Project description:We found that the CTCF binding site (named as EACBE) at the enhancer Eα of Tcra is essential for normal Tcra rearrangement.The EACBE deletion impaired the TAD structure of the 3’ region of the Tcra/d locus and the interactions between the proximal Vα genes and the Jα genes without changing the accessibility of the Jα array.
Project description:The Tcra-Tcrd locus undergoes Tcrd rearrangement in DN thymocytes followed by primary and secondary Tcra rearrangements in DP thymocytes. Here we reveal the mechanisms underpinning combinatorial diversity in the Tcra repertoire. We show that V-alpha and J-alpha segments on individual Tcra alleles are used in stepwise and coordinated proximal-to-distal progressions during primary and secondary rearrangements, substantially constraining combinatorial diversity. Notably, Tcrd recombination in DN thymocytes diversifies the Tcra repertoire by truncating the V-alpha array to permit otherwise disfavored V-J combinations. Such diversification is important, because Trav1-Traj33+ mucosa-associated invariant T cells are depleted when Tcrd rearrangement is impaired. Our results reveal an important biological advantage conferred by the nested organization of Tcrd and Tcra gene segments.
Project description:Chromatin looping mediated by the CCCTC binding factor CTCF regulates V(D)J recombination at antigen receptor loci. CTCF-mediated looping can influence recombination signal sequence accessibility by regulating enhancer activation of germline promoters. CTCF-mediated looping has also been shown to limit directional tracking of the RAG recombinase along chromatin, and to regulate through-space interactions between recombination signal sequences, independent of the RAG recombinase. However, in all prior instances in which CTCF-mediated looping was shown to influence V(D)J recombination, it was not possible to fully resolve the relative contributions to the V(D)J recombination phenotype of changes in accessibility, RAG-tracking, and RAG-independent long-distance interactions. Here, to assess mechanisms by which CTCF-mediated looping can impact V(D)J recombination, we introduced an ectopic CTCF binding element (CBE) immediately downstream of Eδ in the murine Tcra-Tcrd locus. The ectopic CBE impaired inversional rearrangement of Trdv5 in the absence of measurable effects on Trdv5 transcription and chromatin accessibility. Moreover, although the ectopic CBE limited directional RAG tracking from the Tcrd recombination center, such tracking cannot account for Trdv5-to-Trdd2 inversional rearrangement. Rather, the defect in Trdv5 rearrangement could only be attributed to a reconfigured chromatin loop organization that limited RAG-independent through-space interactions between the Trdv5 and Trdd2 RSSs. We conclude that CTCF can regulate V(D)J recombination by segregating RSSs into distinct loop domains and inhibiting RSS synapsis, independent of any effects on transcription, RSS accessibility and RAG tracking. RAG-initiatd Tcrd D segment rearrangements in developing thymocytes were generated by deep sequencing using illumine Miseq
Project description:The Tcra gene enhancer (Eα) is required for Tcra rearrangment. Our study assesses the role of E protein binding at Eα. Tcra repertoire sequencing was used to determine whether loss of Eα E protein binding sites alters recombination at Tcra.
Project description:Dauphars et al. show that prior Tcrd rearrangement is essential for a combinatorially diverse Tcra repertoire in mouse thymocytes. Trav15-dv6 family Tcrd rearrangements are critical for Tcra repertoire formation because of their central and distal locations in the Va-Vd array.
Project description:Chromatin looping mediated by the CCCTC binding factor CTCF regulates V(D)J recombination at antigen receptor loci. CTCF-mediated looping can influence recombination signal sequence accessibility by regulating enhancer activation of germline promoters. CTCF-mediated looping has also been shown to limit directional tracking of the RAG recombinase along chromatin, and to regulate through-space interactions between recombination signal sequences, independent of the RAG recombinase. However, in all prior instances in which CTCF-mediated looping was shown to influence V(D)J recombination, it was not possible to fully resolve the relative contributions to the V(D)J recombination phenotype of changes in accessibility, RAG-tracking, and RAG-independent long-distance interactions. Here, to assess mechanisms by which CTCF-mediated looping can impact V(D)J recombination, we introduced an ectopic CTCF binding element (CBE) immediately downstream of Eδ in the murine Tcra-Tcrd locus. The ectopic CBE impaired inversional rearrangement of Trdv5 in the absence of measurable effects on Trdv5 transcription and chromatin accessibility. Moreover, although the ectopic CBE limited directional RAG tracking from the Tcrd recombination center, such tracking cannot account for Trdv5-to-Trdd2 inversional rearrangement. Rather, the defect in Trdv5 rearrangement could only be attributed to a reconfigured chromatin loop organization that limited RAG-independent through-space interactions between the Trdv5 and Trdd2 RSSs. We conclude that CTCF can regulate V(D)J recombination by segregating RSSs into distinct loop domains and inhibiting RSS synapsis, independent of any effects on transcription, RSS accessibility and RAG tracking.
Project description:The Tcra/Tcrd locus undergoes V(D)J recombination in CD4−CD8− double-negative (DN) thymocytes and CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes to generate diverse TCRδ and TCRα repertoires, respectively. Here we reveal a Tcra/Tcrd locus chromatin interaction network in DN thymocytes that is formed by interactions between CTCF-binding elements (CBEs). Disruption of a discrete chromatin loop encompassing the Dδ, Jδ and Cδ gene segments allows a single Vδ segment to frequently contact and rearrange to Dδ and Jδ segments and dominate the adult TCRδ repertoire. Disruption of this loop also narrows the TCRα repertoire, which, we believe, follows as a consequence of the restricted TCRδ repertoire. Hence, a single CTCF-mediated chromatin loop directly regulates TCRδ diversity and indirectly regulates TCRα diversity. Examination of chromatin loops by 4C-seq from 4 viewpoints in two lymphoid cell compartments: CD4-CD8- thymocytes and naïve B splenocytes.
Project description:The Tcra/Tcrd locus undergoes V(D)J recombination in CD4−CD8− double-negative (DN) thymocytes and CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes to generate diverse TCRδ and TCRα repertoires, respectively. Here we reveal a Tcra/Tcrd locus chromatin interaction network in DN thymocytes that is formed by interactions between CTCF-binding elements (CBEs). Disruption of a discrete chromatin loop encompassing the Dδ, Jδ and Cδ gene segments allows a single Vδ segment to frequently contact and rearrange to Dδ and Jδ segments and dominate the adult TCRδ repertoire. Disruption of this loop also narrows the TCRα repertoire, which, we believe, follows as a consequence of the restricted TCRδ repertoire. Hence, a single CTCF-mediated chromatin loop directly regulates TCRδ diversity and indirectly regulates TCRα diversity.