Project description:To provide a multi-omics resource and investigate transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, we profile the transcriptome, chromatin accessibility, and methylation status of over 70,000 single nuclei (sn) from adult mouse pituitaries. Paired snRNAseq and snATACseq datasets from individual animals highlight a continuum between developmental epigenetically-encoded cell types and transcriptionally-determined transient cell states. Co-accessibility analysis-based identification of a putative Fshb cis-regulatory domain that overlaps the fertility-linked rs11031006 human polymorphism, followed by experimental validation illustrate the use of this resource for hypothesis generation. We also identify transcriptional and chromatin accessibility programs distinguishing each major cell type. Regulons, which are co-regulated gene sets sharing binding sites for a common transcription factor driver, recapitulate cell type clustering. We identify both cell type-specific and sex-specific regulons that are highly correlated with promoter accessibility, but not with methylation state, supporting the centrality of chromatin accessibility in shaping cell-defining transcriptional programs. The sn multi-omics atlas is accessible at snpituitaryatlas.princeton.edu.
Project description:The pituitary regulates growth, reproduction and other endocrine systems. To investigate transcriptional network epigenetic mechanisms in this gland, we generated paired single nucleus (sn) transcriptome and chromatin accessibility profiles in single mouse pituitaries, and genome-wide sn methylation datasets. Our analysis provided insight into cell type epigenetics, regulatory circuit and gene control mechanisms. Latent variable transcriptome and accessibility data representation resolved both inter-sexual and inter-individual variation in gene control programs. Multi-omics analysis of cell type-specific gene regulatory networks distinguished distinct mechanisms. Particularly, the FoxL2 gonadotrope network is controlled both by FoxL2 expression and by target gene epigenetic status. Co-accessibility analysis comprehensively identified putative regulatory regions, including a region that overlapped the fertility-linked rs11031006 human polymorphism. In vitro CRISPR-deletion at this locus increased Fshb levels, supporting this domain’s predicted regulatory role. The public pituitary atlas [link] is a resource for elucidating cell-type specific gene regulatory mechanisms and principles of transcription circuit control.
Project description:The pituitary regulates growth, reproduction and other endocrine systems. To investigate transcriptional network epigenetic mechanisms in this gland, we generated paired single nucleus (sn) transcriptome and chromatin accessibility profiles in single mouse pituitaries, and genome-wide sn methylation datasets. Our analysis provided insight into cell type epigenetics, regulatory circuit and gene control mechanisms. Latent variable transcriptome and accessibility data representation resolved both inter-sexual and inter-individual variation in gene control programs. Multi-omics analysis of cell type-specific gene regulatory networks distinguished distinct mechanisms. Particularly, the FoxL2 gonadotrope network is controlled both by FoxL2 expression and by target gene epigenetic status. Co-accessibility analysis comprehensively identified putative regulatory regions, including a region that overlapped the fertility-linked rs11031006 human polymorphism. In vitro CRISPR-deletion at this locus increased Fshb levels, supporting this domain’s predicted regulatory role. The public pituitary atlas [link] is a resource for elucidating cell-type specific gene regulatory mechanisms and principles of transcription circuit control.
Project description:The pituitary regulates growth, reproduction and other endocrine systems. To investigate transcriptional network epigenetic mechanisms in this gland, we generated paired single nucleus (sn) transcriptome and chromatin accessibility profiles in single mouse pituitaries, and genome-wide sn methylation datasets. Our analysis provided insight into cell type epigenetics, regulatory circuit and gene control mechanisms. Latent variable transcriptome and accessibility data representation resolved both inter-sexual and inter-individual variation in gene control programs. Multi-omics analysis of cell type-specific gene regulatory networks distinguished distinct mechanisms. Particularly, the FoxL2 gonadotrope network is controlled both by FoxL2 expression and by target gene epigenetic status. Co-accessibility analysis comprehensively identified putative regulatory regions, including a region that overlapped the fertility-linked rs11031006 human polymorphism. In vitro CRISPR-deletion at this locus increased Fshb levels, supporting this domain’s predicted regulatory role. The public pituitary atlas [link] is a resource for elucidating cell-type specific gene regulatory mechanisms and principles of transcription circuit control.
