Unknown,Transcriptomics,Genomics,Proteomics

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Effects of Firre knockdown on mouse gene expression

ABSTRACT: In mammals, genes located on the X chromosome are present in one copy in XY males and two in XX females. To balance the dosage of X-linked gene expression between the sexes one of the two X chromosomes in females is silenced by X inactivation initiated by up-regulation of the lncRNA (long non-coding RNA) Xist and recruitment of specific chromatin modifiers for silencing. The inactivated X chromosome becomes heterochromatic and visits a specific nuclear compartment adjacent to the nucleolus. We report a novel role for the X-linked lncRNA Firre in anchoring the inactive mouse X chromosome and preserving one of its main epigenetic features, trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). Similar to Dxz4, Firre is expressed from a macrosatellite repeat locus associated with a cluster of CTCF and cohesin binding specifically on the inactive X. CTCF binding initially present in both male and female mouse embryonic stem cells was found to be lost from the active X during development. The Firre and Dxz4 loci on the inactive X were preferentially located adjacent to the nucleolus. Knockdown of Firre RNA disrupted perinucleolar targeting and H3K27me3 levels in mouse fibroblasts, demonstrating an important role for this lncRNA in maintenance of one of the main epigenetic features of the X chromosome. There was no X-linked gene reactivation after Firre knockdown; however, a compensatory increase in the expression of chromatin modifier genes implicated in X silencing was observed. In female ES cells Firre RNA knockdown did not disrupt Xist expression/coating nor silencing of G6pdx during differentiation, suggesting that Firre does not play a role in the onset of X inactivation. We conclude that the X-linked lncRNA Firre helps position the inactive X chromosome near the nucleolus and preserve one of its main epigenetic features. Examination of allelic expression in Patski cells upon Firre knockdown.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus x Mus spretus

SUBMITTER: Xinxian Deng

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-66172 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress

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Project description:A subset of genomic regions, including one of the female X chromosomes and all imprinted genes, are expressed exclusively from a single allele in somatic cells of mammals. To evaluate structural changes associated with allelic silencing, we used mouse F1 hybrid systems in which X inactivation is skewed and alleles can be distinguished based on single nucleotide polymorphisms to analyze chromatin contacts by a new Hi-C assay that uses DNase I for chromatin fragmentation. Both DNase Hi-C and in situ DNase Hi-C reveal a radically different conformation between the two female mouse X chromosomes. Two superdomains of frequent intrachromosomal contacts separated by a hinge region are specifically observed on the inactive X chromosome both in vivo (brain) and in vitro (Patski cells). A bipartite 3D organization of the inactive X has been also reported in human lymphoblastoid cells, suggesting that this conserved structure probably plays an important role in maintenance of gene silencing on the inactive X. Interestingly, we found that the genomic content of the superdomains differs between species, but that part of the hinge region is conserved and located near the Dxz4/DXZ4 locus that binds CTCF on the inactive X. In mouse, the hinge region also contains a minisatellite Ds-TR adjacent to a promoter with strong CTCF binding. Both Dxz4 and Ds-TR bind nucleophosmin and are enriched in nucleolus-associated chromatin, suggesting anchoring to the nucleolus. Genes that escape X inactivation do not cluster but are preferentially located near the periphery of the 3D structure. Regions enriched in CTCF or RNA polymerase are also preferentially located on the periphery of the inactive X while LINE1 elements are preferentially on the interior. Genes subject to silencing exhibit fewer detectable intrachromosomal contacts than escape genes. This transcription-coupled pattern is also evident for imprinted genes, in which more chromatin contacts are detected on the expressed allele, suggesting greater constraint on the organization of expressed genomic regions.

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Effects of Firre knockdown on mouse gene expression

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