Project description:The progression from naive through formative to primed in vitro pluripotent stem cell states recapitulates the development of the epiblast in vivo during the peri-implantation period of mammalian development. Activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes are key events occurring during these pluripotent state transitions. However, the upstream regulators that coordinate these events are relatively underexplored. Here, using Zfp281 knockout mouse and degron knock-in cell models, we uncover the direct transcriptional activation of Dnmt3a/3b by ZFP281 in pluripotent stem cells. Chromatin co-occupancy of ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1, dependent on the formation of R loops in ZFP281-targeted gene promoters, undergoes a "high-low-high" bimodal pattern regulating dynamic DNA methylation and gene expression during the naïive-formative-primed transitions. ZFP281 also safeguards DNA methylation in maintaining primed pluripotency. Our study demonstrates a previously unappreciated role for ZFP281 in coordinating DNMT3A/3B and TET1 functions to promote pluripotent state transitions.
Project description:The progression and transition between the naïve, formative, and primed pluripotent states are accompanied by a sharp activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and the reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes. Here we identified Zinc Finger Protein 281 (ZFP281) as an essential factor in the formative-to-primed pluripotent state transition. Using a knockout mouse model and a knockin degron cell system, we revealed that transcription of Dnmt3a/3b depends on the activity of ZFP281 in embryonic stem cells, epiblast-like cells, and epiblast stem cells. Mechanically, chromatin-bound ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1 are decreased in the formative state but recovered in the primed state to compete with DNMT3A/3B for establishing the DNA methylation and gene expression programs of primed pluripotency. In addition, chromatin occupancy of ZFP281 and TET1 depend on the R-loop structures formed at the ZFP281 target gene promoters devoid of DNA methylation. Our study demonstrates a comprehensive role of ZFP281 in modulating DNA methylation and demethylation for the establishment and maintenance of primed pluripotency.
Project description:The progression and transition between the naïve, formative, and primed pluripotent states are accompanied by a sharp activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and the reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes. Here we identified Zinc Finger Protein 281 (ZFP281) as an essential factor in the formative-to-primed pluripotent state transition. Using a knockout mouse model and a knockin degron cell system, we revealed that transcription of Dnmt3a/3b depends on the activity of ZFP281 in embryonic stem cells, epiblast-like cells, and epiblast stem cells. Mechanically, chromatin-bound ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1 are decreased in the formative state but recovered in the primed state to compete with DNMT3A/3B for establishing the DNA methylation and gene expression programs of primed pluripotency. In addition, chromatin occupancy of ZFP281 and TET1 depend on the R-loop structures formed at the ZFP281 target gene promoters devoid of DNA methylation. Our study demonstrates a comprehensive role of ZFP281 in modulating DNA methylation and demethylation for the establishment and maintenance of primed pluripotency.
Project description:The progression and transition between the naïve, formative, and primed pluripotent states are accompanied by a sharp activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and the reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes. Here we identified Zinc Finger Protein 281 (ZFP281) as an essential factor in the formative-to-primed pluripotent state transition. Using a knockout mouse model and a knockin degron cell system, we revealed that transcription of Dnmt3a/3b depends on the activity of ZFP281 in embryonic stem cells, epiblast-like cells, and epiblast stem cells. Mechanically, chromatin-bound ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1 are decreased in the formative state but recovered in the primed state to compete with DNMT3A/3B for establishing the DNA methylation and gene expression programs of primed pluripotency. In addition, chromatin occupancy of ZFP281 and TET1 depend on the R-loop structures formed at the ZFP281 target gene promoters devoid of DNA methylation. Our study demonstrates a comprehensive role of ZFP281 in modulating DNA methylation and demethylation for the establishment and maintenance of primed pluripotency.
Project description:The progression and transition between the naïve, formative, and primed pluripotent states are accompanied by a sharp activation of the de novo DNA methyltransferases and the reorganization of transcriptional and epigenetic landscapes. Here we identified Zinc Finger Protein 281 (ZFP281) as an essential factor in the formative-to-primed pluripotent state transition. Using a knockout mouse model and a knockin degron cell system, we revealed that transcription of Dnmt3a/3b depends on the activity of ZFP281 in embryonic stem cells, epiblast-like cells, and epiblast stem cells. Mechanically, chromatin-bound ZFP281 and DNA hydroxylase TET1 are decreased in the formative state but recovered in the primed state to compete with DNMT3A/3B for establishing the DNA methylation and gene expression programs of primed pluripotency. In addition, chromatin occupancy of ZFP281 and TET1 depend on the R-loop structures formed at the ZFP281 target gene promoters devoid of DNA methylation. Our study demonstrates a comprehensive role of ZFP281 in modulating DNA methylation and demethylation for the establishment and maintenance of primed pluripotency.
