scholarly journals Cohesin regulates VSG monoallelic expression in trypanosomes

2009 ◽  
Vol 186 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Landeira ◽  
Jean-Mathieu Bart ◽  
Daria Van Tyne ◽  
Miguel Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Monoallelic Expression ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Nuclear Site ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Polymerase I ◽  
Transcriptional State

Antigenic variation allows Trypanosoma brucei to evade the host immune response by switching the expression of 1 out of ∼15 telomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) expression sites (ESs). VSG ES transcription is mediated by RNA polymerase I in a discrete nuclear site named the ES body (ESB). However, nothing is known about how the monoallelic VSG ES transcriptional state is maintained over generations. In this study, we show that during S and G2 phases and early mitosis, the active VSG ES locus remains associated with the single ESB and exhibits a delay in the separation of sister chromatids relative to control loci. This delay is dependent on the cohesin complex, as partial knockdown of cohesin subunits resulted in premature separation of sister chromatids of the active VSG ES. Cohesin depletion also prompted transcriptional switching from the active to previously inactive VSG ESs. Thus, in addition to maintaining sister chromatid cohesion during mitosis, the cohesin complex plays an essential role in the correct epigenetic inheritance of the active transcriptional VSG ES state.

scholarly journals Scc2-mediated loading of cohesin onto chromosomes in G1 yeast cells is insufficient to build cohesion during S phase

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim A Nasmyth
Keyword(s):  
Replication Fork ◽  
De Novo ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
G1 Phase ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Previous Conclusion ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Cohesin Subunit

SummarySister chromatids are held together from their replication until mitosis. Sister chromatid cohesion is mediated by the ring-shaped cohesin complex and it is thought that cohesin holds sister chromatids together by entrapping sister DNAs within the cohesin ring (Haering et al., 2008). However, how this occurs is not well understood. Because cohesin binds to DNA prior to replication it is possible that the replication fork passes through the lumen of the ring thereby placing replicated sisters inside cohesin rings. If this is the case, loading of cohesin in the G1 phase may be sufficient to build cohesion.We show here that Scc2, a cohesin subunit required for loading cohesin onto chromosomes de novo, is necessary for establishment of cohesion even after Scc2-mediated loading has already taken place during late G1 or early S phase. Our results challenge a previous conclusion based on related experiments whereby Scc2 was found not to be required for cohesion establishment during S phase (Lengronne et al., 2006).

scholarly journals Multivalent interaction of ESCO2 with the replication machinery is required for cohesion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Bender ◽  
Eulália Maria Lima Da Silva ◽  
Jingrong Chen ◽  
Annelise Poss ◽  
Lauren Gawey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Replication Machinery ◽  
Replicative Helicase ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Mcm Helicase ◽  
N Terminus ◽  
Processivity Factor

AbstractThe tethering together of sister chromatids by the cohesin complex ensures their accurate alignment and segregation during cell division. In vertebrates, the establishment of cohesion between sister chromatids requires the activity of the ESCO2 acetyltransferase, which modifies the Smc3 subunit of cohesin. It was shown recently that ESCO2 promotes cohesion through interaction with the MCM replicative helicase. However, ESCO2 does not significantly colocalize with the MCM helicase, suggesting there may be additional interactions that are important for ESCO2 function. Here we show that ESCO2 is recruited to replication factories, the sites of DNA replication. We show that ESCO2 contains multiple conserved PCNA-interaction motifs in its N-terminus, and that each of these motifs are essential to ESCO2’s ability to establish sister chromatid cohesion. We propose that multiple PCNA interaction motifs embedded in a largely flexible and disordered region of the protein underlie the ability of ESCO2 to establish cohesion between sister chromatids precisely as they are born during DNA replication.SummaryCohesin modification by the ESCO2 acetyltransferase is required for cohesion between sister chromatids. Here we identify multiple motifs in ESCO2 that mediate its interaction with the replication processivity factor PCNA, and show that their mutation abrogates the ability of ESCO2 to ensure cohesion.

scholarly journals Biochemically distinct cohesin complexes mediate positioned loops between CTCF sites and dynamic loops within chromatin domains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Liu ◽  
Job Dekker
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Chromatin Domains ◽  
Isolated Nuclei ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion

The ring-like cohesin complex mediates sister chromatid cohesion by encircling pairs of sister chromatids. Cohesin also extrudes loops along chromatids. Whether the two activities involve similar mechanisms of DNA engagement is not known. We implemented an experimental approach based on isolated nuclei carrying engineered cleavable RAD21 proteins to precisely control cohesin ring integrity so that its role in chromatin looping could be studied under defined experimental conditions. This approach allowed us to identify cohesin complexes with distinct biochemical, and possibly structural properties, that mediate different sets of chromatin loops. When RAD21 is cleaved and the cohesin ring is opened, cohesin complexes at CTCF sites are released from DNA and loops at these elements are lost. In contrast, cohesin-dependent loops within chromatin domains and that are not anchored at CTCF sites are more resistant to RAD21 cleavage. The results show that the cohesin complex mediates loops in different ways depending on genomic context and suggests that it undergoes structural changes as it dynamically extrudes and encounters CTCF sites.

scholarly journals Regulation of Antigenic Variation by Trypanosoma brucei Telomere Proteins Depends on Their Unique DNA Binding Activities

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 967
Author(s):  
Bibo Li ◽  
Yanxiang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Dna Recombination ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Monoallelic Expression ◽  
Nucleic Acid Binding ◽  
Major Surface ◽  
Telomere Structure

Trypanosoma brucei causes human African trypanosomiasis and regularly switches its major surface antigen, Variant Surface Glycoprotein (VSG), to evade the host immune response. Such antigenic variation is a key pathogenesis mechanism that enables T. brucei to establish long-term infections. VSG is expressed exclusively from subtelomere loci in a strictly monoallelic manner, and DNA recombination is an important VSG switching pathway. The integrity of telomere and subtelomere structure, maintained by multiple telomere proteins, is essential for T. brucei viability and for regulating the monoallelic VSG expression and VSG switching. Here we will focus on T. brucei TRF and RAP1, two telomere proteins with unique nucleic acid binding activities, and summarize their functions in telomere integrity and stability, VSG switching, and monoallelic VSG expression. Targeting the unique features of TbTRF and TbRAP1′s nucleic acid binding activities to perturb the integrity of telomere structure and disrupt VSG monoallelic expression may serve as potential therapeutic strategy against T. brucei.

Getting through anaphase: splitting the sisters and beyond

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1639-1644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel A. Oliveira ◽  
Kim Nasmyth
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Physical Separation ◽  
Cohesive Forces ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Pulling Forces ◽  
Random Segregation

Sister-chromatid cohesion, thought to be primarily mediated by the cohesin complex, is essential for chromosome segregation. The forces holding the two sisters resist the tendency of microtubules to prematurely pull sister DNAs apart and thereby prevent random segregation of the genome during mitosis, and consequent aneuploidy. By counteracting the spindle pulling forces, cohesion between the two sisters generates the tension necessary to stabilize microtubule–kinetochore attachments. Upon entry into anaphase, however, the linkages that hold the two sister DNAs must be rapidly destroyed to allow physical separation of chromatids. Anaphase cells must therefore possess mechanisms that ensure faithful segregation of single chromatids that are now attached stably to the spindle in a manner no longer dependent on tension. In the present review, we discuss the nature of the cohesive forces that hold sister chromatids together, the mechanisms that trigger their physical separation, and the anaphase-specific changes that ensure proper segregation of single chromatids during the later stages of mitosis.

scholarly journals Inositol phosphate pathway controls transcription of telomeric expression sites in trypanosomes

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (21) ◽  
pp. E2803-E2812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Cestari ◽  
Ken Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Inositol Phosphate ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Variant Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Activator Protein 1 ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Polymerase I

African trypanosomes evade clearance by host antibodies by periodically changing their variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat. They transcribe only one VSG gene at a time from 1 of about 20 telomeric expression sites (ESs). They undergo antigenic variation by switching transcription between telomeric ESs or by recombination of the VSG gene expressed. We show that the inositol phosphate (IP) pathway controls transcription of telomeric ESs and VSG antigenic switching in Trypanosoma brucei. Conditional knockdown of phosphatidylinositol 5-kinase (TbPIP5K) or phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphatase (TbPIP5Pase) or overexpression of phospholipase C (TbPLC) derepresses numerous silent ESs in T. brucei bloodstream forms. The derepression is specific to telomeric ESs, and it coincides with an increase in the number of colocalizing telomeric and RNA polymerase I foci in the nucleus. Monoallelic VSG transcription resumes after reexpression of TbPIP5K; however, most of the resultant cells switched the VSG gene expressed. TbPIP5K, TbPLC, their substrates, and products localize to the plasma membrane, whereas TbPIP5Pase localizes to the nucleus proximal to telomeres. TbPIP5Pase associates with repressor/activator protein 1 (TbRAP1), and their telomeric silencing function is altered by TbPIP5K knockdown. These results show that specific steps in the IP pathway control ES transcription and antigenic switching in T. brucei by epigenetic regulation of telomere silencing.

scholarly journals VEX1 controls the allelic exclusion required for antigenic variation in trypanosomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (26) ◽  
pp. 7225-7230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Glover ◽  
Sebastian Hutchinson ◽  
Sam Alsford ◽  
David Horn
Keyword(s):  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Negative Regulation ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Allelic Exclusion ◽  
Positive Regulation ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Winner Takes All ◽  
Polymerase I

Allelic exclusion underpins antigenic variation and immune evasion in African trypanosomes. These bloodstream parasites use RNA polymerase-I (pol-I) to transcribe just one telomeric variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) gene at a time, producing superabundant and switchable VSG coats. We identified trypanosome VSG exclusion-1 (VEX1) using a genetic screen for defects in telomere-exclusive expression. VEX1 was sequestered by the active VSG and silencing of other VSGs failed when VEX1 was either ectopically expressed or depleted, indicating positive and negative regulation, respectively. Positive regulation affected VSGs and nontelomeric pol-I–transcribed genes, whereas negative regulation primarily affected VSGs. Negative regulation by VEX1 also affected telomeric pol-I–transcribed reporter constructs, but only when they contained blocks of sequence sharing homology with a pol-I–transcribed locus. We conclude that restricted positive regulation due to VEX1 sequestration, combined with VEX1-dependent, possibly homology-dependent silencing, drives a “winner-takes-all” mechanism of allelic exclusion.

scholarly journals Interallelic complementation provides functional evidence for cohesin–cohesin interactions on DNA

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (23) ◽  
pp. 4224-4235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Eng ◽  
Vincent Guacci ◽  
Douglas Koshland
Keyword(s):  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Sister Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Restrictive Temperature ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Chromosome Architecture ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Interallelic Complementation

The cohesin complex (Mcd1p, Smc1p, Smc3p, and Scc3p) has multiple roles in chromosome architecture, such as promoting sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome condensation, DNA repair, and transcriptional regulation. The prevailing embrace model for sister chromatid cohesion posits that a single cohesin complex entraps both sister chromatids. We report interallelic complementation between pairs of nonfunctional mcd1 alleles (mcd1-1 and mcd1-Q266) or smc3 alleles (smc3-42 and smc3-K113R). Cells bearing individual mcd1 or smc3 mutant alleles are inviable and defective for both sister chromatid cohesion and condensation. However, cells coexpressing two defective mcd1 or two defective smc3 alleles are viable and have cohesion and condensation. Because cohesin contains only a single copy of Smc3p or Mcd1p, these examples of interallelic complementation must result from interplay or communication between the two defective cohesin complexes, each harboring one of the mutant allele products. Neither mcd1-1p nor smc3-42p is bound to chromosomes when expressed individually at its restrictive temperature. However, their chromosome binding is restored when they are coexpressed with their chromosome-bound interallelic complementing partner. Our results support a mechanism by which multiple cohesin complexes interact on DNA to mediate cohesion and condensation.

scholarly journals Promoter occupancy of the basal class I transcription factor A differs strongly between active and silent VSG expression sites in Trypanosoma brucei

2013 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 3164-3176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tu N. Nguyen ◽  
Laura S. M. Müller ◽  
Sung Hee Park ◽  
T. Nicolai Siegel ◽  
Arthur Günzl
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Surface Glycoprotein ◽  
Class I ◽  
Monoallelic Expression ◽  
Promoter Occupancy ◽  
Polymerase I

Abstract Monoallelic expression within a gene family is found in pathogens exhibiting antigenic variation and in mammalian olfactory neurons. Trypanosoma brucei, a lethal parasite living in the human bloodstream, expresses variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) from 1 of 15 bloodstream expression sites (BESs) by virtue of a multifunctional RNA polymerase I. The active BES is transcribed in an extranucleolar compartment termed the expression site body (ESB), whereas silent BESs, located elsewhere within the nucleus, are repressed epigenetically. The regulatory mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. Here we show that two essential subunits of the basal class I transcription factor A (CITFA) predominantly occupied the promoter of the active BES relative to that of a silent BES, a phenotype that was maintained after switching BESs in situ. In these experiments, high promoter occupancy of CITFA was coupled to high levels of both promoter-proximal RNA abundance and RNA polymerase I occupancy. Accordingly, fluorescently tagged CITFA-7 was concentrated in the nucleolus and the ESB. Because a ChIP-seq analysis found that along the entire BES, CITFA-7 is specifically enriched only at the promoter, our data strongly indicate that monoallelic BES transcription is activated by a mechanism that functions at the level of transcription initiation.

scholarly journals Evidence for cohesin sliding along budding yeast chromosomes

Open Biology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 150178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Ocampo-Hafalla ◽  
Sofía Muñoz ◽  
Catarina P. Samora ◽  
Frank Uhlmann
Keyword(s):  
Chromosome Segregation ◽  
Sister Chromatid ◽  
Budding Yeast ◽  
Transcription Termination ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
S Phase ◽  
Cohesin Complex ◽  
Sister Chromatids ◽  
Chromatid Cohesion ◽  
Active Genes

The ring-shaped cohesin complex is thought to topologically hold sister chromatids together from their synthesis in S phase until chromosome segregation in mitosis. How cohesin stably binds to chromosomes for extended periods, without impeding other chromosomal processes that also require access to the DNA, is poorly understood. Budding yeast cohesin is loaded onto DNA by the Scc2–Scc4 cohesin loader at centromeres and promoters of active genes, from where cohesin translocates to more permanent places of residence at transcription termination sites. Here we show that, at the GAL2 and MET17 loci, pre-existing cohesin is pushed downstream along the DNA in response to transcriptional gene activation, apparently without need for intermittent dissociation or reloading. We observe translocation intermediates and find that the distribution of most chromosomal cohesin is shaped by transcription. Our observations support a model in which cohesin is able to slide laterally along chromosomes while maintaining topological contact with DNA. In this way, stable cohesin binding to DNA and enduring sister chromatid cohesion become compatible with simultaneous underlying chromosomal activities, including but maybe not limited to transcription.

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