scholarly journals The tropical coral Pocillopora acuta displays an unusual chromatin structure and shows histone H3 clipping plasticity upon bleaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
David Roquis ◽  
Céline Cosseau ◽  
Kelly Brener Raffalli ◽  
Pascal Romans ◽  
Patrick Masanet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Coral Host ◽  
Mutualistic Symbiosis ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
Endosymbiotic Algae ◽  
Insight Into

Background: Pocillopora acuta is a hermatypic coral with strong ecological importance. Anthropogenic disturbances and global warming are major threats that can induce coral bleaching, the disruption of the mutualistic symbiosis between the coral host and its endosymbiotic algae. Previous works have shown that somaclonal colonies display different levels of survival depending on the environmental conditions they previously faced. Epigenetic mechanisms are good candidates to explain this phenomenon. However, almost no work had been published on the P. acuta epigenome, especially on histone modifications. In this study, we aim at providing the first insight into chromatin structure of this species. Methods: We aligned the amino acid sequence of P. acuta core histones with histone sequences from various phyla. We developed a centri-filtration on sucrose gradient to separate chromatin from the host and the symbiont. The presence of histone H3 protein and specific histone modifications were then detected by western blot performed on histone extraction done from bleached and healthy corals. Finally, micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestions were undertaken to study nucleosomal organization. Results: The centri-filtration enabled coral chromatin isolation with less than 2% of contamination by endosymbiont material. Histone sequences alignments with other species show that P. acuta displays on average ~90% of sequence similarities with mice and ~96% with other corals. H3 detection by western blot showed that H3 is clipped in healthy corals while it appeared to be intact in bleached corals. MNase treatment failed to provide the usual mononucleosomal digestion, a feature shared with some cnidarian, but not all; suggesting an unusual chromatin structure. Conclusions: These results provide a first insight into the chromatin, nucleosome and histone structure of P. acuta. The unusual patterns highlighted in this study and partly shared with other cnidarian will need to be further studied to better understand its role in corals.

scholarly journals The tropical coral Pocillopora acuta has a mosaic DNA methylome, an unusual chromatin structure and shows histone H3 clipping

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Roquis ◽  
Ariadna Picart Picolo ◽  
Kelly Brener Raffalli ◽  
Pascal Romans ◽  
Patrick Masanet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Cytosine Methylation ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Intracellular Location ◽  
Mutualistic Symbiosis ◽  
Worldwide Distribution ◽  
Unicellular Algae ◽  
Ecological Importance ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPocillopora acuta is a hermatypic coral with a worldwide distribution and a strong ecological importance. Anthropogenic disturbances and global warming threaten it. Thermal stress can induce coral bleaching, a phenomenon in which the mutualistic symbiosis between the coral polyps host and its endosymbiotic unicellular algae is disrupted, and can lead to the death of entire colonies. Previous works have shown that soma clonal colonies display different levels of survival depending on the environmental conditions they previously faced. Epigenetic mechanisms are good candidates to explain this phenomenon. The clonal nature of a colony and the possibility of generating genetically identical colonies through propagation make corals an attractive model to study the impact of the environment on the epigenome. However, until now, no work had been published on the P. acuta epigenome. One of the main problems is caused by the intracellular location of Symbiodinium, which makes it complicated to isolate coral chromatin free of contamination by endiosymbiotic biological material. Here, (i) we describe a simple method to purify P. acuta chromatin, (ii) we provide the first description of a coral methylome, with a mosaic pattern of cytosine methylation principally in a CpG context (4% of all CpG), and (iii) we show that P. acuta, but not all corals, has an unusual chromatin structure, and displays histone H3 clipping.

scholarly journals Chromatin Profiling of the Repetitive and Nonrepetitive Genomes of the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jordan Price ◽  
Esther Weindling ◽  
Judith Berman ◽  
Alessia Buscaino
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chromatin States ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Chromatin Profiling

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic genomes are packaged into chromatin structures that play pivotal roles in regulating all DNA-associated processes. Histone posttranslational modifications modulate chromatin structure and function, leading to rapid regulation of gene expression and genome stability, key steps in environmental adaptation. Candida albicans, a prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, can rapidly adapt and thrive in diverse host niches. The contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology is largely unexplored. Here, we generated the first comprehensive chromatin profile of histone modifications (histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 4 [H3K4me3], histone H3 acetylated on lysine 9 [H3K9Ac], acetylated lysine 16 on histone H4 [H4K16Ac], and γH2A) across the C. albicans genome and investigated its relationship to gene expression by harnessing genome-wide sequencing approaches. We demonstrated that gene-rich nonrepetitive regions are packaged into canonical euchromatin in association with histone modifications that mirror their transcriptional activity. In contrast, repetitive regions are assembled into distinct chromatin states; subtelomeric regions and the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus are assembled into heterochromatin, while major repeat sequences and transposons are packaged in chromatin that bears features of euchromatin and heterochromatin. Genome-wide mapping of γH2A, a marker of genome instability, identified potential recombination-prone genomic loci. Finally, we present the first quantitative chromatin profiling in C. albicans to delineate the role of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in controlling chromatin structure and gene expression. This report presents the first genome-wide chromatin profiling of histone modifications associated with the C. albicans genome. These epigenomic maps provide an invaluable resource to understand the contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology and identify aspects of C. albicans chromatin organization that differ from that of other yeasts. IMPORTANCE The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that normally lives on the human body without causing any harm. However, C. albicans is also a dangerous pathogen responsible for millions of infections annually. C. albicans is such a successful pathogen because it can adapt to and thrive in different environments. Chemical modifications of chromatin, the structure that packages DNA into cells, can allow environmental adaptation by regulating gene expression and genome organization. Surprisingly, the contribution of chromatin modification to C. albicans biology is still largely unknown. For the first time, we analyzed C. albicans chromatin modifications on a genome-wide basis. We demonstrate that specific chromatin states are associated with distinct regions of the C. albicans genome and identify the roles of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in shaping C. albicans chromatin and gene expression.

scholarly journals The Histone Chaperone Asf1p Mediates Global Chromatin Disassemblyin Vivo

2004 ◽  
Vol 279 (50) ◽  
pp. 52069-52074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa W. Adkins ◽  
Jessica K. Tyler
Keyword(s):  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Chromatin Assembly ◽  
Eukaryotic Genome ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Histone Chaperones ◽  
Assembly Factor

The packaging of the eukaryotic genome into chromatin is likely to be mediated by chromatin assembly factors, including histone chaperones. We investigated the function of the histone H3/H4 chaperones anti-silencing function 1 (Asf1p) and chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF-1)in vivo. Analysis of chromatin structure by accessibility to micrococcal nuclease and DNase I digestion demonstrated that the chromatin from CAF-1 mutant yeast has increased accessibility to these enzymes. In agreement, the supercoiling of the endogenous 2μ plasmid is reduced in yeast lacking CAF-1. These results indicate that CAF-1 mutant yeast globally under-assemble their genome into chromatin, consistent with a role for CAF-1 in chromatin assemblyin vivo. By contrast,asf1mutants globally over-assemble their genome into chromatin, as suggested by decreased accessibility of their chromatin to micrococcal nuclease and DNase I digestion and increased supercoiling of the endogenous 2μ plasmid. Deletion ofASF1causes a striking loss of acetylation on histone H3 lysine 9, but this is not responsible for the altered chromatin structure inasf1mutants. These data indicate that Asf1p may have a global role in chromatin disassembly and an unexpected role in histone acetylationin vivo.

Epigenetic transcriptional gene silencing in Entamoeba histolytica: insight into histone and chromatin modifications

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAYA HUGUENIN ◽  
RIVKA BRACHA ◽  
THANAT CHOOKAJORN ◽  
DAVID MIRELMAN
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Entamoeba Histolytica ◽  
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Transcriptional Gene Silencing ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Unique Mechanism ◽  
Silent State

SUMMARYWe have previously discovered a unique mechanism of epigenetic transcriptional gene silencing in the Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites of strain HM-1:IMSS that resulted in the persistent downregulation of the amoebapore A (ap-a) gene, and that could be successfully applied to silence other virulence genes (cpA5, lgl1). In order to understand how the silencing is maintained throughout generations, we analysed whether modifications occurred at the chromatin level. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were done with antibodies specific to the methylated lysine 4 of E. histolytica histone H3. When the genes were in a transcriptionally silent state, the methylation levels of H3K4 in their coding region were significantly reduced. In contrast, the levels of core histone H3 were consistently higher in the silenced genes. Controlled chromatin digestion with micrococcal nuclease was used to assess changes in nucleosome compaction. We found a significant resistance to digestion in the promoter region of the silenced ap-a and cpA5 genes as compared to the parental strain that expresses those genes. Our data lend further support to the idea that histone modifications and heterochromatin formations are at the basis of the transcriptional silencing of genes in E. histolytica.

scholarly journals Telomeric Heterochromatin inPlasmodium falciparum

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaura Hernandez-Rivas ◽  
Karla Pérez-Toledo ◽  
Abril-Marcela Herrera Solorio ◽  
Dulce María Delgadillo ◽  
Miguel Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Gene Family ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Antigenic Variation ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Histone H4 ◽  
Telomeric Heterochromatin ◽  
Subtelomeric Regions

Until very recently, little was known about the chromatin structure of the telomeres and subtelomeric regions inPlasmodium falciparum. In yeast andDrosophila melanogaster, chromatin structure has long been known to be an important aspect in the regulation and functioning of these regions. Telomeres and subtelomeric regions are enriched in epigenetic marks that are specific to heterochromatin, such as methylation of lysine 9 of histone H3 and lysine 20 of histone H4. InP. falciparum, histone modifications and the presence of both the heterochromatin “writing” (PfSir2, PKMT) and “reading” (PfHP1) machinery at telomeric and subtelomeric regions indicate that these regions are likely to have heterochromatic structure that is epigenetically regulated. This structure may be important for telomere functions such as the silencing of thevargene family implicated in the cytoadherence and antigenic variation of these parasites.

Nucleosome dynamics

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Stockdale ◽  
Michael Bruno ◽  
Helder Ferreira ◽  
Elisa Garcia-Wilson ◽  
Nicola Wiechens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Structure And Dynamics ◽  
Nucleosome Dynamics ◽  
Sharp Focus ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Chromatin Structure And Dynamics

In the 30 years since the discovery of the nucleosome, our picture of it has come into sharp focus. The recent high-resolution structures have provided a wealth of insight into the function of the nucleosome, but they are inherently static. Our current knowledge of how nucleosomes can be reconfigured dynamically is at a much earlier stage. Here, recent advances in the understanding of chromatin structure and dynamics are highlighted. The ways in which different modes of nucleosome reconfiguration are likely to influence each other are discussed, and some of the factors likely to regulate the dynamic properties of nucleosomes are considered.

scholarly journals The chromatin-binding protein HMGN3 stimulates histone acetylation and transcription across the Glyt1 gene

2012 ◽  
Vol 442 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gráinne Barkess ◽  
Yuri Postnikov ◽  
Chrisanne D. Campos ◽  
Shivam Mishra ◽  
Gokula Mohan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Camp Response Element Binding ◽  
Element Binding Protein ◽  
H3k14 Acetylation ◽  
H3 Acetylation

HMGNs are nucleosome-binding proteins that alter the pattern of histone modifications and modulate the binding of linker histones to chromatin. The HMGN3 family member exists as two splice forms, HMGN3a which is full-length and HMGN3b which lacks the C-terminal RD (regulatory domain). In the present study, we have used the Glyt1 (glycine transporter 1) gene as a model system to investigate where HMGN proteins are bound across the locus in vivo, and to study how the two HMGN3 splice variants affect histone modifications and gene expression. We demonstrate that HMGN1, HMGN2, HMGN3a and HMGN3b are bound across the Glyt1 gene locus and surrounding regions, and are not enriched more highly at the promoter or putative enhancer. We conclude that the peaks of H3K4me3 (trimethylated Lys4 of histone H3) and H3K9ac (acetylated Lys9 of histone H3) at the active Glyt1a promoter do not play a major role in recruiting HMGN proteins. HMGN3a/b binding leads to increased H3K14 (Lys14 of histone H3) acetylation and stimulates Glyt1a expression, but does not alter the levels of H3K4me3 or H3K9ac enrichment. Acetylation assays show that HMGN3a stimulates the ability of PCAF [p300/CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein-associated factor] to acetylate nucleosomal H3 in vitro, whereas HMGN3b does not. We propose a model where HMGN3a/b-stimulated H3K14 acetylation across the bodies of large genes such as Glyt1 can lead to more efficient transcription elongation and increased mRNA production.

Major histocompatibility complex class I genes in murine fibrosarcoma IC9 are down regulated at the level of the chromatin structure

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 3136-3142
Author(s):  
U Maschek ◽  
W Pülm ◽  
S Segal ◽  
G J Hämmerling
Keyword(s):  
Major Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Dnase I ◽  
Class I ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Complex Class ◽  
Major Histocompatibility ◽  
Histocompatibility Complex ◽  
Nuclear Extracts

The fibrosarcoma IC9 is deficient in the expression of the major histocompatibility complex class I genes Kb, Kk, and Dk and expresses only the Db molecule. Because class I deficiency may enable tumor cells to escape the immune response by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, we investigated why the class I genes are not expressed. Expression of the silent class I genes could not be induced, but all known DNA-binding factors specific for class I genes could be detected in nuclear extracts of IC9 cells. After cloning of the silent Kb gene from the IC9 cells and subsequent transfection of this cloned Kb gene into LTK- and IC9 cells, normal Kb antigens were expressed on the cell surface of both cell lines. Digestion of the chromatin of IC9 cells with micrococcal nuclease and DNase I showed a decreased nuclease sensitivity of the silent class I genes in comparison with active genes and the absence of DNase I hypersensitive sites in the promoter region of the silent Dk gene. These findings demonstrate that class I expression is turned off by a cis-acting regulatory mechanism at the level of the chromatin structure.

Regular arrangement of nucleosomes on 5S rRNA genes in Xenopus laevis

1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 720-730
Author(s):  
D Young ◽  
D Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Micrococcal Nuclease ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Dna Repeats ◽  
5S Rna ◽  
5S Dna ◽  
Regular Arrangement ◽  
5S Rna Genes ◽  
Rna Genes

The chromatin structure of the oocyte-type 5S RNA genes in Xenopus laevis was investigated. Blot hybridization analysis of DNA from micrococcal nuclease digests of erythrocyte nuclei showed that 5S DNA has the same average nucleosome repeat length, 192 +/- 4 base pairs, as two Xenopus satellite DNAs and bulk erythrocyte chromatin. The positions of nuclease-sensitive regions in the 5S DNA repeats of purified DNA and chromatin from erythrocytes were mapped by using an indirect end-labeling technique. Although most of the sites cleaved in purified DNA were also cleaved in chromatin, the patterns of intensities were strikingly different in the two cases. In 5S chromatin, three nuclease-sensitive regions were spaced approximately a nucleosome length apart, suggesting a single, regular arrangement of nucleosomes on most of the 5S DNA repeats. The observed nucleosome locations are discussed with respect to nucleotide sequences known to be important for expression of 5S RNA. Because the preferred locations appear to be reestablished in each repeating unit, despite spacer length heterogeneity, we suggest that the regular chromatin structure reflects the presence of a sequence-specific DNA-binding component on inactive 5S RNA genes.

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