scholarly journals Interrogation of the Dynamic Properties of Higher-Order Heterochromatin Using CRISPR/dCas9

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchen Gao ◽  
Mengting Han ◽  
Stephen Shang ◽  
Haifeng Wang ◽  
Lei S Qi
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Chromatin Organization ◽  
Emergent Properties ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Heterochromatin Protein 1 ◽  
Individual Gene ◽  
Chromatin Proteins ◽  
Compact State ◽  
In Cells

Eukaryotic chromosomes feature large regions of compact, repressed heterochromatin hallmarked by Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1). HP1 proteins play multi-faceted roles in shaping heterochromatin, and in cells, HP1 tethering to individual gene promoters leads to epigenetic modifications and silencing. However, emergent properties of HP1 at supranucleosomal scales remain difficult to study in cells due to lack of appropriate tools. Here, we develop CRISPR-Engineered Chromatin Organization (EChO), combining live cell CRISPR imaging with inducible large-scale recruitment of chromatin proteins to native genomic targets. We demonstrate that human HP1α tiling across kilobase-scale genomic DNA forms novel contacts with natural heterochromatin, integrates two distantly targeted regions, and reversibly changes chromatin from a diffuse to compact state. The compact state exhibits delayed disassembly kinetics and represses transcription across over 600 kilobases. These findings support a polymer model of HP1α-mediated chromatin regulation and highlight the utility of CRISPR-EChO in studying supranucleosomal chromatin organization in living cells.

scholarly journals Parallel G-quadruplexes recruit the HSV-1 transcription factor ICP4 to promote viral transcription in herpes virus-infected human cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Frasson ◽  
Paola Soldà ◽  
Matteo Nadai ◽  
Sara Lago ◽  
Sara N. Richter
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Proximity Ligation Assay ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ◽  
Direct Binding ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
In Cells ◽  
Hsv 1

AbstractG-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded nucleic acid structures abundant at gene promoters. They can adopt several distinctive conformations. G4s have been shown to form in the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) genome during its viral cycle. Here by cross-linking/pull-down assay we identified ICP4, the major HSV-1 transcription factor, as the protein that most efficiently interacts with viral G4s during infection. ICP4 specific and direct binding and unfolding of parallel G4s, including those present in HSV-1 immediate early gene promoters, induced transcription in vitro and in infected cells. This mechanism was also exploited by ICP4 to promote its own transcription. Proximity ligation assay allowed visualization of G4-protein interaction at the single selected G4 in cells. G4 ligands inhibited ICP4 binding to G4s. Our results indicate the existence of a well-defined G4-viral protein network that regulates the productive HSV-1 cycle. They also point to G4s as elements that recruit transcription factors to activate transcription in cells.

Bacterial Multicellularity: The Biology of Escherichia coli Building Large-Scale Biofilm Communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego O. Serra ◽  
Regine Hengge
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Second Messengers ◽  
Emergent Properties ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Chemical Gradients ◽  
Life Itself ◽  
Scale Matrix

Biofilms are a widespread multicellular form of bacterial life. The spatial structure and emergent properties of these communities depend on a polymeric extracellular matrix architecture that is orders of magnitude larger than the cells that build it. Using as a model the wrinkly macrocolony biofilms of Escherichia coli, which contain amyloid curli fibers and phosphoethanolamine (pEtN)-modified cellulose as matrix components, we summarize here the structure, building, and function of this large-scale matrix architecture. Based on different sigma and other transcription factors as well as second messengers, the underlying regulatory network reflects the fundamental trade-off between growth and survival. It controls matrix production spatially in response to long-range chemical gradients, but it also generates distinct patterns of short-range matrix heterogeneity that are crucial for tissue-like elasticity and macroscopic morphogenesis. Overall, these biofilms confer protection and a potential for homeostasis, thereby reducing maintenance energy, which makes multicellularity an emergent property of life itself. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Microbiology, Volume 75 is October 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

What Kind of Friction Model Is Needed to Predict Brake Squeal?

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Butlin ◽  
Jim Woodhouse
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Friction Model ◽  
Coupled Systems ◽  
Brake Squeal ◽  
Model Framework ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pin On Disc ◽  
Almost All

Predictive models of friction-induced vibration have proved elusive despite decades of research. There are many mechanisms that can cause brake squeal; friction coupled systems can be highly sensitive to small perturbations; and the dynamic properties of friction at the contact zone seem to be poorly understood. This paper describes experimental and theoretical work aimed at identifying the key ingredients of a predictive model. A large-scale experiment was carried out to identify squeal initiations using a pin-on-disc test rig: approximately 30,000 squeal initiations were recorded, covering a very wide range of frequencies. The theoretical model allows for completely general linear systems coupled at a single sliding point by friction: squeal is predicted using a linearised stability analysis. Results will be presented that show that almost all observed squeal events can be predicted within this model framework, but that some subsets require innovative friction modelling: predictions are highly dependent on the particular choice of friction model and its associated parameters.

scholarly journals Spatial confinement of active microtubule networks induces large-scale rotational cytoplasmic flow

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (11) ◽  
pp. 2922-2927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Suzuki ◽  
Makito Miyazaki ◽  
Jun Takagi ◽  
Takeshi Itabashi ◽  
Shin’ichi Ishiwata
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Cytoplasmic Streaming ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Random Network ◽  
Hydrodynamic Interactions ◽  
Length Scale ◽  
Vortex Flows ◽  
Directed Flow ◽  
Collective Behaviors ◽  
In Cells

Collective behaviors of motile units through hydrodynamic interactions induce directed fluid flow on a larger length scale than individual units. In cells, active cytoskeletal systems composed of polar filaments and molecular motors drive fluid flow, a process known as cytoplasmic streaming. The motor-driven elongation of microtubule bundles generates turbulent-like flow in purified systems; however, it remains unclear whether and how microtubule bundles induce large-scale directed flow like the cytoplasmic streaming observed in cells. Here, we adopted Xenopus egg extracts as a model system of the cytoplasm and found that microtubule bundle elongation induces directed flow for which the length scale and timescale depend on the existence of geometrical constraints. At the lower activity of dynein, kinesins bundle and slide microtubules, organizing extensile microtubule bundles. In bulk extracts, the extensile bundles connected with each other and formed a random network, and vortex flows with a length scale comparable to the bundle length continually emerged and persisted for 1 min at multiple places. When the extracts were encapsulated in droplets, the extensile bundles pushed the droplet boundary. This pushing force initiated symmetry breaking of the randomly oriented bundle network, leading to bundles aligning into a rotating vortex structure. This vortex induced rotational cytoplasmic flows on the length scale and timescale that were 10- to 100-fold longer than the vortex flows emerging in bulk extracts. Our results suggest that microtubule systems use not only hydrodynamic interactions but also mechanical interactions to induce large-scale temporally stable cytoplasmic flow.

A new spectral coarse-graining algorithm based on K-means clustering in complex networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (01) ◽  
pp. 1850421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lang Zeng ◽  
Zhen Jia ◽  
Yingying Wang
Keyword(s):  
Complex Networks ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Coarse Graining ◽  
Kuramoto Model ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Original Network ◽  
Topological Information ◽  
Real World Applications ◽  
Large Scale Networks

Coarse-graining of complex networks is one of the important algorithms to study large-scale networks, which is committed to reducing the size of networks while preserving some topological information or dynamic properties of the original networks. Spectral coarse-graining (SCG) is one of the typical coarse-graining algorithms, which can keep the synchronization ability of the original network well. However, the calculation of SCG is large, which limits its real-world applications. And it is difficult to accurately control the scale of the coarse-grained network. In this paper, a new SCG algorithm based on K-means clustering (KCSCG) is proposed, which cannot only reduce the amount of calculation, but also accurately control the size of coarse-grained network. At the same time, KCSCG algorithm has better effect in keeping the network synchronization ability than SCG algorithm. A large number of numerical simulations and Kuramoto-model example on several typical networks verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

scholarly journals MeCP2 Rett mutations affect large scale chromatin organization

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 4187-4195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noopur Agarwal ◽  
Annette Becker ◽  
K. Laurence Jost ◽  
Sebastian Haase ◽  
Basant K. Thakur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Chromatin Organization

Intermediate Range Order in Silicate Melts and Glasses: Computer Simulation Studies

2002 ◽  
Vol 754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Horbach ◽  
Anke Winkler ◽  
Walter Kob ◽  
Kurt Binder
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Range Order ◽  
Silicate Melts ◽  
Main Peak ◽  
Static Structure Factor ◽  
Static Structure ◽  
Intermediate Range ◽  
Intermediate Range Order ◽  
Computer Simulation Studies

ABSTRACTWe present the results of large scale computer simulations to discuss the structural and dynamic properties of silicate melts with the compositions (Na2O)(2·SiO2), (Na2O)(20·SiO2) and (Al2O3)(2·SiO2). We show that these systems exhibit additional intermediate range order as compared to silica (SiO2) where the characteristic intermediate length scales stem from the tetrahedral network structure. Furthermore we show that the sodium dynamics in the sodium silicate systems exhibits a very peculiar feature: the long–time decay of the incoherent intermediate scattering function can be described by a Kohlrausch law with a constant exponent β for q > qth whereby qth is smaller than the location of the main peak in the static structure factor for the Na–Na correlations.

scholarly journals Identification of anti-norovirus genes in mouse and human cells using genome-wide CRISPR activation screening

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Orchard ◽  
Meagan E. Sullender ◽  
Bria F. Dunlap ◽  
Dale R. Balce ◽  
John G. Doench ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
World Wide ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Murine Norovirus ◽  
Individual Gene ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Host Genes ◽  
Crispr Activation

AbstractNoroviruses (NoVs) are a leading cause of gastroenteritis world-wide, yet host factors that restrict NoV replication are not well understood. Here, we use a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) genome-wide screening to identify host genes that can inhibit murine norovirus (MNoV) replication in either mouse or human cells. Our screens identified with high confidence 57 genes that can inhibit MNoV infection when overexpressed. A significant number of these genes are in interferon and immune regulation signaling networks, but surprising, the majority of the genes identified are not associated with innate or adaptive immunity nor with any antiviral activity. Confirmatory studies of eight of the genes in validate the initial screening data. Mechanistic studies on TRIM7 demonstrated a conserved role of the molecule in mouse and human cells in restricting MNoV in a step of infection after viral entry. Furthermore, we demonstrate that two isoforms of TRIM7 have differential antiviral activity. Taken together these data provide a resource for understanding norovirus biology and demonstrate a robust methodology for identifying new antiviral molecules across cell types and species.Author SummaryNorovirus is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness world-wide. Despite its prevalence, our understanding of norovirus biology is limited due to the difficulty in growing human norovirus in vitro and a lack of an animal model. Murine norovirus (MNoV) is a model norovirus system because MNoV replicates robustly in cell culture and in mice. To identify host genes that can restrict norovirus replication when overexpressed we performed genome-wide CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) screens to induce gene overexpression at the native locus through recruitment of transcriptional activators to individual gene promoters. We found 57 genes could block murine norovirus replication in either mouse or human cells. Several of these genes are associated with classical immune signaling pathways, while many of the molecules we identified have not been previously associated with antiviral activity. Our data is a resource for those studying norovirus and we provide a robust approach to identify novel antiviral genes.

scholarly journals Chromatin organization changes during the establishment and maintenance of the postmitotic state

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiqin Ma ◽  
Laura Buttitta
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Ectopic Expression ◽  
Terminal Differentiation ◽  
Chromatin Organization ◽  
Cell Cycle Exit ◽  
Heterochromatin Protein 1 ◽  
Developmental Potential ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
The Face

SummaryBackgroundGenome organization changes during development as cells differentiate. Chromatin motion becomes increasingly constrained and heterochromatin clusters as cells become restricted in their developmental potential. These changes coincide with slowing of the cell cycle, which can also influence chromatin organization and dynamics. Terminal differentiation is often coupled with permanent exit from the cell cycle and existing data suggests a close relationship between a repressive chromatin structure and silencing of the cell cycle in postmitotic cells. Here we examine the relationship between chromatin organization, terminal differentiation and cell cycle exit.ResultsWe focused our studies on the Drosophila wing, where epithelial cells transition from active proliferation to a postmitotic state in a temporally controlled manner. We find there are two stages of G0 in this tissue, a flexible G0 period where cells can be induced to re-enter the cell cycle under specific genetic manipulations and a state we call “robust”, where cells become strongly refractory to cell cycle re-entry. Compromising the flexible G0 by driving ectopic expression of cell cycle activators causes a global disruption of the clustering of heterochromatin-associated histone modifications such as H3K27 trimethylation and H3K9 trimethylation, as well as their associated repressors, Polycomb and heterochromatin protein 1(HP1). However, this disruption is reversible. When cells enter a robust G0 state, even in the presence of ectopic cell cycle activity, clustering of heterochromatin associated modifications are restored. If cell cycle exit is bypassed, cells in the wing continue to terminally differentiate, but heterochromatin clustering is severely disrupted. Heterochromatin-dependent gene silencing does not appear to be required for cell cycle exit, as compromising the H3K27 methyltransferase Enhancer of zeste, and/or HP1 cannot prevent the robust cell cycle exit, even in the face of normally oncogenic cell cycle activities.ConclusionsHeterochromatin clustering during terminal differentiation is a consequence of cell cycle exit, rather than differentiation. Compromising heterochromatin-dependent gene silencing does not disrupt cell cycle exit.

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