Differences in the chromatin structure and cis-element organization of the human and mouse GATA1 loci: implications for cis-element identification

Abstract Cis-element identification is a prerequisite to understand transcriptional regulation of gene loci. From analysis of a limited number of conserved gene loci, sequence comparison has proved a robust and efficient way to locate cis-elements. Human and mouse GATA1 genes encode a critical hematopoietic transcription factor conserved in expression and function. Proper control of GATA1 transcription is critical in regulating myeloid lineage specification and maturation. Here, we compared sequence and systematically mapped position of DNase I hypersensitive sites, acetylation status of histone H3/H4, and in vivo binding of transcription factors over approximately 120 kilobases flanking the human GATA1 gene and the corresponding region in mice. Despite lying in approximately 10 megabase (Mb) conserved syntenic segment, the chromatin structures of the 2 homologous loci are strikingly different. The 2 previously unidentified hematopoietic cis-elements, one in each species, are not conserved in position and sequence and have enhancer activity in erythroid cells. In vivo, they both bind the transcription factors GATA1, SCL, LMO2, and Ldb1. More broadly, there are both species- and regulatory element–specific patterns of transcription factor binding. These findings suggest that some cis-elements regulating human and mouse GATA1 genes differ. More generally, mouse human sequence comparison may fail to identify all cis-elements.

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The Pu.1 Locus Is Differentially Regulated at the Level of Chromatin Structure and Noncoding Transcription by Alternate Mechanisms at Distinct Developmental Stages of Hematopoiesis

Molecular and Cellular Biology ◽

10.1128/mcb.00905-07 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 27 (21) ◽

pp. 7425-7438 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Maarten Hoogenkamp ◽

Hanna Krysinska ◽

Richard Ingram ◽

Gang Huang ◽

Rachael Barlow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cells ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

B Cells ◽

Regulatory Element ◽

Precursor Cells ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Tissue Specific ◽

Specific Regulation

ABSTRACT The Ets family transcription factor PU.1 is crucial for the regulation of hematopoietic development. Pu.1 is activated in hematopoietic stem cells and is expressed in mast cells, B cells, granulocytes, and macrophages but is switched off in T cells. Many of the transcription factors regulating Pu.1 have been identified, but little is known about how they organize Pu.1 chromatin in development. We analyzed the Pu.1 promoter and the upstream regulatory element (URE) using in vivo footprinting and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. In B cells, Pu.1 was bound by a set of transcription factors different from that in myeloid cells and adopted alternative chromatin architectures. In T cells, Pu.1 chromatin at the URE was open and the same transcription factor binding sites were occupied as in B cells. The transcription factor RUNX1 was bound to the URE in precursor cells, but binding was down-regulated in maturing cells. In PU.1 knockout precursor cells, the Ets factor Fli-1 compensated for the lack of PU.1, and both proteins could occupy a subset of Pu.1 cis elements in PU.1-expressing cells. In addition, we identified novel URE-derived noncoding transcripts subject to tissue-specific regulation. Our results provide important insights into how overlapping, but different, sets of transcription factors program tissue-specific chromatin structures in the hematopoietic system.

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Lineage-Specific Transcriptional Regulation of GATA1 Is Dependent on Lineage-Specific Utilisation of Multiple Cis-Elements and Haematopoietic Transcription Factors.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.1610.1610 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 1610-1610

Author(s):

Paresh Vyas ◽

Boris Guyot ◽

Veronica Valverde-Garduno ◽

Eduardo Anguita ◽

Isla Hamlett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Dnase I ◽

Red Cells ◽

Erythroid Cells ◽

Cis Elements ◽

Dnase I Hypersensitive Sites ◽

Hypersensitive Sites ◽

Transcription Factor Occupancy

Abstract Normal differentiation of red cells, platelets and eosinophils from a myeloid progenitor requires expression of the transcription factor GATA1. Moreover, GATA1 expression level influences lineage output; higher levels promote erythromegakaryocytic differentiation and lower levels eosinophil maturation. Conversely, repression of GATA1 expression is required for monocyte/neutrophil development. GATA1 expression is principally controlled transcriptionally. Thus, dissecting the molecular basis of transcriptional control of GATA1 expression will be one important facet in understanding how myeloid lineages are specified. To address this question we sought to identify all DNA sequences important for GATA1 expression. Previous analysis identified 3 murine (m)Gata1 cis-elements (an upstream enhancer, mHS-3.5, a haematopoietic IE promoter and elements in a GATA1 intron, mHS+3.5) conserved in sequence between human(h) and mouse. These studies also suggested additional unidentified elements were required for erythroid and eosinophil GATA1 expression. We compared sequence, mapped DNase I hypersensitive sites (HS) and determined histone H3/H4 acetylation over ~120 kb flanking the hGATA1 locus and corresponding region in mouse to pinpoint cis-elements. Remarkably, despite lying in a ~10 MB conserved syntenic segment, the chromatin structures of both GATA1 loci are strikingly different. Two previously unidentified haematopoietic cis-elements, one in each species (mHS-25 and hHS+14), are not conserved in position and sequence and have enhancer activity in erythroid cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies show both mHS-25 and hHS+14 are bound in vivo in red cells by the transcription factors GATA1, SCL, LMO2, Ldb1. These findings suggest that some cis-elements regulating human and mouse GATA1 genes differ. Further analysis of in vivo transcription factor occupancy at GATA1 cis-elements in primary mouse eosinophils and red cells, megakaryocytic cells (L8057) and control fibroblasts show lineage- and cis-element-specific patterns of regulator binding (see table below). In red cells and megakaryocytes, GATA1, SCL, LMO2 and Ldb1 bind at two regulatory elements (mhHS-25 and mHS-3.5). Interestingly, the megakaryocyte transcriptional regulator Fli1 factor binds to mHS+3.5 specifically in megakaryocytes. In eosinophils, a different pattern of DNase I HS and transcription factor binding is seen. GATA1, PU.1 and C/EBPe (all regulate eosinophil gene expression) bind IE promoter and/or mHS+3.5. Collectively, these results suggest lineage-specific GATA1 expession is dependent on combinations of cis-elements and haematopoietic trans-acting factors that are unique for each lineage. DNase I Hypersensitive sites and transcription factor occupancy at mGATA1 cis-elements. mHS-26/-25* mHS-3.5 mIE mHS+3.5 m: mouse, h: human, *: HS identified in this study, TF: transcription factor Primary erythroid cells HS present, GATA1, SCL, LMO2, Ldb1 HS present, GATA1, SCL, LMO2, Ldb1 HS present, GATA1 HS present, GATA1 Megakaryocytic cells HS present, GATA1, SCL, LMO2, Ldb1 HS present, GATA1, SCL, LMO2, Ldb1 HS present, GATA1 HS present, GATA1 and Fli1 Primary eosinophils HS absent HS present, No TF detected HS present, GATA1 and C/EBPε HS present, GATA1, C/EBP ε and PU.1 Fibroblasts HS absent HS absent HS absent HS absent

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Quantitative analysis of the ThrbCRM1-centered gene regulatory network

10.1101/538751 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin Souferi ◽

Mark M. Emerson

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factors ◽

Regulatory Element ◽

Critical Parameters ◽

Reporter Plasmid ◽

Response Curves ◽

Enhancer Activity ◽

Sequence Elements ◽

Summary Statement ◽

Specific Sequences

AbstractEnhancer activity is determined by both the activity and occupancy of transcription factors as well as the specific sequences they bind. Experimental investigation of this dynamic requires the ability to manipulate components of the system, ideally in as close to an in vivo context as possible. Here we use electroporation of plasmid reporters to define critical parameters of a specific cis-regulatory element, ThrbCRM1, during retinal development. ThrbCRM1 is associated with cone photoreceptor genesis and activated in a subset of developing retinal cells that co-express the Otx2 and Onecut1 (OC1) transcription factors. Variation of reporter plasmid concentration was used to generate dose response curves and revealed an effect of binding site availability on the number and strength of cells with reporter activity. Critical sequence elements of the ThrbCRM1 element were defined using both mutagenesis and misexpression of the Otx2 and OC1 transcription factors in the developing retina. Additionally, these experiments suggest that the ThrbCRM1 element is co-regulated by Otx2 and OC1 even under conditions of sub-optimal binding of OC1.Summary StatementSystematic variation of the levels of a transcriptional reporter plasmid, its trans-acting factors, and transcription factor binding sites reveals properties of a retinal enhancer during development.

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Subnuclear compartmentalization of sequence-specific transcription factors and regulation of eukaryotic gene expression

Biochemistry and Cell Biology ◽

10.1139/o05-062 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

pp. 535-547 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Gareth N Corry ◽

D Alan Underhill

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Transcriptional Activation ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Nuclear Architecture ◽

Subnuclear Localization ◽

Modular Structures

To date, the majority of the research regarding eukaryotic transcription factors has focused on characterizing their function primarily through in vitro methods. These studies have revealed that transcription factors are essentially modular structures, containing separate regions that participate in such activities as DNA binding, protein–protein interaction, and transcriptional activation or repression. To fully comprehend the behavior of a given transcription factor, however, these domains must be analyzed in the context of the entire protein, and in certain cases the context of a multiprotein complex. Furthermore, it must be appreciated that transcription factors function in the nucleus, where they must contend with a variety of factors, including the nuclear architecture, chromatin domains, chromosome territories, and cell-cycle-associated processes. Recent examinations of transcription factors in the nucleus have clarified the behavior of these proteins in vivo and have increased our understanding of how gene expression is regulated in eukaryotes. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding sequence-specific transcription factor compartmentalization within the nucleus and discuss its impact on the regulation of such processes as activation or repression of gene expression and interaction with coregulatory factors.Key words: transcription, subnuclear localization, chromatin, gene expression, nuclear architecture.

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Androgen and glucocorticoid receptor direct distinct transcriptional programs by receptor-specific and shared DNA binding sites

Nucleic Acids Research ◽

10.1093/nar/gkab185 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 49 (7) ◽

pp. 3856-3875

Author(s):

Marina Kulik ◽

Melissa Bothe ◽

Gözde Kibar ◽

Alisa Fuchs ◽

Stefanie Schöne ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Regulation ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Dna Binding ◽

Receptor Binding ◽

Binding Sites ◽

Specific Gene ◽

Functional Diversification ◽

Enhancer Activity ◽

Sequence Composition

Abstract The glucocorticoid (GR) and androgen (AR) receptors execute unique functions in vivo, yet have nearly identical DNA binding specificities. To identify mechanisms that facilitate functional diversification among these transcription factor paralogs, we studied them in an equivalent cellular context. Analysis of chromatin and sequence suggest that divergent binding, and corresponding gene regulation, are driven by different abilities of AR and GR to interact with relatively inaccessible chromatin. Divergent genomic binding patterns can also be the result of subtle differences in DNA binding preference between AR and GR. Furthermore, the sequence composition of large regions (>10 kb) surrounding selectively occupied binding sites differs significantly, indicating a role for the sequence environment in guiding AR and GR to distinct binding sites. The comparison of binding sites that are shared shows that the specificity paradox can also be resolved by differences in the events that occur downstream of receptor binding. Specifically, shared binding sites display receptor-specific enhancer activity, cofactor recruitment and changes in histone modifications. Genomic deletion of shared binding sites demonstrates their contribution to directing receptor-specific gene regulation. Together, these data suggest that differences in genomic occupancy as well as divergence in the events that occur downstream of receptor binding direct functional diversification among transcription factor paralogs.

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Identification of target genes and a unique cis element regulated by IRF-8 in developing macrophages

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2005-01-0080 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 106 (6) ◽

pp. 1938-1947 ◽

Cited By ~ 96

Author(s):

Tomohiko Tamura ◽

Pratima Thotakura ◽

Tetsuya S. Tanaka ◽

Minoru S. H. Ko ◽

Keiko Ozato

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Cystatin C ◽

Target Genes ◽

De Novo ◽

Consensus Sequence ◽

Binding Motif ◽

Microarray Gene Expression ◽

Cathepsin C ◽

Cis Element

Abstract Interferon regulatory factor-8 (IRF-8)/interferon consensus sequence–binding protein (ICSBP) is a transcription factor that controls myeloid-cell development. Microarray gene expression analysis of Irf-8-/- myeloid progenitor cells expressing an IRF-8/estrogen receptor chimera (which differentiate into macrophages after addition of estradiol) was used to identify 69 genes altered by IRF-8 during early differentiation (62 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated). Among them, 4 lysosomal/endosomal enzyme-related genes (cystatin C, cathepsin C, lysozyme, and prosaposin) did not require de novo protein synthesis for induction, suggesting that they were direct targets of IRF-8. We developed a reporter assay system employing a self-inactivating retrovirus and analyzed the cystatin C and cathepsin C promoters. We found that a unique cis element mediates IRF-8–induced activation of both promoters. Similar elements were also found in other IRF-8 target genes with a consensus sequence (GAAANN[N]GGAA) comprising a core IRF-binding motif and an Ets-binding motif; this sequence is similar but distinct from the previously reported Ets/IRF composite element. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that IRF-8 and the PU.1 Ets transcription factor bind to this element in vivo. Collectively, these data indicate that IRF-8 stimulates transcription of target genes through a novel cis element to specify macrophage differentiation.

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A novel regulatory element between the human FGA and FGG genes

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th12-04-0274 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 108 (09) ◽

pp. 427-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Richard J. Fish ◽

Marguerite Neerman-Arbez

Keyword(s):

Gene Cluster ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Regulatory Element ◽

Luciferase Reporter ◽

Transgenic Zebrafish ◽

Regulatory Sequences ◽

Gene Promoters ◽

Cvd Risk ◽

Enhancer Activity

SummaryHigh circulating fibrinogen levels correlate with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Fibrinogen levels vary between people and also change in response to physiological and environmental stimuli. A modest proportion of the variation in fibrinogen levels can be explained by genotype, inferring that variation in genomic sequences that regulate the fibri-nogen genes (FGA, FGB and FGG) may affect hepatic fibrinogen production and perhaps CVD risk. We previously identified a conserved liver enhancer in the fibrinogen gene cluster (CNC12), between FGB and FGA. Genome-wide Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) demonstrated that transcription factors which bind fibrinogen gene promoters also interact with CNC12, as well as two potential fibrinogen enhancers (PFE), between FGA and FGG. Here we show that one of the PFE sequences has potent hepatocyte enhancer activity. Using a luciferase reporter gene system, we found that PFE2 enhances minimal promoter- and FGA promoter-driven gene expression in hepatoma cells, regardless of its orientation with respect to the promoters. A region within PFE2 bears a short series of conserved nucleotides which maintain enhancer activity without flanking sequence. We also demonstrate that PFE2 is a liver enhancer in vivo, driving enhanced green fluorescent protein expression in transgenic zebrafish larval livers. Our study shows that combining public domain ChIP-seq data with in vitro and in vivo functional tests can identify novel fibrinogen gene cluster regulatory sequences. Variation in such elements could affect fibrinogen production and influence CVD risk.

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ASC proneural transcription factors mediate the timely initiation of the neural program during neuroectodermal to neuroblast transition ensuring progeny fidelity

10.1101/2021.11.02.466869 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Vasiliki Theodorou ◽

Aikaterini Stefanaki ◽

Minas Drakos ◽

Dafne Triantafyllou ◽

Christos Delidakis

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factors ◽

Target Genes ◽

Regulatory Elements ◽

Chromatin Accessibility ◽

Cis Elements ◽

Enhancer Activity ◽

Timely Initiation ◽

Chromatin Dynamics ◽

Neural Fate ◽

Neural Specification

Background: ASC/ASCL proneural transcription factors are oncogenic and exhibit impressive reprogramming and pioneer activities. In both Drosophila and mammals, these factors are central in the early specification of the neural fate, where they act in opposition to Notch signalling. However, the role of ASC on the chromatin during CNS neural stem cells birth remains elusive. Results: We investigated the chromatin changes accompanying neural commitment using an integrative genetics and genomics methodology. We found that ASC factors bind equally strongly to two distinct classes of cis-regulatory elements: open regions remodeled earlier during maternal to zygotic transition by Zelda and Zelda-independent, less accessible regions. Both classes cis-elements exhibit enhanced chromatin accessibility during neural specification and correlate with transcriptional regulation of genes involved in many biological processes necessary for neuroblast function. We identified an ASC-Notch regulated TF network that most likely act as the prime regulators of neuroblast function. Using a cohort of ASC target genes, we report that ASC null neuroblasts are defectively specified, remaining initially stalled, lacking expression of many proneural targets and unable to divide. When they eventually start proliferating, they produce compromised progeny. Generation of lacZ reporter lines driven by proneural-bound elements display enhancer activity within neuroblasts and proneural dependency. Therefore, the partial neuroblast identity seen in the absence of ASC genes is driven by other, proneural-independent, cis-elements. Neuroblast impairment and the late differentiation defects of ASC mutants are corrected by ectodermal induction of individual ASC genes but not by individual members of the TF network downstream of ASC. However, in wild type embryos induction of individual members of this network induces CNS hyperplasia, suggesting that they synergize with the activating function of ASC to establish the chromatin dynamics that promote neural specification. Conclusion: ASC factors bind a large number of enhancers to orchestrate the timely activation of the neural chromatin program during neuroectodermal to neuroblast transition. This early chromatin remodeling is crucial for both neuroblast homeostasis as well as future progeny fidelity.

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A Drosophila doublesex-related gene, terra, is involved in somitogenesis in vertebrates

Development ◽

10.1242/dev.126.6.1259 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 126 (6) ◽

pp. 1259-1268 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. Meng ◽

B. Moore ◽

H. Tang ◽

B. Yuan ◽

S. Lin

Keyword(s):

Transcription Factor ◽

Zinc Finger ◽

Dna Binding Domain ◽

Related Gene ◽

Presomitic Mesoderm ◽

Zinc Finger Gene ◽

Human And Mouse

The Drosophila doublesex (dsx) gene encodes a transcription factor that mediates sex determination. We describe the characterization of a novel zebrafish zinc-finger gene, terra, which contains a DNA binding domain similar to that of the Drosophila dsx gene. However, unlike dsx, terra is transiently expressed in the presomitic mesoderm and newly formed somites. Expression of terra in presomitic mesoderm is restricted to cells that lack expression of MyoD. In vivo, terra expression is reduced by hedgehog but enhanced by BMP signals. Overexpression of terra induces rapid apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that a tight regulation of terra expression is required during embryogenesis. Terra has both human and mouse homologs and is specifically expressed in mouse somites. Taken together, our findings suggest that terra is a highly conserved protein that plays specific roles in early somitogenesis of vertebrates.

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Single cell characterization of B-lymphoid differentiation and leukemic cell states during chemotherapy in ETV6-RUNX1-positive pediatric leukemia identifies drug-targetable transcription factor activities

Genome Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13073-020-00799-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juha Mehtonen ◽

Susanna Teppo ◽

Mari Lahnalampi ◽

Aleksi Kokko ◽

Riina Kaukonen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Transcription Factors ◽

Regulatory Network ◽

Leukemic Cell ◽

Immune Microenvironment ◽

Ets Transcription Factors ◽

Lineage Differentiation ◽

B Lineage

Abstract Background Tight regulatory loops orchestrate commitment to B cell fate within bone marrow. Genetic lesions in this gene regulatory network underlie the emergence of the most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The initial genetic hits, including the common translocation that fuses ETV6 and RUNX1 genes, lead to arrested cell differentiation. Here, we aimed to characterize transcription factor activities along the B-lineage differentiation trajectory as a reference to characterize the aberrant cell states present in leukemic bone marrow, and to identify those transcription factors that maintain cancer-specific cell states for more precise therapeutic intervention. Methods We compared normal B-lineage differentiation and in vivo leukemic cell states using single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and several complementary genomics profiles. Based on statistical tools for scRNA-seq, we benchmarked a workflow to resolve transcription factor activities and gene expression distribution changes in healthy bone marrow lymphoid cell states. We compared these to ALL bone marrow at diagnosis and in vivo during chemotherapy, focusing on leukemias carrying the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion. Results We show that lymphoid cell transcription factor activities uncovered from bone marrow scRNA-seq have high correspondence with independent ATAC- and ChIP-seq data. Using this comprehensive reference for regulatory factors coordinating B-lineage differentiation, our analysis of ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL cases revealed elevated activity of multiple ETS-transcription factors in leukemic cells states, including the leukemia genome-wide association study hit ELK3. The accompanying gene expression changes associated with natural killer cell inactivation and depletion in the leukemic immune microenvironment. Moreover, our results suggest that the abundance of G1 cell cycle state at diagnosis and lack of differentiation-associated regulatory network changes during induction chemotherapy represent features of chemoresistance. To target the leukemic regulatory program and thereby overcome treatment resistance, we show that inhibition of ETS-transcription factors reduced cell viability and resolved pathways contributing to this using scRNA-seq. Conclusions Our data provide a detailed picture of the transcription factor activities characterizing both normal B-lineage differentiation and those acquired in leukemic bone marrow and provide a rational basis for new treatment strategies targeting the immune microenvironment and the active regulatory network in leukemia.

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