Heterochromatic Features Research Articles

NuRD Blocks Reprogramming of Mouse Somatic Cells into Pluripotent Stem Cells

Reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by overexpression of a defined set of transcription factors requires epigenetic changes in pluripotency genes. Nuclear reprogramming is an inefficient process and the molecular mechanisms that reset the epigenetic state during iPSC generation are largely unknown. Here, we show that downregulation of the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complex is required for efficient reprogramming. Overexpression of Mbd3, a subunit of NuRD, inhibits induction of iPSCs by establishing heterochromatic features and silencing embryonic stem cell-specific marker genes, including Oct4 and Nanog. Depletion of Mbd3, on the other hand, improves reprogramming efficiency and facilitates the formation of pluripotent stem cells that are capable of generating viable chimeric mice, even in the absence of c-Myc or Sox2. The results establish Mbd3/NuRD as an important epigenetic regulator that restricts the expression of key pluripotency genes, suggesting that drug-induced downregulation of Mbd3/NuRD may be a powerful means to improve the efficiency and fidelity of reprogramming.

The chromatin remodelling complex NoRC safeguards genome stability by heterochromatin formation at telomeres and centromeres

Constitutive heterochromatin is crucial for the integrity of chromosomes and genomic stability. Here, we show that the chromatin remodelling complex NoRC, known to silence a fraction of rRNA genes, also establishes a repressive heterochromatic structure at centromeres and telomeres, preserving the structural integrity of these repetitive loci. Knockdown of NoRC leads to relaxation of centromeric and telomeric heterochromatin, abnormalities in mitotic spindle assembly, impaired chromosome segregation and enhanced chromosomal instability. The results demonstrate that NoRC safeguards genomic stability by coordinating enzymatic activities that establish features of repressive chromatin at centromeric and telomeric regions, and this heterochromatic structure is required for sustaining genomic integrity.

Interhaplotypic heterogeneity and heterochromatic features may contribute to recombination suppression at the S locus in apple (Malusxdomestica).

Gametophytic self-incompatibility (GSI) is controlled by a complex S locus containing the pistil determinant S-RNase and pollen determinant SFB/SLF. Tight linkage of the pistil and pollen determinants is necessary to guarantee the self-incompatibility (SI) function. However, multiple probable pollen determinants of apple and Japanese pear, SFBBs (S locus F-box brothers), exist in each S haplotype, and how these multiple genes maintain the SI function remains unclear. It is shown here by high-resolution fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) that SFBB genes of the apple S 9 haplotype are physically linked to the S 9 -RNase gene, and the S locus is located in the subtelomeric region. FISH analyses also determined the relative order of SFBB genes and S-RNase in the S 9 haplotype, and showed that gene order differs between the S 9 and S 3 haplotypes. Furthermore, it is shown that the apple S locus is located in a knob-like large heterochromatin block where DNA is highly methylated. It is proposed that interhaplotypic heterogeneity and the heterochromatic nature of the S locus help to suppress recombination at the S locus in apple.

The chromatin remodeling complex NuRD establishes the poised state of rRNA genes characterized by bivalent histone modifications and altered nucleosome positions

rRNA genes (rDNA) exist in two distinct epigenetic states, active promoters being unmethylated and marked by euchromatic histone modifications, whereas silent ones are methylated and exhibit heterochromatic features. Here we show that the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylation (NuRD) complex establishes a specific chromatin structure at rRNA genes that are poised for transcription activation. The promoter of poised rRNA genes is unmethylated, associated with components of the preinitiation complex, marked by bivalent histone modifications and covered by a nucleosome in the "off" position, which is refractory to transcription initiation. Repression of rDNA transcription in growth-arrested and differentiated cells correlates with elevated association of NuRD and increased levels of poised rRNA genes. Reactivation of transcription requires resetting the promoter-bound nucleosome into the "on" position by the DNA-dependent ATPase CSB (Cockayne syndrome protein B). The results uncover a unique mechanism by which ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes with opposing activities establish a specific chromatin state and regulate transcription.

Natural variation of H3K27me3 distribution between two Arabidopsis accessions and its association with flanking transposable elements

BackgroundHistone H3 lysine 27 tri-methylation and lysine 9 di-methylation are independent repressive chromatin modifications in Arabidopsis thaliana. H3K27me3 is established and maintained by Polycomb repressive complexes whereas H3K9me2 is catalyzed by SUVH histone methyltransferases. Both modifications can spread to flanking regions after initialization and were shown to be mutually exclusive in Arabidopsis.ResultsWe analyzed the extent of natural variation of H3K27me3 in the two accessions Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Columbia (Col) and their F1 hybrids. The majority of H3K27me3 target genes in Col were unchanged in Ler and F1 hybrids. A small number of Ler-specific targets were detected and confirmed. Consistent with a cis-regulatory mechanism for establishing H3K27me3, differential targets showed allele-specific H3K27me3 in hybrids. Five Ler-specific targets showed the active mark H3K4me3 in Col and for this group, differential H3K27me3 enrichment accorded to expression variation. On the other hand, the majority of Ler-specific targets were not expressed in Col, Ler or 17 other accessions. Instead of H3K27me3, the antagonistic mark H3K9me2 and other heterochromatic features were observed at these loci in Col. These loci were frequently flanked by transposable elements, which were often missing in the Ler genome assembly.ConclusionThere is little variation in H3K27me3 occupancy within the species, although H3K27me3 targets were previously shown as overrepresented among differentially expressed genes. The existing variation in H3K27me3 seems mostly explained by flanking polymorphic transposable elements. These could nucleate heterochromatin, which then spreads into neighboring H3K27me3 genes, thus converting them to H3K9me2 targets.

An intranucleolar body associated with rDNA

The nucleolus is the subnuclear organelle responsible for ribosome subunit biogenesis and can also act as a stress sensor. It forms around clusters of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and is mainly organised in three subcompartments, i.e. fibrillar centre, dense fibrillar component and granular component. Here, we describe the localisation of 21 protein factors to an intranucleolar region different to these main subcompartments, called the intranucleolar body (INB). These factors include proteins involved in DNA maintenance, protein turnover, RNA metabolism, chromatin organisation and the post-translational modifiers SUMO1 and SUMO2/3. Increase in the size and number of INBs is promoted by specific types of DNA damage and depends on the functional integrity of the nucleolus. INBs are abundant in nucleoli of unstressed cells during S phase and localise in close proximity to rDNA with heterochromatic features. The data suggest the INB is linked with regulation of rDNA transcription and/or maintenance of rDNA.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00412-011-0327-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mechanistic principles of chromatin remodeling guided by siRNAs and miRNAs

Small RNAs can guide chromatin remodeling in mammalian cells, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Previous reports have shown a requirement for overlapping transcription and the involvement of Argonaute (Ago) proteins. Here, we use the Regulatory Domain (RD) of the INK4/ARF locus as an experimental platform susceptible to siRNA-guided chromatin remodeling to interrogate about the mechanisms involved. We show that siRNA-guided chromatin remodeling of RD requires overlapping transcription and targets the transcribed strand, and not to the template strand, supporting an RNA:RNA recognition mechanism between the small RNA and the nascent RNA transcript. We found that heterochromatin formation can be triggered both by perfectly-matched double-stranded RNAs, as well as, by imperfectly-matched double-stranded RNAs. The latter observation, together with the fact that promoters are often subjected to overlapping transcription, suggest that miRNAs could also be able to guide heterochromatin formation at promoters. We proof this possibility using showing that miRNAs miR17-5p and miR20a from the oncomiR cluster miR-17-92 can induce heterochromatic features in promoters that undergo overlapping transcription and possess sequence complementarity to the miRNA seed region. These results unveil a new level of gene regulation by miRNAs.

Hypomethylation of subtelomeric regions in ICF syndrome is associated with abnormally short telomeres and enhanced transcription from telomeric regions

Telomeres and adjacent subtelomeric regions are packaged as heterochromatin in many organisms. The heterochromatic features include DNA methylation, histones H3-Lys9 (Lysine 9) and H4-Lys20 (Lysine 20) methylation and heterochromatin protein1 alpha binding. Subtelomeric DNA is hypomethylated in human sperm and ova, and these regions are subjected to de novo methylation during development. In mice this activity is carried out by DNA methyltransferase 3b (Dnmt3b). Mutations in DNMT3B in humans lead to the autosomal-recessive ICF (immunodeficiency, centromeric region instability, facial anomalies) syndrome. Here we show that, in addition to several satellite and non-satellite repeats, the subtelomeric regions in lymphoblastoid and fibroblast cells of ICF patients are also hypomethylated to similar levels as in sperm. Furthermore, the telomeres are abnormally short in both the telomerase-positive and -negative cells, and many chromosome ends lack detectable telomere fluorescence in situ hybridization signals from either one or both sister-chromatids. In contrast to Dnmt3a/b(-/-) mouse embryonic stem cells, increased telomere sister-chromatid exchange was not observed in ICF cells. Hypomethylation of subtelomeric regions was associated in the ICF cells with advanced telomere replication timing and elevated levels of transcripts emanating from telomeric regions, known as TERRA (telomeric-repeat-containing RNA) or TelRNA. The current findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the abnormal telomeric phenotype observed in ICF syndrome and highlights the link between TERRA/TelRNA and structural telomeric integrity.

Suv4-20h deficiency results in telomere elongation and derepression of telomere recombination

Mammalian telomeres have heterochromatic features, including trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) and trimethylated histone H4 at lysine 20 (H4K20me3). In addition, subtelomeric DNA is hypermethylated. The enzymatic activities responsible for these modifications at telomeres are beginning to be characterized. In particular, H4K20me3 at telomeres could be catalyzed by the novel Suv4-20h1 and Suv4-20h2 histone methyltransferases (HMTases). In this study, we demonstrate that the Suv4-20h enzymes are responsible for this histone modification at telomeres. Cells deficient for Suv4-20h2 or for both Suv4-20h1 and Suv4-20h2 show decreased levels of H4K20me3 at telomeres and subtelomeres in the absence of changes in H3K9me3. These epigenetic alterations are accompanied by telomere elongation, indicating a role for Suv4-20h HMTases in telomere length control. Finally, cells lacking either the Suv4-20h or Suv39h HMTases show increased frequencies of telomere recombination in the absence of changes in subtelomeric DNA methylation. These results demonstrate the importance of chromatin architecture in the maintenance of telomere length homeostasis and reveal a novel role for histone lysine methylation in controlling telomere recombination.

Repeat Organization and Epigenetic Regulation of the DH-Cμ Domain of the Immunoglobulin Heavy-Chain Gene Locus

The first steps of murine immunoglobulin heavy-chain (IgH) gene recombination take place within a chromosomal domain that contains diversity (D(H)) and joining (J(H)) gene segments, but not variable (V(H)) gene segments. Here we show that the chromatin state of this domain is markedly heterogeneous. Specifically, only 5'- and 3'-most D(H) gene segments carry active chromatin modifications, whereas intervening D(H)s are associated with heterochromatic marks that are maintained by ongoing histone deacetylation. The intervening D(H)s form part of a tandemly repeated sequence that expresses tissue-specific, antisense oriented transcripts. We propose that the intervening D(H) genes are actively suppressed by repeat-induced epigenetic silencing, which is reflected in their infrequent representation in DJ(H) junctions compared to the flanking D(H) genes.

Telomere length regulates the epigenetic status of mammalian telomeres and subtelomeres

Mammalian telomeres have epigenetic marks of constitutive heterochromatin. Here, we study the impact of telomere length on the maintenance of heterochromatin domains at telomeres. Telomerase-deficient Terc(-/-) mice with short telomeres show decreased trimethylation of histone 3 at Lys9 (H3K9) and histone 4 at Lys20 (H4K20) in telomeric and subtelomeric chromatin as well as decreased CBX3 binding accompanied by increased H3 and H4 acetylation at these regions. Subtelomeric DNA methylation is also decreased in conjunction with telomere shortening in Terc(-/-) mice. In contrast, telomere repeat factors 1 and 2 show normal binding to telomeres independent of telomere length. These results indicate that loss of telomeric repeats leads to a change in the architecture of telomeric and subtelomeric chromatin consisting of loss of heterochromatic features leading to a more 'open' chromatin state. These observations highlight the importance of telomere repeats in the establishment of constitutive heterochromatin at mammalian telomeres and subtelomeres and point to histone modifications as important in counting telomere repeats.

Intergenic Transcripts Regulate the Epigenetic State of rRNA Genes

Transcripts originating from the intergenic spacer (IGS) that separates rRNA genes (rDNA) have been known for two decades; their biological role, however, is largely unknown. Here we show that IGS transcripts are required for establishing and maintaining a specific heterochromatic configuration at the promoter of a subset of rDNA arrays. The mechanism of action appears to be mediated through the interaction of TIP5, the large subunit of the chromatin remodeling complex NoRC, with 150-300 nucleotide RNAs that are complementary in sequence to the rDNA promoter. Mutations that abrogate RNA binding of TIP5 impair the association of NoRC with rDNA and fail to promote H3K9&H4K20 methylation and HP1 recruitment. Knockdown of IGS transcripts abolishes the nucleolar localization of NoRC, decreases DNA methylation, and enhances rDNA transcription. The results reveal an important contribution of processed IGS transcripts in chromatin structure and epigenetic control of the rDNA locus.

The PHD Finger/Bromodomain of NoRC Interacts with Acetylated Histone H4K16 and Is Sufficient for rDNA Silencing

The SNF2h-containing chromatin-remodeling complex NoRC is responsible for silencing a fraction of mammalian rRNA genes (rDNA). NoRC silences transcription by establishing heterochromatic features-including DNA methylation, hypoacetylation of histone H4, and methylation of H3K9-at the rDNA promoter []. We have investigated the mechanism of NoRC-mediated rDNA silencing and show that binding of the bromodomain of TIP5, the large subunit of NoRC, to acetylated nucleosomes is a prerequisite for NoRC function. A point mutation within the bromodomain impairs the association of NoRC with chromatin, prevents heterochromatin formation, and abolishes transcriptional repression. Moreover, the association of NoRC with chromatin requires acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (acH4K16), and binding to acH4K16 is required for subsequent deacetylation of H4K5, H4K8, and H4K12, indicating that acetylation of H4K16 plays an active role in NoRC-mediated heterochromatin formation. The bromodomain cooperates with an adjacent PHD finger to recruit HDAC1, DNMT1, DNMT3, and SNF2h to rDNA. If specifically targeted to the rDNA promoter, the PHD finger/bromodomain is capable of establishing heterochromatic features and rDNA silencing. Thus, the PHD finger/bromodomain represents an autonomous unit that binds to acH4K16 and coordinates the chain of events that establish the repressed state of rDNA.

Euchromatic and heterochromatic domains at Drosophila telomeres

Noncoding repetitive sequences make up a large portion of eukaryotic genomes, but their function is not well understood. Large blocks of repetitive DNA-forming heterochromatin around the centromeres are required for this region to function properly, but are difficult to analyze. The smaller regions of heterochromatin at the telomeres provide an opportunity to study their DNA and protein composition. Drosophila telomere length is maintained through the targeted transposition of specific non-long terminal repeat retrotransposons to chromosome ends, where they form long tandem arrays. A subterminal telomere-associated sequence (TAS) lies immediately proximal to the terminal-retrotransposon array. Here, we review the experimental support for the heterochromatic features of Drosophila telomeres, and provide evidence that telomeric regions contain 2 distinct chromatin subdomains: TAS, which exhibits features that resemble beta heterochromatin; and the terminal array of retrotransposons, which appears euchromatic. This organization is significantly different from the telomeric organization of other eukaryotes, where the terminal telomerase-generated repeats are often folded in a t-loop structure and become part of the heterochromatin protein complex.

Epigenetic Mechanism of rRNA Gene Silencing: Temporal Order of NoRC-Mediated Histone Modification, Chromatin Remodeling, and DNA Methylation

Epigenetic control mechanisms silence about half of the rRNA genes in eukaryotes. Previous studies have demonstrated that recruitment of NoRC, a SNF2h-containing remodeling complex, silences rRNA gene transcription. NoRC mediates histone H4 deacetylation, histone H3-Lys9 dimethylation, and de novo DNA methylation, thus establishing heterochromatic features at the rRNA gene promoter. Here we show that inhibition of any of these activities alleviates NoRC-dependent silencing, indicating that these processes are intimately linked. We have studied the temporal order of epigenetic events at the rRNA gene promoter during gene silencing and demonstrate that recruitment of NoRC by TTF-I is a prerequisite for the deacetylation of histone H4 and the dimethylation of histone H3-Lys9. Inhibition of histone deacetylation prevents DNA methylation, while inhibition of DNA methylation does not affect histone modification. Importantly, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling is required for methylation of a specific CpG dinucleotide within the upstream control element of the rRNA gene promoter, and this modification impairs preinitiation complex formation. The results of this study reveal a clear hierarchy of epigenetic events that control de novo DNA methylation and lead to silencing of RNA genes.

Molecular basis of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), the third most common myopathy, is an autosomal dominant disease with an insidious onset and progression. Almost all FSHD patients carry deletions of an integral number of tandem 3.3 kb repeats, termed D4Z4, located on chromosome 4q35. In FSHD patients a deletion of the integral number of D4Z4 repeats generates a fragment that is usually smaller than 35 kb (fewer than 11 repeats), whereas in normal controls the size usually ranges from 50 to 300 kb (between 11 and 150 units). D4Z4 is a repetitive element with heterochromatic features. Recently, 4q35 genes located upstream of D4Z4 have been found to be inappropriately overexpressed specifically in FSHD muscle. An element within D4Z4 has been shown to behave as a silencer that provides a binding site for a transcriptional repressing complex. These results suggest a model in which deletion of D4Z4 leads to the inappropriate transcriptional derepression of 4q35 genes, resulting in disease.

“Ag-NORs” are not always true NORs: new evidence in mammals

In spite of uncertainty about the biochemical processes involved, silver staining is a widely used technique for assessing the locations of active NORs in eukaryotic genomes in general, and in mammalian genomes in particular. However, following a previous study of hedgehog chromosomes, we present here a second example from two gerbil species (Rodentia, Muridae), which have several clear Ag-positive signals that do not correspond to 28S rDNA clusters. Although this pattern may be characteristic of particular genomes displaying unusual heterochromatic features, our study casts doubt upon the reliability and universality of Ag-staining for detecting active NORs.

Toward a cytological characterization of the rice genome.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) will be the first major crop, as well as the first monocot plant species, to be completely sequenced. Integration of DNA sequence-based maps with cytological maps will be essential to fully characterize the rice genome. We have isolated a set of 24 chromosomal arm-specific bacterial artificial chromosomes to facilitate rice chromosome identification. A standardized rice karyotype was constructed using meiotic pachytene chromosomes of O. sativa spp. japonica rice var. Nipponbare. This karyotype is anchored by centromere-specific and chromosomal arm-specific cytological landmarks and is fully integrated with the most saturated rice genetic linkage maps in which Nipponbare was used as one of the mapping parents. An ideogram depicting the distribution of heterochromatin in the rice genome was developed based on the patterns of 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining of the Nipponbare pachytene chromosomes. The majority of the heterochromatin is distributed in the pericentric regions with some rice chromosomes containing a significantly higher proportion of heterochromatin than other chromosomes. We showed that pachytene chromosome-based fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis is the most effective approach to integrate DNA sequences with euchromatic and heterochromatic features.

Distinct protein interaction domains and protein spreading in a complex centromere

Fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) centromeres are composed of large (40-100 kb) inverted repeats that display heterochromatic features, thus providing a good model for higher eukaryotic centromeres. The association of three proteins that mediate region-specific silencing across centromere 1 has been mapped by quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation. Swi6 and Chp1 are confined to the flanking outer repeats and Swi6 can spread across at least 3 kb of extraneous chromatin in cen1. In contrast, Mis6 coats the inner repeats and central core. tRNA genes demarcate this transition zone. These analyses clearly define two distinct domains within this complex centromere which interact with different proteins.

Heterochromatic features of an 11-megabase transgene in brain cells.

Transgenic mice provide a remarkable experimental setting for the study of nuclear architecture. The three-dimensional localization and fine structure of a foreign DNA within the mouse genome can be conveniently followed by using high-resolution in situ hybridization. Foreign DNAs designed with specific characteristics, such as base bias, sequence motif(s), and size can stably integrate into finite positions on host chromosomes. Thus the relative importance of each of these characteristics in determining the three-dimensional nuclear position and the detailed morphology of the transgene can be evaluated in different cell types. The aim of this study was to evaluate a transgene with sequence characteristics that might contribute to the de novo formation of heterochromatin in interphase nuclei. The structure of a phenotypically silent 11-megabase transgene, containing tandem repeats of beta-globin-pBR sequences integrated into the peritelomeric region of both mouse chromosome 3 homologs, was determined in adult brain cells. Neurons that are largely euchromatic were especially informative in three-dimensional studies of transgene position. The two transgenic loci behaved much like centromeric or paracentromeric A + T-rich satellite DNAs of comparable length from a single chromosome; one or both transgene domains localized together with centromeric satellite DNA on the nucleolus. This is an unusual nuclear position for a telomeric or chromosome arm region that does not contain a substantial amount of constitutively heterochromatic satellite DNA. G + C richness did not prevent these regions from assembling as dense heterochromatic bodies of approximately 1 micron3 in volume. Ultrastructurally, transgenic domains were often intimately connected with constitutive heterochromatin and were highly condensed. Labeled supercoils, formed by a discrete approximately 250-nm-wide fiber, were observed in oblique thin sections through the center of the domain. The structural data were consistent with negligible transcriptional activity detected for this locus, as well as the predicted conformation of constitutive heterochromatin. Interestingly, in transgenic but not control mice, a substantial number of large neurons, including approximately 30% of cerebellar Purkinje cells, showed excessive invaginations of the nuclear membrane.