scholarly journals The Emerging Role of ATP-Dependent Chromatin Remodeling in Memory and Substance Use Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6816
Author(s):  
Alberto J. López ◽  
Julia K. Hecking ◽  
André O. White

Long-term memory formation requires coordinated regulation of gene expression and persistent changes in cell function. For decades, research has implicated histone modifications in regulating chromatin compaction necessary for experience-dependent changes to gene expression and cell function during memory formation. Recent evidence suggests that another epigenetic mechanism, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling, works in concert with the histone-modifying enzymes to produce large-scale changes to chromatin structure. This review examines how histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers restructure chromatin to facilitate memory formation. We highlight the emerging evidence implicating ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling as an essential mechanism that mediates activity-dependent gene expression, plasticity, and cell function in developing and adult brains. Finally, we discuss how studies that target chromatin remodelers have expanded our understanding of the role that these complexes play in substance use disorders.

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2152
Author(s):  
Robin Loesch ◽  
Linda Chenane ◽  
Sabine Colnot

Chromatin remodelers are found highly mutated in cancer including hepatocellular carcinoma. These mutations frequently occur in ARID (AT-rich Interactive Domain) genes, encoding subunits of the ATP-dependent SWI/SNF remodelers. The increasingly prevalent complexity that surrounds the functions and specificities of the highly modular BAF (BG1/BRM-associated factors) and PBAF (polybromo-associated BAF) complexes, including ARID1A/B or ARID2, is baffling. The involvement of the SWI/SNF complexes in diverse tissues and processes, and especially in the regulation of gene expression, multiplies the specific outcomes of specific gene alterations. A better understanding of the molecular consequences of specific mutations impairing chromatin remodelers is needed. In this review, we summarize what we know about the tumor-modulating properties of ARID2 in hepatocellular carcinoma.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Artigas-Jerónimo ◽  
Margarita Villar ◽  
Agustín Estrada-Peña ◽  
Adrián Velázquez-Campoy ◽  
Pilar Alberdi ◽  
...  

The Akirin family of transcription cofactors are involved throughout the metazoan in the regulation of different biological processes such as immunity, interdigital regression, muscle and neural development. Akirin do not have catalytic or DNA-binding capability and exert its regulatory function primarily through interacting proteins such as transcription factors, chromatin remodelers, and RNA-associated proteins. In this study, we focused on the human Akirin2 regulome and interactome in neutrophil-like model human Caucasian promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells. Our hypothesis is that metazoan evolved to have Akirin2 functional complements and different Akirin2-mediated mechanisms for the regulation of gene expression. To address this hypothesis, experiments were conducted using transcriptomics, proteomics and systems biology approaches in akirin2 knockdown and wildtype HL60 cells to characterize Akirin2 gene/protein targets, functional complements and to provide evidence of different mechanisms that may be involved in Akirin2-mediated regulation of gene expression. The results revealed Akirin2 gene/protein targets in multiple biological processes with higher representation of immunity and identified immune response genes as candidate Akirin2 functional complements. In addition to linking chromatin remodelers with transcriptional activation, Akirin2 also interacts with histone H3.1 for regulation of gene expression.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Innis ◽  
Birgit Cabot

Abstract ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling by histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodeling complexes is crucial for maintaining chromatin organization and facilitating gene transcription. In the SWI/SNF family of ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers, distinct complexes such as BAF, PBAF, GBAF, esBAF and npBAF/nBAF are of particular interest regarding their implications in cellular differentiation and development, as well as in various diseases. The recently identified BAF subcomplex GBAF is no exception to this, and information is emerging linking this complex and its components to crucial events in mammalian development. Furthermore, given the essential nature of many of its subunits in maintaining effective chromatin remodeling function, it comes as no surprise that aberrant expression of GBAF complex components is associated with disease development, including neurodevelopmental disorders and numerous malignancies. It becomes clear that building upon our knowledge of GBAF and BAF complex function will be essential for advancements in both mammalian reproductive applications and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions and strategies. Here, we review the roles of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling subcomplex GBAF and its subunits in mammalian development and disease.


Author(s):  
Dan Ohtan Wang

Epitranscriptomics, a recently emerged field to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression through enzyme-mediated RNA modifications, is rapidly evolving and integrating with neuroscience. Using a rich repertoire of modified nucleosides and strategically positioning them to the functionally important and evolutionarily conserved regions of the RNA, epitranscriptomics dictates RNA-mediated cell function. The new field is quickly changing our view of the genetic geography in the brain during development and plasticity, impacting major functions from cortical neurogenesis, circadian rhythm, learning and memory, to reward, addiction, stress, stroke, and spinal injury, etc. Thus understanding the molecular components and operational rules of this pathway is becoming a key for us to decipher the genetic code for brain development, function, and disease. What RNA modifications are expressed in the brain? What RNAs carry them and rely on them for function? Are they dynamically regulated? How are they regulated and how do they contribute to gene expression regulation and brain function? This chapter summarizes recent advances that are beginning to answer these questions.


F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan M Kozub ◽  
Ryan M Carr ◽  
Gwen L Lomberk ◽  
Martin E Fernandez-Zapico

Histone-modifying enzymes play a critical role in chromatin remodeling and are essential for influencing several genome processes such as gene expression and DNA repair, replication, and recombination. The discovery of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), the first identified histone demethylase, dramatically revolutionized research in the field of epigenetics. LSD1 plays a pivotal role in a wide range of biological operations, including development, cellular differentiation, embryonic pluripotency, and disease (for example, cancer). This mini-review focuses on the role of LSD1 in chromatin regulatory complexes, its involvement in epigenetic changes throughout development, and its importance in physiological and pathological processes.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Mukiibi ◽  
Carolina Peñaloza ◽  
Alejandro Gutierrez ◽  
José M. Yáñez ◽  
Ross D. Houston ◽  
...  

Salmon rickettsial septicaemia (SRS), caused by the intracellular bacteria Piscirickettsia Salmonis, generates significant mortalities to farmed Atlantic salmon, particularly in Chile. Due to its economic importance, a wealth of research has focussed on the biological mechanisms underlying pathogenicity of P. salmonis, the host response, and genetic variation in host resistance. DNA methylation is a fundamental epigenetic mechanism that influences almost every biological process via the regulation of gene expression and plays a key role in the response of an organism to stimuli. In the current study, the role of head kidney and liver DNA methylation in the response to P. salmonis infection was investigated in a commercial Atlantic salmon population. A total of 66 salmon were profiled using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS), with head kidney and liver methylomes compared between infected animals (3 and 9 days post infection) and uninfected controls. These included groups of salmon with divergent (high or low) breeding values for resistance to P. salmonis infection, to examine the influence of genetic resistance. Head kidney and liver showed organ-specific global methylation patterns, but with similar distribution of methylation across gene features. Integration of methylation with RNA-Seq data revealed that methylation levels predominantly showed a negative correlation with gene expression, although positive correlations were also observed. Methylation within the first exon showed the strongest negative correlation with gene expression. A total of 911 and 813 differentially methylated CpG sites were identified between infected and control samples in the head kidney at 3 and 9 days respectively, whereas only 30 and 44 sites were differentially methylated in the liver. Differential methylation in the head kidney was associated with immunological processes such as actin cytoskeleton regulation, phagocytosis, endocytosis and pathogen associated pattern receptor signaling. We also identified 113 and 48 differentially methylated sites between resistant and susceptible fish in the head kidney and liver respectively. Our results contribute to the growing understanding of the role of methylation in regulation of gene expression and response to infectious diseases, and in particular reveal key immunological functions regulated by methylation in Atlantic salmon in response to P. salmonis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Artigas-Jerónimo ◽  
Margarita Villar ◽  
Agustín Estrada-Peña ◽  
Adrián Velázquez-Campoy ◽  
Pilar Alberdi ◽  
...  

Abstract The Akirin family of transcription cofactors are involved throughout the metazoan in the regulation of different biological processes (BPs) such as immunity, interdigital regression, muscle and neural development. Akirin do not have catalytic or DNA-binding capability and exert its regulatory function primarily through interacting proteins such as transcription factors, chromatin remodelers, and RNA-associated proteins. In the present study, we focused on the human Akirin2 regulome and interactome in neutrophil-like model human Caucasian promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells. Our hypothesis is that metazoan evolved to have Akirin2 functional complements and different Akirin2-mediated mechanisms for the regulation of gene expression. To address this hypothesis, experiments were conducted using transcriptomics, proteomics and systems biology approaches in akirin2 knockdown and wildtype (WT) HL60 cells to characterize Akirin2 gene/protein targets, functional complements and to provide evidence of different mechanisms that may be involved in Akirin2-mediated regulation of gene expression. The results revealed Akirin2 gene/protein targets in multiple BPs with higher representation of immunity and identified immune response genes as candidate Akirin2 functional complements. In addition to linking chromatin remodelers with transcriptional activation, Akirin2 also interacts with histone H3.1 for regulation of gene expression.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (22) ◽  
pp. 7053
Author(s):  
Vladimir Khatskelevich Khavinson ◽  
Irina Grigor’evna Popovich ◽  
Natalia Sergeevna Linkova ◽  
Ekaterina Sergeevna Mironova ◽  
Anastasiia Romanovna Ilina

Peptides are characterized by their wide range of biological activity: they regulate functions of the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. The mechanism of such action of peptides involves their ability to regulate gene expression and protein synthesis in plants, microorganisms, insects, birds, rodents, primates, and humans. Short peptides, consisting of 2–7 amino acid residues, can penetrate into the nuclei and nucleoli of cells and interact with the nucleosome, the histone proteins, and both single- and double-stranded DNA. DNA–peptide interactions, including sequence recognition in gene promoters, are important for template-directed synthetic reactions, replication, transcription, and reparation. Peptides can regulate the status of DNA methylation, which is an epigenetic mechanism for the activation or repression of genes in both the normal condition, as well as in cases of pathology and senescence. In this context, one can assume that short peptides were evolutionarily among the first signaling molecules that regulated the reactions of template-directed syntheses. This situation enhances the prospects of developing effective and safe immunoregulatory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antiviral, and other drugs based on short peptides.


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