Abstract

NRAMP1 (SLC11A1) is a professional phagocyte membrane importer of divalent metals that contributes to iron recycling at homeostasis and to nutritional immunity against infection. Analyses of data generated by several consortia and additional studies were integrated to hypothesize mechanisms restricting NRAMP1 expression to mature phagocytes. Results from various epigenetic and transcriptomic approaches were collected for mesodermal and hematopoietic cell types and compiled for combined analysis with results of genetic studies associating single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with variations in NRAMP1 expression (eQTLs). Analyses establish that NRAMP1 is part of an autonomous topologically associated domain delimited by ubiquitous CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) sites. NRAMP1 locus contains five regulatory regions: a predicted super-enhancer (S-E) key to phagocyte-specific expression; the proximal promoter; two intronic areas, including 3′ inhibitory elements that restrict expression during development; and a block of upstream sites possibly extending the S-E domain. Also the downstream region adjacent to the 3′ CTCF locus boundary may regulate expression during hematopoiesis. Mobilization of the locus 14 predicted transcriptional regulatory elements occurs in three steps, beginning with hematopoiesis; at the onset of myelopoiesis and through myelo-monocytic differentiation. Basal expression level in mature phagocytes is further influenced by genetic variation, tissue environment, and in response to infections that induce various epigenetic memories depending on microorganism nature. Constitutively associated transcription factors (TFs) include CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPb), purine rich DNA binding protein (PU.1), early growth response 2 (EGR2) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) while hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) may stimulate iron acquisition in pro-inflammatory conditions. Mouse orthologous locus is generally conserved; chromatin patterns typify a de novo myelo-monocytic gene whose expression is tightly controlled by TFs Pu.1, C/ebps and Irf8; Irf3 and nuclear factor NF-kappa-B p 65 subunit (RelA) regulate expression in inflammatory conditions. Functional differences in the determinants identified at these orthologous loci imply that species-specific mechanisms control gene expression.

Highlights

  • NRAMP1 gene encodes a phagocytosis-related function that is expressed in mature myelo-monocytic cells

  • Analysis of high throughput datasets depicting DNAse footprinting (DNase 1 hypersentitive sites, DHSs), chromatin immuno-precipitations coupled to deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) and targeting specific histone modifications or RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and various transcription factors (TFs) interacting with NRAMP1 locus, in both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary monocytes, allowed us to delineate a ~40 kb regulatory domain insulated by CTCF sites [11]

  • NRAMP1 differs from many inflammatory loci locked in repressed chromatin configuration in mature phagocytes until primary stimulation and training; and given the importance of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) activation for the induction of trained immunity [194], NRAMP1 epigenetic status may owe in part to constitutive binding of STAT1 at several sites of the locus [99], as well as constitutive association with the master regulators PU.1 and CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPb) [13,25,72]

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Summary

Introduction

NRAMP1 gene encodes a phagocytosis-related function that is expressed in mature myelo-monocytic cells. Analysis of high throughput datasets (mostly from ENCODE consortium [9,10]) depicting DNAse footprinting (DNase 1 hypersentitive sites, DHSs), chromatin immuno-precipitations coupled to deep sequencing (ChIP-seq) and targeting specific histone modifications or RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II), CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and various transcription factors (TFs) interacting with NRAMP1 locus, in both acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary monocytes, allowed us to delineate a ~40 kb regulatory domain insulated by CTCF sites [11]. Because active enhancers (including S-Es) overlap with RNA Pol II bound regions and display (bidirectional) elongation of eRNAs, evaluating the transcriptional status of potential regulatory elements previously delineated at NRAMP1 locus should inform on regulation of gene expression. Howdeivffeerr,etnhtieatciaonndaride acotemrmegonultaotNorryamepl1emanednNtsRiAdMenPt1ifioertdhoalnodgs,thaseiwrepllaatsteinrnvoolvf emmoebnitloizfamtiaosnteraTpFpseared diversguecnhtabsePtuw.1eeanndmCa/mebmpsa. lHiaonwsepveecr,ieths.e candidate regulatory elements identified and their pattern of mobilization appeared divergent between mammalian species

Results and Discussion
Regulatory Determinants Identified by Cap Analysis of NRAMP1 Expression
NRAMP1 Expressing Blood Cells
Blood Cells Not Expressing NRAMP1
Blood Cells Expressing NRAMP1 at Intermediate Levels
An Alternative NRAMP1 TSS in AMLs?
Sites Showing Bidirectional CAGE Signals in NRAMP1 Expressing Cells
NRAMP1 TSS
Other Candidate NRAMP1 Regulatory Elements
Determinants Partially CAGE Positive
CAGE Negative Determinants
CTCF Sites at NRAMP1 Locus
Area Downstream of NRAMP1 3 CTCF
Autonomous Regulation of NRAMP1 Locus
Recapitulating the Process of NRAMP1 Gene Activation during Development
Segmenting NRAMP1 Locus in Five Regulatory Regions
E CATIP i F6 F11 F4A ii F12 F13 F5 F2 F4B
Regional Predictions of Potential TFBSs
NRAMP1 Locus Activity in Early Developmental Stages of Hematopoiesis
F11 F4A F12 F13
Activation of NRAMP1 Regulatory Regions i–v during Myelo-Monopoiesis
Region i
Region iii
Region iv
Region v
Myelo-Monocytic Programming of NRAMP1 Gene Expression
Nramp1 Locus Organization
Regulation of Expression
Predicted Regulatory Elements
TF Binding at Nramp1 Locus
Conclusions
A C -like

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