Gene expression profiling of epidermal cell types in C. elegans using Targeted DamID
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ABSTRACT: In this study we use targeted DamID to assay RNA polymerase occupancy across the genome specifically within the seam cells and hypodermis of C. elegans to identify genes expressed in these cell-types.
Project description:To adapt RNA polymerase DamID (RAPID) for FLP-mediated spatial control in Caenorhabditis elegans, we inserted a Dam::rpb-6 fusion gene downstream of a FRT-flanked mCh::his-58 cassette and under control of the hsp-16.41 promoter. We introduced a single copy of this construct into the C. elegans genome and crossed the resulting line with a dpy-7p::FLP driver to enable basal Dam::rpb-6 expression in the hypodermis. Nematodes were cultured at 20 degrees Celcius to ensure low levels of Dam::RPB-6 expression in the hypodermis and total genomic DNA was purified from L4 larvae. DNA from animals expressing GFP::Dam was used to control for unspecific methylation. The genome-wide association profile of Dam::RPB-6 was determined by deep sequencing, which revealed a list of 2331 protein coding genes with FDR < 0.05. Original RAPID reference: Gomez-Saldivar et al (2020) Tissue-Specific Transcription Footprinting Using RNA PoI DamID (RAPID) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 216, 931–945. doi:10.1534/genetics.120.303774
Project description:The epidermis of Caenorhabditis elegans is an essential tissue for survival because it contributes to the formation of the cuticle barrier as well as facilitating developmental progression and animal growth. Most of the epidermis consists of the hyp7 hypodermal syncytium, the nuclei of which are largely generated by the seam cells, which exhibit stem cell-like behaviour during development. How seam cell progenitors differ transcriptionally from the differentiated hypodermis is poorly understood. Here, we introduce Targeted DamID (TaDa) in C. elegans as a method for identifying genes expressed within a tissue of interest without cell isolation. We show that TaDa signal enrichment profiles can be used to identify genes transcribed in the epidermis and use this method to resolve differences in gene expression between the seam cells and the hypodermis. Finally, we predict and functionally validate new transcription and chromatin factors acting in seam cell development. These findings provide insights into cell type-specific gene expression profiles likely associated with epidermal cell fate patterning.
Project description:We asked if the perinuclear position of chromosome arms in C. elegans depends on the histone methyltransferases MET-2 and SET-25. To this end, we performed LMN-1-DamID in wild-type (N2) and mutant (set-25 met-2) strains. LMN-1-DamID signal on chromosome arms was significantly reduced in the mutant.
Project description:In this study we adapt targeted DamID (TaDa) for use in C.elegans and employ it to identify targets within the epidermis for the transcription factors LIN-22 and NHR-25 that are key epidermal development regulators.
Project description:In order to study the genomic occupancy of transcription factors, including SOX9, ETV4 and ETV5, in human foetal lung tip progenitor cells, we have introduced Targeted DamID system via lentivirus in a human foetal lung tissue derived organoid culture (Nikolic et al., 2017). We were able to identify the corresponding TF motif enrichment and discovered a potential co-regulation function of SOX9 and ETV factors in human feotal lung progenitor cells. This study has pioneered the use of targeted DamID approach in tissue derived organoid system.
Project description:We have used microarrays to identify DSX occupancy signal in adult female fatbody using the DamID protocol. We have performed DamID-chip on adult female fatbody with three biological replicates.
Project description:We asked if the perinuclear position of chromosome arms in C. elegans depends on the histone methyltransferases MET-2 and SET-25. To this end, we performed LMN-1-DamID in wild-type (N2) and mutant (set-25 met-2) strains. LMN-1-DamID signal on chromosome arms was significantly reduced in the mutant. Three biological replicas were performed for each genotype. For one replica dyes were swapped. For each replica methylated DNA amplified from a strain expressing LMN-1-Dam was competitively hybridized against DNA amplified from a strain expressing GFP-Dam.