Base-editor-mediated multiplexed inactivation of DNA methyltransferases reveals essential roles of miRNAs in mouse gastrulation
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ABSTRACT: Here, we establish a system to simultaneously inactivate Dnmts in one step through screening for base editors that can efficiently introduce a stop codon endogenously. Dnmt-null embryos display primitive streak elongation failure at E7.5. Interestingly, although DNA methylation is absent, gastrulation-related pathways are down-regulated in Dnmt-null embryos. Moreover, DNMT1 or DNMT3A/3B are indispensable for gastrulation and their functions are independent of TET proteins. Hypermethylation can be sustained by either DNMT1 or DNMT3A/3B at some promoters, which are mainly related to miRNAs. Strikingly, majority of hypermethylated promoter-related miRNAs are overexpressed and located at the Dlk1-Dio3 imprinted region. The predicted targets of these miRNAs tend to be down-regulated and enriched in the gastrulation-related pathways in Dnmt-null embryos. Finally, introduction of a single mutant allele of six miRNAs partially restores primitive streak elongation in Dnmt-null embryos.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE205563 | GEO | 2023/04/20
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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