HJURP antagonizes CENP-A mislocalization driven by the H3.3 chaperones HIRA and DAXX
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: The centromere specific histone H3 variant CENP-A/CENH3 specifies where the kinetochore is formed in most eukaryotes. Despite tight regulation of CENP-A levels in normal cells, overexpression of CENP-A is a feature shared by various types of solid tumors and results in its mislocalization to non-centromeric DNA. How CENP-A is assembled ectopically and the consequences of this mislocalization remain topics of high interest. Here, we report that in human colon cancer cells, the H3.3 chaperones HIRA and DAXX promote ectopic CENP-A deposition. Moreover, the correct balance between levels of the centromeric chaperone HJURP and CENP-A is essential to preclude ectopic assembly by H3.3 chaperones. In addition, we find that ectopic localization can recruit kinetochore components, and correlates with mitotic defects and DNA damage in G1 phase. Finally, CENP-A occupancy at the 8q24 locus is also correlated with amplification and overexpression of the MYC gene within that locus. Overall, these data provide insights into the causes and consequences of histone variant mislocalization in human cancer cells.
Project description:Centromeric localization of the evolutionarily conserved histone H3 variant, CENP-A. is essential for chromosomal stability. CENP-A overexpression (OE) causesd its mislocalization to non-centromeric regions resulting in chromosomal instability (CIN) in yeast, flies and human cells. CENP-A OE and mislocalization have been observed in cancers and correlates with poor prognosis. However, the molecular consequences of CENP-A OE on CIN and aneuploidy have not been defined. Here, we overexpressed YFP-CENP-A in a pseudodiploid DLD1 cell line and showed that CENP-A OE leads to its mislocalization and CIN due to defects in kinetochore integrity and kinetochore-microtubule attachments. CENP-A OE also leads to its mislocalization and CIN in a xenograft mouse model. Under these conditions, it contributes to aneuploidy with karyotypic heterogeneity in human cells and xenograft mouse model. In summary, our studies provide a molecular link between CENP-A OE and aneuploidy, and suggest that karyotypic heterogeneity may contribute to the aggressive phenotype of CENP-A overexpressing cancers.
Project description:The centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A is overexpressed in many cancers. The mislocalization of CENP-A to noncentromeric regions contributes to chromosomal instability (CIN), a hallmark of cancer. However, pathways that promote or prevent CENP-A mislocalization remain poorly defined. Here, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen for regulators of CENP-A localization which identified DNAJC9, a J-domain protein implicated in histone H3–H4 protein folding, as a factor restricting CENP-A mislocalization. Cells lacking DNAJC9 exhibit mislocalization of CENP-A throughout the genome, and CIN phenotypes. Global interactome analysis showed that DNAJC9 depletion promotes the interaction of CENP-A with the DNA-replication-associated histone chaperone MCM2. CENP-A mislocalization upon DNAJC9 depletion was dependent on MCM2, defining MCM2 as a driver of CENP-A deposition at ectopic sites when H3–H4 supply chains are disrupted. Cells depleted for histone H3.3, also exhibit CENP-A mislocalization. In summary, we have defined novel factors that prevent mislocalization of CENP-A, and demonstrated that the integrity of H3–H4 supply chains regulated by histone chaperones such as DNAJC9 restrict CENP-A mislocalization and CIN.
Project description:CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone 3 variant essential for centromere specification. CENP-A partially replaces canonical histone H3 at the centromeres. How the particular CENP-A/H3 ratio at centromeres is precisely maintained is unknown. It also remains unclear how CENP-A is excluded from non-centromeric chromatin. Here we identify Ccp1, an uncharacterized NAP family protein in fission yeast that antagonizes CENP-A loading at both centromeric and non-centromeric regions. Like the CENP-A loading factor HJURP, Ccp1 interacts with CENP-A, and is recruited to centromeres at the end of mitosis in a Mis16-dependent manner. These data indicate that factors with opposing CENP-A loading activities are recruited to centromeres. Furthermore, Ccp1 also cooperates with H2A.Z to evict CENP-A assembled in euchromatin. Structural analyses indicate that Ccp1 forms a homodimer that is required for its anti-CENP-A loading activity. Our study establishes mechanisms for maintenance of CENP-A homeostasis at centromeres and the prevention of ectopic assembly of centromeres. Examination of cnp1 distribution in one wild type (wt) and two ccp1 mutants.
Project description:Centromeres are the regions of eukaryotic chromosomes where kinetochores are assembled and direct the correct segregation of chromosomes. Active centromeres are defined by presence of nucleosomes containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant, which alone is sufficient to direct kinetochore assembly. Once assembled at a location CENP-A chromatin and the kinetochore is maintained at that location though a positive feedback loop where kinetochore proteins recruited by CENP-A promote deposition of new CENP-A following replication. Although CENP-A chromatin itself is a heritable entity, it is normally associated with specific sequences such as human alpha satellite arrays. Such analyses suggest that properties of centromeric DNA itself may favour assembly of CENP-A rather than H3 nucleosomes. To investigate the innate properties of centromeric DNA we have examined histone dynamics on this DNA assembled in CENP-A chromatin at endogenous centromeres and when assembled only in H3 chromatin at an ectopic location. We demonstrate that H3 occupancy on centromeric DNA is innately low while H3 turnover is high. Moreover, even at an ectopic location centromeric DNA programs H3 deposition in S phase and its eviction during G2 when CENP-A is otherwise deposited. G2 accumulation of RNAPII on centromeric DNA during G2 is consistent with transcription-coupled destabilisation of H3 nucleosomes to favour CENP-A deposition.
Project description:Centromeres are the regions of eukaryotic chromosomes where kinetochores are assembled and direct the correct segregation of chromosomes. Active centromeres are defined by presence of nucleosomes containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant, which alone is sufficient to direct kinetochore assembly. Once assembled at a location CENP-A chromatin and the kinetochore is maintained at that location though a positive feedback loop where kinetochore proteins recruited by CENP-A promote deposition of new CENP-A following replication. Although CENP-A chromatin itself is a heritable entity, it is normally associated with specific sequences such as human alpha satellite arrays. Such analyses suggest that properties of centromeric DNA itself may favour assembly of CENP-A rather than H3 nucleosomes. To investigate the innate properties of centromeric DNA we have examined histone dynamics on this DNA assembled in CENP-A chromatin at endogenous centromeres and when assembled only in H3 chromatin at an ectopic location. We demonstrate that H3 occupancy on centromeric DNA is innately low while H3 turnover is high. Moreover, even at an ectopic location centromeric DNA programs H3 deposition in S phase and its eviction during G2 when CENP-A is otherwise deposited. G2 accumulation of RNAPII on centromeric DNA during G2 is consistent with transcription-coupled destabilisation of H3 nucleosomes to favour CENP-A deposition.
Project description:Centromeres are the regions of eukaryotic chromosomes where kinetochores are assembled and direct the correct segregation of chromosomes. Active centromeres are defined by presence of nucleosomes containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant, which alone is sufficient to direct kinetochore assembly. Once assembled at a location CENP-A chromatin and the kinetochore is maintained at that location though a positive feedback loop where kinetochore proteins recruited by CENP-A promote deposition of new CENP-A following replication. Although CENP-A chromatin itself is a heritable entity, it is normally associated with specific sequences such as human alpha satellite arrays. Such analyses suggest that properties of centromeric DNA itself may favour assembly of CENP-A rather than H3 nucleosomes. To investigate the innate properties of centromeric DNA we have examined histone dynamics on this DNA assembled in CENP-A chromatin at endogenous centromeres and when assembled only in H3 chromatin at an ectopic location. We demonstrate that H3 occupancy on centromeric DNA is innately low while H3 turnover is high. Moreover, even at an ectopic location centromeric DNA programs H3 deposition in S phase and its eviction during G2 when CENP-A is otherwise deposited. G2 accumulation of RNAPII on centromeric DNA during G2 is consistent with transcription-coupled destabilisation of H3 nucleosomes to favour CENP-A deposition.
Project description:Centromeres are the regions of eukaryotic chromosomes where kinetochores are assembled and direct the correct segregation of chromosomes. Active centromeres are defined by presence of nucleosomes containing CENP-A, a histone H3 variant, which alone is sufficient to direct kinetochore assembly. Once assembled at a location CENP-A chromatin and the kinetochore is maintained at that location though a positive feedback loop where kinetochore proteins recruited by CENP-A promote deposition of new CENP-A following replication. Although CENP-A chromatin itself is a heritable entity, it is normally associated with specific sequences such as human alpha satellite arrays. Such analyses suggest that properties of centromeric DNA itself may favour assembly of CENP-A rather than H3 nucleosomes. To investigate the innate properties of centromeric DNA we have examined histone dynamics on this DNA assembled in CENP-A chromatin at endogenous centromeres and when assembled only in H3 chromatin at an ectopic location. We demonstrate that H3 occupancy on centromeric DNA is innately low while H3 turnover is high. Moreover, even at an ectopic location centromeric DNA programs H3 deposition in S phase and its eviction during G2 when CENP-A is otherwise deposited. G2 accumulation of RNAPII on centromeric DNA during G2 is consistent with transcription-coupled destabilisation of H3 nucleosomes to favour CENP-A deposition.
Project description:CENP-A is a centromere-specific histone 3 variant essential for centromere specification. CENP-A partially replaces canonical histone H3 at the centromeres. How the particular CENP-A/H3 ratio at centromeres is precisely maintained is unknown. It also remains unclear how CENP-A is excluded from non-centromeric chromatin. Here we identify Ccp1, an uncharacterized NAP family protein in fission yeast that antagonizes CENP-A loading at both centromeric and non-centromeric regions. Like the CENP-A loading factor HJURP, Ccp1 interacts with CENP-A, and is recruited to centromeres at the end of mitosis in a Mis16-dependent manner. These data indicate that factors with opposing CENP-A loading activities are recruited to centromeres. Furthermore, Ccp1 also cooperates with H2A.Z to evict CENP-A assembled in euchromatin. Structural analyses indicate that Ccp1 forms a homodimer that is required for its anti-CENP-A loading activity. Our study establishes mechanisms for maintenance of CENP-A homeostasis at centromeres and the prevention of ectopic assembly of centromeres.
Project description:The centromeric histone H3 variant CENP-A is overexpressed in many cancers. Mislocalization of CENP-A to non-centromeric regions contributes to chromosomal instability (CIN), a hallmark of cancer. Despite these observations, pathways that promote and prevent CENP-A mislocalization remain poorly defined. Here, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen to identify regulators of CENP-A localization. We identified DNAJC9, a J-domain protein as a lead candidate from the screen and showed that cells depleted for DNAJC9 exhibit mislocalization of CENP-A, enrichment of CENP-A in chromatin, and CIN phenotypes. Global interactome analysis showed an enhanced interaction of CENP-A with the replication-associated H3-H4 chaperone MCM2 in DNAJC9-depleted cells and co-depletion of MCM2 and DNAJC9 suppressed CENP-A mislocalization. Furthermore, we showed that cells ablated for the ability of DNAJC9 to promote the proper folding of H3–H4, exhibit CENP-A mislocalization. CUT&RUN Sequencing analysis of genome-wide CENP-A occupancy in DNAJC9-depleted cells identified 16,603 sites of non-centromeric localization, that broadly overlapped with open chromatin regions. Our comprehensive analysis has identified factors that prevent mislocalization of CENP-A and has defined DNAJC9 as an important safeguard that prevents CENP-A mislocalization and CIN.