ZNF512B Safeguards Genome Integrity at Regulatory Regions to Repress SASP and Inflammation
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE206078 | GEO | 2026/06/18
REPOSITORIES: GEO
Similar Datasets
Project description:Cellular senescence drives aging and disease largely through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), yet its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Using a SASP reporter combined with a CRISPR-Cas9 screen targeting active regulatory elements, we identify the zinc finger protein ZNF512B as a key suppressor of SASP. ZNF512B loss induces DNA damage, activates cGAS-STING signaling, and triggers inflammatory transcriptional reprogramming. In contrast, ZNF512B promotes preferential DNA repair at regulatory genomic regions, limiting SASP induction. Mechanistically, ZNF512B is rapidly recruited to DNA damage sites via distinct zinc finger domains and facilitates NuRD complex targeting to damaged chromatin, enabling precise repair. In human neuromuscular organoids, ZNF512B deficiency induces inflammation, lineage imbalance, and cytokine secretion resembling ALS-associated pathology. In vivo, ZNF512B overexpression reduces DNA damage and inflammation following acute liver injury. Together, these findings support a mechanism of preferential DNA repair that contributes to maintaining genome integrity to suppress SASP and inflammation.
2026-06-22 | GSE206076 | GEO
Project description:Active regions in the genome are more prone to DNA damage (Schwer et al., 2016), but the mutations occur less often in these regions (Martincorena et al., 2012; Monroe et al., 2022; Xia et al., 2020; Zhang and Yang, 2015), indicating involvement of unknown protective machinery. Chronic DNA damage signaling induces senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which mediates pathophysiological functions of senescent cells during aging (Herranz and Gil, 2018), however, the molecular players governing SASP remain poorly understood. Here we performed a genome wide CRISPR screening by implementing a SASP specific reporter system and a guide RNA library targeting regulatory regions and identify several novel SASP repressors. ZNF512B is one such factor that prioritizes DNA repair around regulatory regions associated with highly expressed genes. ZNF512B selectively recruits NuRD nucleosome remodeling complexes to damage loci and ensure faithful timely manner repair. ZNF512B depletion induces SASP, and its overexpression inhibits SASP in various in vitro and in vivo models by modulating DNA repair. ZNF512B overexpression slows down cutaneous wound healing and reduces damage associated with acute liver injury by repression of SASP. ZNF512B is a known prognostic factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Jiang et al., 2021; Tetsuka et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2015; Yu et al., 2018) and its ablation in human neuromuscular organoids leads to depletion of astroglia compartment, a possible mechanism leading to subsequent defects in neuromuscular pathology in ALS. Taken together these findings have important implications for our understanding of repair bias around functionally constrained regions to safeguard long term genome integrity during aging and age associated pathology.
2026-06-22 | GSE206077 | GEO
Project description:Active regions in the genome are more prone to DNA damage (Schwer et al., 2016), but the mutations occur less often in these regions (Martincorena et al., 2012; Monroe et al., 2022; Xia et al., 2020; Zhang and Yang, 2015), indicating involvement of unknown protective machinery. Chronic DNA damage signaling induces senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which mediates pathophysiological functions of senescent cells during aging (Herranz and Gil, 2018), however, the molecular players governing SASP remain poorly understood. Here we performed a genome wide CRISPR screening by implementing a SASP specific reporter system and a guide RNA library targeting regulatory regions and identify several novel SASP repressors. ZNF512B is one such factor that prioritizes DNA repair around regulatory regions associated with highly expressed genes. ZNF512B selectively recruits NuRD nucleosome remodeling complexes to damage loci and ensure faithful timely manner repair. ZNF512B depletion induces SASP, and its overexpression inhibits SASP in various in vitro and in vivo models by modulating DNA repair. ZNF512B overexpression slows down cutaneous wound healing and reduces damage associated with acute liver injury by repression of SASP. ZNF512B is a known prognostic factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Jiang et al., 2021; Tetsuka et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2015; Yu et al., 2018) and its ablation in human neuromuscular organoids leads to depletion of astroglia compartment, a possible mechanism leading to subsequent defects in neuromuscular pathology in ALS. Taken together these findings have important implications for our understanding of repair bias around functionally constrained regions to safeguard long term genome integrity during aging and age associated pathology.
2026-06-22 | GSE206071 | GEO
Project description:Active regions in the genome are more prone to DNA damage (Schwer et al., 2016), but the mutations occur less often in these regions (Martincorena et al., 2012; Monroe et al., 2022; Xia et al., 2020; Zhang and Yang, 2015), indicating involvement of unknown protective machinery. Chronic DNA damage signaling induces senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which mediates pathophysiological functions of senescent cells during aging (Herranz and Gil, 2018), however, the molecular players governing SASP remain poorly understood. Here we performed a genome wide CRISPR screening by implementing a SASP specific reporter system and a guide RNA library targeting regulatory regions and identify several novel SASP repressors. ZNF512B is one such factor that prioritizes DNA repair around regulatory regions associated with highly expressed genes. ZNF512B selectively recruits NuRD nucleosome remodeling complexes to damage loci and ensure faithful timely manner repair. ZNF512B depletion induces SASP, and its overexpression inhibits SASP in various in vitro and in vivo models by modulating DNA repair. ZNF512B overexpression slows down cutaneous wound healing and reduces damage associated with acute liver injury by repression of SASP. ZNF512B is a known prognostic factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Jiang et al., 2021; Tetsuka et al., 2013; Yang et al., 2015; Yu et al., 2018) and its ablation in human neuromuscular organoids leads to depletion of astroglia compartment, a possible mechanism leading to subsequent defects in neuromuscular pathology in ALS. Taken together these findings have important implications for our understanding of repair bias around functionally constrained regions to safeguard long term genome integrity during aging and age associated pathology.
2026-06-22 | GSE206070 | GEO
Project description:Zinc finger proteins are a large family of DNA-binding factors that play key roles in diverse cellular processes including gene regulation, RNA metabolism and cell cycle control. The zinc finger protein ZNF512B has recently been implicated in chromatin organization and transcriptional repression through its direct interaction with the nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex, its DNA-binding ability, and its association with the histone variant H2A.Z. Here, we uncover a previously unrecognized role for ZNF512B that is independent of both its zinc finger domains and NuRD association. We identify ZNF512B as a spindle-associated factor that regulates progression through mitosis, specifically controlling metaphase exit. ZNF512B’s N-terminal internal region, which contains 25 repeats of a six-residue motif predicted to form a β-helix structure, is required and sufficient for its spindle interaction. Elevated ZNF512B levels result in a profound metaphase arrest that is ultimately lethal, a phenotype arising from the combined activity of its spindle-binding and chromatin-tethering functions. Conversely, ZNF512B depletion accelerates stem cell proliferation, impairs differentiation, and upregulates genes linked to cell cycle progression. Our findings position ZNF512B as a multifunctional protein that acts as a transcriptional repressor, a chromatin aggregator and a novel mitotic exit regulator through spindle fiber binding.
2025-08-22 | GSE303898 | GEO
Project description:The evolutionary conserved histone variant H2A.Z plays a crucial role in various DNA-based processes but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Recently, we identified the zinc finger (ZNF) protein ZNF512B as an H2A.Z-, HMG20A- and PWWP2A-associated protein. Here, we report ZNF512B as a novel nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex binding protein. We discovered a conserved amino acid sequence within ZNF512B that resembles a NuRD-interaction domain (NIM) previously identified in FOG-1. By solving the crystal structure of this domain directly bound to the NuRD component RBBP4 and by applying several biochemical assays we demonstrate that this novel internal NIM sequence is both necessary and sufficient for high-affinity NuRD binding. Transcriptome analyses and reporter assays identify ZNF512B as regulator (repressor) of gene expression, in both NuRD-dependent and -independent modes. Surprisingly, high levels of ZNF512B expression lead to concomitant nuclear protein and chromatin aggregation foci that form independent of the interaction with the NuRD complex but depend on ZNF512B’s zinc fingers. Our study has implications for diseases in which ZNF512B’s expression is deregulated, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and reveal the existence of more proteins as potential NuRD interactors.
2024-10-30 | PXD043366 | Pride
Project description:The evolutionary conserved histone variant H2A.Z plays a crucial role in various DNA-based processes but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Recently, we identified the zinc finger (ZNF) protein ZNF512B as an H2A.Z-, HMG20A- and PWWP2A-associated protein. Here, we report ZNF512B as a novel nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) complex binding protein. We discovered a conserved amino acid sequence within ZNF512B that resembles a NuRD-interaction domain (NIM) previously identified in FOG-1. By solving the crystal structure of this domain directly bound to the NuRD component RBBP4 and by applying several biochemical assays we demonstrate that this novel internal NIM sequence is both necessary and sufficient for high-affinity NuRD binding. Transcriptome analyses and reporter assays identify ZNF512B as regulator (repressor) of gene expression, in both NuRD-dependent and -independent modes. Surprisingly, high levels of ZNF512B expression lead to concomitant nuclear protein and chromatin aggregation foci that form independent of the interaction with the NuRD complex but depend on ZNF512B’s zinc fingers. Our study has implications for diseases in which ZNF512B’s expression is deregulated, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases and reveal the existence of more proteins as potential NuRD interactors.
2024-10-29 | GSE236639 | GEO
Project description:ZNF512B Safeguards Genome Integrity at Regulatory Regions to Repress SASP and Inflammation
| PRJNA849015 | ENA
Project description:Zinc finger proteins (ZNFs) are increasingly recognized as regulators of oncogenic transcriptional networks and DNA damage responses. Through integrative analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing data, we identified a conserved set of seven ZNF genes, including ZNF184, that are upregulated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and exhibit dynamic expression patterns linked to disease progression. Among these, ZNF184 uniquely localized to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in a zinc finger domain-dependent manner. Functional analyses revealed that ZNF184 suppresses homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair by impeding BRCA1 recruitment, leading to accumulation of DNA damage. ZNF184 expression was elevated in primary ALL samples and associated with increased γH2AX levels and inferior overall survival in ALL patients. Loss of ZNF184 restored HR efficiency, reduced DNA damage burden, and enhanced genome stability, while re-expression re-sensitized cells to DNA-damaging agents. Mechanistically, ZNF184 directly interacted with TRIM28 and facilitated its recruitment to DSBs, modulating TRIM28 phosphorylation and chromatin remodeling through the HP1/SUV39H1 complex. ZNF184 expression conferred heightened sensitivity to PARP inhibition and synergized with genotoxic chemotherapy in both cell lines and patient-derived ALL cells. These findings identify ZNF184 as a key modulator of DSB repair and a predictive biomarker for therapeutic strategies targeting HR-deficient ALL.
2026-06-08 | PXD066624 | Pride
Project description:Comprehensive Model Description
Overview
This model simulates the cellular response to DNA damage under conditions of ATM/ATR deficiency—such as in ataxia telangiectasia—and predicts the potential benefits of drug repositioning with Omaveloxolone and spermidine. It integrates several interconnected modules: DNA damage production and repair, ATM/ATR–p53 signaling, NRF2/KEAP1 regulation, spermidine-induced autophagy (with additional positive modulation of ATR signaling), and downstream p53 effectors involved in cell fate decisions.
1. DNA Damage Production and Repair Module
Basal DNA Damage Production:
DNA damage is continuously generated at a constant rate, representing both endogenous processes and low-level environmental stress. This reaction acts as a source term for the DNA_damage species.
Repair Pathways:
Several mechanisms work to reduce DNA damage:
ATM-Mediated Repair: Active ATM facilitates the direct repair of DNA damage.
ATR-Mediated Repair: Active ATR, in cooperation with CHK1, repairs DNA damage.
NRF2-Mediated Repair: Active NRF2 triggers antioxidant responses that reduce DNA damage.
Autophagy-Mediated Repair: The autophagy pathway, induced by spermidine, repairs DNA damage in a saturable manner (modeled using Michaelis–Menten kinetics). This ensures that even a significant pulse of damage is only partially repaired, leaving a nonzero steady-state level.
2. ATM/ATR–p53 Signaling Module
ATM and ATR Activation:
DNA damage, along with a positive input from TOPBP1, converts inactive ATM and ATR to their active forms. Under ATM/ATR-deficient conditions (as in ataxia telangiectasia), the activation is severely reduced, resulting in higher levels of unrepaired DNA damage.
p53 Activation:
Both ATM_active and ATR_active phosphorylate and activate p53. Active p53 then acts as a central integrator of the DNA damage signal.
Regulatory Proteins:
HDAC4:
HDAC4 cycles between inactive and active states. Its active form can attenuate p53 activity.
TOPBP1:
TOPBP1 is activated in a DNA damage–dependent manner and helps promote ATR activation.
CK2:
CK2 is a constitutively active kinase that supports TOPBP1 activation.
3. NRF2/KEAP1 Module and Omaveloxolone
NRF2 Activation:
DNA damage stimulates the conversion of NRF2_inactive to NRF2_active. Active NRF2 enhances antioxidant defenses and promotes DNA repair.
KEAP1-Mediated Degradation:
Under normal conditions, KEAP1 targets NRF2_inactive for degradation, keeping NRF2 activity low.
Modulation by Omaveloxolone:
Omaveloxolone is modeled as a constant (boundary) species. It inhibits KEAP1’s activity, thereby reducing NRF2 degradation. This shifts the balance in favor of increased NRF2_active, which boosts the cell’s antioxidant and repair responses.
4. Spermidine-Induced Autophagy and Positive Modulation of ATR Signaling
Spermidine is modeled as a constant species and has two major effects:
Induction of Autophagy:
Spermidine promotes the conversion of Autophagy_inactive to Autophagy_active. The active autophagy machinery repairs DNA damage using a saturable (Michaelis–Menten) mechanism. This pathway helps clear DNA damage but is limited by its maximum capacity.
Enhancement of ATR Signaling:
Spermidine also positively modulates ATR signaling by enhancing the CK2-mediated activation of TOPBP1. In the model, the effective rate of TOPBP1 activation is increased proportionally to the concentration of spermidine. This is represented by a modulation factor, where the effective rate constant for TOPBP1 activation is multiplied by a term that increases with spermidine concentration. The boosted TOPBP1_active level in turn enhances ATR activation, partially compensating for the loss of ATM/ATR function.
5. Downstream p53 Targets: Cell Fate Decisions
Activated p53 regulates cell fate by inducing the production of several downstream effectors:
p21:
p21 is produced in response to p53 activation and is associated with cell cycle arrest and senescence. Its production is balanced by a degradation reaction.
BAX and PUMA:
Both BAX and PUMA are pro-apoptotic proteins. They are produced in proportion to p53_active and are subsequently degraded. Their relative levels help determine whether the cell will undergo apoptosis.
6. Reaction Kinetics (Qualitative Overview)
Mass-Action and Michaelis–Menten Kinetics:
Most reactions in the model are governed by mass-action kinetics. For example, activation and deactivation reactions (such as ATM activation by DNA damage or p53 activation by ATM/ATR) follow simple proportional relationships.
Saturable Repair Processes:
The autophagy-mediated DNA repair reaction uses Michaelis–Menten kinetics to reflect a saturation effect; when DNA damage is high, the repair rate approaches a maximum value, ensuring that not all damage is cleared immediately.
Modulatory Effects:
Spermidine increases the effective rate of TOPBP1 activation (and hence ATR activation) via a modulation term that is proportional to its concentration. Omaveloxolone reduces the degradation rate of NRF2 by inhibiting KEAP1.
Biological Implications and Model Utility
ATM/ATR Deficiency:
In ataxia telangiectasia, ATM/ATR functions are diminished, leading to increased DNA damage. The model simulates this scenario and examines how alternative pathways (NRF2-mediated repair, autophagy, and enhanced ATR signaling via spermidine) help mitigate the damage.
Drug Repositioning Predictions:
The model can be used to predict the outcomes of repositioning drugs:
Omaveloxolone is expected to stabilize NRF2, enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing DNA damage.
Spermidine acts dually by promoting autophagy (with a saturable repair capacity) and by boosting ATR signaling via TOPBP1 activation.
Cell Fate Outcomes:
The downstream p53 targets (p21, BAX, and PUMA) serve as markers for cell cycle arrest/senescence and apoptosis. By simulating the dynamics of these proteins, the model can predict whether a cell is likely to survive, arrest its cycle, or undergo apoptosis based on the integrated response to DNA damage and drug interventions.
Conclusion
This detailed and comprehensive model integrates multiple layers of the cellular response to DNA damage in ATM/ATR-deficient conditions. It includes upstream damage sensing, multiple repair pathways (including direct kinase-mediated repair, antioxidant responses via NRF2, and autophagy-mediated repair), and downstream effectors that determine cell fate. Omaveloxolone and spermidine are modeled to specifically modulate the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway and ATR signaling (via TOPBP1 activation), respectively. This framework provides a robust platform for exploring drug repositioning strategies and predicting cellular outcomes in diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia.
2025-11-25 | MODEL2503190002 | BioModels