Megadomains and superloops form dynamically during X-chromosome inactivation but are dispensable for silencing and escape
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE116649 | GEO | 2018/10/31
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) entails a massive structural reorganization of the inactive X (Xi). However the molecular architecture of the Xi is unknown. Here we show that the Xi lacks typical autosomal features such as active/inactive compartments and topologically associating domains (TADs), except around a small number of genes that escape XCI and remain expressed. Escaping genes form TADs and retain DNA accessibility at promoter-proximal and CTCF binding sites, indicating that these loci can avoid Xist-mediated erasure of chromosomal structure. We further show that genesilencing competent Xist RNA is sufficient to induce segregation of the Xi into two ‘mega-domains’ separated by a boundary that includes the DXZ4 macrosatellite. Deletion of this boundary prior to XCI results in fusion of the megadomains and altered patterns of escape that correlate with changes in TAD structure following differentiation and XCI . Our results suggest a critical role for the boundary locus and Xist RNA in shaping the structure of the Xi and modulating escape from XCI. Our findings also point to roles of transcription and CTCF binding in TAD formation in the context of facultative heterochromatin.
2016-07-18 | GSE72697 | GEO
Project description:One of the two X chromosomes in female somatic cells is transcriptionally silenced across cell generations, a classic paradigm of epigenetic regulation. Although most genes are stably silenced, certain X-linked genes escape X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), providing a fundamental dosage difference between females and males. A role for chromosome conformation has been proposed in XCI as the process is accompanied by a massive structural reorganisation. However a detailed molecular understanding of the three-dimensional architecture of the Xi has been lacking. Here we reveal an unusual three-dimensional configuration of the Xi, that provides novel insights into the relationship between gene expression and TAD organisation. Using allele-specific Hi-C, RNA-Seq and ATAC-seq, as well as DNA FISH, we show that the Xi is spatially segregated into two ‘mega-domains’ separated by a 200kb boundary including the DXZ4 macrosatellite, and is globally devoid of typical autosomal structural features such as active/inactive compartments and topologically associating domains (TADs). However, we find that a few regions along the Xi display TAD signatures corresponding to regions containing escape genes, and display DNA accessibility at promoter-proximal TF binding sites. Strikingly, when the DXZ4-containing boundary region is deleted prior to XCI, most facultative escapees are no longer expressed from the Xi, and the escape associated chromatin domains are no longer observed. Deletion of the DXZ4-containing boundary region from the Xi also results in fusion of the two mega-domains. We show that Xist A-repeat containing (gene silencing competent) RNA is sufficient to induce this spatial segregation of the X chromosome. Combined, our results point to a critical role for the DXZ4-boundary region, together with Xist RNA, in shaping the higher order structure of the Xi and in allowing facultative escape from XCI during differentiation. They also point to direct and uncover a close relationships between transcription and TAD formation organisation in the context of the Xi.
2016-06-30 | GSE71156 | GEO
Project description:In mammals, genes located on the X chromosome are present in one copy in XY males and two in XX females. To balance the dosage of X-linked gene expression between the sexes one of the two X chromosomes in females is silenced by X inactivation initiated by up-regulation of the lncRNA (long non-coding RNA) Xist and recruitment of specific chromatin modifiers for silencing. The inactivated X chromosome becomes heterochromatic and visits a specific nuclear compartment adjacent to the nucleolus. We report a novel role for the X-linked lncRNA Firre in anchoring the inactive mouse X chromosome and preserving one of its main epigenetic features, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Similar to Dxz4, Firre is expressed from a macrosatellite repeat locus associated with a cluster of CTCF and cohesin binding specifically on the inactive X. CTCF binding initially present in both male and female mouse embryonic stem cells was found to be lost from the active X during development. The Firre and Dxz4 loci on the inactive X were preferentially located adjacent to the nucleolus. Knockdown of Firre RNA disrupted perinucleolar targeting and H3K27me3 levels in mouse fibroblasts, demonstrating an important role for this lncRNA in maintenance of one of the main epigenetic features of the X chromosome. There was no X-linked gene reactivation after Firre knockdown; however, a compensatory increase in the expression of chromatin modifier genes implicated in X silencing was observed. In female ES cells Firre RNA knockdown did not disrupt Xist expression/coating nor silencing of G6pdx during differentiation, suggesting that Firre does not play a role in the onset of X inactivation. We conclude that the X-linked lncRNA Firre helps position the inactive X chromosome near the nucleolus and preserve one of its main epigenetic features. Examination of allelic expression in Patski cells upon Firre knockdown.
2015-03-05 | E-GEOD-66172 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Megadomains and superloops form dynamically during X-chromosome inactivation but are dispensable for silencing and escape
| PRJNA479812 | ENA
Project description:In mammals, genes located on the X chromosome are present in one copy in XY males and two in XX females. To balance the dosage of X-linked gene expression between the sexes one of the two X chromosomes in females is silenced by X inactivation initiated by up-regulation of the lncRNA (long non-coding RNA) Xist and recruitment of specific chromatin modifiers for silencing. The inactivated X chromosome becomes heterochromatic and visits a specific nuclear compartment adjacent to the nucleolus. We report a novel role for the X-linked lncRNA Firre in anchoring the inactive mouse X chromosome and preserving one of its main epigenetic features, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Similar to Dxz4, Firre is expressed from a macrosatellite repeat locus associated with a cluster of CTCF and cohesin binding specifically on the inactive X. CTCF binding initially present in both male and female mouse embryonic stem cells was found to be lost from the active X during development. The Firre and Dxz4 loci on the inactive X were preferentially located adjacent to the nucleolus. Knockdown of Firre RNA disrupted perinucleolar targeting and H3K27me3 levels in mouse fibroblasts, demonstrating an important role for this lncRNA in maintenance of one of the main epigenetic features of the X chromosome. There was no X-linked gene reactivation after Firre knockdown; however, a compensatory increase in the expression of chromatin modifier genes implicated in X silencing was observed. In female ES cells Firre RNA knockdown did not disrupt Xist expression/coating nor silencing of G6pdx during differentiation, suggesting that Firre does not play a role in the onset of X inactivation. We conclude that the X-linked lncRNA Firre helps position the inactive X chromosome near the nucleolus and preserve one of its main epigenetic features. Examination of allelic protein-binding or histone modification profiles in Patski cells.
2015-02-26 | E-GEOD-66262 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:During interphase, the inactive X chromosome (Xi) adopts an unusual 3D configuration known as the Barr body and is largely transcriptionally silent. Despite the importance of X inactivation, little is known about the 3D configuration of Xi and its relationship to gene silencing. We recently showed that in humans, Xi exhibits two distinctive structural features. First, Xi is partitioned into two huge intervals, called superdomains, such that pairs of loci in each superdomain show an enhanced contact frequency with one another. The boundary between the two superdomains lies near DXZ4, a macrosatellite repeat spanning ~300kb, whose Xi allele extensively binds the protein CTCF. Second, Xi exhibits extremely large loops, up to 77Mb long, called superloops. DXZ4 lies at the anchor of several superloops. Here, we use 3D mapping to study the structure of Xi, focusing on the role of DXZ4. We show that superloops and superdomains are conserved across mammals. We develop a novel variant of our in situ Hi-C protocol, dubbed COLA (COncatemer Ligation Assay) to probe the higher order structures formed by the superloops. In COLA, in situ proximity ligation of multiple extremely short fragments produced by the enzyme CviJI is used to efficiently map simultaneous proximity among three or more loci. Using data from Hi-C and COLA, we demonstrate that DXZ4 and other superloop anchors tend to co-locate simultaneously within the same cells, a result that is confirmed by 3D-FISH. Finally, we examine the effects of deleting DXZ4 from Xi in human cells. Using in situ Hi-C, microscopy, and RNA-FISH, we show that superdomains and superloops disappear; that Xi frequently dissociates into multiple separate structures; and that transcriptional silencing on Xi is compromised. Deletion of DXZ4 from the active X chromosome (Xa) has no such effect. Thus, DXZ4 is essential for proper folding and silencing of Xi. Hi-C protocol was used on wildtype and DXZ4-deleted cells to examine the structure of Xi. A novel variant of our in situ Hi-C protocol, dubbed COLA (COncatemer Ligation Assay), was developed to probe the higher order structures formed by the superloops. This series also includes RNA-seq data on Retinal Pigmented Epithelial Cells (hTERT-RPE1). At the time of submission, processed data were available only for the RNA-seq samples. Submitter states that processed data files for HiC samples will be added to this series in the future.
2016-07-19 | E-GEOD-71831 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:During interphase, the inactive X chromosome (Xi) adopts an unusual 3D configuration known as the Barr body and is largely transcriptionally silent. Despite the importance of X inactivation, little is known about the 3D configuration of Xi and its relationship to gene silencing. We recently showed that in humans, Xi exhibits two distinctive structural features. First, Xi is partitioned into two huge intervals, called superdomains, such that pairs of loci in each superdomain show an enhanced contact frequency with one another. The boundary between the two superdomains lies near DXZ4, a macrosatellite repeat spanning ~300kb, whose Xi allele extensively binds the protein CTCF. Second, Xi exhibits extremely large loops, up to 77Mb long, called superloops. DXZ4 lies at the anchor of several superloops. Here, we use 3D mapping to study the structure of Xi, focusing on the role of DXZ4. We show that superloops and superdomains are conserved across mammals. We develop a novel variant of our in situ Hi-C protocol, dubbed COLA (COncatemer Ligation Assay) to probe the higher order structures formed by the superloops. In COLA, in situ proximity ligation of multiple extremely short fragments produced by the enzyme CviJI is used to efficiently map simultaneous proximity among three or more loci. Using data from Hi-C and COLA, we demonstrate that DXZ4 and other superloop anchors tend to co-locate simultaneously within the same cells, a result that is confirmed by 3D-FISH. Finally, we examine the effects of deleting DXZ4 from Xi in human cells. Using in situ Hi-C, microscopy, and RNA-FISH, we show that superdomains and superloops disappear; that Xi frequently dissociates into multiple separate structures; and that transcriptional silencing on Xi is compromised. Deletion of DXZ4 from the active X chromosome (Xa) has no such effect. Thus, DXZ4 is essential for proper folding and silencing of Xi.
2016-07-19 | GSE71831 | GEO
Project description:The mammalian inactive X chromosome (Xi) condenses into a bipartite structure with two superdomains of frequent long-range contacts separated by a boundary or hinge region. Using in situ DNase Hi-C in mouse cells with deletions or inversions within the hinge, we show that the conserved repeat locus Dxz4 alone is sufficient to maintain the bipartite structure and that Dxz4 orientation controls the distribution of long-range contacts on the Xi. Frequent long-range contacts between Dxz4 and the telomeric superdomain are either lost after its deletion or shifted to the centromeric superdomain after its inversion. This massive reversal in contact distribution is consistent with the reversal of CTCF motif orientation at Dxz4. Decondensation of the Xi after Dxz4 deletion is associated with partial restoration of TADs normally attenuated on the Xi, and with an increase in chromatin accessibility and CTCF binding, but few changes in gene expression, in accordance with multiple epigenetic mechanisms ensuring X silencing. We propose that Dxz4 represents a structural platform for frequent long-range contacts with multiple loci in a direction dictated by the orientation of a bank of CTCF motifs at Dxz4, which may work as a ratchet to form the distinctive bipartite structure of the condensed Xi.
2017-11-28 | GSE107291 | GEO
Project description:The mammalian inactive X chromosome (Xi) condenses into a bipartite structure with two superdomains of frequent long-range contacts separated by a boundary or hinge region. Using in situ DNase Hi-C in mouse cells with deletions or inversions within the hinge, we show that the conserved repeat locus Dxz4 alone is sufficient to maintain the bipartite structure and that Dxz4 orientation controls the distribution of long-range contacts on the Xi. Frequent long-range contacts between Dxz4 and the telomeric superdomain are either lost after its deletion or shifted to the centromeric superdomain after its inversion. This massive reversal in contact distribution is consistent with the reversal of CTCF motif orientation at Dxz4. Decondensation of the Xi after Dxz4 deletion is associated with partial restoration of TADs normally attenuated on the Xi, and with an increase in chromatin accessibility and CTCF binding, but few changes in gene expression, in accordance with multiple epigenetic mechanisms ensuring X silencing. We propose that Dxz4 represents a structural platform for frequent long-range contacts with multiple loci in a direction dictated by the orientation of a bank of CTCF motifs at Dxz4, which may work as a ratchet to form the distinctive bipartite structure of the condensed Xi.
2017-11-28 | GSE107290 | GEO
Project description:The mammalian inactive X chromosome (Xi) condenses into a bipartite structure with two superdomains of frequent long-range contacts separated by a boundary or hinge region. Using in situ DNase Hi-C in mouse cells with deletions or inversions within the hinge, we show that the conserved repeat locus Dxz4 alone is sufficient to maintain the bipartite structure and that Dxz4 orientation controls the distribution of long-range contacts on the Xi. Frequent long-range contacts between Dxz4 and the telomeric superdomain are either lost after its deletion or shifted to the centromeric superdomain after its inversion. This massive reversal in contact distribution is consistent with the reversal of CTCF motif orientation at Dxz4. Decondensation of the Xi after Dxz4 deletion is associated with partial restoration of TADs normally attenuated on the Xi, and with an increase in chromatin accessibility and CTCF binding, but few changes in gene expression, in accordance with multiple epigenetic mechanisms ensuring X silencing. We propose that Dxz4 represents a structural platform for frequent long-range contacts with multiple loci in a direction dictated by the orientation of a bank of CTCF motifs at Dxz4, which may work as a ratchet to form the distinctive bipartite structure of the condensed Xi.
2017-11-28 | GSE107286 | GEO