requiring additional dissolution and purification. However, it remains unclear whether crude DNA can be used directly for EM-seq library construction. In this study, we aimed to assess the quality of EM-seq libraries prepared directly using crude DNA. The crude DNA-derived libraries provided appropriate fragment sizes and concentrations for sequencing similar to those of the purified DNA-derived libraries. However, the sequencing results of crude samples exhibited lower reference sequence mapping efficiencies than those of the purified samples. Additionally, the lower-input crude DNA-derived sample exhibited a marginally lower cytosine-to-thymine conversion efficiency and hypermethylated pattern around gene regulatory elements than the higher-input crude DNA- or purified DNA-derived samples. In contrast, the methylation profiles of the crude and purified samples exhibited a significant correlation. Our findings indicate that crude DNA can be used as a raw material for EM-seq library construction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Tanaka
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Campus, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Risa Mizuguchi
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Campus, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan; Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Norio Koseki
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Campus, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan; Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Harukazu Suzuki
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Campus, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS), RIKEN Yokohama Campus, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
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18
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Sun X, Watanabe T, Oda Y, Shen W, Ahmad A, Ouda R, de Figueiredo P, Kitamura H, Tanaka S, Kobayashi KS. Targeted demethylation and activation of NLRC5 augment cancer immunogenicity through MHC class I. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310821121. [PMID: 38300873 PMCID: PMC10861931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310821121] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired expression of MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I in cancers constitutes a major mechanism of immune evasion. It has been well documented that the low level of MHC class I is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to checkpoint blockade therapies. However, there is lmited approaches to specifically induce MHC class I to date. Here, we show an approach for robust and specific induction of MHC class I by targeting an MHC class I transactivator (CITA)/NLRC5, using a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-specific system, designated TRED-I (Targeted reactivation and demethylation for MHC-I). The TRED-I system specifically recruits a demethylating enzyme and transcriptional activators on the NLRC5 promoter, driving increased MHC class I antigen presentation and accelerated CD8+ T cell activation. Introduction of the TRED-I system in an animal cancer model exhibited tumor-suppressive effects accompanied with increased infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, this approach boosted the efficacy of checkpoint blockade therapy using anti-PD1 (programmed cell death protein) antibody. Therefore, targeting NLRC5 by this strategy provides an attractive therapeutic approach for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Watanabe
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Oda
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Weidong Shen
- Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Alaa Ahmad
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Ryota Ouda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX77807
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of MissouriSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
| | - Hidemitsu Kitamura
- Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, Kawagoe350-8585, Japan
| | - Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo001-0021, Japan
| | - Koichi S. Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX77807
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
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19
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Pramanik S, Bala A, Pradhan A. Zebrafish in understanding molecular pathophysiology, disease modeling, and developing effective treatments for Rett syndrome. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3677. [PMID: 38380785 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare but dreadful X-linked genetic disease that mainly affects young girls. It is a neurological disease that affects nerve cell development and function, resulting in severe motor and intellectual disabilities. To date, no cure is available for treating this disease. In 90% of the cases, RTT is caused by a mutation in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a transcription factor involved in the repression and activation of transcription. MECP2 is known to regulate several target genes and is involved in different physiological functions. Mouse models exhibit a broad range of phenotypes in recapitulating human RTT symptoms; however, understanding the disease mechanisms remains incomplete, and many potential RTT treatments developed in mouse models have not shown translational effectiveness in human trials. Recent data hint that the zebrafish model emulates similar disrupted neurological functions following mutation of the mecp2 gene. This suggests that zebrafish can be used to understand the onset and progression of RTT pathophysiology and develop a possible cure. In this review, we elaborate on the molecular basis of RTT pathophysiology in humans and model organisms, including rodents and zebrafish, focusing on the zebrafish model to understand the molecular pathophysiology and the development of therapeutic strategies for RTT. Finally, we propose a rational treatment strategy, including antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA technology and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subrata Pramanik
- Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
- Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Asis Bala
- Pharmacology and Drug Discovery Research Laboratory, Division of Life Sciences; Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), An Autonomous Institute Under - Department of Science & Technology (Govt. of India) Vigyan Path, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ajay Pradhan
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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20
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Koijam AS, Singh KD, Nameirakpam BS, Haobam R, Rajashekar Y. Drug addiction and treatment: An epigenetic perspective. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 170:115951. [PMID: 38043446 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115951] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction is a complex disease affected by numerous genetic and environmental factors. Brain regions in reward pathway, neuronal adaptations, genetic and epigenetic interactions causing transcriptional enhancement or repression of multiple genes induce different addiction phenotypes for varying duration. Addictive drug use causes epigenetic alterations and similarly epigenetic changes induced by environment can promote addiction. Epigenetic mechanisms include DNA methylation and post-translational modifications like methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, sumoylation, dopaminylation and crotonylation of histones, and ADP-ribosylation. Non-coding RNAs also induce epigenetic changes. This review discusses these above areas and stresses the need for exploring epidrugs as a treatment alternative and adjunct, considering the limited success of current addiction treatment strategies. Epigenome editing complexes have lately been effective in eukaryotic systems. Targeted DNA cleavage techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 system, CRISPR-dCas9 complexes, transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) and zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) have been exploited as targeted DNA recognition or anchoring platforms, fused with epigenetic writer or eraser proteins and delivered by transfection or transduction methods. Efficacy of epidrugs is seen in various neuropsychiatric conditions and initial results in addiction treatment involving model organisms are remarkable. Epidrugs present a promising alternative treatment for addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arunkumar Singh Koijam
- Insect Bioresources Laboratory, Animal Bioresources Programme, Institute of Bioresources & Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Takyelpat, Imphal 795001, Manipur, India
| | - Kabrambam Dasanta Singh
- Insect Bioresources Laboratory, Animal Bioresources Programme, Institute of Bioresources & Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Takyelpat, Imphal 795001, Manipur, India
| | - Bunindro Singh Nameirakpam
- Insect Bioresources Laboratory, Animal Bioresources Programme, Institute of Bioresources & Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Takyelpat, Imphal 795001, Manipur, India
| | - Reena Haobam
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal 795003, Manipur, India
| | - Yallappa Rajashekar
- Insect Bioresources Laboratory, Animal Bioresources Programme, Institute of Bioresources & Sustainable Development, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Takyelpat, Imphal 795001, Manipur, India.
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21
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Djihinto OY, Meacci D, Medjigodo AA, Bernardini F, Djogbénou LS. Relative expression of key genes involved in nucleic acids methylation in Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY 2023; 37:754-766. [PMID: 37417368 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
In vertebrates, enzymes responsible for DNA methylation, one of the epigenetic mechanisms, are encoded by genes falling into the cytosine methyltransferases genes family (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a,b and Dnmt3L). However, in Diptera, only the methyltransferase Dnmt2 was found, suggesting that DNA methylation might act differently for species in this order. Moreover, genes involved in epigenetic dynamics, such as Ten-eleven Translocation dioxygenases (TET) and Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBDs), present in vertebrates, might play a role in insects. This work aimed at investigating nucleic acids methylation in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) by analysing the expression of Dnmt2, TET2 and MBDs genes using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) at pre-immature stages and in reproductive tissues of adult mosquitoes. In addition, the effect of two DNA methylation inhibitors on larval survival was evaluated. The qPCR results showed an overall low expression of Dnmt2 at all developmental stages and in adult reproductive tissues. In contrast, MBD and TET2 showed an overall higher expression. In adult mosquito reproductive tissues, the expression level of the three genes in males' testes was significantly higher than that in females' ovaries. The chemical treatments did not affect larval survival. The findings suggest that mechanisms other than DNA methylation underlie epigenetic regulation in An. gambiae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oswald Y Djihinto
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Dario Meacci
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Adandé A Medjigodo
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Federica Bernardini
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Luc S Djogbénou
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research Centre (TIDRC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin
- Institut Régional de Santé Publique (IRSP), University of Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, Benin
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22
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Paniri A, Hosseini MM, Amjadi-Moheb F, Tabaripour R, Soleimani E, Langroudi MP, Zafari P, Akhavan-Niaki H. The epigenetics orchestra of Notch signaling: a symphony for cancer therapy. Epigenomics 2023; 15:1337-1358. [PMID: 38112013 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0270] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The aberrant regulation of the Notch signaling pathway, which is a fundamental developmental pathway, has been implicated in a wide range of human cancers. The Notch pathway can be activated by both canonical and noncanonical Notch ligands, and its role can switch between acting as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor depending on the context. Epigenetic modifications have the potential to modulate Notch and its ligands, thereby influencing Notch signal transduction. Consequently, the utilization of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms may present novel therapeutic opportunities for both single and combined therapeutics targeted at the Notch signaling pathway. This review offers insights into the mechanisms governing the regulation of Notch signaling and explores their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Paniri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745,Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 4619332976, Amol, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Amjadi-Moheb
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745,Iran
| | - Reza Tabaripour
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, 4747137381, Iran
| | - Elnaz Soleimani
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745,Iran
| | | | - Parisa Zafari
- Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Ramsar, 4691786953, Iran
| | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, 4717647745,Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, 4619332976, Amol, Iran
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23
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Ramazi S, Daddzadi M, Sahafnejad Z, Allahverdi A. Epigenetic regulation in lung cancer. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e401. [PMID: 37901797 PMCID: PMC10600507 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is indeed a major cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The development of tumors involves a complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation (DNAm), histone modifications, and microRNA expression, play a crucial role in this process. Changes in DNAm patterns can lead to the silencing of important genes involved in cellular functions, contributing to the development and progression of lung cancer. MicroRNAs and exosomes have also emerged as reliable biomarkers for lung cancer. They can provide valuable information about early diagnosis and treatment assessment. In particular, abnormal hypermethylation of gene promoters and its effects on tumorigenesis, as well as its roles in the Wnt signaling pathway, have been extensively studied. Epigenetic drugs have shown promise in the treatment of lung cancer. These drugs target the aberrant epigenetic modifications that are involved in the development and progression of the disease. Several factors have been identified as drug targets in non-small cell lung cancer. Recently, combination therapy has been discussed as a successful strategy for overcoming drug resistance. Overall, understanding the role of epigenetic mechanisms and their targeting through drugs is an important area of research in lung cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahin Ramazi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Meadeh Daddzadi
- Department of BiotechnologyFaculty of Advanced Science and TechnologyTehran Medical SciencesIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Zahra Sahafnejad
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
| | - Abdollah Allahverdi
- Department of BiophysicsFaculty of Biological SciencesTarbiat Modares UniversityTehranIran
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24
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Panayiotou T, Eftychiou M, Patera E, Promponas VJ, Strati K. A paradigm for post-embryonic Oct4 re-expression: E7-induced hydroxymethylation regulates Oct4 expression in cervical cancer. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29264. [PMID: 38054553 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29264] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
The Octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4) is upregulated in different malignancies, yet a paradigm for mechanisms of Oct4 post-embryonic re-expression is inadequately understood. In cervical cancer, Oct4 expression is higher in human papillomavirus (HPV)-related than HPV-unrelated cervical cancers and this upregulation correlates with the expression of the E7 oncogene. We have reported that E7 affects the Oct4-transcriptional output and Oct4-related phenotypes in cervical cancer, however, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we characterize the Oct4-protein interactions in cervical cancer cells via computational analyses and Mass Spectrometry and reveal that Methyl-binding proteins (MBD2 and MBD3), are determinants of Oct4-driven transcription. E7 triggers MBD2 downregulation and TET1 upregulation, thereby disrupting the methylation status of the Oct4 gene. This coincides with an increase in the total DNA hydroxymethylation leading to the re-expression of Oct4 in cervical cancer and likely affecting broader transcriptional patterns. Our findings reveal a previously unreported mechanism by which the E7 oncogene can regulate Oct4 re-expression and global transcriptional patterns by increasing DNA hydroxymethylation and lowering the barrier to cellular plasticity during carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marios Eftychiou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Leuven Statistics Research Centre (LStat), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eleutherios Patera
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Katerina Strati
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
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25
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Fu TY, Ji SS, Tian YL, Lin YG, Chen YM, Zhong QE, Zheng SC, Xu GF. Methyl-CpG binding domain (MBD)2/3 specifically recognizes and binds to the genomic mCpG site with a β-sheet in the MBD to affect embryonic development in Bombyx mori. INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 30:1607-1621. [PMID: 36915030 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Methyl-CpG (mCpG) binding domain (MBD) proteins especially bind with methylated DNA, and are involved in many important biological processes; however, the binding mechanism between insect MBD2/3 and mCpG remains unclear. In this study, we identified 2 isoforms of the MBD2/3 gene in Bombyx mori, MBD2/3-S and MBD2/3-L. Binding analysis of MBD2/3-L, MBD2/3-S, and 7 mutant MBD2/3-L proteins deficient in β1-β6 or α1 in the MBD showed that β2-β3-turns in the β-sheet of the MBD are necessary for the formation of the MBD2/3-mCpG complex; furthermore, other secondary structures, namely, β4-β6 and an α-helix, play a role in stabilizing the β-sheet structure to ensure that the MBD is able to bind mCpG. In addition, sequence alignment and binding analyses of different insect MBD2/3s indicated that insect MBD2/3s have an intact and conserved MBD that binds to the mCpG of target genes. Furthermore, MBD2/3 RNA interference results showed that MBD2/3-L plays a role in regulating B. mori embryonic development, similar to that of DNA methylation; however, MBD2/3-S without β4-β6 and α-helix does not alter embryonic development. These results suggest that MBD2/3-L recognizes and binds to mCpG through the intact β-sheet structure in its MBD, thus ensuring silkworm embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong-Yu Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang-Shun Ji
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Lin Tian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Guang Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Mei Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-En Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Chun Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guan-Feng Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Insect Development Regulation and Application Research, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Moore LL, Houchen CW. Epigenetic Landscape and Therapeutic Implication of Gene Isoforms of Doublecortin-Like Kinase 1 for Cancer Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16407. [PMID: 38003596 PMCID: PMC10671580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216407] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
While significant strides have been made in understanding cancer biology, the enhancement in patient survival is limited, underscoring the urgency for innovative strategies. Epigenetic modifications characterized by hereditary shifts in gene expression without changes to the DNA sequence play a critical role in producing alternative gene isoforms. When these processes go awry, they influence cancer onset, growth, spread, and cancer stemness. In this review, we delve into the epigenetic and isoform nuances of the protein kinase, doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1). Recognized as a hallmark of tumor stemness, DCLK1 plays a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, and DCLK1 isoforms, shaped by alternative promoter usage and splicing, can reveal potential therapeutic touchpoints. Our discussion centers on recent findings pertaining to the specific functions of DCLK1 isoforms and the prevailing understanding of its epigenetic regulation via its two distinct promoters. It is noteworthy that all DCLK1 isoforms retain their kinase domain, suggesting that their unique functionalities arise from non-kinase mechanisms. Consequently, our research has pivoted to drugs that specifically influence the epigenetic generation of these DCLK1 isoforms. We posit that a combined therapeutic approach, harnessing both the epigenetic regulators of specific DCLK1 isoforms and DCLK1-targeted drugs, may prove more effective than therapies that solely target DCLK1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon L. Moore
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
| | - Courtney W. Houchen
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA;
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
- The Peggy and Charles Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA
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27
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Tooley KB, Chucair-Elliott AJ, Ocañas SR, Machalinski AH, Pham KD, Hoolehan W, Kulpa AM, Stanford DR, Freeman WM. Differential usage of DNA modifications in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:45. [PMID: 37953264 PMCID: PMC10642035 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00522-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cellular identity is determined partly by cell type-specific epigenomic profiles that regulate gene expression. In neuroscience, there is a pressing need to isolate and characterize the epigenomes of specific CNS cell types in health and disease. In this study, we developed an in vivo tagging mouse model (Camk2a-NuTRAP) for paired isolation of neuronal DNA and RNA without cell sorting and then used this model to assess epigenomic regulation, DNA modifications in particular, of gene expression between neurons and glia. RESULTS After validating the cell-specificity of the Camk2a-NuTRAP model, we performed TRAP-RNA-Seq and INTACT-whole genome oxidative bisulfite sequencing (WGoxBS) to assess the neuronal translatome and epigenome in the hippocampus of young mice (4 months old). WGoxBS findings were validated with enzymatic methyl-Seq (EM-Seq) and nanopore sequencing. Comparing neuronal data to microglial and astrocytic data from NuTRAP models, microglia had the highest global mCG levels followed by astrocytes and then neurons, with the opposite pattern observed for hmCG and mCH. Differentially modified regions between cell types were predominantly found within gene bodies and distal intergenic regions, rather than proximal promoters. Across cell types there was a negative correlation between DNA modifications (mCG, mCH, hmCG) and gene expression at proximal promoters. In contrast, a negative correlation of gene body mCG and a positive relationship between distal promoter and gene body hmCG with gene expression was observed. Furthermore, we identified a neuron-specific inverse relationship between mCH and gene expression across promoter and gene body regions. CONCLUSIONS Neurons, astrocytes, and microglia demonstrate different genome-wide levels of mCG, hmCG, and mCH that are reproducible across analytical methods. However, modification-gene expression relationships are conserved across cell types. Enrichment of differential modifications across cell types in gene bodies and distal regulatory elements, but not proximal promoters, highlights epigenomic patterning in these regions as potentially greater determinants of cell identity. These findings also demonstrate the importance of differentiating between mC and hmC in neuroepigenomic analyses, as up to 30% of what is conventionally interpreted as mCG can be hmCG, which often has a different relationship to gene expression than mCG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla B Tooley
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Ana J Chucair-Elliott
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Sarah R Ocañas
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Adeline H Machalinski
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Kevin D Pham
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Walker Hoolehan
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Adam M Kulpa
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - David R Stanford
- Center for Biomedical Data Sciences, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Willard M Freeman
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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28
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Chen Y, Wu XL, Hu HB, Yang SN, Zhang ZY, Fu GL, Zhang CT, Li ZM, Wu F, Si KW, Ma YB, Ji SF, Zhou JS, Ren XY, Xiao XL, Liu JX. Neuronal MeCP2 in the dentate gyrus regulates mossy fiber sprouting of mice with temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 188:106346. [PMID: 37931884 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sprouting of mossy fibers, one of the most consistent findings in tissue from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, exhibits several uncommon axonal growth features and has been considered a paradigmatic example of circuit plasticity that occurs in the adult brain. Clarifying the mechanisms responsible may provide new insight into epileptogenesis as well as axon misguidance in the central nervous system. Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) binds to methylated genomic DNA to regulate a range of physiological functions implicated in neuronal development and adult synaptic plasticity. However, exploring the potential role of MeCP2 in the documented misguidance of axons in the dentate gyrus has not yet been attempted. In this study, a status epilepticus-induced decrease of neuronal MeCP2 was observed in the dentate gyrus (DG). An essential regulatory role of MeCP2 in the development of functional mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) was confirmed through stereotaxic injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) to up- or down-regulate MeCP2 in the dentate neurons. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) was performed to identify the binding profile of native MeCP2 using micro-dissected dentate tissues. In both dentate tissues and HT22 cell lines, we demonstrated that MeCP2 could act as a transcription repressor on miR-682 with the involvement of the DNA methylation mechanism. Further, we found that miR-682 could bind to mRNA of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in a sequence specific manner, thus leading to the suppression of PTEN and excessive activation of mTOR. This study therefore presents a novel epigenetic mechanism by identifying MeCP2/miR-682/PTEN/mTOR as an essential signal pathway in regulating the formation of MFS in the temporal lobe epileptic (TLE) mice. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Understanding the mechanisms that regulate axon guidance is important for a better comprehension of neural disorders. Sprouting of mossy fibers, one of the most consistent findings in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, has been considered a paradigmatic example of circuit plasticity in the adult brain. Although abnormal regulation of DNA methylation has been observed in both experimental rodents and humans with epilepsy, the potential role of DNA methylation in this well-documented example of sprouting of dentate axon remains elusive. This study demonstrates an essential role of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 in the formation of mossy fiber sprouting. The underlying signal pathway has been also identified. The data hence provide new insight into epileptogenesis as well as axon misguidance in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Hai-Bo Hu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Shu-Nan Yang
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Zi-Yi Zhang
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Guan-Ling Fu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China
| | - Chu-Tong Zhang
- Qide College, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Zi-Meng Li
- Zonglian College, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Feng Wu
- Center of Teaching and Experiment for Medical Postgraduates, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Kai-Wei Si
- Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an 710061, China
| | - Yan-Bing Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Sheng-Feng Ji
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Jin-Song Zhou
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Ren
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710004, China
| | - Xin-Li Xiao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China.
| | - Jian-Xin Liu
- Institute of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City, 710061, China; Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an City 710061, China.
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29
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Duan W, Huang J, Wasti B, Chen Z, Yuan Y, He Y, Li D, Jia J, Liu S, Liu Y, Ma L, Zeng Q, Zhu L, Li J, Zhang X, Xiang X. miR-146a-3p as a potential novel therapeutic by targeting MBD2 to mediate Th17 differentiation in Th17 predominant neutrophilic severe asthma. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:2839-2854. [PMID: 36961677 PMCID: PMC10543568 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01033-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Th17 (T-helper 17) cells subtype of non-T2 (non-type 2) asthma is related to neutrophilic infiltration and resistance to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), so is also known as severe asthma. Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) regulates the differentiation of the Th17 cells, tending to show a therapeutic target in severe asthma. miR-146a-3p is associated with anti-inflammatory characteristics and immunity. Moreover, bioinformatic analysis showed that MBD2 may be a target gene of miR-146a-3p. However, the role of miR-146a-3p in the differentiation of Th17 cells via MBD2 in severe asthma remains unknown. Here, we aimed to explore how miR-146a-3p interacts with MBD2 and affects the differentiation of Th17 cells in severe asthma. First, we recruited 30 eligible healthy people and 30 patients with severe asthma to detect the expression of miR-146a-3p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by qRT-PCR. Then, we established a HDM/LPS (house dust mite/lipopolysaccharide) exposure model of bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) to evaluate the expression of miR-146a-3p, the interaction between miR-146a-3p and MBD2 using western blot and luciferase reporter analysis and the effect of miR-146a-3p regulated Th17 cells differentiation by flow cytometry in BECs in vitro. Finally, we constructed a mouse model of Th17 predominant neutrophilic severe asthma to assess the therapeutic potential of miR-146a-3p in severe asthma and the effect of miR-146a-3p regulated Th17 cells differentiation via MBD2 in vivo. Decreased miR-146a-3p expression was noted in severe asthma patients, in the BECs and in the animal severe asthma models. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-146a-3p suppressed Th17 cells differentiation by targeting the MBD2. miR-146a-3p overexpression significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and airway mucus secretion, while also inhibiting Th17 cells response in vivo, which relieved severe asthma. By targeting MBD2 to suppress Th17 cells differentiation, miR-146a-3p provides a potential novel therapeutic for Th17 predominant neutrophilic severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Duan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Changsha Social Work College, Changsha, 410004, China
| | - Binaya Wasti
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Zhifeng Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yu Yuan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yi He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Danhong Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Jingsi Jia
- Department of Emergency, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle RenminRoad, 410011, Changsha, China
| | - Shaokun Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhuzhou City Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, 412007, China
| | - Libing Ma
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College, Guilin, 541001, China
| | - Qingping Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Longshan County People's Hospital, Longshan, 416800, China
| | - Liming Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Guhan Road No. 89, Changsha, 410016, China.
| | - Jianmin Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First-Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Guhan Road No. 89, Changsha, 410016, China.
| | - Xiufeng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College University, 570000, Haikou, China.
| | - Xudong Xiang
- Department of Emergency, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle RenminRoad, 410011, Changsha, China.
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30
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Jeremic D, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. Targeting epigenetics: A novel promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102003. [PMID: 37422087 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
So far, the search for a cure for Alzheimer Disease (AD) has been unsuccessful. The only approved drugs attenuate some symptoms, but do not halt the progress of this disease, which affects 50 million people worldwide and will increase its incidence in the coming decades. Such scenario demands new therapeutic approaches to fight against this devastating dementia. In recent years, multi-omics research and the analysis of differential epigenetic marks in AD subjects have contributed to our understanding of AD; however, the impact of epigenetic research is yet to be seen. This review integrates the most recent data on pathological processes and epigenetic changes relevant for aging and AD, as well as current therapies targeting epigenetic machinery in clinical trials. Evidence shows that epigenetic modifications play a key role in gene expression, which could provide multi-target preventative and therapeutic approaches in AD. Both novel and repurposed drugs are employed in AD clinical trials due to their epigenetic effects, as well as increasing number of natural compounds. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications and the complexity of gene-environment interactions, the combination of epigenetic-based therapies with environmental strategies and drugs with multiple targets might be needed to properly help AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danko Jeremic
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
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31
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Yuan M, Yang B, Rothschild G, Mann JJ, Sanford LD, Tang X, Huang C, Wang C, Zhang W. Epigenetic regulation in major depression and other stress-related disorders: molecular mechanisms, clinical relevance and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:309. [PMID: 37644009 PMCID: PMC10465587 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic, generally episodic and debilitating disease that affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide, but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. The heritability estimate of MDD is 30-40%, suggesting that genetics alone do not account for most of the risk of major depression. Another factor known to associate with MDD involves environmental stressors such as childhood adversity and recent life stress. Recent studies have emerged to show that the biological impact of environmental factors in MDD and other stress-related disorders is mediated by a variety of epigenetic modifications. These epigenetic modification alterations contribute to abnormal neuroendocrine responses, neuroplasticity impairment, neurotransmission and neuroglia dysfunction, which are involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. Furthermore, epigenetic marks have been associated with the diagnosis and treatment of MDD. The evaluation of epigenetic modifications holds promise for further understanding of the heterogeneous etiology and complex phenotypes of MDD, and may identify new therapeutic targets. Here, we review preclinical and clinical epigenetic findings, including DNA methylation, histone modification, noncoding RNA, RNA modification, and chromatin remodeling factor in MDD. In addition, we elaborate on the contribution of these epigenetic mechanisms to the pathological trait variability in depression and discuss how such mechanisms can be exploited for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minlan Yuan
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Biao Yang
- Department of Abdominal Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Gerson Rothschild
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - J John Mann
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Larry D Sanford
- Sleep Research Laboratory, Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases, Pathology and Anatomy, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Xiangdong Tang
- Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Mental Health Center, Translational Neuroscience Center, and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chuang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, and Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology in School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315211, China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- Mental Health Center and Psychiatric Laboratory, the State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- West China Biomedical Big Data Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Medical Big Data Center, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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32
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Hu J, Ding R, Liu S, Wang J, Li J, Shang Y. Hypermethylation of RNF125 promotes autophagy-induced oxidative stress in asthma by increasing HMGB1 stability. iScience 2023; 26:107503. [PMID: 37599832 PMCID: PMC10432822 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a global chronic airway disease. The expression and role of RNF125, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, in asthma remain uncertain. In this study, we revealed that RNF125 was downregulated in the bronchial epithelium of mice and patients with asthma. Rnf125 hypermethylation was responsible for the low expression of RNF125 in primary airway epithelial cells of mice treated with OVA. Moreover, we demonstrated that RNF125 could attenuate autophagy, oxidative stress, and protect epithelial barrier in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, we identified HMGB1 as a substrate of RNF125, which interacted with the HMG B-box domain of HMGB1 and induced degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system, reducing autophagy and oxidative stress. Overall, our findings elucidated that hypermethylation of Rnf125 reduced its expression, which promoted autophagy-induced oxidative stress in asthma by increasing HMGB1 stability. These findings offer a theoretical and experimental basis for the pathogenesis of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiapeng Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Ruiwei Ding
- Pediatric Department, Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Shaozhuang Liu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Yunxiao Shang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
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Cheng H, Liu Y, Chen G. Identification of potential DNA methylation biomarkers related to diagnosis in patients with bladder cancer through integrated bioinformatic analysis. BMC Urol 2023; 23:135. [PMID: 37563710 PMCID: PMC10413619 DOI: 10.1186/s12894-023-01307-5] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bladder cancer (BLCA) is one of the most common malignancies among tumors worldwide. There are no validated biomarkers to facilitate such treatment diagnosis. DNA methylation modification plays important roles in epigenetics. Identifying methylated differentially expressed genes is a common method for the discovery of biomarkers. METHODS Bladder cancer data were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including the gene expression microarrays GSE37817( 18 patients and 3 normal ), GSE52519 (9 patients and 3 normal) and the gene methylation microarray GSE37816 (18 patients and 3 normal). Aberrantly expressed genes were obtained by GEO2R. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed using the DAVID database and KOBAS. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and hub gene networks were constructed by STRING and Cytoscape software. The validation of the results which was confirmed through four online platforms, including Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA), cBioProtal and MEXPRESS. RESULTS In total, 253 and 298 upregulated genes and 674 and 454 downregulated genes were identified for GSE37817 and GSE52519, respectively. For the GSE37816 dataset, hypermethylated and hypomethylated genes involving 778 and 3420 genes, respectively, were observed. Seventeen hypermethylated and low expression genes were enriched in biological processes associated with different organ development and morphogenesis. For molecular function, these genes showed enrichment in extracellular matrix structural constituents. Pathway enrichment showed drug metabolic enzymes and several amino acids metabolism, PI3K-Akt, Hedgehog signaling pathway. The top 3 hub genes screened by Cytoscape software were EFEMP1, SPARCL1 and ABCA8. The research results were verified using the GEPIA, GSCA, cBioProtal and EXPRESS databases, and the hub hypermethylated low expression genes were validated. CONCLUSION This study screened possible aberrantly methylated expression hub genes in BLCA by integrated bioinformatics analysis. The results may provide possible methylation-based biomarkers for the precise diagnosis and treatment of BLCA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Cheng
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Huaxia Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430223, Hubei, China.
| | - Yuhua Liu
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Huaxia Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430223, Hubei, China
| | - Gang Chen
- School of Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Wuhan Huaxia Institute of Technology, Wuhan, 430223, Hubei, China
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35
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Vogt G. Phenotypic plasticity in the monoclonal marbled crayfish is associated with very low genetic diversity but pronounced epigenetic diversity. Curr Zool 2023; 69:426-441. [PMID: 37614917 PMCID: PMC10443617 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoac094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Clonal organisms are particularly useful to investigate the contribution of epigenetics to phenotypic plasticity, because confounding effects of genetic variation are negligible. In the last decade, the apomictic parthenogenetic marbled crayfish, Procambarus virginalis, has been developed as a model to investigate the relationships between phenotypic plasticity and genetic and epigenetic diversity in detail. This crayfish originated about 30 years ago by autotriploidy from a single slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. As the result of human releases and active spreading, marbled crayfish has established numerous populations in very diverse habitats in 22 countries from the tropics to cold temperate regions. Studies in the laboratory and field revealed considerable plasticity in coloration, spination, morphometric parameters, growth, food preference, population structure, trophic position, and niche width. Illumina and PacBio whole-genome sequencing of marbled crayfish from representatives of 19 populations in Europe and Madagascar demonstrated extremely low genetic diversity within and among populations, indicating that the observed phenotypic diversity and ability to live in strikingly different environments are not due to adaptation by selection on genetic variation. In contrast, considerable differences were found between populations in the DNA methylation patterns of hundreds of genes, suggesting that the environmentally induced phenotypic plasticity is mediated by epigenetic mechanisms and corresponding changes in gene expression. Specific DNA methylation fingerprints persisted in local populations over successive years indicating the existence of epigenetic ecotypes, but there is presently no information as to whether these epigenetic signatures are transgenerationally inherited or established anew in each generation and whether the recorded phenotypic plasticity is adaptive or nonadaptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Vogt
- Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 234, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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36
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Wu WF, Lin JT, Qiu YK, Dong W, Wan J, Li S, Zheng H, Wu YQ. The role of epigenetic modification in postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 89:101983. [PMID: 37321381 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101983] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
With the ageing of the population, the health problems of elderly individuals have become particularly important. Through a large number of clinical studies and trials, it has been confirmed that elderly patients can experience postoperative cognitive dysfunction after general anesthesia/surgery. However, the mechanism of postoperative cognitive dysfunction is still unknown. In recent years, the role of epigenetics in postoperative cognitive dysfunction has been widely studied and reported. Epigenetics includes the genetic structure and biochemical changes of chromatin not involving changes in the DNA sequence. This article summarizes the epigenetic mechanism of cognitive impairment after general anesthesia/surgery and analyses the broad prospects of epigenetics as a therapeutic target for postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Feng Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jia-Tao Lin
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Yong-Kang Qiu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Jie Wan
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China
| | - Shuai Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China.
| | - Yu-Qing Wu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221004, China.
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37
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Yuan H, Lu Y, Feng Y, Wang N. Epigenetic inhibitors for cancer treatment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 383:89-144. [PMID: 38359972 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetics is a heritable and reversible modification that occurs independent of the alteration of primary DNA sequence but remarkably affects genetic expression. Aberrant epigenetic regulators are frequently observed in cancer progression not only influencing the behavior of tumor cells but also the tumor-associated microenvironment (TME). Increasing evidence has shown their great potential as biomarkers to predict clinical outcomes and chemoresistance. Hence, targeting the deregulated epigenetic regulators would be a compelling strategy for cancer treatment. So far, current epigenetic drugs have shown promising efficacy in both preclinical trials and clinical treatment of cancer, which encourages research discoveries on the development of novel epigenetic inhibitors either from natural compounds or artificial synthesis. However, only a few have been approved by the FDA, and more effort needs to be put into the related research. This chapter will update the applications and latest progress of epigenetic inhibitors in cancer treatment and provide prospects for the future development of epigenetic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Yuan
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Yuanjun Lu
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Yibin Feng
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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38
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Dave J, Jagana V, Janostiak R, Bisserier M. Unraveling the epigenetic landscape of pulmonary arterial hypertension: implications for personalized medicine development. J Transl Med 2023; 21:477. [PMID: 37461108 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a multifactorial disease associated with the remodeling of pulmonary blood vessels. If left unaddressed, PAH can lead to right heart failure and even death. Multiple biological processes, such as smooth muscle proliferation, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and resistance to apoptosis, are associated with PAH. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic factors play an important role in PAH by regulating the chromatin structure and altering the expression of critical genes. For example, aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications such as histone acetylation and methylation have been observed in patients with PAH and are linked to vascular remodeling and pulmonary vascular dysfunction. In this review article, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of key epigenetic targets in PAH pathogenesis, including DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), ten-eleven translocation enzymes (TET), switch-independent 3A (SIN3A), enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4). Finally, we discuss the potential of multi-omics integration to better understand the molecular signature and profile of PAH patients and how this approach can help identify personalized treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaydev Dave
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA
| | - Vineeta Jagana
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA
| | - Radoslav Janostiak
- First Faculty of Medicine, BIOCEV, Charles University, Vestec, 25250, Czech Republic
| | - Malik Bisserier
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA.
- Department of Physiology, New York Medical College, 15 Dana Road, BSB 131A, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA.
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39
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Lax E, Do Carmo S, Enuka Y, Sapozhnikov DM, Welikovitch LA, Mahmood N, Rabbani SA, Wang L, Britt JP, Hancock WW, Yarden Y, Szyf M. Methyl-CpG binding domain 2 (Mbd2) is an epigenetic regulator of autism-risk genes and cognition. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:259. [PMID: 37443311 PMCID: PMC10344909 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02561-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Methyl-CpG-Binding Domain Protein family has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders. The Methyl-CpG-binding domain 2 (Mbd2) binds methylated DNA and was shown to play an important role in cancer and immunity. Some evidence linked this protein to neurodevelopment. However, its exact role in neurodevelopment and brain function is mostly unknown. Here we show that Mbd2-deficiency in mice (Mbd2-/-) results in deficits in cognitive, social and emotional functions. Mbd2 binds regulatory DNA regions of neuronal genes in the hippocampus and loss of Mbd2 alters the expression of hundreds of genes with a robust down-regulation of neuronal gene pathways. Further, a genome-wide DNA methylation analysis found an altered DNA methylation pattern in regulatory DNA regions of neuronal genes in Mbd2-/- mice. Differentially expressed genes significantly overlap with gene-expression changes observed in brains of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) individuals. Notably, downregulated genes are significantly enriched for human ortholog ASD risk genes. Observed hippocampal morphological abnormalities were similar to those found in individuals with ASD and ASD rodent models. Hippocampal Mbd2 knockdown partially recapitulates the behavioral phenotypes observed in Mbd2-/- mice. These findings suggest that Mbd2 is a novel epigenetic regulator of genes that are associated with ASD in humans. Mbd2 loss causes behavioral alterations that resemble those found in ASD individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elad Lax
- Department of Molecular Biology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yehoshua Enuka
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Daniel M Sapozhnikov
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lindsay A Welikovitch
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Niaz Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Shafaat A Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Liqing Wang
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Biesecker Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jonathan P Britt
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Wayne W Hancock
- Division of Transplant Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Biesecker Center for Pediatric Liver Diseases, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yosef Yarden
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, 76100, Israel
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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40
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Singh H, Das CK, Buchmuller BC, Schäfer LV, Summerer D, Linser R. Epigenetic CpG duplex marks probed by an evolved DNA reader via a well-tempered conformational plasticity. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:6495-6506. [PMID: 36919612 PMCID: PMC10325892 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad134] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
5-methylcytosine (mC) and its TET-oxidized derivatives exist in CpG dyads of mammalian DNA and regulate cell fate, but how their individual combinations in the two strands of a CpG act as distinct regulatory signals is poorly understood. Readers that selectively recognize such novel 'CpG duplex marks' could be versatile tools for studying their biological functions, but their design represents an unprecedented selectivity challenge. By mutational studies, NMR relaxation, and MD simulations, we here show that the selectivity of the first designer reader for an oxidized CpG duplex mark hinges on precisely tempered conformational plasticity of the scaffold adopted during directed evolution. Our observations reveal the critical aspect of defined motional features in this novel reader for affinity and specificity in the DNA/protein interaction, providing unexpected prospects for further design progress in this novel area of DNA recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Singh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Chandan K Das
- Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Benjamin C Buchmuller
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Lars V Schäfer
- Theoretical Chemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Summerer
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Rasmus Linser
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Technical University Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Str. 4a, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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Coelho A, Lima-Bastos S, Gobira P, Lisboa S. Endocannabinoid signaling and epigenetics modifications in the neurobiology of stress-related disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220034. [PMID: 37520658 PMCID: PMC10372471 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress exposure is associated with psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also a vulnerability factor to developing or reinstating substance use disorder. Stress causes several changes in the neuro-immune-endocrine axis, potentially resulting in prolonged dysfunction and diseases. Changes in several transmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glucocorticoids, and cytokines, are associated with psychiatric disorders or behavioral alterations in preclinical studies. Complex and interacting mechanisms make it very difficult to understand the physiopathology of psychiatry conditions; therefore, studying regulatory mechanisms that impact these alterations is a good approach. In the last decades, the impact of stress on biology through epigenetic markers, which directly impact gene expression, is under intense investigation; these mechanisms are associated with behavioral alterations in animal models after stress or drug exposure, for example. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system modulates stress response, reward circuits, and other physiological functions, including hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation and immune response. eCBs, for example, act retrogradely at presynaptic neurons, limiting the release of neurotransmitters, a mechanism implicated in the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects after stress. Epigenetic mechanisms can impact the expression of eCB system molecules, which in turn can regulate epigenetic mechanisms. This review will present evidence of how the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms interact and the consequences of this interaction in modulating behavioral changes after stress exposure in preclinical studies or psychiatric conditions. Moreover, evidence that correlates the involvement of the eCB system and epigenetic mechanisms in drug abuse contexts will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A. Coelho
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sávio Lima-Bastos
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro H. Gobira
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sabrina F. Lisboa
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Sae-Khow K, Phuengmaung P, Issara-Amphorn J, Makjaroen J, Visitchanakun P, Boonmee A, Benjaskulluecha S, Palaga T, Leelahavanichkul A. Less Severe Polymicrobial Sepsis in Conditional mgmt-Deleted Mice Using LysM-Cre System, Impacts of DNA Methylation and MGMT Inhibitor in Sepsis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10175. [PMID: 37373325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210175] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA suicide repair enzyme that might be important during sepsis but has never been explored. Then, the proteomic analysis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated wild-type (WT) macrophages increased proteasome proteins and reduced oxidative phosphorylation proteins compared with control, possibly related to cell injury. With LPS stimulation, mgmt null (mgmtflox/flox; LysM-Crecre/-) macrophages demonstrated less profound inflammation; supernatant cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) and pro-inflammatory genes (iNOS and IL-1β), with higher DNA break (phosphohistone H2AX) and cell-free DNA, but not malondialdehyde (the oxidative stress), compared with the littermate control (mgmtflox/flox; LysM-Cre-/-). In parallel, mgmt null mice (MGMT loss only in the myeloid cells) demonstrated less severe sepsis in the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model (with antibiotics), as indicated by survival and other parameters compared with sepsis in the littermate control. The mgmt null protective effect was lost in CLP mice without antibiotics, highlighting the importance of microbial control during sepsis immune modulation. However, an MGMT inhibitor in CLP with antibiotics in WT mice attenuated serum cytokines but not mortality, requiring further studies. In conclusion, an absence of mgmt in macrophages resulted in less severe CLP sepsis, implying a possible influence of guanine DNA methylation and repair in macrophages during sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kritsanawan Sae-Khow
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pornpimol Phuengmaung
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jiraphorn Issara-Amphorn
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jiradej Makjaroen
- Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Peerapat Visitchanakun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Atsadang Boonmee
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Salisa Benjaskulluecha
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tanapat Palaga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Medical Microbiology, Interdisciplinary and International Program, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Ding Y, Wang H, Liu J, Jiang H, Gong A, Xu M. MBD3 as a Potential Biomarker for Colon Cancer: Implications for Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Pathways. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3185. [PMID: 37370795 PMCID: PMC10296356 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123185] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The tumor EMT is a crucial event in tumor pathogenesis and progression. Previous research has established MBD3's significant role in pancreatic cancer EMT. However, MBD3's precise role in colon cancer remains unclear and warrants further investigation. Pan-cancer analysis revealed MBD3's differential expression in various tumors and its significant association with tumor occurrence, growth, and progression. Moreover, analysis of single-cell sequencing and clinical data for colon cancer revealed MBD3 expression's negative correlation with clinical indicators such as survival prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis confirmed the association between MBD3 and EMT in colon cancer. Pathological examinations, western blotting, and qRT-PCR in vitro and in vivo validated MBD3's differential expression in colon cancer. Transwell, CCK-8, clone formation, and in vivo tumorigenesis experiments confirmed MBD3's impact on migration, invasion, and proliferation. Our findings demonstrate MBD3 as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuntao Ding
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China; (Y.D.); (H.W.); (J.L.); (H.J.)
| | - Huizhi Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China; (Y.D.); (H.W.); (J.L.); (H.J.)
| | - Junqiang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China; (Y.D.); (H.W.); (J.L.); (H.J.)
| | - Han Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China; (Y.D.); (H.W.); (J.L.); (H.J.)
| | - Aihua Gong
- Hematological Disease Institute of Jiangsu University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212001, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, China; (Y.D.); (H.W.); (J.L.); (H.J.)
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Saisorn W, Phuengmaung P, Issara-Amphorn J, Makjaroen J, Visitchanakun P, Sae-Khow K, Boonmee A, Benjaskulluecha S, Nita-Lazar A, Palaga T, Leelahavanichkul A. Less Severe Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation in Conditional mgmt-Deleted Mice with LysM-Cre System: The Loss of DNA Repair in Macrophages. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10139. [PMID: 37373287 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the known influence of DNA methylation from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation, data on the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT, a DNA suicide repair enzyme) in macrophages is still lacking. The transcriptomic profiling of epigenetic enzymes from wild-type macrophages after single and double LPS stimulation, representing acute inflammation and LPS tolerance, respectively, was performed. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) silencing of mgmt in the macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) and mgmt null (mgmtflox/flox; LysM-Crecre/-) macrophages demonstrated lower secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 and lower expression of pro-inflammatory genes (iNOS and IL-1β) compared with the control. Macrophage injury after a single LPS dose and LPS tolerance was demonstrated by reduced cell viability and increased oxidative stress (dihydroethidium) compared with the activated macrophages from littermate control mice (mgmtflox/flox; LysM-Cre-/-). Additionally, a single LPS dose and LPS tolerance also caused mitochondrial toxicity, as indicated by reduced maximal respiratory capacity (extracellular flux analysis) in the macrophages of both mgmt null and control mice. However, LPS upregulated mgmt only in LPS-tolerant macrophages but not after the single LPS stimulation. In mice, the mgmt null group demonstrated lower serum TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 than control mice after either single or double LPS stimulation. Suppressed cytokine production resulting from an absence of mgmt in macrophages caused less severe LPS-induced inflammation but might worsen LPS tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilasinee Saisorn
- Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Pornpimol Phuengmaung
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Jiraphorn Issara-Amphorn
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1892, USA
| | - Jiradej Makjaroen
- Center of Excellence in Systems Biology, Research Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Peerapat Visitchanakun
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kritsanawan Sae-Khow
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Atsadang Boonmee
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Salisa Benjaskulluecha
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Aleksandra Nita-Lazar
- Functional Cellular Networks Section, Laboratory of Immune System Biology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892-1892, USA
| | - Tanapat Palaga
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Asada Leelahavanichkul
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Translational Research in Inflammation and Immunology (CETRII), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Tooley KB, Chucair-Elliott AJ, Ocañas SR, Machalinski AH, Pham KD, Stanford DR, Freeman WM. Differential usage of DNA modifications in neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.05.543497. [PMID: 37333391 PMCID: PMC10274634 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.05.543497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Cellular identity is determined partly by cell type-specific epigenomic profiles that regulate gene expression. In neuroscience, there is a pressing need to isolate and characterize the epigenomes of specific CNS cell types in health and disease. This is especially true as for DNA modifications where most data are derived from bisulfite sequencing that cannot differentiate between DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation. In this study, we developed an in vivo tagging mouse model (Camk2a-NuTRAP) for paired isolation of neuronal DNA and RNA without cell sorting and then used this model to assess epigenomic regulation of gene expression between neurons and glia. Results After validating the cell-specificity of the Camk2a-NuTRAP model, we performed TRAP-RNA-Seq and INTACT whole genome oxidative bisulfite sequencing to assess the neuronal translatome and epigenome in the hippocampus of young mice (3 months old). These data were then compared to microglial and astrocytic data from NuTRAP models. When comparing the different cell types, microglia had the highest global mCG levels followed by astrocytes and then neurons, with the opposite pattern observed for hmCG and mCH. Differentially modified regions between cell types were predominantly found within gene bodies and distal intergenic regions, with limited differences occurring within proximal promoters. Across cell types there was a negative correlation between DNA modifications (mCG, mCH, hmCG) and gene expression at proximal promoters. In contrast, a negative correlation of mCG with gene expression within the gene body while a positive relationship between distal promoter and gene body hmCG and gene expression was observed. Furthermore, we identified a neuron-specific inverse relationship between mCH and gene expression across promoter and gene body regions. Conclusions In this study, we identified differential usage of DNA modifications across CNS cell types, and assessed the relationship between DNA modifications and gene expression in neurons and glia. Despite having different global levels, the general modification-gene expression relationship was conserved across cell types. The enrichment of differential modifications in gene bodies and distal regulatory elements, but not proximal promoters, across cell types highlights epigenomic patterning in these regions as potentially greater determinants of cell identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla B. Tooley
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Ana J. Chucair-Elliott
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Sarah R. Ocañas
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Adeline H. Machalinski
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Kevin D. Pham
- Genes & Human Disease Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - David R. Stanford
- Center for Biomedical Data Sciences, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Willard M. Freeman
- Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
- Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
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Uppala SN, Tryphena KP, Naren P, Srivastava S, Singh SB, Khatri DK. Involvement of miRNA on Epigenetics landscape of Parkinson's disease: From pathogenesis to therapeutics. Mech Ageing Dev 2023:111826. [PMID: 37268278 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2023.111826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The development of novel therapeutics for the effective management of Parkinson's disease (PD) is undertaken seriously by the scientific community as the burden of PD continues to increase. Several molecular pathways are being explored to identify novel therapeutic targets. Epigenetics is strongly implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) including PD. Several epigenetic mechanisms were found to dysregulated in various studies. These mechanisms are regulated by several miRNAs which are associated with a variety of pathogenic mechanisms in PD. This concept is extensively investigated in several cancers but not well documented in PD. Identifying the miRNAs with dual role i.e., regulation of epigenetic mechanisms as well as modulation of proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of PD could pave way for the development of novel therapeutics to target them. These miRNAs could also serve as potential biomarkers and can be useful in the early diagnosis or assessment of disease severity. In this article we would like to discuss about various epigenetic changes operating in PD and how miRNAs are involved in the regulation of these mechanisms and their potential to be novel therapeutic targets in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sai Nikhil Uppala
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience lab, Department of pharmacology and toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037
| | - Kamatham Pushpa Tryphena
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience lab, Department of pharmacology and toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037
| | - Padmashri Naren
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience lab, Department of pharmacology and toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037
| | - Saurabh Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience lab, Department of pharmacology and toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037.
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Molecular and cellular neuroscience lab, Department of pharmacology and toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)- Hyderabad, Telangana-500037.
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Zappe K, Kopic A, Scheichel A, Schier AK, Schmidt LE, Borutzki Y, Miedl H, Schreiber M, Mendrina T, Pirker C, Pfeiler G, Hacker S, Haslik W, Pils D, Bileck A, Gerner C, Meier-Menches S, Heffeter P, Cichna-Markl M. Aberrant DNA Methylation, Expression, and Occurrence of Transcript Variants of the ABC Transporter ABCA7 in Breast Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:1462. [PMID: 37296582 PMCID: PMC10252461 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The ABC transporter ABCA7 has been found to be aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancer types, including breast cancer. We searched for specific epigenetic and genetic alterations and alternative splicing variants of ABCA7 in breast cancer and investigated whether these alterations are associated with ABCA7 expression. By analyzing tumor tissues from breast cancer patients, we found CpGs at the exon 5-intron 5 boundary aberrantly methylated in a molecular subtype-specific manner. The detection of altered DNA methylation in tumor-adjacent tissues suggests epigenetic field cancerization. In breast cancer cell lines, DNA methylation levels of CpGs in promoter-exon 1, intron 1, and at the exon 5-intron 5 boundary were not correlated with ABCA7 mRNA levels. By qPCR involving intron-specific and intron-flanking primers, we identified intron-containing ABCA7 mRNA transcripts. The occurrence of intron-containing transcripts was neither molecular subtype-specific nor directly correlated with DNA methylation at the respective exon-intron boundaries. Treatment of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, BT-474, SK-BR3, and MDA-MB-231 with doxorubicin or paclitaxel for 72 h resulted in altered ABCA7 intron levels. Shotgun proteomics revealed that an increase in intron-containing transcripts was associated with significant dysregulation of splicing factors linked to alternative splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Zappe
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Antonio Kopic
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Scheichel
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ann-Katrin Schier
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Emanuel Schmidt
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yasmin Borutzki
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidi Miedl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Schreiber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Theresa Mendrina
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Pirker
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Pfeiler
- Division of Gynecology and Gynecological Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Hacker
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Haslik
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Dietmar Pils
- Division of Visceral Surgery, Department of General Surgery and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andrea Bileck
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolome Facility, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christopher Gerner
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolome Facility, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Samuel Meier-Menches
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Joint Metabolome Facility, University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Petra Heffeter
- Center for Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Margit Cichna-Markl
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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Yang J, Xu J, Wang W, Zhang B, Yu X, Shi S. Epigenetic regulation in the tumor microenvironment: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:210. [PMID: 37217462 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01480-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Over decades, researchers have focused on the epigenetic control of DNA-templated processes. Histone modification, DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA modification, and noncoding RNAs modulate many biological processes that are crucial to the development of cancers. Dysregulation of the epigenome drives aberrant transcriptional programs. A growing body of evidence suggests that the mechanisms of epigenetic modification are dysregulated in human cancers and might be excellent targets for tumor treatment. Epigenetics has also been shown to influence tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses. Thus, the development and application of epigenetic therapy and cancer immunotherapy and their combinations may have important implications for cancer treatment. Here, we present an up-to-date and thorough description of how epigenetic modifications in tumor cells influence immune cell responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and how epigenetics influence immune cells internally to modify the TME. Additionally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators for cancer immunotherapy. Harnessing the complex interplay between epigenetics and cancer immunology to develop therapeutics that combine thereof is challenging but could yield significant benefits. The purpose of this review is to assist researchers in understanding how epigenetics impact immune responses in the TME, so that better cancer immunotherapies can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianjun Yu
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Si Shi
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Shanghai, China.
- Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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49
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Enkhmandakh B, Joshi P, Robson P, Vijaykumar A, Mina M, Shin DG, Bayarsaihan D. Single-cell Transcriptome Landscape of DNA Methylome Regulators Associated with Orofacial Clefts in the Mouse Dental Pulp. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2023:10556656231172296. [PMID: 37161276 DOI: 10.1177/10556656231172296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Significant evidence links epigenetic processes governing the dynamics of DNA methylation and demethylation to an increased risk of syndromic and nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P). Previously, we characterized mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) at different stages of osteogenic differentiation in the mouse incisor dental pulp. The main objective of this research was to characterize the transcriptional landscape of regulatory genes associated with DNA methylation and demethylation at a single-cell resolution. DESIGN We used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to characterize transcriptome in individual subpopulations of MSCs in the mouse incisor dental pulp. SETTINGS The biomedical research institution. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS This study did not include patients. INTERVENTIONS This study collected and analyzed data on the single-cell RNA expssion in the mouse incisor dental pulp. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Molecular regulators of DNA methylation/demethylation exhibit differential transcriptional landscape in different subpopulations of osteogenic progenitor cells. RESULTS scRNA-seq analysis revealed that genes encoding DNA methylation and demethylation enzymes (DNA methyltransferases and members of the ten-eleven translocation family of methylcytosine dioxygenases), methyl-DNA binding domain proteins, as well as transcription factors and chromatin remodeling proteins that cooperate with DNA methylation machinery are differentially expressed within distinct subpopulations of MSCs that undergo different stages of osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest some mechanistic insights into a potential link between epigenetic alterations and multifactorial causes of CL/P phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Badam Enkhmandakh
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, Department of Reconstructive Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Pujan Joshi
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Paul Robson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Single Cell Biology Laboratory, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Anushree Vijaykumar
- Department of Craniofacial Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Mina Mina
- Department of Craniofacial Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Dong-Guk Shin
- Computer Science and Engineering Department, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Skeletal Development, Department of Reconstructive Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
- Institute for System Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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50
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Dhat R, Mongad D, Raji S, Arkat S, Mahapatra NR, Singhal N, Sitasawad SL. Epigenetic modifier alpha-ketoglutarate modulates aberrant gene body methylation and hydroxymethylation marks in diabetic heart. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:12. [PMID: 37101286 PMCID: PMC10134649 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00489-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemic myocardial microenvironment significantly alters chromatin architecture and the transcriptome, resulting in aberrant activation of signaling pathways in a diabetic heart. Epigenetic marks play vital roles in transcriptional reprogramming during the development of DCM. The current study is aimed to profile genome-wide DNA (hydroxy)methylation patterns in the hearts of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and decipher the effect of modulation of DNA methylation by alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), a TET enzyme cofactor, on the progression of DCM. METHODS Diabetes was induced in male adult Wistar rats with an intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Diabetic and vehicle control animals were randomly divided into groups with/without AKG treatment. Cardiac function was monitored by performing cardiac catheterization. Global methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) patterns were mapped in the Left ventricular tissue of control and diabetic rats with the help of an enrichment-based (h)MEDIP-sequencing technique by using antibodies specific for 5mC and 5hmC. Sequencing data were validated by performing (h)MEDIP-qPCR analysis at the gene-specific level, and gene expression was analyzed by qPCR. The mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in the DNA methylation and demethylation cycle were analyzed by qPCR and western blotting. Global 5mC and 5hmC levels were also assessed in high glucose-treated DNMT3B knockdown H9c2 cells. RESULTS We found the increased expression of DNMT3B, MBD2, and MeCP2 with a concomitant accumulation of 5mC and 5hmC, specifically in gene body regions of diabetic rat hearts compared to the control. Calcium signaling was the most significantly affected pathway by cytosine modifications in the diabetic heart. Additionally, hypermethylated gene body regions were associated with Rap1, apelin, and phosphatidyl inositol signaling, while metabolic pathways were most affected by hyperhydroxymethylation. AKG supplementation in diabetic rats reversed aberrant methylation patterns and restored cardiac function. Hyperglycemia also increased 5mC and 5hmC levels in H9c2 cells, which was normalized by DNMT3B knockdown or AKG supplementation. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that reverting hyperglycemic damage to cardiac tissue might be possible by erasing adverse epigenetic signatures by supplementing epigenetic modulators such as AKG along with an existing antidiabetic treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohini Dhat
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Dattatray Mongad
- NCMR-National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Sivarupa Raji
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Silpa Arkat
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Nitish R Mahapatra
- Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, 600036, India
| | - Nishant Singhal
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
| | - Sandhya L Sitasawad
- National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, S. P. Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India.
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