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Phan TM, Kim YC, Debelouchina GT, Mittal J. Interplay between charge distribution and DNA in shaping HP1 paralog phase separation and localization. eLife 2024; 12:RP90820. [PMID: 38592759 PMCID: PMC11003746 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90820] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family is a crucial component of heterochromatin with diverse functions in gene regulation, cell cycle control, and cell differentiation. In humans, there are three paralogs, HP1α, HP1β, and HP1γ, which exhibit remarkable similarities in their domain architecture and sequence properties. Nevertheless, these paralogs display distinct behaviors in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process linked to heterochromatin formation. Here, we employ a coarse-grained simulation framework to uncover the sequence features responsible for the observed differences in LLPS. We highlight the significance of the net charge and charge patterning along the sequence in governing paralog LLPS propensities. We also show that both highly conserved folded and less-conserved disordered domains contribute to the observed differences. Furthermore, we explore the potential co-localization of different HP1 paralogs in multicomponent assemblies and the impact of DNA on this process. Importantly, our study reveals that DNA can significantly reshape the stability of a minimal condensate formed by HP1 paralogs due to competitive interactions of HP1α with HP1β and HP1γ versus DNA. In conclusion, our work highlights the physicochemical nature of interactions that govern the distinct phase-separation behaviors of HP1 paralogs and provides a molecular framework for understanding their role in chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien M Phan
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
| | - Young C Kim
- Center for Materials Physics and Technology, Naval Research LaboratoryWashingtonUnited States
| | - Galia T Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San DiegoLa JollaUnited States
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M UniversityCollege StationUnited States
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2
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Phan TM, Kim YC, Debelouchina GT, Mittal J. Interplay between charge distribution and DNA in shaping HP1 paralog phase separation and localization. bioRxiv 2023:2023.05.28.542535. [PMID: 37398008 PMCID: PMC10312469 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.28.542535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) family is a crucial component of heterochromatin with diverse functions in gene regulation, cell cycle control, and cell differentiation. In humans, there are three paralogs, HP1α, HP1β, and HP1γ, which exhibit remarkable similarities in their domain architecture and sequence properties. Nevertheless, these paralogs display distinct behaviors in liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process linked to heterochromatin formation. Here, we employ a coarse-grained simulation framework to uncover the sequence features responsible for the observed differences in LLPS. We highlight the significance of the net charge and charge patterning along the sequence in governing paralog LLPS propensities. We also show that both highly conserved folded and less-conserved disordered domains contribute to the observed differences. Furthermore, we explore the potential co-localization of different HP1 paralogs in multicomponent assemblies and the impact of DNA on this process. Importantly, our study reveals that DNA can significantly reshape the stability of a minimal condensate formed by HP1 paralogs due to competitive interactions of HP1α with HP1β and HP1γ versus DNA. In conclusion, our work highlights the physicochemical nature of interactions that govern the distinct phase-separation behaviors of HP1 paralogs and provides a molecular framework for understanding their role in chromatin organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien M. Phan
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Young C. Kim
- Center for Materials Physics and Technology, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jeetain Mittal
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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3
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Sokolova V, Miratsky J, Svetlov V, Brenowitz M, Vant J, Lewis T, Dryden K, Lee G, Sarkar S, Nudler E, Singharoy A, Tan D. Structural mechanism of HP1α-dependent transcriptional repression and chromatin compaction. bioRxiv 2023:2023.11.30.569387. [PMID: 38076844 PMCID: PMC10705452 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.30.569387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) plays a central role in establishing and maintaining constitutive heterochromatin. However, the mechanisms underlying HP1-nucleosome interactions and their contributions to heterochromatin functions remain elusive. In this study, we employed a multidisciplinary approach to unravel the interactions between human HP1α and nucleosomes. We have elucidated the cryo-EM structure of an HP1α dimer bound to an H2A.Z nucleosome, revealing that the HP1α dimer interfaces with nucleosomes at two distinct sites. The primary binding site is located at the N-terminus of histone H3, specifically at the trimethylated K9 (K9me3) region, while a novel secondary binding site is situated near histone H2B, close to nucleosome superhelical location 4 (SHL4). Our biochemical data further demonstrates that HP1α binding influences the dynamics of DNA on the nucleosome. It promotes DNA unwrapping near the nucleosome entry and exit sites while concurrently restricting DNA accessibility in the vicinity of SHL4. This study offers a model that explains how HP1α functions in heterochromatin maintenance and gene silencing, particularly in the context of H3K9me-dependent mechanisms. Additionally, it sheds light on the H3K9me-independent role of HP1 in responding to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladyslava Sokolova
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Jacob Miratsky
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University; Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Vladimir Svetlov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Michael Brenowitz
- Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - John Vant
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University; Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Tyler Lewis
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Kelly Dryden
- Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903 USA
| | - Gahyun Lee
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Shayan Sarkar
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, New York, 11794 USA
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | | | - Dongyan Tan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, NY, USA
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4
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Joron K, Viegas JO, Haas-Neill L, Bier S, Drori P, Dvir S, Lim PSL, Rauscher S, Meshorer E, Lerner E. Fluorescent protein lifetimes report densities and phases of nuclear condensates during embryonic stem-cell differentiation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4885. [PMID: 37573411 PMCID: PMC10423231 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40647-6] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Fluorescent proteins (FP) are frequently used for studying proteins inside cells. In advanced fluorescence microscopy, FPs can report on additional intracellular variables. One variable is the local density near FPs, which can be useful in studying densities within cellular bio-condensates. Here, we show that a reduction in fluorescence lifetimes of common monomeric FPs reports increased levels of local densities. We demonstrate the use of this fluorescence-based variable to report the distribution of local densities within heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), before and after early differentiation. We find that local densities within HP1α condensates in pluripotent ESCs are heterogeneous and cannot be explained by a single liquid phase. Early differentiation, however, induces a change towards a more homogeneous distribution of local densities, which can be explained as a liquid-like phase. In conclusion, we provide a fluorescence-based method to report increased local densities and apply it to distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous local densities within bio-condensates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Joron
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Juliane Oliveira Viegas
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Liam Haas-Neill
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A7, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Sariel Bier
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Paz Drori
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Shani Dvir
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Patrick Siang Lin Lim
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Sarah Rauscher
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
- Department of Physics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A7, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 3H6, Canada
| | - Eran Meshorer
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Edmond J. Safra Campus, Givat Ram, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
- Edmond and Lily Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel.
| | - Eitan Lerner
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics & Science, The Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel.
- The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel.
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Örkenby L, Skog S, Ekman H, Gozzo A, Kugelberg U, Ramesh R, Magadi S, Zambanini G, Nordin A, Cantú C, Nätt D, Öst A. Stress-sensitive dynamics of miRNAs and Elba1 in Drosophila embryogenesis. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e11148. [PMID: 36938679 PMCID: PMC10167479 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211148] [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: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress can result in life-long effects that impact adult health and disease risk, but little is known about how such programming is established and maintained. Here, we show that such epigenetic memories can be initiated in the Drosophila embryo before the major wave of zygotic transcription, and higher-order chromatin structures are established. An early short heat shock results in elevated levels of maternal miRNA and reduced levels of a subgroup of zygotic genes in stage 5 embryos. Using a Dicer-1 mutant, we show that the stress-induced decrease in one of these genes, the insulator-binding factor Elba1, is dependent on functional miRNA biogenesis. Reduction in Elba1 correlates with the upregulation of early developmental genes and promotes a sustained weakening of heterochromatin in the adult fly as indicated by an increased expression of the PEV wm4h reporter. We propose that maternal miRNAs, retained in response to an early embryonic heat shock, shape the subsequent de novo heterochromatin establishment that occurs during early development via direct or indirect regulation of some of the earliest expressed genes, including Elba1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lovisa Örkenby
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Signe Skog
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Helen Ekman
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Gozzo
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Unn Kugelberg
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Rashmi Ramesh
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Srivathsa Magadi
- Division of Neurobiology (NEURO), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gianluca Zambanini
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology (MMV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anna Nordin
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology (MMV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Claudio Cantú
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology (MMV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Daniel Nätt
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Anita Öst
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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6
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Boldyreva LV, Andreyeva EN, Pindyurin AV. Position Effect Variegation: Role of the Local Chromatin Context in Gene Expression Regulation. Mol Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893322030049] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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7
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Merkens L, Sailer V, Lessel D, Janzen E, Greimeier S, Kirfel J, Perner S, Pantel K, Werner S, von Amsberg G. Aggressive variants of prostate cancer: underlying mechanisms of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:46. [PMID: 35109899 PMCID: PMC8808994 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02255-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is a hormone-driven disease and its tumor cell growth highly relies on increased androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Therefore, targeted therapy directed against androgen synthesis or AR activation is broadly used and continually improved. However, a subset of patients eventually progresses to castration-resistant disease. To date, various mechanisms of resistance have been identified including the development of AR-independent aggressive variant prostate cancer based on neuroendocrine transdifferentiation (NED). Here, we review the highly complex processes contributing to NED. Genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional aberrations and posttranscriptional modifications are highlighted and the potential interplay of the different factors is discussed. Background Aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPC) with traits of neuroendocrine differentiation emerges in a rising number of patients in recent years. Among others, advanced therapies targeting the androgen receptor axis have been considered causative for this development. Cell growth of AVPC often occurs completely independent of the androgen receptor signal transduction pathway and cells have mostly lost the typical cellular features of prostate adenocarcinoma. This complicates both diagnosis and treatment of this very aggressive disease. We believe that a deeper understanding of the complex molecular pathological mechanisms contributing to transdifferentiation will help to improve diagnostic procedures and develop effective treatment strategies. Indeed, in recent years, many scientists have made important contributions to unravel possible causes and mechanisms in the context of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. However, the complexity of the diverse molecular pathways has not been captured completely, yet. This narrative review comprehensively highlights the individual steps of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation and makes an important contribution in bringing together the results found so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Merkens
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Verena Sailer
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Davor Lessel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ella Janzen
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Greimeier
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Institute of Pathology, University of Luebeck and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Luebeck, Germany.,Pathology, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Borstel, Germany
| | - Klaus Pantel
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,European Liquid Biopsy Society (ELBS), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Werner
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Mildred Scheel Cancer Career Center Hamburg HaTRiCs4, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gunhild von Amsberg
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Cancer Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Martini-Klinik, Prostate Cancer Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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8
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Wallrath LL, Rodriguez-tirado F, Geyer PK. Shining Light on the Dark Side of the Genome. Cells 2022; 11:330. [PMID: 35159140 PMCID: PMC8834555 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin has historically been considered the dark side of the genome. In part, this reputation derives from its concentration near centromeres and telomeres, regions of the genome repressive to nuclear functions such as DNA replication and transcription. The repetitive nature of heterochromatic DNA has only added to its “darkness”, as sequencing of these DNA regions has been only recently achieved. Despite such obstacles, research on heterochromatin blossomed over the past decades. Success in this area benefitted from efforts of Sergio Pimpinelli and colleagues who made landmark discoveries and promoted the growth of an international community of researchers. They discovered complexities of heterochromatin, demonstrating that a key component, Heterochromatin Protein 1a (HP1a), uses multiple mechanisms to associate with chromosomes and has positive and negative effects on gene expression, depending on the chromosome context. In addition, they updated the work of Carl Waddington using molecular tools that revealed how environmental stress promotes genome change due to transposable element movement. Collectively, their research and that of many others in the field have shined a bright light on the dark side of the genome and helped reveal many mysteries of heterochromatin.
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Abstract
In response to extracellular and intracellular stressors, the nucleus and nuclear compartments undergo distinct molecular changes to maintain cell homeostasis. In the context of Alzheimer’s disease, misfolded proteins and various cellular stressors lead to profound structural and molecular changes at the nucleus. This review summarizes recent research on nuclear alterations in AD development, from the nuclear envelope changes to chromatin and epigenetic regulation and then to common nuclear stress responses. Finally, we provide our thoughts on the importance of understanding cell-type-specific changes and identifying upstream causal events in AD pathogenesis and highlight novel sequencing and gene perturbation technologies to address those challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemis Iatrou
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Eric M Clark
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yanling Wang
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, 1750 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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