CCCTC-Binding Factor Translates Interleukin 2- and ?-Ketoglutarate-Sensitive Metabolic Changes in T Cells into Context-Dependent Gene Programs.

ABSTRACT: Despite considerable research connecting cellular metabolism with differentiation decisions, the underlying mechanisms that translate metabolite-sensitive activities into unique gene programs are still unclear. We found that aspects of the interleukin-2 (IL-2)-sensitive effector gene program in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in type 1 conditions (Th1) were regulated by glutamine and alpha-ketoglutarate (?KG)-induced events, in part through changes in DNA and histone methylation states. We further identified a mechanism by which IL-2- and ?KG-sensitive metabolic changes regulated the association of CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) with select genomic sites. ?KG-sensitive CTCF sites were often associated with loci containing IL-2- and ?KG-sensitive genome organization patterns and gene expression in T cells. IL-2- and ?KG-sensitive CTCF sites in T cells were also associated with genes from developmental pathways that had ?KG-sensitive expression in embryonic stem cells. The data collectively support a mechanism wherein CTCF serves to translate ?KG-sensitive metabolic changes into context-dependent differentiation gene programs.

SUBMITTER: Chisolm DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5654635 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature