RESUMEN
The imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 domain comprises the developmental genes Dlk1 and Rtl1, which are silenced on the maternal chromosome in different cell types. On this parental chromosome, the domain's imprinting control region activates a polycistron that produces the lncRNA Meg3 and many miRNAs (Mirg) and C/D-box snoRNAs (Rian). Although Meg3 lncRNA is nuclear and associates with the maternal chromosome, it is unknown whether it controls gene repression in cis. We created mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) that carry an ectopic poly(A) signal, reducing RNA levels along the polycistron, and generated Rian-/- mESCs as well. Upon ESC differentiation, we found that Meg3 lncRNA (but not Rian) is required for Dlk1 repression on the maternal chromosome. Biallelic Meg3 expression acquired through CRISPR-mediated demethylation of the paternal Meg3 promoter led to biallelic Dlk1 repression, and to loss of Rtl1 expression. lncRNA expression also correlated with DNA hypomethylation and CTCF binding at the 5'-side of Meg3. Using Capture Hi-C, we found that this creates a Topologically Associating Domain (TAD) organization that brings Meg3 close to Dlk1 on the maternal chromosome. The requirement of Meg3 for gene repression and TAD structure may explain how aberrant MEG3 expression at the human DLK1-DIO3 locus associates with imprinting disorders.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas de Unión al Calcio , Diferenciación Celular , Impresión Genómica , ARN Largo no Codificante , Animales , Ratones , Proteínas de Unión al Calcio/genética , Proteínas de Unión al Calcio/metabolismo , Metilación de ADN , Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intercelular/genética , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intercelular/metabolismo , Proteínas de la Membrana/genética , Proteínas de la Membrana/metabolismo , MicroARNs/genética , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Células Madre Embrionarias de Ratones/metabolismo , Células Madre Embrionarias de Ratones/citología , Proteínas Nucleares , Proteínas Gestacionales , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , ARN Largo no Codificante/metabolismoRESUMEN
We identified a novel mutation of ß-thalassemia (ß-thal) in a heterozygous carrier from Azerbaijan. Phenotypical data and molecular mechanisms of codon 2 (-T) (HBB: c.9delT) was relevant to ß0-thal. Additionally, we here report two new mutations on the HBB gene, not observed previously, in the local population as well as a non causative promoter mutation -198 (A>G) (HBB: c.-248A>G).
Asunto(s)
Mutación del Sistema de Lectura , Mutación , Globinas beta/genética , Talasemia beta/genética , Azerbaiyán , Codón , Femenino , Heterocigoto , Humanos , Masculino , Fenotipo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genéticaRESUMEN
Neural stem cells (NSCs) must exit quiescence to produce neurons; however, our understanding of this process remains constrained by the technical limitations of current technologies. Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) of autofluorescent metabolic cofactors has been used in other cell types to study shifts in cell states driven by metabolic remodeling that change the optical properties of these endogenous fluorophores. Using this non-destructive, live-cell, and label-free strategy, we found that quiescent NSCs (qNSCs) and activated NSCs (aNSCs) have unique autofluorescence profiles. Specifically, qNSCs display an enrichment of autofluorescence localizing to a subset of lysosomes, which can be used as a graded marker of NSC quiescence to predict cell behavior at single-cell resolution. Coupling autofluorescence imaging with single-cell RNA sequencing, we provide resources revealing transcriptional features linked to deep quiescence and rapid NSC activation. Together, we describe an approach for tracking mouse NSC activation state and expand our understanding of adult neurogenesis.
Asunto(s)
Células-Madre Neurales , Ratones , Animales , Células-Madre Neurales/metabolismo , Neurogénesis/fisiología , Neuronas , Biomarcadores/metabolismoRESUMEN
DNA methylation plays essential roles in mammals. Of particular interest are parental methylation marks that originate from the oocyte or the sperm, and bring about mono-allelic gene expression at defined chromosomal regions. The remarkable somatic stability of these parental imprints in the pre-implantation embryo-where they resist global waves of DNA demethylation-is not fully understood despite the importance of this phenomenon. After implantation, some methylation imprints persist in the placenta only, a tissue in which many genes are imprinted. Again here, the underlying epigenetic mechanisms are not clear. Mouse studies have pinpointed the involvement of transcription factors, covalent histone modifications, and histone variants. These and other features linked to the stability of methylation imprints are instructive as concerns their conservation in humans, in which different congenital disorders are caused by perturbed parental imprints. Here, we discuss DNA and histone methylation imprints, and why unravelling maintenance mechanisms is important for understanding imprinting disorders in humans.