scholarly journals Why Do Centromeres Evolve So Fast: BIR Replication, Hypermutation, Transposition, and Molecular-Drive

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Rice
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Epigenetic Mark ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Molecular Drive ◽  
Repeat Structure ◽  
Repeat Units ◽  
Initiation Of Replication ◽  
Genomic Regions

Centromeres are among the fastest evolving genomic regions in a diverse array of organisms. The evolutionary process driving this rapid evolution has not been unambiguously established. Here I integrate diverse information to motivate a model in which centromeres evolve rapidly because of their intrinsic molecular phenotype: they tightly bind centromeric proteins throughout the cell cycle. DNA-bound proteins have been shown to cause stalling and collapse of DNA replication forks in many genomic regions, including centromeres. Collapsed replication forks generate one-sided double strand breaks (DSBs) that are repaired by the Break-Induced Repair (BIR) pathway. Here I show why this repair is expected to generate tandem repeat structure and three key features at centromeres: i) increased nucleotide substitution mutation rates, ii) out-of- register re-initiation of replication that leads to indels spanning one or more repeat units, and iii) elevated rates of large and small transpositions within centromeres and between genomic regions. These phenotypes lead to: i) a rapid rate of nucleotide substitutions within a clade of centromeric sequences, ii) continual turnover of monomers within centromeres that fosters molecular-drift and molecular-drive, and iii) recurrent quantum leaps in centromere sequence due to the formation of mosaic monomers and new sequences transposed into non-homologous centromeres. These features are plausibly the major reason centromeres evolve so rapidly. I also speculate on how the DNA sequence of centromeres might perpetually coevolve with the protein sequence of histone CENH3 –the major epigenetic mark of centromeres.

scholarly journals Crystal structure and interactions of the Tof1–Csm3 (Timeless–Tipin) fork protection complex

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 6996-7004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B Grabarczyk
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Dna Replication ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Molecular Basis ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
Repeat Structure ◽  
Chaetomium Thermophilum ◽  
Fork Protection Complex ◽  
Human Orthologue

Abstract The Tof1–Csm3 fork protection complex has a central role in the replisome—it promotes the progression of DNA replication forks and protects them when they stall, while also enabling cohesion establishment and checkpoint responses. Here, I present the crystal structure of the Tof1–Csm3 complex from Chaetomium thermophilum at 3.1 Å resolution. The structure reveals that both proteins together form an extended alpha helical repeat structure, which suggests a mechanical or scaffolding role for the complex. Expanding on this idea, I characterize a DNA interacting region and a cancer-associated Mrc1 binding site. This study provides the molecular basis for understanding the functions of the Tof1–Csm3 complex, its human orthologue the Timeless–Tipin complex and additionally the Drosophila circadian rhythm protein Timeless.

Phylogeny and Polymorphism in the Long Control Region, E6, and L1 of Human Papillomavirus Types 53, 56, and 66 in Central Brazil

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrícia Soares Wyant ◽  
Daniela Marreco Cerqueira ◽  
Daniella Sousa Moraes ◽  
José Paulo Gagliardi Leite ◽  
Cláudia Renata Fernandes Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Long Control Region ◽  
Amino Acid Substitutions ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Central Brazil ◽  
Hpv Types ◽  
Genomic Regions

Introduction:Several studies related that different human papillomavirus (HPV) types and intratype variants can present different oncogenic potential. In opposite to HPVs 16 and 18 variants, information about variants of other carcinogenic HPV types is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of HPVs 53, 56, and 66 from Central Brazil isolates.Methods:The long control region (LCR), E6, and L1 genomic regions were amplified and sequenced. We evaluate for nucleotide variations in relation to the reference sequence of each HPV type and also the conservation of physicochemical properties of the deduced amino acid substitutions. In silico analysis was performed to locate binding sites for transcriptional factors within the LCR. Moreover, we performed a phylogenetic analysis with the Central Brazilian and worldwide sequences available at genomic databases.Results:Gathering LCR, E6, and L1 genomic regions, the highest genetic variability was found among HPV-53 isolates with 52 nucleotide variations, followed by HPVs 56 and 66 with 24 and 16 nucleotide substitutions, respectively. The genetic analysis revealed 11 new molecular variants of all HPV types analyzed, totalizing 31 new nucleotide and 3 new amino acid variations. Eight nonconservative amino acid substitutions were detected, which may indicate a biological and pathogenic diversity among HPV types. Furthermore, 8 nucleotide substitutions were localized at putative binding sites for transcription factors in the LCR with a potential implication on viral oncogene expression. The HPVs 53, 56, and 66 phylogenetic analysis confirmed a dichotomic division only described to HPV subtypes and different from the patterns described for HPVs 16 and 18 variants.Conclusions:The high genetic variability observed emphasizes the importance of investigating polymorphisms in types other than HPVs 16 or 18 to better understand the molecular genomic profile of viral infection by different HPV types.

Molecular Evolution and Nucleotide Sequences of the Maize Plastid Genes for the α Subunit of CF1 (atpA) and the Proteolipid Subunit of CF0 (atpH)

Genetics ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-139
Author(s):  
Steven R Rodermel ◽  
Lawrence Bogorad
Keyword(s):  
Plastid Genome ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Nonsynonymous Substitution ◽  
Spatial Arrangement ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Nucleotide Sequences ◽  
Sequence Evolution ◽  
Α Subunit

ABSTRACT The nucleotide sequences of the maize plastid genes for the α subunit of CF1 (atpA) and the proteolipid subunit of CF 0 (atpH) are presented. The evolution of these genes among higher plants is characterized by a transition mutation bias of about 2:1 and by rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution which are much lower than similar rates for genes from other sources. This is consistent with the notion that the plastid genome is evolving conservatively in primary sequence. Yet, the mode and tempo of sequence evolution of these and other plastid-encoded coupling factor genes are not the same. In particular, higher rates of nonsynonymous substitution in atpE (the gene for the ∊ subunit of CF1) and higher rates of synonymous substitution in atpH in the dicot vs. monocot lineages of higher plants indicate that these sequences are likely subject to different evolutionary constraints in these two lineages. The 5′- and 3′ transcribed flanking regions of atpA and atpH from maize, wheat and tobacco are conserved in size, but contain few putative regulatory elements which are conserved either in their spatial arrangement or sequence complexity. However, these regions likely contain variable numbers of "species-specific" regulatory elements. The present studies thus suggest that the plastid genome is not a passive participant in an evolutionary process governed by a more rapidly changing, readily adaptive, nuclear compartment, but that novel strategies for the coordinate expression of genes in the plastid genome may arise through rapid evolution of the flanking sequences of these genes.

scholarly journals Degradation of 5hmC-marked stalled replication forks by APE1 causes genomic instability

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (645) ◽  
pp. eaba8091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhas S. Kharat ◽  
Xia Ding ◽  
Divya Swaminathan ◽  
Akshey Suresh ◽  
Manish Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Lethality ◽  
Excision Repair ◽  
Human Cancer ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Dna Demethylation ◽  
Parp Inhibition ◽  
Epigenetic Mark ◽  
Replication Forks ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Stalled Replication Forks

Synthetic lethality between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition and BRCA deficiency is exploited to treat breast and ovarian tumors. However, resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPis) is common. To identify potential resistance mechanisms, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in BRCA2-deficient mouse embryonic stem cells and validation in KB2P1.21 mouse mammary tumor cells. We found that resistance to multiple PARPi emerged with reduced expression of TET2 (ten-eleven translocation), which promotes DNA demethylation by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethycytosine (5hmC) and other products. TET2 knockdown in BRCA2-deficient cells protected stalled replication forks (RFs). Increasing 5hmC abundance induced the degradation of stalled RFs in KB2P1.21 and human cancer cells by recruiting the base excision repair–associated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease APE1, independent of the BRCA2 status. TET2 loss did not affect the recruitment of the repair protein RAD51 to sites of double-strand breaks (DSBs) or the abundance of proteins associated with RF integrity. The loss of TET2, of its product 5hmC, and of APE1 recruitment to stalled RFs promoted resistance to the chemotherapeutic cisplatin. Our findings reveal a previously unknown role for the epigenetic mark 5hmC in maintaining the integrity of stalled RFs and a potential resistance mechanism to PARPi and cisplatin.

scholarly journals Mutation and Epistasis in Influenza Virus Evolution

Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lyons ◽  
Adam Lauring
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Virus Evolution ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Antiviral Resistance ◽  
Epistatic Interactions ◽  
Public Health Challenge

Influenza remains a persistent public health challenge, because the rapid evolution of influenza viruses has led to marginal vaccine efficacy, antiviral resistance, and the annual emergence of novel strains. This evolvability is driven, in part, by the virus’s capacity to generate diversity through mutation and reassortment. Because many new traits require multiple mutations and mutations are frequently combined by reassortment, epistatic interactions between mutations play an important role in influenza virus evolution. While mutation and epistasis are fundamental to the adaptability of influenza viruses, they also constrain the evolutionary process in important ways. Here, we review recent work on mutational effects and epistasis in influenza viruses.

scholarly journals Cross-species incompatibility between a DNA satellite and a chromatin protein poisons germline genome integrity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cara L Brand ◽  
Mia T Levine
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Dna ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Genome Integrity ◽  
Dna Repeats ◽  
Chromatin Protein ◽  
Genetic Rescue ◽  
Chromatin Proteins ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Female Germline ◽  
Nuclear Processes

Satellite DNA spans megabases of eukaryotic genome sequence. These vast stretches of tandem DNA repeats undergo high rates of sequence turnover, resulting in radically different satellite DNA landscapes between closely related species. Such extreme evolutionary plasticity suggests that satellite DNA accumulates mutations with no functional consequence. Paradoxically, satellite-rich genomic regions support essential, conserved nuclear processes, including chromosome segregation, dosage compensation, and nuclear structure. A leading resolution to this paradox is that deleterious alterations to satellite DNA trigger adaptive evolution of chromatin proteins to preserve these essential functions. Here we experimentally test this model of coevolution between chromatin proteins and DNA satellites by conducting an evolution-guided manipulation of both protein and satellite. We focused on an adaptively evolving, ovary-enriched chromatin protein, called Maternal Haploid (MH) from Drosophila. MH co-localizes with an 11 Mb 359-bp satellite array present in Drosophila melanogaster but absent in its sister species, D. simulans. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated transgenesis, we swapped the D. simulans version of MH into D. melanogaster. We discovered that D. melanogaster females encoding only the D. simulans mh (mh[sim]) do not phenocopy the mh null mutation. Instead, MH[sim] is toxic to D. melanogaster ovaries: we observed elevated ovarian cell death, reduced ovary size, and subfertility in mh[sim] females. Using both cell biological and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that MH[sim] poisons oogenesis through a DNA damage pathway. Remarkably, deleting the D. melanogaster-specific 359 satellite array from mh[sim] females completely restores female germline genome integrity and fertility. This genetic rescue offers experimental evidence that rapid evolution resulted in a cross-species incompatibility between the 359 satellite and MH. These data suggest that coevolution between ostensibly inert repetitive DNA and essential chromatin proteins preserves germline genome integrity.

scholarly journals Transcriptional overlap links DNA hypomethylation with DNA hypermethylation at adjacent promoters in cancer

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean S Fain ◽  
Axelle Loriot ◽  
Anna Diacofotaki ◽  
Aurelie Van Tongelen ◽  
Charles De Smet
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Epigenetic Mark ◽  
Dna Hypomethylation ◽  
Dna Hypermethylation ◽  
Bioinformatics Analyses ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Methylation Patterns

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mark associated with gene repression. It is now well established that tumor development involves alterations in DNA methylation patterns, which include both gains (hypermethylation) and losses (hypomethylation) of methylation marks in different genomic regions. The mechanisms underlying these two opposite, yet co-existing, alterations in tumors remain unclear. While studying the human MAGEA6/GABRA3 gene locus, we observed that DNA hypomethylation in tumor cells can lead to the activation of a long transcript (CT-GABRA3) that overlaps downstream promoters (GABRQ and GABRA3) and triggers their hypermethylation. Overlapped promoters displayed increases in H3K36me3, a histone mark known to be deposited during progression of the transcription machinery and to stimulate de novo DNA methylation. Consistent with such a processive mechanism, increases in H3K36me3 and DNA methylation were observed over the entire region covered by the CT-GABRA3 overlapping transcript. Importantly, experimental induction of CT-GABRA3 by depletion of DNMT1 DNA methyltransferase, resulted in a similar pattern of increased DNA methylation in the MAGEA6/GABRA3 locus. Bioinformatics analyses in lung cancer datasets identified other genomic loci displaying this process of coupled DNA hypo- and hypermethylation. In several of these loci, DNA hypermethylation affected tumor suppressor genes, e.g. RERG and PTPRO. Together, our work reveals that focal DNA hypomethylation in tumors can indirectly contribute to hypermethylation of nearby promoters through activation of overlapping transcription, and establishes therefore an unsuspected connection between these two opposite epigenetic alterations.

scholarly journals Characterization of a new genotype of Betapapillomavirus HPV 17 through L1, E7, E7 and LCR sequences

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ledy H Oliveira ◽  
Larissa Silva Santos ◽  
Felipe P G Neves
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Evolutionary Process ◽  
Long Control Region ◽  
Nucleotide Substitutions ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
E6 Oncoprotein ◽  
Potential Binding ◽  
New Genotype ◽  
Zinc Binding Domain

Background. Human papillomavirus (HPV) exhibits epithelial and mucosal tropism. HPV type 17 belongs to the Betapapillomavirus genus and molecular cloning experiments have identified two subtypes (17a and 17b) isolated from epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). HPV subtypes are characterized by dissimilarities from 2 to 10% at the nucleotide level from their referenced HPV. The aim of this study was to characterize the L1, E6, E7 and LCR sequences from an isolate from the oral mucosa of an asymptomatic woman. Methods. The whole late gene 1 (L1) was amplified using several sets of primers. The complete early genes 6 and 7 (E6, E7) and the long control region (LCR) were amplified using specific primers. Potential binding sites for transcriptional factors within the LCR were also investigated. Results. Within these sets, the DNA sequence was altered at 91 positions (68 in L1, 13 in E6, 8 in E7, and 2 in LCR sequences). L1 analysis showed high dissimilarity compared with the HPV 17 prototype, reaching 4% of nucleotide substitutions and leading to a probability third 17 subtype. The E6 oncoprotein presented the highest modification among the sequences !2 studied, with four amino acid changes in comparison with the prototype isolate. The amino acid was modified at a position 62 (S-T), a zinc-binding domain (CxxC(C)29 CxxC). Discussion. Our findings provide data on genetic variations seen in this genotype, reaching to dichotomic branching and pointing to an evolutionary process. The oral cavity has a large HPV spectrum and may be implicated in the evolution of this virus, allowing it to adapt to sites other than its original niche, may drive to produce adaptive variants of this genotype

scholarly journals Contemporary and historical selection in Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) support novel, polygenic response to transmissible cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1951) ◽  
pp. 20210577
Author(s):  
Amanda R. Stahlke ◽  
Brendan Epstein ◽  
Soraia Barbosa ◽  
Mark J. Margres ◽  
Austin H. Patton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
Devil Facial Tumour Disease ◽  
Evolutionary Response ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Transmissible Cancer ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Sarcophilus Harrisii

Tasmanian devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) are evolving in response to a unique transmissible cancer, devil facial tumour disease (DFTD), first described in 1996. Persistence of wild populations and the recent emergence of a second independently evolved transmissible cancer suggest that transmissible cancers may be a recurrent feature in devils. Here, we compared signatures of selection across temporal scales to determine whether genes or gene pathways under contemporary selection (six to eight generations) have also been subject to historical selection (65–85 Myr). First, we used targeted sequencing, RAD-capture, in approximately 2500 devils in six populations to identify genomic regions subject to rapid evolution. We documented genome-wide contemporary evolution, including 186 candidate genes related to cell cycling and immune response. Then we used a molecular evolution approach to identify historical positive selection in devils compared to other marsupials and found evidence of selection in 1773 genes. However, we found limited overlap across time scales, with only 16 shared candidate genes, and no overlap in enriched functional gene sets. Our results are consistent with a novel, multi-locus evolutionary response of devils to DFTD. Our results can inform conservation by identifying high priority targets for genetic monitoring and guiding maintenance of adaptive potential in managed populations.

scholarly journals Painting of Fourth and the X-Linked 1.688 Satellite in D. melanogaster Is Involved in Chromosome-Wide Gene Regulation

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Samaneh Ekhteraei-Tousi ◽  
Jacob Lewerentz ◽  
Jan Larsson
Keyword(s):  
X Chromosome ◽  
Dosage Compensation ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Male Specific Lethal ◽  
Msl Complex ◽  
Specific Regulation ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Genomic Regions

Chromosome-specific regulatory mechanisms provide a model to understand the coordinated regulation of genes on entire chromosomes or on larger genomic regions. In fruit flies, two chromosome-wide systems have been characterized: The male-specific lethal (MSL) complex, which mediates dosage compensation and primarily acts on the male X-chromosome, and Painting of fourth (POF), which governs chromosome-specific regulation of genes located on the 4th chromosome. How targeting of one specific chromosome evolves is still not understood; but repeated sequences, in forms of satellites and transposable elements, are thought to facilitate the evolution of chromosome-specific targeting. The highly repetitive 1.688 satellite has been functionally connected to both these systems. Considering the rapid evolution and the necessarily constant adaptation of regulatory mechanisms, such as dosage compensation, we hypothesised that POF and/or 1.688 may still show traces of dosage-compensation functions. Here, we test this hypothesis by transcriptome analysis. We show that loss of Pof decreases not only chromosome 4 expression but also reduces the X-chromosome expression in males. The 1.688 repeat deletion, Zhr1 (Zygotic hybrid rescue), does not affect male dosage compensation detectably; however, Zhr1 in females causes a stimulatory effect on X-linked genes with a strong binding affinity to the MSL complex (genes close to high-affinity sites). Lack of pericentromeric 1.688 also affected 1.688 expression in trans and was linked to the differential expression of genes involved in eggshell formation. We discuss our results with reference to the connections between POF, the 1.688 satellite and dosage compensation, and the role of the 1.688 satellite in hybrid lethality.

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