scholarly journals Mobile small RNAs regulate genome-wide DNA methylation

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. E801-E810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Lewsey ◽  
Thomas J. Hardcastle ◽  
Charles W. Melnyk ◽  
Attila Molnar ◽  
Adrián Valli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Small Rnas ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Triple Mutant ◽  
Root Cells ◽  
Endogenous Gene ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Root Tissues

RNA silencing at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels regulates endogenous gene expression, controls invading transposable elements (TEs), and protects the cell against viruses. Key components of the mechanism are small RNAs (sRNAs) of 21–24 nt that guide the silencing machinery to their nucleic acid targets in a nucleotide sequence-specific manner. Transcriptional gene silencing is associated with 24-nt sRNAs and RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) at cytosine residues in three DNA sequence contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH). We previously demonstrated that 24-nt sRNAs are mobile from shoot to root in Arabidopsis thaliana and confirmed that they mediate DNA methylation at three sites in recipient cells. In this study, we extend this finding by demonstrating that RdDM of thousands of loci in root tissues is dependent upon mobile sRNAs from the shoot and that mobile sRNA-dependent DNA methylation occurs predominantly in non-CG contexts. Mobile sRNA-dependent non-CG methylation is largely dependent on the DOMAINS REARRANGED METHYLTRANSFERASES 1/2 (DRM1/DRM2) RdDM pathway but is independent of the CHROMOMETHYLASE (CMT)2/3 DNA methyltransferases. Specific superfamilies of TEs, including those typically found in gene-rich euchromatic regions, lose DNA methylation in a mutant lacking 22- to 24-nt sRNAs (dicer-like 2, 3, 4 triple mutant). Transcriptome analyses identified a small number of genes whose expression in roots is associated with mobile sRNAs and connected to DNA methylation directly or indirectly. Finally, we demonstrate that sRNAs from shoots of one accession move across a graft union and target DNA methylation de novo at normally unmethylated sites in the genomes of root cells from a different accession.

scholarly journals Flanking sequence preference modulates de novo DNA methylation in the mouse genome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izaskun Mallona ◽  
Ioana Mariuca Ilie ◽  
Massimiliano Manzo ◽  
Amedeo Caflisch ◽  
Tuncay Baubec
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Flanking Sequence ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Dynamics Simulations ◽  
Methylation Patterns ◽  
Different Cell Types

AbstractMammalian de novo DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) are responsible for the establishment of cell-type-specific DNA methylation in healthy and diseased tissues. Through genome-wide analysis of de novo methylation activity in murine stem cells we uncover that DNMT3A prefers to methylate CpGs followed by cytosines or thymines, while DNMT3B predominantly methylates CpGs followed by guanines or adenines. These signatures are further observed at non-CpG sites, resembling methylation context observed in specialised cell types, including neurons and oocytes. We further show that these preferences are not mediated by the differential recruitment of the two de novo DNMTs to the genome but are resulting from structural differences in their catalytic domains. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that, in case of DNMT3A, the preference is due to favourable polar interactions between the flexible Arg836 side chain and the guanine that base-pairs with the cytosine following the CpG. This context-dependent de novo DNA methylation provides additional insights into the complex regulation of methylation patterns in different cell types.

scholarly journals Copy number-dependent DNA methylation of the Pyricularia oryzae MAGGY retrotransposon is triggered by DNA damage

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ba Van Vu ◽  
Quyet Nguyen ◽  
Yuki Kondo-Takeoka ◽  
Toshiki Murata ◽  
Naoki Kadotani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Rna Silencing ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Pyricularia Oryzae ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Uncharacterized Protein ◽  
Form Complex

AbstractTransposable elements are common targets for transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing in eukaryotic genomes. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for sensing such repeated sequences in the genome remain largely unknown. Here, we show that machinery of homologous recombination (HR) and RNA silencing play cooperative roles in copy number-dependent de novo DNA methylation of the retrotransposon MAGGY in the fungusPyricularia oryzae. Genetic and physical interaction studies revealed thatRecAdomain-containing proteins, includingP. oryzaehomologs ofRad51, Rad55, andRad57, together with an uncharacterized protein, Ddnm1, form complex(es) and mediate either the overall level or the copy number-dependence of de novo MAGGY DNA methylation, likely in conjunction with DNA repair. Interestingly,P. oryzaemutants of specific RNA silencing components (MoDCL1andMoAGO2)were impaired in copy number-dependence of MAGGY methylation. Co-immunoprecipitation of MoAGO2 and HR components suggested a physical interaction between the HR and RNA silencing machinery in the process.

scholarly journals Interplay between Histone and DNA Methylation Seen through Comparative Methylomes in Rare Mendelian Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3735
Author(s):  
Guillaume Velasco ◽  
Damien Ulveling ◽  
Sophie Rondeau ◽  
Pauline Marzin ◽  
Motoko Unoki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mutation Screening ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Germline Mutations ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Mendelian Disorders ◽  
Epigenetic Machinery

DNA methylation (DNAme) profiling is used to establish specific biomarkers to improve the diagnosis of patients with inherited neurodevelopmental disorders and to guide mutation screening. In the specific case of mendelian disorders of the epigenetic machinery, it also provides the basis to infer mechanistic aspects with regard to DNAme determinants and interplay between histone and DNAme that apply to humans. Here, we present comparative methylomes from patients with mutations in the de novo DNA methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B, in their catalytic domain or their N-terminal parts involved in reading histone methylation, or in histone H3 lysine (K) methylases NSD1 or SETD2 (H3 K36) or KMT2D/MLL2 (H3 K4). We provide disease-specific DNAme signatures and document the distinct consequences of mutations in enzymes with very similar or intertwined functions, including at repeated sequences and imprinted loci. We found that KMT2D and SETD2 germline mutations have little impact on DNAme profiles. In contrast, the overlapping DNAme alterations downstream of NSD1 or DNMT3 mutations underlines functional links, more specifically between NSD1 and DNMT3B at heterochromatin regions or DNMT3A at regulatory elements. Together, these data indicate certain discrepancy with the mechanisms described in animal models or the existence of redundant or complementary functions unforeseen in humans.

Decreased expression of DNA methyltransferases in the testes of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia leads to changes in global DNA methylation levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatma Uysal ◽  
Gokhan Akkoyunlu ◽  
Saffet Ozturk
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Testicular Biopsy ◽  
Round Spermatid ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Global Dna Methylation ◽  
Obstructive Azoospermia ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells

DNA methylation plays key roles in epigenetic regulation during mammalian spermatogenesis. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) function in de novo and maintenance methylation processes by adding a methyl group to the fifth carbon atom of the cytosine residues within cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) and non-CpG dinucleotide sites. Azoospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility, and is classified as obstructive (OA) or non-obstructive (NOA) azoospermia based on histopathological characteristics. The molecular background of NOA is still largely unknown. DNA methylation performed by DNMTs is implicated in the transcriptional regulation of spermatogenesis-related genes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cellular localisation and expression levels of the DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B proteins, as well as global DNA methylation profiles in testicular biopsy samples obtained from men with various types of NOA, including hypospermatogenesis (hyposperm), round spermatid (RS) arrest, spermatocyte (SC) arrest and Sertoli cell-only (SCO) syndrome. In the testicular biopsy samples, DNMT1 expression and global DNA methylation levels decreased gradually from the hyposperm to SCO groups (P<0.05). DNMT3A expression was significantly decreased in the RS arrest, SC arrest and SCO groups compared with the hyposperm group (P<0.05). DNMT3B expression was significantly lower in the RS arrest and SCO groups than in the hyposperm group (P<0.05). Although both DNMT1 and DNMT3A were localised in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the spermatogenic cells, staining for DNMT3B was more intensive in the nucleus of spermatogenic cells. In conclusion, the findings suggest that significant changes in DNMT expression and global DNA methylation levels in spermatogenic cells may contribute to development of male infertility in the NOA groups. Further studies are needed to determine the molecular biological effects of the altered DNMT expression and DNA methylation levels on development of male infertility.

scholarly journals The Roles of Human DNA Methyltransferases and Their Isoforms in Shaping the Epigenome

Genes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemant Gujar ◽  
Daniel Weisenberger ◽  
Gangning Liang
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Ring Finger ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Epigenetic Modifications ◽  
Hard Copy ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
New Gene ◽  
Cpg Dinucleotide

A DNA sequence is the hard copy of the human genome and it is a driving force in determining the physiological processes in an organism. Concurrently, the chemical modification of the genome and its related histone proteins is dynamically involved in regulating physiological processes and diseases, which overall constitutes the epigenome network. Among the various forms of epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation at the C-5 position of cytosine in the cytosine–guanine (CpG) dinucleotide is one of the most well studied epigenetic modifications. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are a family of enzymes involved in generating and maintaining CpG methylation across the genome. In mammalian systems, DNA methylation is performed by DNMT1 and DNMT3s (DNMT3A and 3B). DNMT1 is predominantly involved in the maintenance of DNA methylation during cell division, while DNMT3s are involved in establishing de novo cytosine methylation and maintenance in both embryonic and somatic cells. In general, all DNMTs require accessory proteins, such as ubiquitin-like containing plant homeodomain (PHD) and really interesting new gene (RING) finger domain 1 (UHRF1) or DNMT3-like (DNMT3L), for their biological function. This review mainly focuses on the role of DNMT3B and its isoforms in de novo methylation and maintenance of DNA methylation, especially with respect to their role as an accessory protein.

scholarly journals Structural insights into CpG-specific DNA methylation by human DNA methyltransferase 3B

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 3949-3961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Chu Lin ◽  
Yi-Ping Chen ◽  
Wei-Zen Yang ◽  
James C K Shen ◽  
Hanna S Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Cpg Sites ◽  
Methylation Patterns

Abstract DNA methyltransferases are primary enzymes for cytosine methylation at CpG sites of epigenetic gene regulation in mammals. De novo methyltransferases DNMT3A and DNMT3B create DNA methylation patterns during development, but how they differentially implement genomic DNA methylation patterns is poorly understood. Here, we report crystal structures of the catalytic domain of human DNMT3B–3L complex, noncovalently bound with and without DNA of different sequences. Human DNMT3B uses two flexible loops to enclose DNA and employs its catalytic loop to flip out the cytosine base. As opposed to DNMT3A, DNMT3B specifically recognizes DNA with CpGpG sites via residues Asn779 and Lys777 in its more stable and well-ordered target recognition domain loop to facilitate processive methylation of tandemly repeated CpG sites. We also identify a proton wire water channel for the final deprotonation step, revealing the complete working mechanism for cytosine methylation by DNMT3B and providing the structural basis for DNMT3B mutation-induced hypomethylation in immunodeficiency, centromere instability and facial anomalies syndrome.

scholarly journals Nurse cell-derived small RNAs define paternal epigenetic inheritance in Arabidopsis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jincheng Long ◽  
James Walker ◽  
Wenjing She ◽  
Billy Aldridge ◽  
Hongbo Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Small Rnas ◽  
Nurse Cell ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Nurse Cells ◽  
Male Germline ◽  
Methylation Patterns

AbstractThe plant male germline undergoes DNA methylation reprogramming, which methylates genes de novo and thereby alters gene expression and facilitates meiosis. Why reprogramming is limited to the germline and how specific genes are chosen is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that genic methylation in the male germline, from meiocytes to sperm, is established by germline-specific siRNAs transcribed from transposons with imperfect sequence homology. These siRNAs are synthesized by meiocyte nurse cells (tapetum) via activity of the tapetum-specific chromatin remodeler CLASSY3. Remarkably, tapetal siRNAs govern germline methylation throughout the genome, including the inherited methylation patterns in sperm. Finally, we demonstrate that these nurse cell-derived siRNAs (niRNAs) silence germline transposons, thereby safeguarding genome integrity. Our results reveal that tapetal niRNAs are sufficient to reconstitute germline methylation patterns and drive extensive, functional methylation reprogramming analogous to piRNA-mediated reprogramming in animal germlines.

scholarly journals Genome-wide variation in DNA methylation linked to developmental stage and chromosomal suppression of recombination in white-throated sparrows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Sun ◽  
Thomas S. Layman ◽  
Hyeonsoo Jeong ◽  
Paramita Chatterjee ◽  
Kathleen Grogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Chromosome Pair ◽  
Dna Methyltransferases ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Zonotrichia Albicollis ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Nucleotide Resolution

ABSTRACTDNA methylation is known to play critical roles in key biological processes. Most of our knowledge on regulatory impacts of DNA methylation has come from laboratory-bred model organisms, which may not exhibit the full extent of variation found in wild populations. Here, we investigated naturally-occurring variation in DNA methylation in a wild avian species, the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This species offers exceptional opportunities for studying the link between genetic differentiation and phenotypic traits because of a non-recombining chromosome pair linked to both plumage and behavioral phenotypes. Using novel single-nucleotide resolution methylation maps and gene expression data, we show that DNA methylation and the expression of DNA methyltransferases are significantly higher in adults than in nestlings. Genes for which DNA methylation varied between nestlings and adults were implicated in development and cell differentiation and were located throughout the genome. In contrast, differential methylation between plumage morphs was localized to the non-recombining chromosome pair. One subset of CpGs on the non-recombining chromosome was extremely hypomethylated and localized to transposable elements. Changes in methylation predicted changes in gene expression for both chromosomes. In summary, we demonstrate changes in genome-wide DNA methylation that are associated with development and with specific functional categories of genes in white-throated sparrows. Moreover, we observe substantial DNA methylation reprogramming associated with the suppression of recombination, with implications for genome integrity and gene expression divergence. These results offer an unprecedented view of ongoing epigenetic reprogramming in a wild population.

scholarly journals Persistent epigenetic memory impedes rescue of the telomeric phenotype in human ICF iPSCs following DNMT3B correction

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shir Toubiana ◽  
Miriam Gagliardi ◽  
Mariarosaria Papa ◽  
Roberta Manco ◽  
Maty Tzukerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Icf Syndrome ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Induced Pluripotent ◽  
Methylation Patterns

DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) is the major DNMT that methylates mammalian genomes during early development. Mutations in human DNMT3B disrupt genome-wide DNA methylation patterns and result in ICF syndrome type 1 (ICF1). To study whether normal DNA methylation patterns may be restored in ICF1 cells, we corrected DNMT3B mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells from ICF1 patients. Focusing on repetitive regions, we show that in contrast to pericentromeric repeats, which reacquire normal methylation, the majority of subtelomeres acquire only partial DNA methylation and, accordingly, the ICF1 telomeric phenotype persists. Subtelomeres resistant to de novo methylation were characterized by abnormally high H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3), and short-term reduction of H3K4me3 by pharmacological intervention partially restored subtelomeric DNA methylation. These findings demonstrate that the abnormal epigenetic landscape established in ICF1 cells restricts the recruitment of DNMT3B, and suggest that rescue of epigenetic diseases with genome-wide disruptions will demand further manipulation beyond mutation correction.

scholarly journals Post-transcriptional gene silencing triggers dispensable DNA methylation in gene body in Arabidopsis

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (17) ◽  
pp. 9104-9114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Taochy ◽  
Agnès Yu ◽  
Nicolas Bouché ◽  
Nathalie Bouteiller ◽  
Taline Elmayan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Gene Silencing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Gene Body ◽  
Coding Sequence ◽  
Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Methylation Signal ◽  
Rule Out

Abstract Spontaneous post-transcriptional silencing of sense transgenes (S-PTGS) is established in each generation and is accompanied by DNA methylation, but the pathway of PTGS-dependent DNA methylation is unknown and so is its role. Here we show that CHH and CHG methylation coincides spatially and temporally with RDR6-dependent products derived from the central and 3′ regions of the coding sequence, and requires the components of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway NRPE1, DRD1 and DRM2, but not CLSY1, NRPD1, RDR2 or DCL3, suggesting that RDR6-dependent products, namely long dsRNAs and/or siRNAs, trigger PTGS-dependent DNA methylation. Nevertheless, none of these RdDM components are required to establish S-PTGS or produce a systemic silencing signal. Moreover, preventing de novo DNA methylation in non-silenced transgenic tissues grafted onto homologous silenced tissues does not inhibit the triggering of PTGS. Overall, these data indicate that gene body DNA methylation is a consequence, not a cause, of PTGS, and rule out the hypothesis that a PTGS-associated DNA methylation signal is transmitted independent of a PTGS signal.

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