Project description:Millions of genetic variants are linked to human disease but identifying underlying mechanisms is challenging because most variants lie within the non-coding genome. We developed a Micro Capture-C variant-to-function platform (MCCv) based on analysis of single-allele chromatin structure. This can identify changes in nanoscale chromatin architecture and link variants in cis-regulatory elements to associated genes. Furthermore, MCCv can phase other heterozygous variants within a locus to link regulatory variants to allelically imbalanced gene expression and directly read out variant effects on chromatin interactions following genome editing. With this approach, we investigated 405 cis-regulatory elements linked to immune-mediated inflammatory disease in CD4+ T cells. We uncover a previously undescribed gain-of-function mechanism, which increases risk of autoimmunity through creation of a neo-CTCF motif that blocks super-enhancer contacts with the SESN3 promoter. We show SESN3 regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by sensing tryptophan and demonstrate its role in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Project description:Millions of genetic variants are linked to human disease but identifying underlying mechanisms is challenging because most variants lie within the non-coding genome. We developed a Micro Capture-C variant-to-function platform (MCCv) based on analysis of single-allele chromatin structure. This can identify changes in nanoscale chromatin architecture and link variants in cis-regulatory elements to associated genes. Furthermore, MCCv can phase other heterozygous variants within a locus to link regulatory variants to allelically imbalanced gene expression and directly read out variant effects on chromatin interactions following genome editing. With this approach, we investigated 405 cis-regulatory elements linked to immune-mediated inflammatory disease in CD4+ T cells. We uncover a previously undescribed gain-of-function mechanism, which increases risk of autoimmunity through creation of a neo-CTCF motif that blocks super-enhancer contacts with the SESN3 promoter. We show SESN3 regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by sensing tryptophan and demonstrate its role in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Project description:Millions of genetic variants are linked to human disease but identifying underlying mechanisms is challenging because most variants lie within the non-coding genome. We developed a Micro Capture-C variant-to-function platform (MCCv) based on analysis of single-allele chromatin structure. This can identify changes in nanoscale chromatin architecture and link variants in cis-regulatory elements to associated genes. Furthermore, MCCv can phase other heterozygous variants within a locus to link regulatory variants to allelically imbalanced gene expression and directly read out variant effects on chromatin interactions following genome editing. With this approach, we investigated 405 cis-regulatory elements linked to immune-mediated inflammatory disease in CD4+ T cells. We uncover a previously undescribed gain-of-function mechanism, which increases risk of autoimmunity through creation of a neo-CTCF motif that blocks super-enhancer contacts with the SESN3 promoter. We show SESN3 regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by sensing tryptophan and demonstrate its role in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Project description:Millions of genetic variants are linked to human disease but identifying underlying mechanisms is challenging because most variants lie within the non-coding genome. We developed a Micro Capture-C variant-to-function platform (MCCv) based on analysis of single-allele chromatin structure. This can identify changes in nanoscale chromatin architecture and link variants in cis-regulatory elements to associated genes. Furthermore, MCCv can phase other heterozygous variants within a locus to link regulatory variants to allelically imbalanced gene expression and directly read out variant effects on chromatin interactions following genome editing. With this approach, we investigated 405 cis-regulatory elements linked to immune-mediated inflammatory disease in CD4+ T cells. We uncover a previously undescribed gain-of-function mechanism, which increases risk of autoimmunity through creation of a neo-CTCF motif that blocks super-enhancer contacts with the SESN3 promoter. We show SESN3 regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by sensing tryptophan and demonstrate its role in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Project description:Millions of genetic variants are linked to human disease but identifying underlying mechanisms is challenging because most variants lie within the non-coding genome. We developed a Micro Capture-C variant-to-function platform (MCCv) based on analysis of single-allele chromatin structure. This can identify changes in nanoscale chromatin architecture and link variants in cis-regulatory elements to associated genes. Furthermore, MCCv can phase other heterozygous variants within a locus to link regulatory variants to allelically imbalanced gene expression and directly read out variant effects on chromatin interactions following genome editing. With this approach, we investigated 405 cis-regulatory elements linked to immune-mediated inflammatory disease in CD4+ T cells. We uncover a previously undescribed gain-of-function mechanism, which increases risk of autoimmunity through creation of a neo-CTCF motif that blocks super-enhancer contacts with the SESN3 promoter. We show SESN3 regulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) by sensing tryptophan and demonstrate its role in autoimmunity using mouse models.
Project description:Our cohort comprised 40 non-syndromic ASD children.We conducted genome wide analysis using Affymetrix Cytoscan-HD microchips. We identified pathogenic CNVs in 7 patients (17.5%), other variant classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS) or benign.
Project description:Genome-wide association studies have associated thousands of genetic variants with complex traits and diseases, but pinpointing the causal variant(s) among those in tight linkage disequilibrium with each associated variant remains a major challenge. Here, we used seven experimental assays to characterize all common variants at the multiple disease-associated TNFAIP3 locus in three disease-relevant immune cell types, based on a set of features related to regulatory potential. Trait/disease-associated variants were enriched among SNPs prioritized based on either: (1) residing within CRISPRi-sensitive regulatory regions, or (2) localizing in a chromatin accessible region while displaying allele-specific reporter activity. Of the 15 trait/disease-associated haplotypes at TNFAIP3, 9 had at least one variant meeting one or both of these criteria, with 3 of these haplotypes having a single prioritized variant. 5 of the 9 prioritized variants were further supported by genetic fine-mapping in our and other studies. Our work provides evidence for the efficacy and limitations of strategies for prioritizing disease- and trait-associated genetic variants.