scholarly journals Dynamic regulation of chromatin topology and transcription by inverted repeat-derived small RNAs in sunflower

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (35) ◽  
pp. 17578-17583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delfina Gagliardi ◽  
Damian A. Cambiagno ◽  
Agustin L. Arce ◽  
Ariel H. Tomassi ◽  
Jorge I. Giacomelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Small Rnas ◽  
Rna Silencing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Transposon Activity ◽  
De Novo Methylation

Transposable elements (TEs) are extremely abundant in complex plant genomes. siRNAs of 24 nucleotides in length control transposon activity in a process that involves de novo methylation of targeted loci. Usually, these epigenetic modifications trigger nucleosome condensation and a permanent silencing of the affected loci. Here, we show that a TE-derived inverted repeat (IR) element, inserted near the sunflower HaWRKY6 locus, dynamically regulates the expression of the gene by altering chromatin topology. The transcripts of this IR element are processed into 24-nt siRNAs, triggering DNA methylation on its locus. These epigenetic marks stabilize the formation of tissue-specific loops in the chromatin. In leaves, an intragenic loop is formed, blocking HaWRKY6 transcription. While in cotyledons (Cots), formation of an alternative loop, encompassing the whole HaWRKY6 gene, enhances transcription of the gene. The formation of this loop changes the promoter directionality, reducing IR transcription, and ultimately releasing the loop. Our results provide evidence that TEs can act as active and dynamic regulatory elements within coding loci in a mechanism that combines RNA silencing, epigenetic modification, and chromatin remodeling machineries.

Viroid-induced DNA methylation in plants

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Dalakouras ◽  
Elena Dadami ◽  
Michael Wassenegger
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Small Rnas ◽  
Rna Silencing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Methyl Group ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Cumulative Data

AbstractIn eukaryotes, DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group to the fifth atom in the six-atom ring of cytosine residues. At least in plants, DNA regions that become de novo methylated can be defined by homologous RNA molecules in a process termed RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM). RdDM was first discovered in viroid-infected plants. Viroids are pathogenic circular, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules. Members of the Pospiviroidae family replicate in the nucleus through double-stranded RNA intermediates, attracting the host RNA silencing machinery. The recruitment of this machinery results in the production of viroid-derived small RNAs (vd-sRNAs) that mediate RNA degradation and DNA methylation of cognate sequences. Here, we provide an overview of the cumulative data on the field of viroid-induced RdDM and discuss three possible scenarios concerning the mechanistic details of its establishment.

scholarly journals The elephant shark methylome reveals conservation of epigenetic regulation across jawed vertebrates

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian R. Peat ◽  
Oscar Ortega-Recalde ◽  
Olga Kardailsky ◽  
Timothy A. Hore
Keyword(s):  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Cartilaginous Fish ◽  
Critical System ◽  
Modification System ◽  
Elephant Shark ◽  
Transcription Start Sites ◽  
Regulatory Architecture ◽  
Transposon Activity ◽  
And Function

Background: Methylation of CG dinucleotides constitutes a critical system of epigenetic memory in bony vertebrates, where it modulates gene expression and suppresses transposon activity. The genomes of studied vertebrates are pervasively hypermethylated, with the exception of regulatory elements such as transcription start sites (TSSs), where the presence of methylation is associated with gene silencing. This system is not found in the sparsely methylated genomes of invertebrates, and establishing how it arose during early vertebrate evolution is impeded by a paucity of epigenetic data from basal vertebrates. Methods: We perform whole-genome bisulfite sequencing to generate the first genome-wide methylation profiles of a cartilaginous fish, the elephant shark Callorhinchus milii. Employing these to determine the elephant shark methylome structure and its relationship with expression, we compare this with higher vertebrates and an invertebrate chordate using published methylation and transcriptome data.  Results: Like higher vertebrates, the majority of elephant shark CG sites are highly methylated, and methylation is abundant across the genome rather than patterned in the mosaic configuration of invertebrates. This global hypermethylation includes transposable elements and the bodies of genes at all expression levels. Significantly, we document an inverse relationship between TSS methylation and expression in the elephant shark, supporting the presence of the repressive regulatory architecture shared by higher vertebrates. Conclusions: Our demonstration that methylation patterns in a cartilaginous fish are characteristic of higher vertebrates imply the conservation of this epigenetic modification system across jawed vertebrates separated by 465 million years of evolution. In addition, these findings position the elephant shark as a valuable model to explore the evolutionary history and function of vertebrate methylation.

scholarly journals Genome wide efficiency profiling reveals modulation of maintenance and de novo methylation by Tets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Giehr ◽  
Charalampos Kyriakopoulos ◽  
Karl Nordström ◽  
Abduhlrahman Salhab ◽  
Fabian Müller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Epigenetic Modification ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Reduced Representation ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Global And Local

AbstractBackgroundDNA methylation is an essential epigenetic modification which is set and maintained by DNA methyl transferases (Dnmts) and removed via active and passive mechanisms involving Tet mediated oxidation. While the molecular mechanisms of these enzymes are well studied, their interplay on shaping cell specific methylomes remains less well understood. In our work we model the activities of Tets and Dnmts at single CpGs across the genome using a novel type of high resolution sequencing data.ResultsTo accurately measure 5mC and 5hmC levels at single CpGs we developed RRHPoxBS, a reduced representation hairpin oxidative bisulfite sequencing approach. Using this method we mapped the methylomes and hydroxymethylomes of wild type and Tet triple knockout mouse embryonic stem cells. These comprehensive datasets were then used to develop an extended Hidden Markov model allowing us i) to determine the symmetrical methylation and hydroxymethylation state at millions of individual CpGs, ii) infer the maintenance and de novo methylation efficiencies of Dnmts and the hydroxylation efficiencies of Tets at individual CpG positions. We find that Tets exhibit their highest activity around unmethylated regulatory elements, i.e. active promoters and enhancers. Furthermore, we find that Tets’ presence has a profound effect on the global and local maintenance and de novo methylation activities by the Dnmts, not only substantially contributing to a universal demethylation of the genome but also shaping the overall methylation landscape.ConclusionsOur analysis demonstrates that a fine tuned and locally controlled interplay between Tets and Dnmts is important to modulate de novo and maintenance activities of Dnmts across the genome. Tet activities contribute to DNA methylation patterning in the following ways: They oxidize 5mC, they locally shield DNA from accidental de novo methylation and at the same time modulate maintenance and de novo methylation efficiencies of Dnmts across the genome.

scholarly journals Miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements drive rapid microRNA diversification in angiosperms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhonglong Guo ◽  
Zheng Kuang ◽  
Yihan Tao ◽  
Haotian Wang ◽  
Miaomiao Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transposable Elements ◽  
Inverted Repeat ◽  
Small Rnas ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Arms Race ◽  
Plant Adaptation ◽  
Molecular Domestication ◽  
Transcription Process ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
And Behavior

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are rapidly evolving endogenous small RNAs programing organism function and behavior. Although models for miRNA origination have been proposed based on sporadic cases, the genomic mechanisms driving swift diversification of the miRNA repertoires in plants remain elusive. Here, by comprehensively analyzing 20 phylogenetically representative plant species, we identified miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements (MITEs) as the predominant genomic sources for de novo miRNAs in angiosperms. Our data illustrated a transposition-transcription process whereby properly sized MITEs transposed into active genic regions could be converted into new miRNAs, termed MITE-miRNAs, in as few as 20 generations. We showed that this molecular domestication mechanism leads to a possible evolutionary arms race between the MITEs and the host genomes that rapidly and continuously changes the miRNA repertoires. We found that the MITE-miRNAs are selected for targeting genes associated with plant adaptation and habitat expansion, thereby constituting a genomic innovation potentially underlying angiosperm megadiversity.

scholarly journals The chromatin landscape of primary synovial sarcoma organoids is linked to specific epigenetic mechanisms and dependencies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e202000808
Author(s):  
Gaylor Boulay ◽  
Luisa Cironi ◽  
Sara P Garcia ◽  
Shruthi Rengarajan ◽  
Yu-Hang Xing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synovial Sarcoma ◽  
Chromatin Remodeling ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Chromosomal Translocation ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Baf Complex ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Core Member

Synovial sarcoma (SyS) is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy invariably associated with the chromosomal translocation t(X:18; p11:q11), which results in the in-frame fusion of the BAF complex gene SS18 to one of three SSX genes. Fusion of SS18 to SSX generates an aberrant transcriptional regulator, which, in permissive cells, drives tumor development by initiating major chromatin remodeling events that disrupt the balance between BAF-mediated gene activation and polycomb-dependent repression. Here, we developed SyS organoids and performed genome-wide epigenomic profiling of these models and mesenchymal precursors to define SyS-specific chromatin remodeling mechanisms and dependencies. We show that SS18-SSX induces broad BAF domains at its binding sites, which oppose polycomb repressor complex (PRC) 2 activity, while facilitating recruitment of a non-canonical (nc)PRC1 variant. Along with the uncoupling of polycomb complexes, we observed H3K27me3 eviction, H2AK119ub deposition and the establishment of de novo active regulatory elements that drive SyS identity. These alterations are completely reversible upon SS18-SSX depletion and are associated with vulnerability to USP7 loss, a core member of ncPRC1.1. Using the power of primary tumor organoids, our work helps define the mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation on which SyS cells are dependent.

scholarly journals Induction of Promoter DNA Methylation Upon High-Pressure Spraying of Double-Stranded RNA in Plants

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 789
Author(s):  
Athanasios Dalakouras ◽  
Ioannis Ganopoulos
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Double Stranded Rna ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Promoter Sequences ◽  
Promoter Dna Methylation ◽  
Promoter Dna ◽  
First Time ◽  
De Novo Methylation

Exogenous application of RNA molecules is a potent method to trigger RNA interference (RNAi) in plants in a transgene-free manner. So far, all exogenous RNAi (exo-RNAi) applications have aimed to trigger mRNA degradation of a given target. However, the issue of concomitant epigenetic changes was never addressed. Here, we report for the first time that high-pressure spraying of dsRNAs can trigger de novo methylation of promoter sequences in plants.

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