scholarly journals DNA accessibility is not the primary determinant of chromatin-mediated gene regulation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Răzvan V. Chereji ◽  
Peter R. Eriksson ◽  
Josefina Ocampo ◽  
David J. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Restriction Enzyme ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Digestion Rate ◽  
Dna Accessibility ◽  
Primary Determinant ◽  
Liver Nuclei

ABSTRACTDNA accessibility is thought to be of major importance in regulating gene expression. We test this hypothesis using a restriction enzyme as a probe of chromatin structure and as a proxy for transcription factors. We measured the digestion rate and the fraction of accessible DNA at all genomicAluI sites in budding yeast and mouse liver nuclei. Hepatocyte DNA is more accessible than yeast DNA, consistent with longer linkers between nucleosomes, and indicating that nucleosome spacing is a major determinant of accessibility. DNA accessibility varies from cell to cell, such that essentially no sites are accessible or inaccessible in every cell.AluI sites in inactive mouse promoters are accessible in some cells, implying that transcription factors could bind without activating the gene. Euchromatin and heterochromatin have very similar accessibilities, suggesting that transcription factors can penetrate heterochromatin. Thus, DNA accessibility is not likely to be the primary determinant of gene regulation.

The role of long non-coding RNAs in chromatin structure and gene regulation: variations on a theme

2008 ◽  
Vol 389 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Umlauf ◽  
Peter Fraser ◽  
Takashi Nagano
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Genome Architecture ◽  
Paradoxical Situation ◽  
Intergenic Regions ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Variations On A Theme

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.

scholarly journals Core regulatory circuitries in defining cancer cell identity across the malignant spectrum

Open Biology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 200121
Author(s):  
Leila Jahangiri ◽  
Loukia Tsaprouni ◽  
Ricky M. Trigg ◽  
John A. Williams ◽  
Georgios V. Gkoutos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Genetic Alterations ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Molecular Dissection ◽  
Cell Identity ◽  
Lineage Specific Gene

Gene expression programmes driving cell identity are established by tightly regulated transcription factors that auto- and cross-regulate in a feed-forward manner, forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). CRC transcription factors create and engage super-enhancers by recruiting acetylation writers depositing permissive H3K27ac chromatin marks. These super-enhancers are largely associated with BET proteins, including BRD4, that influence higher-order chromatin structure. The orchestration of these events triggers accessibility of RNA polymerase machinery and the imposition of lineage-specific gene expression. In cancers, CRCs drive cell identity by superimposing developmental programmes on a background of genetic alterations. Further, the establishment and maintenance of oncogenic states are reliant on CRCs that drive factors involved in tumour development. Hence, the molecular dissection of CRC components driving cell identity and cancer state can contribute to elucidating mechanisms of diversion from pre-determined developmental programmes and highlight cancer dependencies. These insights can provide valuable opportunities for identifying and re-purposing drug targets. In this article, we review the current understanding of CRCs across solid and liquid malignancies and avenues of investigation for drug development efforts. We also review techniques used to understand CRCs and elaborate the indication of discussed CRC transcription factors in the wider context of cancer CRC models.

scholarly journals Epigenetic manipulation of gene expression

2005 ◽  
Vol 169 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy L. Juliano ◽  
Vidula R. Dixit ◽  
Hyunmin Kang ◽  
Tai Young Kim ◽  
Yuko Miyamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Culture ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Rna Interference ◽  
Antisense Oligonucleotide ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Epigenetic Manipulation

Cell biologists have been afforded extraordinary new opportunities for experimentation by the emergence of powerful technologies that allow the selective manipulation of gene expression. Currently, RNA interference is very much in the limelight; however, significant progress has also been made with two other approaches. Thus, antisense oligonucleotide technology is undergoing a resurgence as a result of improvements in the chemistry of these molecules, whereas designed transcription factors offer a powerful and increasingly convenient strategy for either up- or down-regulation of targeted genes. This mini-review will highlight some of the key features of these three approaches to gene regulation, as well as provide pragmatic guidance concerning their use in cell biological experimentation based on our direct experience with each of these technologies. The approaches discussed here are being intensely pursued in terms of possible therapeutic applications. However, we will restrict our comments primarily to the cell culture situation, only briefly alluding to fundamental differences between utilization in animals versus cells.

Gene regulation through chromatin remodelling by members of the nuclear receptor superfamily

2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 369-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. J. McEwan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Thyroid Hormones ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Nuclear Receptor Superfamily ◽  
Target Gene Expression ◽  
Dna Elements ◽  
Introductory Review

The intracellular receptors for steroid hormones, thyroid hormones, retinoids and vitamin D3 are known to bind to specific DNA elements and thus regulate target gene expression. This introductory review and the following papers address some of the mechanisms underlying this action. In particular, the ability of this family of transcription factors to recruit multi-protein complexes that have the capacity to remodel chromatin structure in order to silence or activate target gene expression is discussed.

scholarly journals Functional Interaction between the CoactivatorDrosophila CREB-Binding Protein and ASH1, a Member of the Trithorax Group of Chromatin Modifiers

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 9317-9330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frédéric Bantignies ◽  
Richard H. Goodman ◽  
Sarah M. Smolik
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Polytene Chromosomes ◽  
Open Chromatin ◽  
Creb Binding Protein ◽  
Trithorax Group ◽  
Chromatin Modifiers

ABSTRACT CREB-binding protein (CBP) is a coactivator for multiple transcription factors that transduce a variety of signaling pathways. Current models propose that CBP enhances gene expression by bridging the signal-responsive transcription factors with components of the basal transcriptional machinery and by augmenting the access of transcription factors to DNA through the acetylation of histones. To define the pathways and proteins that require CBP function in a living organism, we have begun a genetic analysis of CBP in flies. We have overproduced Drosophila melanogaster CBP (dCBP) in a variety of cell types and obtained distinct adult phenotypes. We used an uninflated-wing phenotype, caused by the overexpression of dCBP in specific central nervous system cells, to screen for suppressors of dCBP overactivity. Two genes with mutant versions that act as dominant suppressors of the wing phenotype were identified: thePKA-C1/DCO gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP protein kinase, and ash1, a member of thetrithorax group (trxG) of chromatin modifiers. Using immunocolocalization, we showed that the ASH1 protein is specifically expressed in the majority of the dCBP-overexpressing cells, suggesting that these proteins have the potential to interact biochemically. This model was confirmed by the findings that the proteins interact strongly in vitro and colocalize at specific sites on polytene chromosomes. The trxG proteins are thought to maintain gene expression during development by creating domains of open chromatin structure. Our results thus implicate a second class of chromatin-associated proteins in mediating dCBP function and imply that dCBP might be involved in the regulation of higher-order chromatin structure.

scholarly journals CTCF knockout in zebrafish induces alterations in regulatory landscapes and developmental gene expression

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Franke ◽  
Elisa de la Calle-Mustienes ◽  
Ana Neto ◽  
Rafael Acemel ◽  
Juan Tena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Ctcf Binding ◽  
Developmental Gene ◽  
Developmental Genes ◽  
Chromatin Interactions ◽  
Topologically Associating Domains ◽  
Regulatory Landscapes

Abstract CTCF is an 11-zinc-finger DNA-binding protein that acts as a transcriptional repressor and insulator as well as an architectural protein required for 3D genome folding. CTCF mediates long-range chromatin looping and is enriched at the boundaries of topologically associating domains, which are sub-megabase chromatin structures that are believed to facilitate enhancer-promoter interactions within regulatory landscapes. Although CTCF is essential for cycling cells and developing embryos, its in vitro removal has only modest effects over gene expression, challenging the concept that CTCF-mediated chromatin interactions and topologically associated domains are a fundamental requirement for gene regulation. Here we link the loss of chromatin structure and gene regulation in an in vivo model and during animal development. We generated a ctcf knockout mutant in zebrafish that allows us to monitor the effect of CTCF loss of function during embryo patterning and organogenesis. CTCF absence leads to loss of chromatin structure in zebrafish embryos and affects the expression of thousands of genes, including many developmental genes. In addition, chromatin accessibility, both at CTCF binding sites and cis-regulatory elements, is severely compromised in ctcf mutants. Probing chromatin interactions from developmental genes at high resolution, we further demonstrate that promoters fail to fully establish long-range contacts with their associated regulatory landscapes, leading to altered gene expression patterns and disruption of developmental programs. Our results demonstrate that CTCF and topologically associating domains are essential to regulate gene expression during embryonic development, providing the structural basis for the establishment of developmental gene regulatory landscapes.

Life without RNAi: noncoding RNAs and their functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiaeThis paper is one of a selection of papers published in this Special Issue, entitled 30th Annual International Asilomar Chromatin and Chromosomes Conference, and has undergone the Journal’s usual peer review process.

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 767-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Harrison ◽  
Oya Yazgan ◽  
Jocelyn E. Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Peer Review Process ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Rna Degradation ◽  
Small Interfering Rnas ◽  
Ideal System

There are a number of well-characterized and fundamental roles for noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in gene regulation in all kingdoms of life. ncRNAs, such as ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, small nucleolar RNAs, and small interfering RNAs, can serve catalytic and scaffolding functions in transcription, messenger RNA processing, translation, and RNA degradation. Recently, our understanding of gene expression has been dramatically challenged by the identification of large and diverse populations of novel ncRNAs in the eukaryotic genomes surveyed thus far. Studies carried out using the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae indicate that at least some coding genes are regulated by these novel ncRNAs. S. cerevisiae lacks RNA interference (RNAi) and, thus, provides an ideal system for studying the RNAi-independent mechanisms of ncRNA-based gene regulation. The current picture of gene regulation is one of great unknowns, in which the transcriptional environment surrounding a given locus may have as much to do with its regulation as its DNA sequence or local chromatin structure. Drawing on the recent research in S. cerevisiae and other organisms, this review will discuss the identification of ncRNAs, their origins and processing, and several models that incorporate ncRNAs into the regulation of gene expression and chromatin structure.

Chromatin Structure and Control of β-Like Globin Gene Switching

2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (9) ◽  
pp. 683-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanna Harju ◽  
Kellie J. McQueen ◽  
Kenneth R. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Cis Acting ◽  
Gene Switching ◽  
Globin Gene Expression ◽  
Chromatin Modifiers

The human β-globin locus is a complex genetic system widely used for analysis of eukaryotic gene expression. The locus consists of five functional β-like globin genes, ε, Gγ, Aγ, δ, and β, arrayed on the chromosome in the order that they are expressed during ontogeny. Globin gene expression is regulated, in part, by the locus control region, which physically consists of five DNasel-hypersensitive sites located 6-22 Kb upstream of the ε-globin gene. During ontogeny two switches occur in β-globin gene expression that reflect the changing oxygen requirements of the fetus. The first switch from embryonic ε- to fetal γ-globin occurs at six weeks of gestation. The second switch from γ- to adult δ- and β-globin occurs shortly after birth. Throughout the locus, cis-acting elements exist that are dynamically bound by trans-acting proteins, including transcription factors, co-activators, repressors, and chromatin modifiers. Discovery of novel erythroid-specific transcription factors and a role for chromatin structure in gene expression have enhanced our understanding of the mechanism of globin gene switching. However, the hierarchy of events regulating gene expression during development, from extracellular signaling to transcriptional activation or repression, is complex. In this review we attempt to unify the current knowledge regarding the interplay of cis-acting elements, transcription factors, and chromatin modifiers into a comprehensive overview of globin gene switching.

scholarly journals CTCF knockout in zebrafish induces alterations in regulatory landscapes and developmental gene expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Franke ◽  
Elisa De la Calle-Mustienes ◽  
Ana Neto ◽  
María Almuedo-Castillo ◽  
Ibai Irastorza-Azcarate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Developmental Gene Expression ◽  
Chromatin Interactions ◽  
Fundamental Requirement ◽  
Regulatory Landscapes

AbstractCoordinated chromatin interactions between enhancers and promoters are critical for gene regulation. The architectural protein CTCF mediates chromatin looping and is enriched at the boundaries of topologically associating domains (TADs), which are sub-megabase chromatin structures. In vitro CTCF depletion leads to a loss of TADs but has only limited effects over gene expression, challenging the concept that CTCF-mediated chromatin structures are a fundamental requirement for gene regulation. However, how CTCF and a perturbed chromatin structure impacts gene expression during development remains poorly understood. Here we link the loss of CTCF and gene regulation during patterning and organogenesis in a ctcf knockout zebrafish model. CTCF absence leads to loss of chromatin structure and affects the expression of thousands of genes, including many developmental regulators. Our results demonstrate the essential role of CTCF in providing the structural context for enhancer-promoter interactions, thus regulating developmental genes.

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