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Gu L, Fu Y, Li X. Roles of post-translational modifications of UHRF1 in cancer. Epigenetics Chromatin 2024; 17:15. [PMID: 38725075 PMCID: PMC11080273 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-024-00540-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
UHRF1 as a member of RING-finger type E3 ubiquitin ligases family, is an epigenetic regulator with five structural domains. It has been involved in the regulation of a series of biological functions, such as DNA replication, DNA methylation, and DNA damage repair. Additionally, aberrant overexpression of UHRF1 has been observed in over ten cancer types, indicating that UHRF1 is a typical oncogene. The overexpression of UHRF1 repressed the transcription of such tumor-suppressor genes as CDKN2A, BRCA1, and CDH1 through DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation. In addition to the upstream transcription factors regulating gene transcription, post-translational modifications (PTMs) also contribute to abnormal overexpression of UHRF1 in cancerous tissues. The types of PTM include phosphorylation, acetylation, methylationand ubiquitination, which regulate protein stability, histone methyltransferase activity, intracellular localization and the interaction with binding partners. Recently, several novel PTM types of UHRF1 have been reported, but the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. This comprehensive review summarized the types of UHRF1 PTMs, as well as their biological functions. A deep understanding of these crucial mechanisms of UHRF1 is pivotal for the development of novel UHRF1-targeted anti-cancer therapeutic strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Gu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiong Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China.
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510699, Guangdong, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, China.
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Wang L, Yang X, Zhao K, Huang S, Qin Y, Chen Z, Hu X, Jin G, Zhou Z. MOF-mediated acetylation of UHRF1 enhances UHRF1 E3 ligase activity to facilitate DNA methylation maintenance. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113908. [PMID: 38446667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The multi-domain protein UHRF1 (ubiquitin-like, containing PHD and RING finger domains, 1) recruits DNMT1 for DNA methylation maintenance during DNA replication. Here, we show that MOF (males absent on the first) acetylates UHRF1 at K670 in the pre-RING linker region, whereas HDAC1 deacetylates UHRF1 at the same site. We also identify that K667 and K668 can also be acetylated by MOF when K670 is mutated. The MOF/HDAC1-mediated acetylation in UHRF1 is cell-cycle regulated and peaks at G1/S phase, in line with the function of UHRF1 in recruiting DNMT1 to maintain DNA methylation. In addition, UHRF1 acetylation significantly enhances its E3 ligase activity. Abolishing UHRF1 acetylation at these sites attenuates UHRF1-mediated H3 ubiquitination, which in turn impairs DNMT1 recruitment and DNA methylation. Taken together, these findings identify MOF as an acetyltransferase for UHRF1 and define a mechanism underlying the regulation of DNA methylation maintenance through MOF-mediated UHRF1 acetylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linsheng Wang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Xi Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Kaiqiang Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong; Dongguang Children's Hospital, Dongguan Pediatric Research Institute, Dongguan, P.R. China
| | - Shengshuo Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Yiming Qin
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Zixin Chen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobin Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Guoxiang Jin
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
| | - Zhongjun Zhou
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong; Orthopedic Center, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, P.R. China.
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Song Y, Liu H, Xian Q, Gui C, Xu M, Zhou Y. Mechanistic insights into UHRF1‑mediated DNA methylation by structure‑based functional clarification of UHRF1 domains (Review). Oncol Lett 2023; 26:542. [PMID: 38020304 PMCID: PMC10660443 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.14129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modification is crucial for transmitting genetic information, while abnormalities in DNA methylation modification are primarily associated with cancer and neurological diseases. As a multifunctional epigenetic modifier, ubiquitin like with PHD and ring finger domains 1 (UHRF1) mainly affects cell energy metabolism and cell cycle control. It also inhibits the transcription of tumor suppressor genes through DNA and/or histone methylation modifications, promoting the occurrence and development of cancer. Therefore, comprehensively understanding the molecular mechanism of the epigenetic modification of UHRF1 in tumors will help identify targets for inhibiting the expression and function of UHRF1. Notably, each domain of UHRF1 functions as a whole and differently. Thus, the abnormality of any domain can lead to a change in phenotype or disease. However, the specific regulatory mechanism and proteins of each domain have not been fully elucidated. The present review aimed to contribute to the study of the regulatory mechanism of UHRF1 to a greater extent in different cancers and provide ideas for drug research by clarifying the function of UHRF1 domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiying Song
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Haiting Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Jinan Zhangqiu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong 250200, P.R. China
| | - Qingqing Xian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Chengzhi Gui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Mingjie Xu
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
| | - Yunying Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
- Medical Research and Laboratory Diagnostic Center, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250013, P.R. China
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Peng Y, Liu Y, Zheng R, Ye Y, Fu Y, Yin L, Gao Y, Fu Y, Qi X, Deng T, Zhang S, Li X. PLK1 maintains DNA methylation and cell viability by regulating phosphorylation-dependent UHRF1 protein stability. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:367. [PMID: 37788997 PMCID: PMC10547799 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01667-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PLK1 is a key serine/threonine kinase as well as a master mitotic regulator, but it has never been reported that PLK1 regulates DNA methylation. In the present study, we for the first time found that PLK1 inhibition disrupted global DNA methylation and elevated the expression level of tumor suppressor genes. Mechanistically, we found that PLK1 interacts UHRF1 protein to induce its phosphorylation at serine 265. Phosphorylation is required for the maintenance of UHRF1 protein stability by recruiting a deubiquitinase USP7. Conversely, PLK1 inhibition decreases UHRF1 protein interaction with USP7 and activates the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby accelerating UHRF1 protein degradation. UHRF1 degradation decreases the recruitment of DNMT1 to chromatin, and decreases the level of genome-wide DNA methylation, thereby elevating the expression of tumor suppressor genes and decreasing cell viability. We here presented the first report on the novel role of PLK1 in DNA methylation maintenance through UHRF1-DNMT1 pathway, and revealed a novel anticancer mechanism of PLK1 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchong Peng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Youhong Liu
- Department of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Rirong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yubing Ye
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yongming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Linglong Yin
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Yingxue Gao
- Department of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Yuxin Fu
- Department of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xuli Qi
- Department of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Tanggang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China
| | - Songwei Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Molecular Radiation Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xiong Li
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Precision Pharmacy of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China.
- Key Specialty of Clinical Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510699, China.
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Technology Research and Evaluation of Pharmacovigilance, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
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Park J, Luo Y, Park JW, Kim SH, Hong YJ, Lim Y, Seo YJ, Bae J, Seo SB. Downregulation of DNA methylation enhances differentiation of THP-1 cells and induces M1 polarization of differentiated macrophages. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13132. [PMID: 37573395 PMCID: PMC10423279 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40362-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that regulates gene expression and plays an essential role in hematopoiesis. UHRF1 and DNMT1 are both crucial for regulating genome-wide maintenance of DNA methylation. Specifically, it is well known that hypermethylation is crucial characteristic of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the mechanism underlying how DNA methylation regulates the differentiation of AML cells, including THP-1 is not fully elucidated. In this study, we report that UHRF1 or DNMT1 depletion enhances the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced differentiation of THP-1 cells. Transcriptome analysis and genome-wide methylation array results showed that depleting UHRF1 or DNMT1 induced changes that made THP-1 cells highly sensitive to PMA. Furthermore, knockdown of UHRF1 or DNMT1 impeded solid tumor formation in xenograft mouse model. These findings suggest that UHRF1 and DNMT1 play a pivotal role in regulating differentiation and proliferation of THP-1 cells and targeting these proteins may improve the efficiency of differentiation therapy in AML patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyoung Park
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongyang Luo
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Woo Park
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Song Hyun Kim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Ye Joo Hong
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghyun Lim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Seo
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeehyeon Bae
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Beom Seo
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
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Ren Y. Regulatory mechanism and biological function of UHRF1–DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation. Funct Integr Genomics 2022; 22:1113-1126. [DOI: 10.1007/s10142-022-00918-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Hong YJ, Park J, Hahm JY, Kim SH, Lee DH, Park KS, Seo SB. Regulation of UHRF1 acetylation by TIP60 is important for colon cancer cell proliferation. Genes Genomics 2022; 44:1353-1361. [PMID: 35951156 PMCID: PMC9569301 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-022-01298-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Ubiquitin-like with PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is upregulated in colon cancer cells and associated with silencing tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) to promote colon cancer cell proliferation. Objective To investigate epigenetic modification of UHRF1 by TIP60. Whether UHRF1 acetylation by TIP60 can induce cell proliferation in colon cancer cells. Methods Acetylation sites of UHRF1 by TIP60 was predicted by ASEB (Acetylation Set Enrichment Based) method and identified by immunoprecipitation assay using anti-pan-acetyl lysine antibody and in vitro acetylation assay. Based on this method, UHRF1 acetylation-deficient mimic 4KR (K644R, K646R, K648R, K650R) mutant was generated to investigate effects of UHRF1 acetylation by TIP60. shRNA system was used to generate stable knockdown cell line of UHRF1. With transient transfection of UHRF1 WT and 4KR, the effects of UHRF1 4KR mutant on Jun dimerization protein 2 (JDP2) gene expression, cell proliferation and cell cycle were investigated by RT-qPCR and FACS analysis in shUHRF1 colon cancer cell line. Results Downregulation of TIP60-mediated UHRF1 acetylation is correlated with suppressed cell cycle progression. Acetylation-deficient mimic of UHRF1 showed poor cell growth through increased expression of JDP2 gene. Conclusions Acetylation of UHRF1 4K residues by TIP60 is important for colon cancer cell growth. Furthermore, upregulated JDP2 expression by acetylation-deficient mutant of UHRF1 might be an important epigenetic target for colon cancer cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Joo Hong
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Junyoung Park
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ja Young Hahm
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Song Hyun Kim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Ho Lee
- Da Vinci College of General Education, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kwon-Sik Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 22908, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sang-Beom Seo
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Sciences, Chung-Ang University, 06974, Seoul, South Korea.
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Abstract
Cytosine methylation at the C5-position-generating 5-methylcytosine (5mC)-is a DNA modification found in many eukaryotic organisms, including fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, albeit its levels vary greatly in different organisms. In mammals, cytosine methylation occurs predominantly in the context of CpG dinucleotides, with the majority (60-80%) of CpG sites in their genomes being methylated. DNA methylation plays crucial roles in the regulation of chromatin structure and gene expression and is essential for mammalian development. Aberrant changes in DNA methylation and genetic alterations in enzymes and regulators involved in DNA methylation are associated with various human diseases, including cancer and developmental disorders. In mammals, DNA methylation is mediated by two families of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), namely Dnmt1 and Dnmt3 proteins. Over the last three decades, genetic manipulations of these enzymes, as well as their regulators, in mice have greatly contributed to our understanding of the biological functions of DNA methylation in mammals. In this chapter, we discuss genetic studies on mammalian Dnmts, focusing on their roles in embryogenesis, cellular differentiation, genomic imprinting, and human diseases.
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Deng X, Iwagawa T, Fukushima M, Suzuki Y, Watanabe S. Setd1a Plays Pivotal Roles for the Survival and Proliferation of Retinal Progenitors via Histone Modifications of Uhrf1. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:1. [PMID: 33938913 PMCID: PMC8107498 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.6.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) facilitates transcriptional gene activation, and Setd1a is the methyltransferase specific to H3K4. H3K4me3 has been reported to regulate rod photoreceptor differentiation; however, the roles H3K4me3 plays in retinal progenitor cell (RPC) proliferation and differentiation during early retinal development remain unclear. Methods Using an in vitro retinal explant culture system, we suppressed the expression of Setd1a by introducing shSetd1a. We examined the expression level and H3K4me3 level of genes by RNA Sequencing and ChIP assay, respectively. Results We found that Setd1a depletion resulted in increased apoptosis and proliferation failure in late RPCs. Expression of wild-type SETD1A, but not SETD1A that lacked the catalytic SET domain, reversed the shSetd1a-induced phenotype. RNA Sequencing revealed that proliferation-related genes were downregulated upon shSetd1a expression. Based on publicly available H3K4me3-ChIP sequencing data of retinal development, we identified Uhrf1 as a candidate target gene of Setd1a. The expression of shSetd1a led to a decrease in Uhrf1 transcript levels and reduced H3K4me3 levels at the Uhrf1 locus. Increased apoptosis and the suppression of proliferation in late RPCs were observed in retinal explants expressing shUhrf1, similar to the outcomes observed in shSetd1a-expressing retinas. The overexpression of UHRF1 did not rescue shSetd1a-induced apoptosis, but reversed the suppression of proliferation. Conclusions These results indicate that Setd1a contributes to the survival and proliferation of retinal cells by regulating histone methylation, Setd1a regulates Uhrf1 expression, and these two molecules cooperate to regulate RPC survival and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Deng
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Iwagawa
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Fukushima
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sumiko Watanabe
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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