Project description:While the core subunits of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes are well characterized, little is known about the dynamics of these protein complexes during cellular differentiation. We used quantitative interaction proteomics to study PcG proteins in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). We found the stoichiometry of PRC1 and PRC2 to be highly dynamic during neural differentiation.
Project description:While the core members of the Polycomb family of proteins (PRC2, PRC1, PR-DUB) are well-characterized, little is known about the specific composition of and protein-protein interactions within these complexes in different cell types. We performed quantitative interaction proteomics and cross-linking mass spectrometry on core Polycomb complex members to identify novel interactors, the relative abundance (stoichiometry) of subunits, and the architecture of these complexes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Differentiation to NPCs resulted in dramatic binding changes for several substoichiometric interactors of PRC2 and PRC1. ChIP-seq of core PRC2 and PRC1 subunits in mESCs and NPCs also identified dynamic changes in the genomic localization of these complexes. We observed a loss of PRC2 from most H3K27me3 sites during differentiation, whereas PRC1 is retained at these sites. Additionally, we found PRC1 at enhancers and promoters of active genes independent of PRC2 binding. Overexpression studies using NPC-specific PRC1 interactors demonstrated that the subunit switching observed during differentiation can change PRC1 target site binding. Altogether, these findings extend our understanding of Polycomb family composition, architecture, and genome-wide localization. ChIP-seq samples for Suz12, Ezh2, Ring1b, Pcgf2, and inputs from mouse embryonic stems cells (mES) and neural progenitor cells (NPC) as well as NPC histone H3K4me1 ChIP-seq.
Project description:Polycomb complexes establish chromatin modifications for maintaining gene repression and are essential for embryonic development in mice. Here we use pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells to demonstrate an unexpected redundancy between Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 during the formation of differentiated cells. ES cells lacking the function of either PRC1 or PRC2 can differentiate into cells of the three germ layers, whereas simultaneous loss of PRC1 and PRC2 abrogates differentiation. On the molecular level the differentiation defect is caused by the derepression of a set of genes that is redundantly repressed by PRC1 and PRC2 in ES cells. Furthermore, we find that genomic repeats are Polycomb targets and show that in the absence of Polycomb complexes endogenous MLV elements can mobilize. This indicates a contribution of the PcG system to the defense against parasitic DNA and a potential role of genomic repeats in Polycomb mediated gene regulation.
Project description:Polycomb complexes establish chromatin modifications for maintaining gene repression and are essential for embryonic development in mice. Here we use pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells to demonstrate an unexpected redundancy between Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 during the formation of differentiated cells. ES cells lacking the function of either PRC1 or PRC2 can differentiate into cells of the three germ layers, whereas simultaneous loss of PRC1 and PRC2 abrogates differentiation. On the molecular level the differentiation defect is caused by the derepression of a set of genes that is redundantly repressed by PRC1 and PRC2 in ES cells. Furthermore, we find that genomic repeats are Polycomb targets and show that in the absence of Polycomb complexes endogenous MLV elements can mobilize. This indicates a contribution of the PcG system to the defense against parasitic DNA and a potential role of genomic repeats in Polycomb mediated gene regulation. RNA from wt and PcG mutant ES cells was extracted using Trizol and hybridized to an Affymetrix Mouse 430_2.0 chip. Labeling, hybridization and primary data analysis were performed by a commercial provider (Atlas Biolabs, Berlin). Before RNA extraction, the undifferentiated ES cell state was confirmed by colony morphology. All genotypes were hybridized in biological triplicates.
Project description:While the core members of the Polycomb family of proteins (PRC2, PRC1, PR-DUB) are well-characterized, little is known about the specific composition of and protein-protein interactions within these complexes in different cell types. We performed quantitative interaction proteomics and cross-linking mass spectrometry on core Polycomb complex members to identify novel interactors, the relative abundance (stoichiometry) of subunits, and the architecture of these complexes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Differentiation to NPCs resulted in dramatic binding changes for several substoichiometric interactors of PRC2 and PRC1. ChIP-seq of core PRC2 and PRC1 subunits in mESCs and NPCs also identified dynamic changes in the genomic localization of these complexes. We observed a loss of PRC2 from most H3K27me3 sites during differentiation, whereas PRC1 is retained at these sites. Additionally, we found PRC1 at enhancers and promoters of active genes independent of PRC2 binding. Overexpression studies using NPC-specific PRC1 interactors demonstrated that the subunit switching observed during differentiation can change PRC1 target site binding. Altogether, these findings extend our understanding of Polycomb family composition, architecture, and genome-wide localization.
Project description:Cellular differentiation entails loss of pluripotency and parallel gain of lineage-specific and ultimately cell-type specific characteristics. Using a murine system that progresses from stem cells to lineage-committed progenitors and further to terminally differentiated neurons we analyzed two repressive epigenetic pathways: DNA methylation and Polycomb-mediated methylation of histone H3 (H3K27me3). We show that several hundred promoters become DNA methylated in lineage-committed progenitor cells. Targets are selected for pluripotency and germline-specific genes, suggesting a role for DNA methylation in stabilizing loss of pluripotency already at the progenitor state. Conversely, we detect loss and acquisition of H3K27me3 at novel targets at both progenitor and terminal state. Surprisingly, many neuron-specific genes that are poised to be activated upon terminal differentiation become Polycomb targets only in progenitor cells. Moreover, promoters marked by H3K27me3 in stem cells frequently become DNA methylated during differentiation, suggesting context-dependent crosstalk between Polycomb and DNA methylation. This data suggest a new model how de novo DNA methylation and dynamic switches in Polycomb targets restrict pluripotency and define the developmental potential of progenitor cells. Keywords: MeDIP-chip, ChIP-chip, neuronal differentiation time-course MeDIP-chip and ChIP-chip experiments were performed with at least two independnet biological replicates. For each condition hybridizations include a dye-swap experiment.
Project description:The Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex plays an important role in gene expression regulation, stem cell self-renewal, and lineage commitment. Yet little is known about the dynamics of NuRD during cellular differentiation. Here, we study these dynamics using genome-wide profiling and quantitative interaction proteomics in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). The genomic targets of NuRD are highly dynamic during differentiation, with most binding occurring at cell-type specific promoters and enhancers. We identify ZFP296 as a novel, ESC-specific NuRD interactor that also interacts with the SIN3A complex. ChIP-sequencing in Zfp296 knockout (KO) ESCs reveals decreased NuRD binding both genome-wide and at ZFP296 binding sites, although this has little effect on the transcriptome. Nevertheless, Zfp296 KO ESCs exhibit delayed induction of lineage-specific markers upon differentiation to embryoid bodies. In summary, we identify an ESC-specific NuRD interacting protein which regulates genome-wide NuRD binding and cellular differentiation.
Project description:Polycomb proteins assemble to form complexes with important roles in epigenetic regulation. The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) modulates the di- and tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3, each of which are associated with gene repression. Although three subunits, EZH1/2, SUZ12 and EED, form the catalytic core of PRC2, a wider group of proteins associate with low stoichiometry. This raises the question of whether dynamic variation of the PRC2 interactome results in alternative forms of the complex during differentiation. Here we compared the physical interactions of PRC2 in undifferentiated and differentiated states of NTERA2 pluripotent embryonic carcinoma cells. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to assess endogenous immunoprecipitation of the EZH2 and SUZ12 subunits of PRC2. A high stringency dataset reflecting the endogenous state of PRC2 was produced that included all previously reported ‘core’ and ‘associated’ PRC2 components, and several novel interacting proteins. Comparison of the interactomes obtained in undifferentiated and differentiated cells revealed candidate proteins that favoured either one or other state. For example, SALL4 and ZNF281 associate with PRC2 in pluripotent cells, while PCL1 and SMAD3 more associate with PRC2 in differentiating cells. Analysis of the mRNA and protein levels of these factors found that their association with PRC2 correlated with their cell state-specific expression. Taken together, we propose that dynamic changes to the PRC2 interactome during differentiation may contribute to directing its activity during cell fate transitions.
Project description:Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are transcribed throughout the genome and provide regulatory inputs to gene expression through their interaction with chromatin. Yet, the genomic targets and functions of most ncRNAs are unknown. Here we use chromatin-associated RNA sequencing (ChAR-seq) to map the global network of ncRNA interactions with chromatin in human embryonic stem cells, and the dynamic changes in interactions during differentiation into definitive endoderm. We uncover general principles governing the organization of the RNA-chromatin interactome, demonstrating that nearly all ncRNAs exclusively interact with genes in close three-dimensional proximity to their locus, and provide a model predicting the interactome. We uncover RNAs that interact with many loci across the genome, and unveil thousands of unannotated RNAs that dynamically interact with chromatin. By relating the dynamics of the interactome to changes in gene expression, we demonstrate that activation or repression of individual genes is unlikely to be controlled by a single ncRNA.
Project description:Polycomb proteins assemble to form complexes with important roles in epigenetic regulation. The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) modulates the di- and tri-methylation of lysine 27 on histone H3, each of which are associated with gene repression. Although three subunits, EZH1/2, SUZ12 and EED, form the catalytic core of PRC2, a wider group of proteins associate with low stoichiometry. This raises the question of whether dynamic variation of the PRC2 interactome results in alternative forms of the complex during differentiation. Here we compared the physical interactions of PRC2 in undifferentiated and differentiated states of NTERA2 pluripotent embryonic carcinoma cells. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to assess endogenous immunoprecipitation of the EZH2 and SUZ12 subunits of PRC2. A high stringency dataset reflecting the endogenous state of PRC2 was produced that included all previously reported ‘core’ and ‘associated’ PRC2 components, and several novel interacting proteins. Comparison of the interactomes obtained in undifferentiated and differentiated cells revealed candidate proteins that favoured either one or other state. For example, SALL4 and ZNF281 associate with PRC2 in pluripotent cells, while PCL1 and SMAD3 more associate with PRC2 in differentiating cells. Analysis of the mRNA and protein levels of these factors found that their association with PRC2 correlated with their cell state-specific expression. Taken together, we propose that dynamic changes to the PRC2 interactome during differentiation may contribute to directing its activity during cell fate transitions.