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Viner C, Ishak CA, Johnson J, Walker NJ, Shi H, Sjöberg-Herrera MK, Shen SY, Lardo SM, Adams DJ, Ferguson-Smith AC, De Carvalho DD, Hainer SJ, Bailey TL, Hoffman MM. Modeling methyl-sensitive transcription factor motifs with an expanded epigenetic alphabet. Genome Biol 2024; 25:11. [PMID: 38191487 PMCID: PMC10773111 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03070-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transcription factors bind DNA in specific sequence contexts. In addition to distinguishing one nucleobase from another, some transcription factors can distinguish between unmodified and modified bases. Current models of transcription factor binding tend not to take DNA modifications into account, while the recent few that do often have limitations. This makes a comprehensive and accurate profiling of transcription factor affinities difficult. RESULTS Here, we develop methods to identify transcription factor binding sites in modified DNA. Our models expand the standard A/C/G/T DNA alphabet to include cytosine modifications. We develop Cytomod to create modified genomic sequences and we also enhance the MEME Suite, adding the capacity to handle custom alphabets. We adapt the well-established position weight matrix (PWM) model of transcription factor binding affinity to this expanded DNA alphabet. Using these methods, we identify modification-sensitive transcription factor binding motifs. We confirm established binding preferences, such as the preference of ZFP57 and C/EBPβ for methylated motifs and the preference of c-Myc for unmethylated E-box motifs. CONCLUSIONS Using known binding preferences to tune model parameters, we discover novel modified motifs for a wide array of transcription factors. Finally, we validate our binding preference predictions for OCT4 using cleavage under targets and release using nuclease (CUT&RUN) experiments across conventional, methylation-, and hydroxymethylation-enriched sequences. Our approach readily extends to other DNA modifications. As more genome-wide single-base resolution modification data becomes available, we expect that our method will yield insights into altered transcription factor binding affinities across many different modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coby Viner
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Charles A Ishak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James Johnson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Nicolas J Walker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Marcela K Sjöberg-Herrera
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, England
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Shu Yi Shen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Santana M Lardo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel D De Carvalho
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah J Hainer
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Timothy L Bailey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Michael M Hoffman
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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2
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Weinberg-Shukron A, Youngson NA, Ferguson-Smith AC, Edwards CA. Epigenetic control and genomic imprinting dynamics of the Dlk1-Dio3 domain. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1328806. [PMID: 38155837 PMCID: PMC10754522 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1328806] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process whereby genes are monoallelically expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner. Imprinted genes are frequently found clustered in the genome, likely illustrating their need for both shared regulatory control and functional inter-dependence. The Dlk1-Dio3 domain is one of the largest imprinted clusters. Genes in this region are involved in development, behavior, and postnatal metabolism: failure to correctly regulate the domain leads to Kagami-Ogata or Temple syndromes in humans. The region contains many of the hallmarks of other imprinted domains, such as long non-coding RNAs and parental origin-specific CTCF binding. Recent studies have shown that the Dlk1-Dio3 domain is exquisitely regulated via a bipartite imprinting control region (ICR) which functions differently on the two parental chromosomes to establish monoallelic expression. Furthermore, the Dlk1 gene displays a selective absence of imprinting in the neurogenic niche, illustrating the need for precise dosage modulation of this domain in different tissues. Here, we discuss the following: how differential epigenetic marks laid down in the gametes cause a cascade of events that leads to imprinting in the region, how this mechanism is selectively switched off in the neurogenic niche, and why studying this imprinted region has added a layer of sophistication to how we think about the hierarchical epigenetic control of genome function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil A. Youngson
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Carol A. Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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3
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Hay AD, Kessler NJ, Gebert D, Takahashi N, Tavares H, Teixeira FK, Ferguson-Smith AC. Epigenetic inheritance is unfaithful at intermediately methylated CpG sites. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5336. [PMID: 37660134 PMCID: PMC10475082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40845-2] [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: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation at the CpG dinucleotide is considered a stable epigenetic mark due to its presumed long-term inheritance through clonal expansion. Here, we perform high-throughput bisulfite sequencing on clonally derived somatic cell lines to quantitatively measure methylation inheritance at the nucleotide level. We find that although DNA methylation is generally faithfully maintained at hypo- and hypermethylated sites, this is not the case at intermediately methylated CpGs. Low fidelity intermediate methylation is interspersed throughout the genome and within genes with no or low transcriptional activity, and is not coordinately maintained between neighbouring sites. We determine that the probabilistic changes that occur at intermediately methylated sites are likely due to DNMT1 rather than DNMT3A/3B activity. The observed lack of clonal inheritance at intermediately methylated sites challenges the current epigenetic inheritance model and has direct implications for both the functional relevance and general interpretability of DNA methylation as a stable epigenetic mark.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir D Hay
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Noah J Kessler
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Daniel Gebert
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Hugo Tavares
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Felipe K Teixeira
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK.
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.
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4
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Hanin G, Ferguson-Smith AC. Mammary adipocyte flow cytometry as a tool to study mammary gland biology. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:1218-1227. [PMID: 37394996 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13620] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammary gland is a vital exocrine organ that has evolved in mammals to secrete milk and provide nutrition to ensure the growth and survival of the neonate The mouse mammary gland displays extraordinary plasticity each time the female undergoes pregnancy and lactation, including a sophisticated process of tertiary branching and alveologenesis to form a branched epithelial tree and subsequently milk-producing alveoli. Upon the cessation of lactation, the gland remodels back to a simple ductal architecture via highly regulated involution processes. At the cellular level, the plasticity is characterised by proliferation of mammary cell populations, differentiation and apoptosis, accompanied by major changes in cell function and morphology. The mammary epithelium requires a specific stromal environment to grow, known as the mammary fat pad. Mammary adipocytes are one of the most prominent cell types in the fat pad, but despite their vast proportion in the tissue and their crucial interaction with epithelial cells, their physiology remains largely unknown. Over the past decade, the need to understand the properties and contribution of mammary adipocytes has become more recognised. However, the development of adequate methods and protocols to study this cellular niche is still lagging, partially due to their fragile nature, the difficulty of isolating them, the lack of reliable cell surface markers and the heterogenous environment in this tissue, which differs from other adipocyte depots. Here, we describe a new rapid and simple flow cytometry protocol specifically designed for the analysis and isolation of mouse mammary adipocytes across mammary gland developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geula Hanin
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, UK
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5
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Edwards CA, Watkisnon WMD, Telerman SB, Hulsmann LC, Hamilton RS, Ferguson-Smith AC. Reassessment of weak parent-of-origin expression bias shows it rarely exists outside of known imprinted regions. eLife 2023; 12:83364. [PMID: 36916665 PMCID: PMC10097420 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In mouse and human, genes subjected to genomic imprinting have been shown to function in development, behaviour, and post-natal adaptations. Failure to correctly imprint genes in human is associated with developmental syndromes, adaptive and metabolic disorders during life as well as numerous forms of cancer. In recent years researchers have turned to RNA-seq technologies applied to reciprocal hybrid strains of mice to identify novel imprinted genes, causing a 3-fold increase in genes reported as having a parental origin specific expression bias. The functional relevance of parental origin-specific expression bias is not fully appreciated especially since many are reported with only minimal parental bias (e.g. 51:49). Here we present an in-depth meta-analysis of previously generated RNA-seq data and show that the methods used to generate and analyse libraries greatly influence the calling of allele-specific expression. Validation experiments show that most novel genes called with parental-origin specific allelic bias are artefactual, with the mouse strain contributing a larger effect on expression biases than parental origin. Of the weak novel genes that do validate, most are located at the periphery of known imprinted domains, suggesting they may be affected by local allele- and tissue-specific conformation. Together these findings highlight the need for robust tools, definitions, and validation of putative imprinted genes to provide meaningful information within imprinting databases and to understand the functional and mechanistic implications of the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Lisa C Hulsmann
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Russell S Hamilton
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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6
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Weinberg-Shukron A, Ben-Yair R, Takahashi N, Dunjić M, Shtrikman A, Edwards CA, Ferguson-Smith AC, Stelzer Y. Balanced gene dosage control rather than parental origin underpins genomic imprinting. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4391. [PMID: 35906226 PMCID: PMC9338321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32144-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian parental imprinting represents an exquisite form of epigenetic control regulating the parent-specific monoallelic expression of genes in clusters. While imprinting perturbations are widely associated with developmental abnormalities, the intricate regional interplay between imprinted genes makes interpreting the contribution of gene dosage effects to phenotypes a challenging task. Using mouse models with distinct deletions in an intergenic region controlling imprinting across the Dlk1-Dio3 domain, we link changes in genetic and epigenetic states to allelic-expression and phenotypic outcome in vivo. This determined how hierarchical interactions between regulatory elements orchestrate robust parent-specific expression, with implications for non-imprinted gene regulation. Strikingly, flipping imprinting on the parental chromosomes by crossing genotypes of complete and partial intergenic element deletions rescues the lethality of each deletion on its own. Our work indicates that parental origin of an epigenetic state is irrelevant as long as appropriate balanced gene expression is established and maintained at imprinted loci. Here the authors investigate whether for imprinted genes the parent-of-origin of the expressed allele or rather appropriate gene dosage is more important for normal development. Using the differentially methylated region of Dlk1-Dio3 gene involved in imprinting, they show that correct parent-of-origin imprinting pattern is secondary to balanced gene dosage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella Weinberg-Shukron
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.,Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Raz Ben-Yair
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Marko Dunjić
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Alon Shtrikman
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Carol A Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, United Kingdom.
| | - Yonatan Stelzer
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel.
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7
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Van de Pette M, Dimond A, Galvão AM, Millership SJ, To W, Prodani C, McNamara G, Bruno L, Sardini A, Webster Z, McGinty J, French PMW, Uren AG, Castillo-Fernandez J, Watkinson W, Ferguson-Smith AC, Merkenschlager M, John RM, Kelsey G, Fisher AG. Epigenetic changes induced by in utero dietary challenge result in phenotypic variability in successive generations of mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2464. [PMID: 35513363 PMCID: PMC9072353 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30022-2] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transmission of epigenetic information between generations occurs in nematodes, flies and plants, mediated by specialised small RNA pathways, modified histones and DNA methylation. Similar processes in mammals can also affect phenotype through intergenerational or trans-generational mechanisms. Here we generate a luciferase knock-in reporter mouse for the imprinted Dlk1 locus to visualise and track epigenetic fidelity across generations. Exposure to high-fat diet in pregnancy provokes sustained re-expression of the normally silent maternal Dlk1 in offspring (loss of imprinting) and increased DNA methylation at the somatic differentially methylated region (sDMR). In the next generation heterogeneous Dlk1 mis-expression is seen exclusively among animals born to F1-exposed females. Oocytes from these females show altered gene and microRNA expression without changes in DNA methylation, and correct imprinting is restored in subsequent generations. Our results illustrate how diet impacts the foetal epigenome, disturbing canonical and non-canonical imprinting mechanisms to modulate the properties of successive generations of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Van de Pette
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - António M Galvão
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of PAS, Department of Reproductive Immunology and Pathology, Olsztyn, Poland
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Steven J Millership
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wilson To
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Chiara Prodani
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Gráinne McNamara
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ludovica Bruno
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- Whole Animal Physiology and Imaging, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Zoe Webster
- Transgenics and Embryonic Stem Cell Laboratory, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - James McGinty
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Paul M W French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Anthony G Uren
- Cancer Genomics Group, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | | | - William Watkinson
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science-Metabolic Research Laboratories, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- Lymphocyte Development & Epigenetic Memory Groups, MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK.
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8
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9
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Horánszky A, Becker JL, Zana M, Ferguson-Smith AC, Dinnyés A. Epigenetic Mechanisms of ART-Related Imprinting Disorders: Lessons From iPSC and Mouse Models. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111704. [PMID: 34828310 PMCID: PMC8620286 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising frequency of ART-conceived births is accompanied by the need for an improved understanding of the implications of ART on gametes and embryos. Increasing evidence from mouse models and human epidemiological data suggests that ART procedures may play a role in the pathophysiology of certain imprinting disorders (IDs), including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Silver-Russell syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and Angelman syndrome. The underlying molecular basis of this association, however, requires further elucidation. In this review, we discuss the epigenetic and imprinting alterations of in vivo mouse models and human iPSC models of ART. Mouse models have demonstrated aberrant regulation of imprinted genes involved with ART-related IDs. In the past decade, iPSC technology has provided a platform for patient-specific cellular models of culture-associated perturbed imprinting. However, despite ongoing efforts, a deeper understanding of the susceptibility of iPSCs to epigenetic perturbation is required if they are to be reliably used for modelling ART-associated IDs. Comparing the patterns of susceptibility of imprinted genes in mouse models and IPSCs in culture improves the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of ART-linked IDs with implications for our understanding of the influence of environmental factors such as culture and hormone treatments on epigenetically important regions of the genome such as imprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Horánszky
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Jessica L. Becker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; (J.L.B.); (A.C.F.-S.)
| | - Melinda Zana
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
| | - Anne C. Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK; (J.L.B.); (A.C.F.-S.)
| | - András Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (A.H.); (M.Z.)
- Department of Physiology and Animal Health, Institute of Physiology and Animal Health, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
- HCEMM-USZ Stem Cell Research Group, Hungarian Centre of Excellence for Molecular Medicine, H-6723 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-20-510-9632; Fax: +36-28-526-151
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10
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Bertozzi TM, Becker JL, Blake GET, Bansal A, Nguyen DK, Fernandez-Twinn DS, Ozanne SE, Bartolomei MS, Simmons RA, Watson ED, Ferguson-Smith AC. Variably methylated retrotransposons are refractory to a range of environmental perturbations. Nat Genet 2021; 53:1233-1242. [PMID: 34326545 PMCID: PMC7611517 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-021-00898-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The agouti viable yellow (Avy) allele is an insertional mutation in the mouse genome caused by a variably methylated intracisternal A particle (VM-IAP) retrotransposon. Avy expressivity is sensitive to a range of early-life chemical exposures and nutritional interventions, suggesting that environmental perturbations can have long-lasting effects on the methylome. However, the extent to which VM-IAP elements are environmentally labile with phenotypic implications is unknown. Using a recently identified repertoire of VM-IAPs, we assessed the epigenetic effects of different environmental contexts. A longitudinal aging analysis indicated that VM-IAPs are stable across the murine lifespan, with only small increases in DNA methylation detected for a subset of loci. No significant effects were observed after maternal exposure to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, an obesogenic diet or methyl donor supplementation. A genetic mouse model of abnormal folate metabolism exhibited shifted VM-IAP methylation levels and altered VM-IAP-associated gene expression, yet these effects are likely largely driven by differential targeting by polymorphic KRAB zinc finger proteins. We conclude that epigenetic variability at retrotransposons is not predictive of environmental susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgina E T Blake
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amita Bansal
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Australian National University Medical School, John Curtin School of Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Duy K Nguyen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Denise S Fernandez-Twinn
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Susan E Ozanne
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Simmons
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women's Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center of Excellence in Environmental Toxicology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Erica D Watson
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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11
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Bertozzi TM, Takahashi N, Hanin G, Kazachenka A, Ferguson-Smith AC. A spontaneous genetically induced epiallele at a retrotransposon shapes host genome function. eLife 2021; 10:e65233. [PMID: 33755012 PMCID: PMC8084528 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracisternal A-particles (IAPs) are endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) responsible for most insertional mutations in the mouse. Full-length IAPs harbour genes flanked by long terminal repeats (LTRs). Here, we identify a solo LTR IAP variant (Iap5-1solo) recently formed in the inbred C57BL/6J mouse strain. In contrast to the C57BL/6J full-length IAP at this locus (Iap5-1full), Iap5-1solo lacks DNA methylation and H3K9 trimethylation. The distinct DNA methylation levels between the two alleles are established during preimplantation development, likely due to loss of KRAB zinc finger protein binding at the Iap5-1solo variant. Iap5-1solo methylation increases and becomes more variable in a hybrid genetic background yet is unresponsive to maternal dietary methyl supplementation. Differential epigenetic modification of the two variants is associated with metabolic differences and tissue-specific changes in adjacent gene expression. Our characterisation of Iap5-1 as a genetically induced epiallele with functional consequences establishes a new model to study transposable element repression and host-element co-evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Geula Hanin
- Department of Genetics, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
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12
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Montalbán-Loro R, Lassi G, Lozano-Ureña A, Perez-Villalba A, Jiménez-Villalba E, Charalambous M, Vallortigara G, Horner AE, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Trejo JL, Tucci V, Ferguson-Smith AC, Ferrón SR. Dlk1 dosage regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2015505118. [PMID: 33712542 PMCID: PMC7980393 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2015505118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the adult brain gives rise to functional neurons, which integrate into neuronal circuits and modulate neural plasticity. Sustained neurogenesis throughout life occurs in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus and is hypothesized to be involved in behavioral/cognitive processes such as memory and in diseases. Genomic imprinting is of critical importance to brain development and normal behavior, and exemplifies how epigenetic states regulate genome function and gene dosage. While most genes are expressed from both alleles, imprinted genes are usually expressed from either the maternally or the paternally inherited chromosome. Here, we show that in contrast to its canonical imprinting in nonneurogenic regions, Delta-like homolog 1 (Dlk1) is expressed biallelically in the SGZ, and both parental alleles are required for stem cell behavior and normal adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus. To evaluate the effects of maternally, paternally, and biallelically inherited mutations within the Dlk1 gene in specific behavioral domains, we subjected Dlk1-mutant mice to a battery of tests that dissociate and evaluate the effects of Dlk1 dosage on spatial learning ability and on anxiety traits. Importantly, reduction in Dlk1 levels triggers specific cognitive abnormalities that affect aspects of discriminating differences in environmental stimuli, emphasizing the importance of selective absence of imprinting in this neurogenic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Montalbán-Loro
- ERI Biotecmed-Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia,Spain
| | - Glenda Lassi
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour (GEB) Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine Research and Early Development, Respiratory and Immunology, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB2 0AA, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Lozano-Ureña
- ERI Biotecmed-Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia,Spain
| | - Ana Perez-Villalba
- ERI Biotecmed-Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia,Spain
- Faculty of Psychology, Laboratory of Animal Behavior Phenotype (LABP), Universidad Católica de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Marika Charalambous
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alexa E Horner
- Synome Ltd, Babraham, Cambridge CB22 3AT, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Department of Psychology, Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
- Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5K8, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Department of Psychology, Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EB, United Kingdom
- Molecular Medicine Research Laboratories, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5K8, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - José Luis Trejo
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Cajal Institute, The Spanish National Research Council, Madrid 28002, Spain
| | - Valter Tucci
- Genetics and Epigenetics of Behaviour (GEB) Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Sacri R Ferrón
- ERI Biotecmed-Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46010 Valencia,Spain;
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13
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Elmer JL, Hay AD, Kessler NJ, Bertozzi TM, Ainscough EAC, Ferguson-Smith AC. Genomic properties of variably methylated retrotransposons in mouse. Mob DNA 2021; 12:6. [PMID: 33612119 PMCID: PMC7898769 DOI: 10.1186/s13100-021-00235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transposable elements (TEs) are enriched in cytosine methylation, preventing their mobility within the genome. We previously identified a genome-wide repertoire of candidate intracisternal A particle (IAP) TEs in mice that exhibit inter-individual variability in this methylation (VM-IAPs) with implications for genome function. RESULTS Here we validate these metastable epialleles and discover a novel class that exhibit tissue specificity (tsVM-IAPs) in addition to those with uniform methylation in all tissues (constitutive- or cVM-IAPs); both types have the potential to regulate genes in cis. Screening for variable methylation at other TEs shows that this phenomenon is largely limited to IAPs, which are amongst the youngest and most active endogenous retroviruses. We identify sequences enriched within cVM-IAPs, but determine that these are not sufficient to confer epigenetic variability. CTCF is enriched at VM-IAPs with binding inversely correlated with DNA methylation. We uncover dynamic physical interactions between cVM-IAPs with low methylation ranges and other genomic loci, suggesting that VM-IAPs have the potential for long-range regulation. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a recently evolved interplay between genetic sequence, CTCF binding, and DNA methylation at young TEs can result in inter-individual variability in transcriptional outcomes with implications for phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Elmer
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Amir D. Hay
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Noah J. Kessler
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Tessa M. Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
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14
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Sabria-Back J, Monteagudo-Sánchez A, Sánchez-Delgado M, Ferguson-Smith AC, Gómez O, Pertierra Cartada A, Tenorio J, Nevado J, Lapunzina P, Pereda Aguirre A, Giménez Sevilla C, Toro Toro E, Perez de Nanclares G, Monk D. Preimplantation genetic testing for a chr14q32 microdeletion in a family with Kagami-Ogata syndrome and Temple syndrome. J Med Genet 2021; 59:253-261. [PMID: 33579810 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-107433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Kagami-Ogata syndrome (KOS14) and Temple syndrome (TS14) are two disorders associated with reciprocal alterations within the chr14q32 imprinted domain. Here, we present a work-up strategy for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to avoid the transmission of a causative micro-deletion. METHODS We analysed DNA from the KOS14 index case and parents using methylation-sensitive ligation-mediated probe amplification and methylation pyrosequencing. The extent of the deletion was mapped using SNP arrays. PGT was performed in trophectoderm samples in order to identify unaffected embryos. Samples were amplified using multiple displacement amplification, followed by genome-wide SNP genotyping to determine the at-risk haplotype and next-generation sequencing to determine aneuploidies. RESULTS A fully methylated pattern at the normally paternally methylated IG-DMR and MEG3 DMR in the KOS14 proband, accompanied by an unmethylated profile in the TS14 mother was consistent with maternal and paternal transmission of a deletion, respectively. Further analysis revealed a 108 kb deletion in both cases. The inheritance of the deletion on different parental alleles was consistent with the opposing phenotypes. In vitro fertilisation with intracytoplasmatic sperm injection and PGT were used to screen for deletion status and to transfer an unaffected embryo in this couple. A single euploid-unaffected embryo was identified resulting in a healthy baby born. DISCUSSION We identify a microdeletion responsible for multigeneration KOS14 and TS14 within a single family where carriers have a 50% risk of transmitting the deletion to their offspring. We show that PGT can successfully be offered to couples with IDs caused by genetic anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Sabria-Back
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Monteagudo-Sánchez
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sánchez-Delgado
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Olga Gómez
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Africa Pertierra Cartada
- BCNatal, Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jair Tenorio
- INGEMM (Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular), Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPaz, Hospital universitario la Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras), Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA, European Reference Network on Rare Congenital Malformations and Rare Intellectual Disabilities, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julián Nevado
- INGEMM (Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular), Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPaz, Hospital universitario la Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras), Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA, European Reference Network on Rare Congenital Malformations and Rare Intellectual Disabilities, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Lapunzina
- INGEMM (Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular), Hospital Universitario La Paz-IdiPaz, Hospital universitario la Paz, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERER (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras), Madrid, Spain.,ITHACA, European Reference Network on Rare Congenital Malformations and Rare Intellectual Disabilities, Madrid, Spain
| | - Arrate Pereda Aguirre
- Molecular (Epi)Genetics Laboratory, Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | | | | | | | - David Monk
- Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, Barcelona, Spain .,Biomedical Research Center, School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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15
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Staff R, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, McNeil C, Ribeiro A, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation predicts hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities and the change with age in later life. Sci Rep 2021; 11:943. [PMID: 33441584 PMCID: PMC7806645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78062-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic imprinting is important for neurogenesis and brain function. Hippocampal volumes and brain hyperintensities in late life have been associated with early life circumstances. Epigenetic imprinting may underpin these associations. Methylation was measured at 982 sites in 13 imprinted locations in blood samples from a longitudinal cohort by bisulphite amplicon sequencing. Hippocampal volumes and hyperintensities were determined at age 64y and 72y using MRI. Hyperintensities were determined in white matter, grey matter and infratentorial regions. Permutation methods were used to adjust for multiple testing. At 64y, H19/IGF2 and NESPAS methylation predicted hippocampal volumes. PEG3 predicted hyperintensities in hippocampal grey matter, and white matter. GNASXL predicted grey matter hyperintensities. Changes with age were predicted for hippocampal volume (MEST1, KvDMR, L3MBTL, GNASXL), white matter (MEST1, PEG3) and hippocampal grey matter hyperintensities (MCTS2, GNASXL, NESPAS, L3MBTL, MCTS2, SNRPN, MEST1). Including childhood cognitive ability, years in education, or socioeconomic status as additional explanatory variables in regression analyses did not change the overall findings. Imprinting methylation in multiple genes predicts brain structures, and their change over time. These findings are potentially relevant to the development of novel tests of brain structure and function across the life-course, strategies to improve cognitive outcomes, and our understanding of early influences on brain development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, University College London, London, UK
| | - Graham W Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Louise H Phillips
- School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Chris McNeil
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Antonio Ribeiro
- Centre for Genome-Enabled Biology and Medicine, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
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16
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Bertozzi TM, Elmer JL, Macfarlan TS, Ferguson-Smith AC. KRAB zinc finger protein diversification drives mammalian interindividual methylation variability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31290-31300. [PMID: 33239447 PMCID: PMC7733849 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2017053117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Most transposable elements (TEs) in the mouse genome are heavily modified by DNA methylation and repressive histone modifications. However, a subset of TEs exhibit variable methylation levels in genetically identical individuals, and this is associated with epigenetically conferred phenotypic differences, environmental adaptability, and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The evolutionary origins and molecular mechanisms underlying interindividual epigenetic variability remain unknown. Using a repertoire of murine variably methylated intracisternal A-particle (VM-IAP) epialleles as a model, we demonstrate that variable DNA methylation states at TEs are highly susceptible to genetic background effects. Taking a classical genetics approach coupled with genome-wide analysis, we harness these effects and identify a cluster of KRAB zinc finger protein (KZFP) genes that modifies VM-IAPs in trans in a sequence-specific manner. Deletion of the cluster results in decreased DNA methylation levels and altered histone modifications at the targeted VM-IAPs. In some cases, these effects are accompanied by dysregulation of neighboring genes. We find that VM-IAPs cluster together phylogenetically and that this is linked to differential KZFP binding, suggestive of an ongoing evolutionary arms race between TEs and this large family of epigenetic regulators. These findings indicate that KZFP divergence and concomitant evolution of DNA binding capabilities are mechanistically linked to methylation variability in mammals, with implications for phenotypic variation and putative paradigms of mammalian epigenetic inheritance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EH Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica L Elmer
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, CB2 3EH Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Todd S Macfarlan
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, The National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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17
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Edwards CA, Takahashi N, Corish JA, Ferguson-Smith AC. The origins of genomic imprinting in mammals. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1203-1218. [PMID: 30615843 DOI: 10.1071/rd18176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is a process that causes genes to be expressed according to their parental origin. Imprinting appears to have evolved gradually in two of the three mammalian subclasses, with no imprinted genes yet identified in prototheria and only six found to be imprinted in marsupials to date. By interrogating the genomes of eutherian suborders, we determine that imprinting evolved at the majority of eutherian specific genes before the eutherian radiation. Theories considering the evolution of imprinting often relate to resource allocation and recently consider maternal-offspring interactions more generally, which, in marsupials, places a greater emphasis on lactation. In eutherians, the imprint memory is retained at least in part by zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57), a Kruppel associated box (KRAB) zinc finger protein that binds specifically to methylated imprinting control regions. Some imprints are less dependent on ZFP57invivo and it may be no coincidence that these are the imprints that are found in marsupials. Because marsupials lack ZFP57, this suggests another more ancestral protein evolved to regulate imprints in non-eutherian subclasses, and contributes to imprinting control in eutherians. Hence, understanding the mechanisms acting at imprinting control regions across mammals has the potential to provide valuable insights into our understanding of the origins and evolution of genomic imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol A Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Jennifer A Corish
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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18
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Liang ZS, Cimino I, Yalcin B, Raghupathy N, Vancollie VE, Ibarra-Soria X, Firth HV, Rimmington D, Farooqi IS, Lelliott CJ, Munger SC, O’Rahilly S, Ferguson-Smith AC, Coll AP, Logan DW. Trappc9 deficiency causes parent-of-origin dependent microcephaly and obesity. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008916. [PMID: 32877400 PMCID: PMC7467316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Some imprinted genes exhibit parental origin specific expression bias rather than being transcribed exclusively from one copy. The physiological relevance of this remains poorly understood. In an analysis of brain-specific allele-biased expression, we identified that Trappc9, a cellular trafficking factor, was expressed predominantly (~70%) from the maternally inherited allele. Loss-of-function mutations in human TRAPPC9 cause a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by microcephaly and obesity. By studying Trappc9 null mice we discovered that homozygous mutant mice showed a reduction in brain size, exploratory activity and social memory, as well as a marked increase in body weight. A role for Trappc9 in energy balance was further supported by increased ad libitum food intake in a child with TRAPPC9 deficiency. Strikingly, heterozygous mice lacking the maternal allele (70% reduced expression) had pathology similar to homozygous mutants, whereas mice lacking the paternal allele (30% reduction) were phenotypically normal. Taken together, we conclude that Trappc9 deficient mice recapitulate key pathological features of TRAPPC9 mutations in humans and identify a role for Trappc9 and its imprinting in controlling brain development and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzheng S. Liang
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Cimino
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Binnaz Yalcin
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université de Strasbourg, France
| | | | | | - Ximena Ibarra-Soria
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Helen V. Firth
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Debra Rimmington
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - I. Sadaf Farooqi
- University of Cambridge Metabolic Research Laboratories and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Steven C. Munger
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Stephen O’Rahilly
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anthony P. Coll
- MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Darren W. Logan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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19
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Bertozzi TM, Ferguson-Smith AC. Metastable epialleles and their contribution to epigenetic inheritance in mammals. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 97:93-105. [PMID: 31551132 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Many epigenetic differences between individuals are driven by genetic variation. Mammalian metastable epialleles are unusual in that they show variable DNA methylation states between genetically identical individuals. The occurrence of such states across generations has resulted in their consideration by many as strong evidence for epigenetic inheritance in mammals, with the classic Avy and AxinFu mouse models - each products of repeat element insertions - being the most widely accepted examples. Equally, there has been interest in exploring their use as epigenetic biosensors given their susceptibility to environmental compromise. Here we review the classic murine metastable epialleles as well as more recently identified candidates, with the aim of providing a more holistic understanding of their biology. We consider the extent to which epigenetic inheritance occurs at metastable epialleles and explore the limited mechanistic insights into the establishment of their variable epigenetic states. We discuss their environmental modulation and their potential relevance in genome regulation. In light of recent whole-genome screens for novel metastable epialleles, we point out the need to reassess their biological relevance in multi-generational studies and we highlight their value as a model to study repeat element silencing as well as the mechanisms and consequences of mammalian epigenetic stochasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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20
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Hanin G, Ferguson-Smith AC. The evolution of genomic imprinting: Epigenetic control of mammary gland development and postnatal resource control. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med 2019; 12:e1476. [PMID: 31877240 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetically regulated process leading to gene expression according to its parental origin. Imprinting is essential for prenatal growth and development, regulating nutritional resources to offspring, and contributing to a favored theory about the evolution of imprinting being due to a conflict between maternal and paternal genomes for the control of prenatal resources-the so-called kinship hypothesis. Genomic imprinting has been mainly studied during embryonic and placental development; however, maternal nutrient provisioning is not restricted to the prenatal period. In this context, the mammary gland acts at the maternal-offspring interface providing milk to the newborn. Maternal care including lactation supports the offspring, delivering nutrients and bioactive molecules protecting against infections and contributing to healthy organ development and immune maturation. The normal developmental cycle of the mammary gland-pregnancy, lactation, involution-is vital for this process, raising the question of whether genomic imprinting might also play a role in postnatal nutrient transfer by controlling mammary gland development. Characterizing the function and epigenetic regulation of imprinted genes in the mammary gland cycle may therefore provide novel insights into the evolution of imprinting since the offspring's paternal genome is absent from the mammary gland, in addition to increasing our knowledge of postnatal nutrition and its relation to life-long health. This article is categorized under: Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geula Hanin
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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21
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Loo TH, Ye X, Chai RJ, Ito M, Bonne G, Ferguson-Smith AC, Stewart CL. The mammalian LINC complex component SUN1 regulates muscle regeneration by modulating drosha activity. eLife 2019; 8:49485. [PMID: 31686651 PMCID: PMC6853637 DOI: 10.7554/elife.49485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we show that a major muscle specific isoform of the murine LINC complex protein SUN1 is required for efficient muscle regeneration. The nucleoplasmic domain of the isoform specifically binds to and inhibits Drosha, a key component of the microprocessor complex required for miRNA synthesis. Comparison of the miRNA profiles between wildtype and SUN1 null myotubes identified a cluster of miRNAs encoded by a non-translated retrotransposon-like one antisense (Rtl1as) transcript that are decreased in the WT myoblasts due to SUN1 inhibition of Drosha. One of these miRNAs miR-127 inhibits the translation of the Rtl1 sense transcript, that encodes the retrotransposon-like one protein (RTL1), which is also required for muscle regeneration and is expressed in regenerating/dystrophic muscle. The LINC complex may therefore regulate gene expression during muscle regeneration by controlling miRNA processing. This provides new insights into the molecular pathology underlying muscular dystrophies and how the LINC complex may regulate mechanosignaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsui Han Loo
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xiaoqian Ye
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruth Jinfen Chai
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gisèle Bonne
- Center of Research in Myology, Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM UMRS 974, CNRS FRE 3617, Paris, France
| | | | - Colin L Stewart
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore, Singapore
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22
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Montalbán-Loro R, Lozano-Ureña A, Ito M, Krueger C, Reik W, Ferguson-Smith AC, Ferrón SR. TET3 prevents terminal differentiation of adult NSCs by a non-catalytic action at Snrpn. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1726. [PMID: 30979904 PMCID: PMC6461695 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09665-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven-translocation (TET) proteins catalyze DNA hydroxylation, playing an important role in demethylation of DNA in mammals. Remarkably, although hydroxymethylation levels are high in the mouse brain, the potential role of TET proteins in adult neurogenesis is unknown. We show here that a non-catalytic action of TET3 is essentially required for the maintenance of the neural stem cell (NSC) pool in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) niche by preventing premature differentiation of NSCs into non-neurogenic astrocytes. This occurs through direct binding of TET3 to the paternal transcribed allele of the imprinted gene Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-associated polypeptide N (Snrpn), contributing to transcriptional repression of the gene. The study also identifies BMP2 as an effector of the astrocytic terminal differentiation mediated by SNRPN. Our work describes a novel mechanism of control of an imprinted gene in the regulation of adult neurogenesis through an unconventional role of TET3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Montalbán-Loro
- 0000 0001 2173 938Xgrid.5338.dERI BiotecMed/Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anna Lozano-Ureña
- 0000 0001 2173 938Xgrid.5338.dERI BiotecMed/Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Christel Krueger
- 0000 0001 0694 2777grid.418195.0Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT UK
| | - Wolf Reik
- 0000 0001 0694 2777grid.418195.0Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT UK ,0000 0004 0606 5382grid.10306.34Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
| | - Anne C. Ferguson-Smith
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Sacri R. Ferrón
- 0000 0001 2173 938Xgrid.5338.dERI BiotecMed/Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
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23
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, Gall I, Harrison K, McNeill G, Ito M, Haggarty P. Correction: Imprinting methylation in SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood predicts cognitive ability. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215422. [PMID: 30969998 PMCID: PMC6457529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211799.].
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24
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Tucci V, Isles AR, Kelsey G, Ferguson-Smith AC. Genomic Imprinting and Physiological Processes in Mammals. Cell 2019; 176:952-965. [PMID: 30794780 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Complex multicellular organisms, such as mammals, express two complete sets of chromosomes per nucleus, combining the genetic material of both parents. However, epigenetic studies have demonstrated violations to this rule that are necessary for mammalian physiology; the most notable parental allele expression phenomenon is genomic imprinting. With the identification of endogenous imprinted genes, genomic imprinting became well-established as an epigenetic mechanism in which the expression pattern of a parental allele influences phenotypic expression. The expanding study of genomic imprinting is revealing a significant impact on brain functions and associated diseases. Here, we review key milestones in the field of imprinting and discuss mechanisms and systems in which imprinted genes exert a significant role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valter Tucci
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, via Morego, 30, 16163, Genova, Italy.
| | - Anthony R Isles
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 44H, UK
| | - Gavin Kelsey
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
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25
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, Gall I, Harrison K, McNeill G, Ito M, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation in SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood predicts cognitive ability. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211799. [PMID: 30707743 PMCID: PMC6358095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is important for normal brain development and aberrant imprinting has been associated with impaired cognition. We studied the imprinting status in selected imprints (H19, IGF2, SNRPN, PEG3, MEST1, NESPAS, KvDMR, IG-DMR and ZAC1) by pyrosequencing in blood samples from longitudinal cohorts born in 1936 (n = 485) and 1921 (n = 223), and anterior hippocampus, posterior hippocampus, periventricular white matter, and thalamus from brains donated to the Aberdeen Brain Bank (n = 4). MEST1 imprint methylation was related to childhood cognitive ability score (-0.416 95% CI -0.792,-0.041; p = 0.030), with the strongest effect evident in males (-0.929 95% CI -1.531,-0.326; p = 0.003). SNRPN imprint methylation was also related to childhood cognitive ability (+0.335 95%CI 0.008,0.663; p = 0.045). A significant association was also observed for SNRPN methylation and adult crystallised cognitive ability (+0.262 95%CI 0.007,0.517; p = 0.044). Further testing of significant findings in a second cohort from the same region, but born in 1921, resulted in similar effect sizes and greater significance when the cohorts were combined (MEST1; -0.371 95% CI -0.677,-0.065; p = 0.017; SNRPN; +0.361 95% CI 0.079,0.643; p = 0.012). For SNRPN and MEST1 and four other imprints the methylation levels in blood and in the five brain regions were similar. Methylation of the paternally expressed, maternally methylated genes SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood was associated with cognitive ability in childhood. This is consistent with the known importance of the SNRPN containing 15q11-q13 and the MEST1 containing 7q31-34 regions in cognitive function. These findings, and their sex specific nature in MEST1, point to new mechanisms through which complex phenotypes such as cognitive ability may be inherited. These mechanisms are potentially relevant to both the heritable and non-heritable components of cognitive ability. The process of epigenetic imprinting—within SNRPN and MEST1 in particular—and the factors that influence it, are worthy of further study in relation to the determinants of cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham W. Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ishbel Gall
- Department of Pathology, N.H.S. Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Harrison
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine McNeill
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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26
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Lorgen-Ritchie M, Murray AD, Ferguson-Smith AC, Richards M, Horgan GW, Phillips LH, Hoad G, Gall I, Harrison K, McNeill G, Ito M, Haggarty P. Imprinting methylation in SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood predicts cognitive ability. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211799. [PMID: 30707743 PMCID: PMC6358095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211799 10.1371/journal.pone.0215422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is important for normal brain development and aberrant imprinting has been associated with impaired cognition. We studied the imprinting status in selected imprints (H19, IGF2, SNRPN, PEG3, MEST1, NESPAS, KvDMR, IG-DMR and ZAC1) by pyrosequencing in blood samples from longitudinal cohorts born in 1936 (n = 485) and 1921 (n = 223), and anterior hippocampus, posterior hippocampus, periventricular white matter, and thalamus from brains donated to the Aberdeen Brain Bank (n = 4). MEST1 imprint methylation was related to childhood cognitive ability score (-0.416 95% CI -0.792,-0.041; p = 0.030), with the strongest effect evident in males (-0.929 95% CI -1.531,-0.326; p = 0.003). SNRPN imprint methylation was also related to childhood cognitive ability (+0.335 95%CI 0.008,0.663; p = 0.045). A significant association was also observed for SNRPN methylation and adult crystallised cognitive ability (+0.262 95%CI 0.007,0.517; p = 0.044). Further testing of significant findings in a second cohort from the same region, but born in 1921, resulted in similar effect sizes and greater significance when the cohorts were combined (MEST1; -0.371 95% CI -0.677,-0.065; p = 0.017; SNRPN; +0.361 95% CI 0.079,0.643; p = 0.012). For SNRPN and MEST1 and four other imprints the methylation levels in blood and in the five brain regions were similar. Methylation of the paternally expressed, maternally methylated genes SNRPN and MEST1 in adult blood was associated with cognitive ability in childhood. This is consistent with the known importance of the SNRPN containing 15q11-q13 and the MEST1 containing 7q31-34 regions in cognitive function. These findings, and their sex specific nature in MEST1, point to new mechanisms through which complex phenotypes such as cognitive ability may be inherited. These mechanisms are potentially relevant to both the heritable and non-heritable components of cognitive ability. The process of epigenetic imprinting-within SNRPN and MEST1 in particular-and the factors that influence it, are worthy of further study in relation to the determinants of cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Lorgen-Ritchie
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marcus Richards
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham W. Horgan
- Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Gwen Hoad
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Ishbel Gall
- Department of Pathology, N.H.S. Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Kristina Harrison
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Geraldine McNeill
- Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Haggarty
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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27
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Takahashi N, Coluccio A, Thorball CW, Planet E, Shi H, Offner S, Turelli P, Imbeault M, Ferguson-Smith AC, Trono D. ZNF445 is a primary regulator of genomic imprinting. Genes Dev 2019; 33:49-54. [PMID: 30602440 PMCID: PMC6317318 DOI: 10.1101/gad.320069.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic process regulated by germline-derived DNA methylation, causing parental origin-specific monoallelic gene expression. Zinc finger protein 57 (ZFP57) is critical for maintenance of this epigenetic memory during post-fertilization reprogramming, yet incomplete penetrance of ZFP57 mutations in humans and mice suggests additional effectors. We reveal that ZNF445/ZFP445, which we trace to the origins of imprinting, binds imprinting control regions (ICRs) in mice and humans. In mice, ZFP445 and ZFP57 act together, maintaining all but one ICR in vivo, whereas earlier embryonic expression of ZNF445 and its intolerance to loss-of-function mutations indicate greater importance in the maintenance of human imprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Coluccio
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Christian W Thorball
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Evarist Planet
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Offner
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Priscilla Turelli
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
| | - Michael Imbeault
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Didier Trono
- School of Life Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne 1015, Switzerland
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28
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Kazachenka A, Bertozzi TM, Sjoberg-Herrera MK, Walker N, Gardner J, Gunning R, Pahita E, Adams S, Adams D, Ferguson-Smith AC. Identification, Characterization, and Heritability of Murine Metastable Epialleles: Implications for Non-genetic Inheritance. Cell 2018; 175:1259-1271.e13. [PMID: 30454646 PMCID: PMC6242299 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2018.09.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Generally repressed by epigenetic mechanisms, retrotransposons represent around 40% of the murine genome. At the Agouti viable yellow (Avy) locus, an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) of the intracisternal A particle (IAP) class retrotransposed upstream of the agouti coat-color locus, providing an alternative promoter that is variably DNA methylated in genetically identical individuals. This results in variable expressivity of coat color that is inherited transgenerationally. Here, a systematic genome-wide screen identifies multiple C57BL/6J murine IAPs with Avy epigenetic properties. Each exhibits a stable methylation state within an individual but varies between individuals. Only in rare instances do they act as promoters controlling adjacent gene expression. Their methylation state is locus-specific within an individual, and their flanking regions are enriched for CTCF. Variably methylated IAPs are reprogrammed after fertilization and re-established as variable loci in the next generation, indicating reconstruction of metastable epigenetic states and challenging the generalizability of non-genetic inheritance at these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tessa M Bertozzi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | | | - Nic Walker
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Joseph Gardner
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Richard Gunning
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Elena Pahita
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Sarah Adams
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - David Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
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29
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Westoby J, Herrera MS, Ferguson-Smith AC, Hemberg M. Simulation-based benchmarking of isoform quantification in single-cell RNA-seq. Genome Biol 2018; 19:191. [PMID: 30404663 PMCID: PMC6223048 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-018-1571-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA-seq has the potential to facilitate isoform quantification as the confounding factor of a mixed population of cells is eliminated. However, best practice for using existing quantification methods has not been established. We carry out a benchmark for five popular isoform quantification tools. Performance is generally good for simulated data based on SMARTer and SMART-seq2 data. The reduction in performance compared with bulk RNA-seq is small. An important biological insight comes from our analysis of real data which shows that genes that express two isoforms in bulk RNA-seq predominantly express one or neither isoform in individual cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Westoby
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH UK
| | - Marcela Sjöberg Herrera
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O’Higgins 340, 8331150 Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Martin Hemberg
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA UK
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30
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Abstract
The discovery of genomic imprinting by Davor Solter, Azim Surani and co-workers in
the mid-1980s has provided a foundation for the study of epigenetic inheritance and
the epigenetic control of gene activity and repression, especially during
development. It also has shed light on a range of diseases, including both rare
genetic disorders and common diseases. This article is being published to celebrate
Solter and Surani receiving a 2018 Canada Gairdner International Award "for the
discovery of mammalian genomic imprinting that causes parent-of-origin specific gene
expression and its consequences for development and disease".
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deborah Bourc'his
- Genetics and Developmental Biology Department, Institut Curie, Paris, France
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31
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Correra RM, Ollitrault D, Valente M, Mazzola A, Adalsteinsson BT, Ferguson-Smith AC, Marazzi G, Sassoon DA. The imprinted gene Pw1/Peg3 regulates skeletal muscle growth, satellite cell metabolic state, and self-renewal. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14649. [PMID: 30279563 PMCID: PMC6168517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32941-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pw1/Peg3 is an imprinted gene expressed from the paternally inherited allele. Several imprinted genes, including Pw1/Peg3, have been shown to regulate overall body size and play a role in adult stem cells. Pw1/Peg3 is expressed in muscle stem cells (satellite cells) as well as a progenitor subset of muscle interstitial cells (PICs) in adult skeletal muscle. We therefore examined the impact of loss-of-function of Pw1/Peg3 during skeletal muscle growth and in muscle stem cell behavior. We found that constitutive loss of Pw1/Peg3 function leads to a reduced muscle mass and myofiber number. In newborn mice, the reduction in fiber number is increased in homozygous mutants as compared to the deletion of only the paternal Pw1/Peg3 allele, indicating that the maternal allele is developmentally functional. Constitutive and a satellite cell-specific deletion of Pw1/Peg3, revealed impaired muscle regeneration and a reduced capacity of satellite cells for self-renewal. RNA sequencing analyses revealed a deregulation of genes that control mitochondrial function. Consistent with these observations, Pw1/Peg3 mutant satellite cells displayed increased mitochondrial activity coupled with accelerated proliferation and differentiation. Our data show that Pw1/Peg3 regulates muscle fiber number determination during fetal development in a gene-dosage manner and regulates satellite cell metabolism in the adult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Correra
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France
| | - David Ollitrault
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unit 970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université René Descartes Paris, Paris, France
| | - Mariana Valente
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unit 970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université René Descartes Paris, Paris, France
| | - Alessia Mazzola
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France
| | - Bjorn T Adalsteinsson
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, Downing Street, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanna Marazzi
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France.
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unit 970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université René Descartes Paris, Paris, France.
| | - David A Sassoon
- UMR S 1166 INSERM (Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Team), University of Pierre and Marie Curie Paris VI, Paris, 75634, France.
- Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Paris, 75013, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unit 970, Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université René Descartes Paris, Paris, France.
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32
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahia Mashoodh
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Ferguson-Smith AC, Bartolomei MS. Obituary: Denise Barlow (1950-2017). Development 2018. [PMID: 29540437 DOI: 10.1242/dev.164616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Anne Ferguson-Smith and Marisa Bartolomei look back at the life and science of Denise Barlow, a pioneer in genomic imprinting and epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- University of Cambridge, Department of Genetics, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Marisa S Bartolomei
- Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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34
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Soares ML, Edwards CA, Dearden FL, Ferrón SR, Curran S, Corish JA, Rancourt RC, Allen SE, Charalambous M, Ferguson-Smith MA, Rens W, Adams DJ, Ferguson-Smith AC. Targeted deletion of a 170-kb cluster of LINE-1 repeats and implications for regional control. Genome Res 2018; 28:gr.221366.117. [PMID: 29367313 PMCID: PMC5848613 DOI: 10.1101/gr.221366.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Approximately half the mammalian genome is composed of repetitive sequences, and accumulating evidence suggests that some may have an impact on genome function. Here, we characterized a large array class of repeats of long-interspersed elements (LINE-1). Although widely distributed in mammals, locations of such arrays are species specific. Using targeted deletion, we asked whether a 170-kb LINE-1 array located at a mouse imprinted domain might function as a modulator of local transcriptional control. The LINE-1 array is lamina associated in differentiated ES cells consistent with its AT-richness, and although imprinting occurs both proximally and distally to the array, active LINE-1 transcripts within the tract are biallelically expressed. Upon deletion of the array, no perturbation of imprinting was observed, and abnormal phenotypes were not detected in maternal or paternal heterozygous or homozygous mutant mice. The array does not shield nonimprinted genes in the vicinity from local imprinting control. Reduced neural expression of protein-coding genes observed upon paternal transmission of the deletion is likely due to the removal of a brain-specific enhancer embedded within the LINE array. Our findings suggest that presence of a 170-kb LINE-1 array reflects the tolerance of the site for repeat insertion rather than an important genomic function in normal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel L Soares
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
- Departamento de Biomedicina, Unidade de Biologia Experimental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Porto; and i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Carol A Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Frances L Dearden
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Sacri R Ferrón
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Scott Curran
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A Corish
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca C Rancourt
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Allen
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Marika Charalambous
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Willem Rens
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
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Takahashi N, Gray D, Strogantsev R, Noon A, Delahaye C, Skarnes WC, Tate PH, Ferguson-Smith AC. ZFP57 and the Targeted Maintenance of Postfertilization Genomic Imprints. Cold Spring Harb Symp Quant Biol 2018; 80:177-87. [PMID: 27325708 DOI: 10.1101/sqb.2015.80.027466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications play an important role in modulating genome function. In mammals, inappropriate epigenetic states can cause embryonic lethality and various acquired and inherited diseases; hence, it is important to understand how such states are formed and maintained in particular genomic contexts. Genomic imprinting is a process in which epigenetic states provide a sustained memory of parental origin and cause gene expression/repression from only one of the two parental chromosomes. Genomic imprinting is therefore a valuable model to decipher the principles and processes associated with the targeting and maintenance of epigenetic states in general. Krüppel-associated box zinc finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) are proteins that have the potential to mediate this. ZFP57, one of the best characterized proteins in this family, has been shown to target and maintain epigenetic states at imprinting control regions after fertilization. Its role in imprinting through the use of ZFP57 mutants in mouse and the wider implications of KRAB-ZFPs for the targeted maintenance of epigenetic states are discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomi Takahashi
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Dionne Gray
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Angela Noon
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Delahaye
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
| | - William C Skarnes
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Peri H Tate
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
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36
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Van de Pette M, Abbas A, Feytout A, McNamara G, Bruno L, To WK, Dimond A, Sardini A, Webster Z, McGinty J, Paul EJ, Ungless MA, French PMW, Withers DJ, Uren A, Ferguson-Smith AC, Merkenschlager M, John RM, Fisher AG. Visualizing Changes in Cdkn1c Expression Links Early-Life Adversity to Imprint Mis-regulation in Adults. Cell Rep 2017; 18:1090-1099. [PMID: 28147266 PMCID: PMC5300902 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Imprinted genes are regulated according to parental origin and can influence embryonic growth and metabolism and confer disease susceptibility. Here, we designed sensitive allele-specific reporters to non-invasively monitor imprinted Cdkn1c expression in mice and showed that expression was modulated by environmental factors encountered in utero. Acute exposure to chromatin-modifying drugs resulted in de-repression of paternally inherited (silent) Cdkn1c alleles in embryos that was temporary and resolved after birth. In contrast, deprivation of maternal dietary protein in utero provoked permanent de-repression of imprinted Cdkn1c expression that was sustained into adulthood and occurred through a folate-dependent mechanism of DNA methylation loss. Given the function of imprinted genes in regulating behavior and metabolic processes in adults, these results establish imprinting deregulation as a credible mechanism linking early-life adversity to later-life outcomes. Furthermore, Cdkn1c-luciferase mice offer non-invasive tools to identify factors that disrupt epigenetic processes and strategies to limit their long-term impact. Allele-specific expression of imprinted Cdkn1c imaged in vivo using bioluminescence Chromatin-modifying drugs applied in utero transiently de-repress Cdkn1c imprinting In utero exposure to low-protein diet permanently disrupts the Cdkn1c imprint Folate supplements during gestation protect against loss of Cdkn1c imprinting
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Van de Pette
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Allifia Abbas
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Amelie Feytout
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Gráinne McNamara
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ludovica Bruno
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Wilson K To
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Andrew Dimond
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Alessandro Sardini
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Zoe Webster
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - James McGinty
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Eleanor J Paul
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Mark A Ungless
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paul M W French
- Photonics Group, Department of Physics, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Dominic J Withers
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anthony Uren
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Matthias Merkenschlager
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Rosalind M John
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Amanda G Fisher
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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37
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Abstract
Most genes required for mammalian development are expressed from both maternally and paternally inherited chromosomal homologues. However, there are a small number of genes known as “imprinted genes” that only express a single allele from one parent, which is repressed on the gene from the other parent. Imprinted genes are dependent on epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of the DNA-associated histone proteins to establish and maintain their parental identity. In the brain, multiple transcripts have been identified which show parental origin-specific expression biases. However, the mechanistic relationship with canonical imprinting is unknown. Recent studies on the postnatal neurogenic niches raise many intriguing questions concerning the role of genomic imprinting and gene dosage during postnatal neurogenesis, including how imprinted genes operate in concert with signalling cues to contribute to newborn neurons’ formation during adulthood. Here we have gathered the current knowledge on the imprinting process in the neurogenic niches. We also review the phenotypes associated with genetic mutations at particular imprinted loci in order to consider the impact of imprinted genes in the maintenance and/or differentiation of the neural stem cell pool in vivo and during brain tumour formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lozano-Ureña
- ERI BiotecMed Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Sacri R Ferrón
- ERI BiotecMed Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, Spain
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38
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Wong ES, Schmitt BM, Kazachenka A, Thybert D, Redmond A, Connor F, Rayner TF, Feig C, Ferguson-Smith AC, Marioni JC, Odom DT, Flicek P. Interplay of cis and trans mechanisms driving transcription factor binding and gene expression evolution. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1092. [PMID: 29061983 PMCID: PMC5653656 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Noncoding regulatory variants play a central role in the genetics of human diseases and in evolution. Here we measure allele-specific transcription factor binding occupancy of three liver-specific transcription factors between crosses of two inbred mouse strains to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying transcription factor binding variations in mammals. Our results highlight the pre-eminence of cis-acting variants on transcription factor occupancy divergence. Transcription factor binding differences linked to cis-acting variants generally exhibit additive inheritance, while those linked to trans-acting variants are most often dominantly inherited. Cis-acting variants lead to local coordination of transcription factor occupancies that decay with distance; distal coordination is also observed and may be modulated by long-range chromatin contacts. Our results reveal the regulatory mechanisms that interplay to drive transcription factor occupancy, chromatin state, and gene expression in complex mammalian cell states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Wong
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Bianca M Schmitt
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | | | - David Thybert
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Aisling Redmond
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Frances Connor
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Tim F Rayner
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Christine Feig
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | | | - John C Marioni
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Duncan T Odom
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK-Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK.
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
| | - Paul Flicek
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK.
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA, UK.
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39
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Abstract
Both human and animal studies indicate that environmental exposures experienced during early life can robustly influence risk for adult disease. Moreover, environmental exposures experienced by parents during either intrauterine or postnatal life can also influence the health of their offspring, thus initiating a cycle of disease risk across generations. In this Perspective, we focus on epigenetic mechanisms in germ cells, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs, which collectively may provide a non-genetic molecular legacy of prior environmental exposures and influence transcriptional regulation, developmental trajectories, and adult disease risk in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicencia Micheline Sales
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, One Joslin Place, Sixth Floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Mary-Elizabeth Patti
- Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Research Division, Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School, One Joslin Place, Sixth Floor, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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40
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Cleaton MAM, Dent CL, Howard M, Corish JA, Gutteridge I, Sovio U, Gaccioli F, Takahashi N, Bauer SR, Charnock-Jones DS, Powell TL, Smith GCS, Ferguson-Smith AC, Charalambous M. Fetus-derived DLK1 is required for maternal metabolic adaptations to pregnancy and is associated with fetal growth restriction. Nat Genet 2016; 48:1473-1480. [PMID: 27776119 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a state of high metabolic demand. Fasting diverts metabolism to fatty acid oxidation, and the fasted response occurs much more rapidly in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. The product of the imprinted DLK1 gene (delta-like homolog 1) is an endocrine signaling molecule that reaches a high concentration in the maternal circulation during late pregnancy. By using mouse models with deleted Dlk1, we show that the fetus is the source of maternal circulating DLK1. In the absence of fetally derived DLK1, the maternal fasting response is impaired. Furthermore, we found that maternal circulating DLK1 levels predict embryonic mass in mice and can differentiate healthy small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants from pathologically small infants in a human cohort. Therefore, measurement of DLK1 concentration in maternal blood may be a valuable method for diagnosing human disorders associated with impaired DLK1 expression and to predict poor intrauterine growth and complications of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary A M Cleaton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire L Dent
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mark Howard
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Ulla Sovio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca Gaccioli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Steven R Bauer
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - D Steven Charnock-Jones
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Theresa L Powell
- Department of Pediatrics, Section for Neonatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Gordon C S Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge and NIHR Cambridge Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Marika Charalambous
- Centre for Endocrinology, William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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41
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Abstract
Heritability has traditionally been thought to be a characteristic feature of the genetic material of an organism-notably, its DNA. However, it is now clear that inheritance not based on DNA sequence exists in multiple organisms, with examples found in microbes, plants, and invertebrate and vertebrate animals. In mammals, the molecular mechanisms have been challenging to elucidate, in part due to difficulties in designing robust models and approaches. Here we review some of the evidence, concepts, and potential mechanisms of non-DNA sequence-based transgenerational inheritance. We highlight model systems and discuss whether phenotypes are replicated or reconstructed over successive generations, as well as whether mechanisms operate at transcriptional and/or posttranscriptional levels. Finally, we explore the short- and long-term implications of non-DNA sequence-based inheritance. Understanding the effects of non-DNA sequence-based mechanisms is key to a full appreciation of heritability in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Miska
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
- Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK.
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42
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Santangelo AM, Ito M, Shiba Y, Clarke HF, Schut EHS, Cockcroft G, Ferguson-Smith AC, Roberts AC. Novel Primate Model of Serotonin Transporter Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Gene Expression, Anxiety and Sensitivity to Antidepressants. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2366-76. [PMID: 26997299 PMCID: PMC4946067 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetic polymorphisms in the repeat upstream region of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) are associated with individual differences in stress reactivity, vulnerability to affective disorders, and response to pharmacotherapy. However, the molecular, neurodevelopmental and psychopharmacological mechanisms underlying the link between SLC6A4 polymorphisms and the emotionally vulnerable phenotype are not fully understood. Thus, using the marmoset monkey Callithrix jacchus we characterize here a new neurobiological model to help to address these questions. We first sequenced the marmoset SLC6A4 promoter and identified a double nucleotide polymorphism (-2053AC/CT) and two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (-2022C/T and -1592G/C) within the repeat upstream region. We showed their association with gene expression using in vivo quantitative PCR and with affective behavior using a primate test of anxiety (human intruder test). The low-expressing haplotype (AC/C/G) was linked with high anxiety while the high-expressing one (CT/T/C) was associated with an active coping strategy in response to threat. Pharmacological challenge with an acute dose of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, citalopram, revealed a genotype-dependent behavioral response. While individuals homozygous for the high anxiety-related haplotype AC/C/G exhibited a dose-dependent, anxiogenic response, individuals homozygous for the low anxiety-related haplotype CT/T/C showed an opposing, dose-dependent anxiolytic effect. These findings provide a novel genetic and behavioral primate model to study the molecular, neurodevelopmental, and psychopharmacological mechanisms that underlie genetic variation-associated complex behaviors, with specific implications for the understanding of normal and abnormal serotonin actions and the development of personalized pharmacological treatments for psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Santangelo
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK, Tel: +44 1223 339 012, Fax: +44 1223 339 014, E-mail:
| | - Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yoshiro Shiba
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hannah F Clarke
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Evelien HS Schut
- Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gemma Cockcroft
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Angela C Roberts
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK,Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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43
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Lakisic G, Lebreton A, Pourpre R, Wendling O, Libertini E, Radford EJ, Le Guillou M, Champy MF, Wattenhofer-Donzé M, Soubigou G, Ait-Si-Ali S, Feunteun J, Sorg T, Coppée JY, Ferguson-Smith AC, Cossart P, Bierne H. Role of the BAHD1 Chromatin-Repressive Complex in Placental Development and Regulation of Steroid Metabolism. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005898. [PMID: 26938916 PMCID: PMC4777444 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BAHD1 is a vertebrate protein that promotes heterochromatin formation and gene repression in association with several epigenetic regulators. However, its physiological roles remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that ablation of the Bahd1 gene results in hypocholesterolemia, hypoglycemia and decreased body fat in mice. It also causes placental growth restriction with a drop of trophoblast glycogen cells, a reduction of fetal weight and a high neonatal mortality rate. By intersecting transcriptome data from murine Bahd1 knockout (KO) placentas at stages E16.5 and E18.5 of gestation, Bahd1-KO embryonic fibroblasts, and human cells stably expressing BAHD1, we also show that changes in BAHD1 levels alter expression of steroid/lipid metabolism genes. Biochemical analysis of the BAHD1-associated multiprotein complex identifies MIER proteins as novel partners of BAHD1 and suggests that BAHD1-MIER interaction forms a hub for histone deacetylases and methyltransferases, chromatin readers and transcription factors. We further show that overexpression of BAHD1 leads to an increase of MIER1 enrichment on the inactive X chromosome (Xi). In addition, BAHD1 and MIER1/3 repress expression of the steroid hormone receptor genes ESR1 and PGR, both playing important roles in placental development and energy metabolism. Moreover, modulation of BAHD1 expression in HEK293 cells triggers epigenetic changes at the ESR1 locus. Together, these results identify BAHD1 as a core component of a chromatin-repressive complex regulating placental morphogenesis and body fat storage and suggest that its dysfunction may contribute to several human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Lakisic
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Équipe Microbiologie Cellulaire et Epigénétique, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Alice Lebreton
- Unité des Interactions Bactéries-Cellules, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- INSERM U604, Paris, France
- INRA USC2020, Paris, France
| | - Renaud Pourpre
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Équipe Microbiologie Cellulaire et Epigénétique, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Olivia Wendling
- Institut Clinique de la Souris-ICS-MCI, PHENOMIN, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Emanuele Libertini
- Plateforme Transcriptome et Epigénome, Département Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth J. Radford
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Morwenna Le Guillou
- CNRS UMR8200 Stabilité génétique et oncogenèse, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie-France Champy
- Institut Clinique de la Souris-ICS-MCI, PHENOMIN, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Marie Wattenhofer-Donzé
- Institut Clinique de la Souris-ICS-MCI, PHENOMIN, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Guillaume Soubigou
- Plateforme Transcriptome et Epigénome, Département Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Jean Feunteun
- CNRS UMR8200 Stabilité génétique et oncogenèse, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France
| | - Tania Sorg
- Institut Clinique de la Souris-ICS-MCI, PHENOMIN, CNRS UMR7104, INSERM U964, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Jean-Yves Coppée
- Plateforme Transcriptome et Epigénome, Département Génomes et Génétique, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Pascale Cossart
- Unité des Interactions Bactéries-Cellules, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- INSERM U604, Paris, France
- INRA USC2020, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Bierne
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Équipe Microbiologie Cellulaire et Epigénétique, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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44
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Qian P, He XC, Paulson A, Li Z, Tao F, Perry JM, Guo F, Zhao M, Zhi L, Venkatraman A, Haug JS, Parmely T, Li H, Dobrowsky RT, Ding WX, Kono T, Ferguson-Smith AC, Li L. The Dlk1-Gtl2 Locus Preserves LT-HSC Function by Inhibiting the PI3K-mTOR Pathway to Restrict Mitochondrial Metabolism. Cell Stem Cell 2015; 18:214-28. [PMID: 26627594 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian imprinted Dlk1-Gtl2 locus produces multiple non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from the maternally inherited allele, including the largest miRNA cluster in the mammalian genome. This locus has characterized functions in some types of stem cell, but its role in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) is unknown. Here, we show that the Dlk1-Gtl2 locus plays a critical role in preserving long-term repopulating HSCs (LT-HSCs). Through transcriptome profiling in 17 hematopoietic cell types, we found that ncRNAs expressed from the Dlk1-Gtl2 locus are predominantly enriched in fetal liver HSCs and the adult LT-HSC population and sustain long-term HSC functionality. Mechanistically, the miRNA mega-cluster within the Dlk1-Gtl2 locus suppresses the entire PI3K-mTOR pathway. This regulation in turn inhibits mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic activity and protects LT-HSCs from excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Our data therefore show that the imprinted Dlk1-Gtl2 locus preserves LT-HSC function by restricting mitochondrial metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxu Qian
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Xi C He
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Ariel Paulson
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Zhenrui Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Fang Tao
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - John M Perry
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Fengli Guo
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Meng Zhao
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Lei Zhi
- Department of Immunology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immuno Microenvironment and Disease of the Educational Ministry, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, P.R. China
| | - Aparna Venkatraman
- Centre for Stem Cell Research, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632002, India
| | - Jeffrey S Haug
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Tari Parmely
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Hua Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Rick T Dobrowsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Wen-Xing Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Tomohiro Kono
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Linheng Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
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45
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Ferrón SR, Radford EJ, Domingo-Muelas A, Kleine I, Ramme A, Gray D, Sandovici I, Constancia M, Ward A, Menheniott TR, Ferguson-Smith AC. Differential genomic imprinting regulates paracrine and autocrine roles of IGF2 in mouse adult neurogenesis. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8265. [PMID: 26369386 PMCID: PMC4579569 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is implicated in the control of gene dosage in neurogenic niches. Here we address the importance of Igf2 imprinting for murine adult neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus in vivo. In the SVZ, paracrine IGF2 is a cerebrospinal fluid and endothelial-derived neurogenic factor requiring biallelic expression, with mutants having reduced activation of the stem cell pool and impaired olfactory bulb neurogenesis. In contrast, Igf2 is imprinted in the hippocampus acting as an autocrine factor expressed in neural stem cells (NSCs) solely from the paternal allele. Conditional mutagenesis of Igf2 in blood vessels confirms that endothelial-derived IGF2 contributes to NSC maintenance in SVZ but not in the SGZ, and that this is regulated by the biallelic expression of IGF2 in the vascular compartment. Our findings indicate that a regulatory decision to imprint or not is a functionally important mechanism of transcriptional dosage control in adult neurogenesis. Selective biallelic expression of certain genes through genomic imprinting are known to play a role in controlling neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain. Here the authors investigate the role of imprinting in the dosage control of Igf2 and its relevance for the function of IGF2 as a neurogenic regulator in the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Ferrón
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, Dr Moliner, 50, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - E J Radford
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - A Domingo-Muelas
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, Dr Moliner, 50, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - I Kleine
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - A Ramme
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Universidad de Valencia, Dr Moliner, 50, Burjassot 46100, Spain
| | - D Gray
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - I Sandovici
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - M Constancia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.,NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - A Ward
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - T R Menheniott
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - A C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK.,Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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46
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Ito M, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Edwards CA, Adalsteinsson BT, Allen SE, Loo TH, Kitazawa M, Kaneko-Ishino T, Ishino F, Stewart CL, Ferguson-Smith AC. A trans-homologue interaction between reciprocally imprinted miR-127 and Rtl1 regulates placenta development. Development 2015; 142:2425-30. [PMID: 26138477 DOI: 10.1242/dev.121996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The paternally expressed imprinted retrotransposon-like 1 (Rtl1) is a retrotransposon-derived gene that has evolved a function in eutherian placentation. Seven miRNAs, including miR-127, are processed from a maternally expressed antisense Rtl1 transcript (Rtl1as) and regulate Rtl1 levels through RNAi-mediated post-transcriptional degradation. To determine the relative functional role of Rtl1as miRNAs in Rtl1 dosage, we generated a mouse specifically deleted for miR-127. The miR-127 knockout mice exhibit placentomegaly with specific defects within the labyrinthine zone involved in maternal-fetal nutrient transfer. Although fetal weight is unaltered, specific Rtl1 transcripts and protein levels are increased in both the fetus and placenta. Phenotypic analysis of single (ΔmiR-127/Rtl1 or miR-127/ΔRtl1) and double (ΔmiR-127/ΔRtl1) heterozygous miR-127- and Rtl1-deficient mice indicate that Rtl1 is the main target gene of miR-127 in placental development. Our results demonstrate that miR-127 is an essential regulator of Rtl1, mediated by a trans-homologue interaction between reciprocally imprinted genes on the maternally and paternally inherited chromosomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuteru Ito
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Carol A Edwards
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | | | - Sarah E Allen
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Tsui-Han Loo
- Laboratory of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648
| | - Moe Kitazawa
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino
- School of Health Sciences, Tokai University, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Ishino
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Colin L Stewart
- Laboratory of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Medical Biology, 8A Biomedical Grove, Immunos, Singapore 138648
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, UK Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
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47
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Strogantsev R, Krueger F, Yamazawa K, Shi H, Gould P, Goldman-Roberts M, McEwen K, Sun B, Pedersen R, Ferguson-Smith AC. Allele-specific binding of ZFP57 in the epigenetic regulation of imprinted and non-imprinted monoallelic expression. Genome Biol 2015; 16:112. [PMID: 26025256 PMCID: PMC4491874 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-015-0672-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Selective maintenance of genomic epigenetic imprints during pre-implantation development is required for parental origin-specific expression of imprinted genes. The Kruppel-like zinc finger protein ZFP57 acts as a factor necessary for maintaining the DNA methylation memory at multiple imprinting control regions in early mouse embryos and embryonic stem (ES) cells. Maternal-zygotic deletion of ZFP57 in mice presents a highly penetrant phenotype with no animals surviving to birth. Additionally, several cases of human transient neonatal diabetes are associated with somatic mutations in the ZFP57 coding sequence. RESULTS Here, we comprehensively map sequence-specific ZFP57 binding sites in an allele-specific manner using hybrid ES cell lines from reciprocal crosses between C57BL/6J and Cast/EiJ mice, assigning allele specificity to approximately two-thirds of all binding sites. While half of these are biallelic and include endogenous retrovirus (ERV) targets, the rest show monoallelic binding based either on parental origin or on genetic background of the allele. Parental-origin allele-specific binding is methylation-dependent and maps only to imprinting control differentially methylated regions (DMRs) established in the germline. We identify a novel imprinted gene, Fkbp6, which has a critical function in mouse male germ cell development. Genetic background-specific sequence differences also influence ZFP57 binding, as genetic variation that disrupts the consensus binding motif and its methylation is often associated with monoallelic expression of neighboring genes. CONCLUSIONS The work described here uncovers further roles for ZFP57-mediated regulation of genomic imprinting and identifies a novel mechanism for genetically determined monoallelic gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruslan Strogantsev
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK. .,Present address: Epigenetics ISP, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
| | - Felix Krueger
- Bioinformatics Department, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK.
| | - Kazuki Yamazawa
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Poppy Gould
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Megan Goldman-Roberts
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Kirsten McEwen
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - Bowen Sun
- The Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.
| | - Roger Pedersen
- The Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Site, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK. .,Present address: Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK.
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48
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Cheong CY, Chng K, Ng S, Chew SB, Chan L, Ferguson-Smith AC. Germline and somatic imprinting in the nonhuman primate highlights species differences in oocyte methylation. Genome Res 2015; 25:611-23. [PMID: 25862382 PMCID: PMC4417110 DOI: 10.1101/gr.183301.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic mechanism resulting in parental allele-specific gene expression. Defects in normal imprinting are found in cancer, assisted reproductive technologies, and several human syndromes. In mouse models, germline-derived DNA methylation is shown to regulate imprinting. Though imprinting is largely conserved between mammals, species- and tissue-specific domains of imprinted expression exist. Using the cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) to assess primate-specific imprinting, we present a comprehensive view of tissue-specific imprinted expression and DNA methylation at established imprinted gene clusters. For example, like mouse and unlike human, macaque IGF2R is consistently imprinted, and the PLAGL1, INPP5F transcript variant 2, and PEG3 imprinting control regions are not methylated in the macaque germline but acquire this post-fertilization. Methylome data from human early embryos appear to support this finding. These suggest fundamental differences in imprinting control mechanisms between primate species and rodents at some imprinted domains, with implications for our understanding of the epigenetic programming process in humans and its influence on disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Y Cheong
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Keefe Chng
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Shilen Ng
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Siew Boom Chew
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Louiza Chan
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609
| | - Anne C Ferguson-Smith
- Growth, Development and Metabolism Program, Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A-STAR), Singapore 117609; Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EH, United Kingdom
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49
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Ogata T, Kagami M, Ferguson-Smith AC. Molecular mechanisms regulating phenotypic outcome in paternal and maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 14. Epigenetics 2014; 3:181-7. [DOI: 10.4161/epi.3.4.6550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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50
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Martinez ME, Charalambous M, Saferali A, Fiering S, Naumova AK, St Germain D, Ferguson-Smith AC, Hernandez A. Genomic imprinting variations in the mouse type 3 deiodinase gene between tissues and brain regions. Mol Endocrinol 2014; 28:1875-86. [PMID: 25232934 PMCID: PMC4213365 DOI: 10.1210/me.2014-1210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Dio3 gene, which encodes for the type 3 deiodinase (D3), controls thyroid hormone (TH) availability. The lack of D3 in mice results in tissue overexposure to TH and a broad neuroendocrine phenotype. Dio3 is an imprinted gene, preferentially expressed from the paternally inherited allele in the mouse fetus. However, heterozygous mice with paternal inheritance of the inactivating Dio3 mutation exhibit an attenuated phenotype when compared with that of Dio3 null mice. To investigate this milder phenotype, the allelic expression of Dio3 was evaluated in different mouse tissues. Preferential allelic expression of Dio3 from the paternal allele was observed in fetal tissues and neonatal brain regions, whereas the biallelic Dio3 expression occurred in the developing eye, testes, and cerebellum and in the postnatal brain neocortex, which expresses a larger Dio3 mRNA transcript. The newborn hypothalamus manifests the highest degree of Dio3 expression from the paternal allele, compared with other brain regions, and preferential allelic expression of Dio3 in the brain relaxed in late neonatal life. A methylation analysis of two regulatory regions of the Dio3 imprinted domain revealed modest but significant differences between tissues, but these did not consistently correlate with the observed patterns of Dio3 allelic expression. Deletion of the Dio3 gene and promoter did not result in significant changes in the tissue-specific patterns of Dio3 allelic expression. These results suggest the existence of unidentified epigenetic determinants of tissue-specific Dio3 imprinting. The resulting variation in the Dio3 allelic expression between tissues likely explains the phenotypic variation that results from paternal Dio3 haploinsufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elena Martinez
- Department of Molecular Medicine (M.E.M., D.S.G., A.H.), Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, Maine 04074; Centre for Endocrinology (M.C.), William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 1BB, United Kingdom; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Human Genetics (A.S., A.K.N.), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada H9X 3V9; Department of Microbiology and Immunology (S.F.), Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756; and Department of Genetics (A.C.F.-S.), University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom
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