Project description:Site-specific hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes accompanied by genome-wide hypomethylation are epigenetic hallmarks of malignancy. However, molecular mechanisms that drive these linked changes in DNA methylation remain obscure. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the principle enzyme responsible for maintaining methylation patterns is commonly dysregulated in tumors. Replication foci targeting sequence (RFTS) is an N-terminal domain of DNMT1 that inhibits DNA-binding and catalytic activity, suggesting that RFTS deletion would result in gain of DNMT1 function. However, earlier data suggested that RFTS is required for DNMT1 activity. Here, we determined cellular consequences of RFTS deletion from DNMT1 in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. Compared to full-length DNMT1, ectopic expression of DNMT1- ?RFTS caused greater malignant transformation and enhanced promoter methylation that silenced DAPK and DUOX1 gene expression and increased intensity of promoter methylation across the genome. Strikingly, DNMT1-?RFTS also produced genomic hypomethylation and demethylation of Satellite 2 repeat sequences. Because deletion of RFTS is sufficient to induce focal hypermethylation and global hypomethylation in parallel, evidence suggests that the RFTS domain is a target responsible for epigenetic changes in cancer. DNA samples from HBEC3 cells transfected with vector control and HBEC3 cells with full-length and RFTS-deleted DNMT1 were assessed for genome-wide methylation using the microarray-based high resolution HpaII tiny fragment enriched by ligation-mediated PCR (HELP) assay.
Project description:Site-specific hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes accompanied by genome-wide hypomethylation are epigenetic hallmarks of malignancy. However, molecular mechanisms that drive these linked changes in DNA methylation remain obscure. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the principle enzyme responsible for maintaining methylation patterns is commonly dysregulated in tumors. Replication foci targeting sequence (RFTS) is an N-terminal domain of DNMT1 that inhibits DNA-binding and catalytic activity, suggesting that RFTS deletion would result in gain of DNMT1 function. However, earlier data suggested that RFTS is required for DNMT1 activity. Here, we determined cellular consequences of RFTS deletion from DNMT1 in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. Compared to full-length DNMT1, ectopic expression of DNMT1- ΔRFTS caused greater malignant transformation and enhanced promoter methylation that silenced DAPK and DUOX1 gene expression and increased intensity of promoter methylation across the genome. Strikingly, DNMT1-ΔRFTS also produced genomic hypomethylation and demethylation of Satellite 2 repeat sequences. Because deletion of RFTS is sufficient to induce focal hypermethylation and global hypomethylation in parallel, evidence suggests that the RFTS domain is a target responsible for epigenetic changes in cancer.
Project description:DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) is essential for mammalian development and maintenance of DNA methylation following DNA replication in cells. The DNA methylation process generates S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine, a strong inhibitor of DNMT1. Here we report that S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAHH/AHCY), the only mammalian enzyme capable of hydrolyzing S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine binds to DNMT1 during DNA replication. SAHH activates DNMT1 in vitro and its overexpression in mammalian cells leads to hypermethylation of the genome, whereas its inhibition by adenosine periodate resulted in hypomethylation of the genome. Hypermethylation was consistent in both gene bodies and repetitive DNA elements leading to both down- and up-regulation of genes. Similarly, hypomethylation led to both up- and down-regulation of genes suggesting methylated regions influence gene expression either positively or negatively. Cells overexpressing SAHH specifically up-regulated metabolic pathway genes and down-regulated PPAR and MAPK signaling pathways genes. Therefore, we suggest that alteration of SAHH level in the cell leads to aberrant DNA methylation, altered metabolite levels and gene expression.
Project description:Regions of Focal DNA Hypermethylation and Long-Range Hypomethylation in Colorectal Cancer Coincide with Nuclear Lamina-Associated Domains
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.
Project description:Gene methylation profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells comparing HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs cells with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)- and HPV E6/E7-transfected MSCs. hTERT may increase gene methylation in MSCs. Goal was to determine the effects of different transfected genes on global gene methylation in MSCs.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE25083: Global hypomethylation identifies loci targeted for hypermethylation in head and neck cancer: normal head and neck tissue GSE25089: Global hypomethylation identifies loci targeted for hypermethylation in head and neck cancer: HNSCC GSE25091: Global hypomethylation identifies loci targeted for hypermethylation in head and neck cancer: blood controls Refer to individual Series
Project description:Histone H3 mono-ubiquitination, catalyzed by the RING E3 ubiquitin ligase UHRF1, is appreciated as a docking site for DNMT1 during DNA replication to facilitate DNA methylation maintenance. Its functions beyond this are unknown. Here, we identify simultaneous increases in UHRF1-dependent H3K18ub and SUV39H1/2-dependent H3K9me3 as prominent epigenetic alterations accompanying DNA hypomethylation induced by DNMT1 inhibition. Integrative epigenomics analyses reveal that transient accumulation of hemi-methylated DNA, resulting from incomplete DNA methylation maintenance, stimulates UHRF1-dependent H3K18ub at CpG islands that nucleates new domains of H3K9me3 and impedes PRC2 activity in these genomic regions. Notably, H3K18ub enhances the methyltransferase activity of SUV39H1/2, leading to increased H3K9me3 at these CpG island promoters. Blocking H3K18ub-dependent SUV39H1/2 activity enhances the efficacy of DNMT1 inhibitors. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel histone ubiquitination-methylation crosstalk mechanism that reinforces heterochromatin states in the absence of DNA methylation and proposes new strategies for improving cancer epigenetic therapy.