The role of SAF-A/hnRNP U in regulating chromatin structure

2022 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Mattia Marenda ◽  
Elena Lazarova ◽  
Nick Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Genetics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 160 (4) ◽  
pp. 1375-1387
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle M D Martini ◽  
Scott Keeney ◽  
Mary Ann Osley

Abstract To investigate the role of the nucleosome during repair of DNA damage in yeast, we screened for histone H2B mutants that were sensitive to UV irradiation. We have isolated a new mutant, htb1-3, that shows preferential sensitivity to UV-C. There is no detectable difference in bulk chromatin structure or in the number of UV-induced cis-syn cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) between HTB1 and htb1-3 strains. These results suggest a specific effect of this histone H2B mutation in UV-induced DNA repair processes rather than a global effect on chromatin structure. We analyzed the UV sensitivity of double mutants that contained the htb1-3 mutation and mutations in genes from each of the three epistasis groups of RAD genes. The htb1-3 mutation enhanced UV-induced cell killing in rad1Δ and rad52Δ mutants but not in rad6Δ or rad18Δ mutants, which are defective in postreplicational DNA repair (PRR). When combined with other mutations that affect PRR, the histone mutation increased the UV sensitivity of strains with defects in either the error-prone (rev1Δ) or error-free (rad30Δ) branches of PRR, but did not enhance the UV sensitivity of a strain with a rad5Δ mutation. When combined with a ubc13Δ mutation, which is also epistatic with rad5Δ, the htb1-3 mutation enhanced UV-induced cell killing. These results suggest that histone H2B acts in a novel RAD5-dependent branch of PRR.


1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
H Chan ◽  
S Hartung ◽  
M Breindl

We have studied the role of DNA methylation in repression of the murine alpha 1 type I collagen (COL1A1) gene in Mov13 fibroblasts. In Mov13 mice, a retroviral provirus has inserted into the first intron of the COL1A1 gene and blocks its expression at the level of transcriptional initiation. We found that regulatory sequences in the COL1A1 promoter region that are involved in the tissue-specific regulation of the gene are unmethylated in collagen-expressing wild-type fibroblasts and methylated in Mov13 fibroblasts, confirming and extending earlier observations. To directly assess the role of DNA methylation in the repression of COL1A1 gene transcription, we treated Mov13 fibroblasts with the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine. This treatment resulted in a demethylation of the COL1A1 regulatory sequences but failed to activate transcription of the COL1A1 gene. Moreover, the 5-azacytidine treatment induced a transcription-competent chromatin structure in the retroviral sequences but not in the COL1A1 promoter. In DNA transfection and microinjection experiments, we found that the provirus interfered with transcriptional activity of the COL1A1 promoter in Mov13 fibroblasts but not in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In contrast, the wild-type COL1A1 promoter was transcriptionally active in Mov13 fibroblasts. These experiments showed that the COL1A1 promoter is potentially transcriptionally active in the presence of proviral sequences and that Mov13 fibroblasts contain the trans-acting factors required for efficient COL1A1 gene expression. Our results indicate that the provirus insertion in Mov13 can inactivate COL1A1 gene expression at several levels. It prevents the developmentally regulated establishment of a transcription-competent methylation pattern and chromatin structure of the COL1A1 domain and, in the absence of DNA methylation, appears to suppress the COL1A1 promoter in a cell-specific manner, presumably by assuming a dominant chromatin structure that may be incompatible with transcriptional activity of flanking cellular sequences.


2008 ◽  
Vol 389 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Umlauf ◽  
Peter Fraser ◽  
Takashi Nagano

Abstract Transcriptome studies have uncovered a plethora of non-coding RNAs (ncRNA) in mammals. Most originate within intergenic regions of the genome and recent evidence indicates that some are involved in many different pathways that ultimately act on genome architecture and gene expression. In this review, we discuss the role of well-characterized long ncRNAs in gene regulation pointing to their similarities, but also their differences. We will attempt to highlight a paradoxical situation in which transcription is needed to repress entire chromosomal domains possibly through the action of ncRNAs that create nuclear environments refractory to transcription.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
John D Lewis ◽  
D Wade Abbott ◽  
Juan Ausió

The process of meiosis reduces a diploid cell to four haploid gametes and is accompanied by extensive recombination. Thus, the dynamics of chromatin during meiosis are significantly different than in mitotic cells. As spermatogenesis progresses, there is a widespread reorganization of the haploid genome followed by extensive DNA compaction. It has become increasingly clear that the dynamic composition of chromatin plays a critical role in the activities of enzymes and processes that act upon it. Therefore, an analysis of the role of histone variants and modifications in these processes may shed light upon the mechanisms involved and the control of chromatin structure in general. Histone variants such as histone H3.3, H2AX, and macroH2A appear to play key roles in the various stages of spermiogenesis, in addition to the specifically modulated acetylation of histone H4 (acH4), ubiquitination of histones H2A and H2B (uH2A, uH2B), and phosphorylation of histone H3 (H3p). This review will examine recent discoveries concerning the role of histone modifications and variants during meiosis and spermatogenesis.Key words: histone variants, histone modifications, chromatin structure, meiosis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Chikhirzhina ◽  
Galina Chikhirzhina ◽  
Alexander Polyanichko
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimei Liu ◽  
Feng Zhu ◽  
Xiaohui Zhu ◽  
Yulian Wang ◽  
Awais Ihsan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Cyadox is an effective growth-promoting antibiotic, which is similar to the role of recombinant growth hormone (rGH). Current studies have shown that cyadox can promote animal growth through altering intestinal microflora, improving protein utilization and increasing protein synthesis. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetics are also closely related to growth. However, the potential role of epigenetics in the cyadox for growth has not been explored. Results: Here, we used recombinant growth hormone (rGH) and cyadox to study the relationship between growth and changes in epigenetics including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin structure. Bisulfite DNA sequencing (BSP) assay suggested that cyadox and rGH treatments increased IGF-1 expression partially by hypomethylation at CpG sites within the promoter region of IGF-1, which was regulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). We also observed an enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac at the promoter regions of IGF-1 by ChIP-qPCR assay, which contributed to an increase in IGF-1 transcription. In addition, immunofluorometric assay displayed cellular accessible chromatin structure following the treatment of cyadox and rGH, facilitating the combination of transcription factors and DNA and thus enhancing gene transcription. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicated that cyadox and rGH promote cell growth partially through epigenetic changes, providing a prospect for the development of animal growth-promoting drugs in the future.


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