Project description:Missense mutations in the TP53 gene are frequent genetic alterations in human tumor tissue and cell lines. In contrast to wild-type p53, the mutant p53 (mutp53) protein has lost the transcriptional activity towards pro-apoptotic and growth arrest genes, but retained the property to interact with DNA in a structure-specific fashion. Expression of mutp53 is advantageous for tumor cells, however the molecular mechanism of mutp53 action is still not known. We used the glioblastoma-derived U-251 MG human cell line to analyze DNA binding of mutant p53 (R273H mutation) on a Nimblegen custom 135k tiling array and to correlate mutp53 binding regions with the epigenetic state and occupation by other transcription factors (ETS1 and SP1). We found that mutp53-binding regions are G/C-rich and are located around transcriptional start sites (TSS) of many protein-coding genes, which in most cases are active, but are not always regulated upon transient mutp53 depletion. We propose a model which does not only rely on interactions of mutp53 with diverse transcriptional regulators at active promoters, but primarily is based on a DNA binding activity of mutp53. We designed a Nimblegen custom 135k tiling array that covers a large set of putative and known p53 (wild-type and mutant) target genes in the human genome. For analysis of the epigenetic state of genes covered by the tiling array in control and mutant p53-depleted U251 cells we focused on changes in active histone marks, H3K4me3 and H3K9Ac, and RNA polymerase II recruitment and processivity. H3K4me3 and H3K9Ac marks are enriched in active promoter regions and the phosphorylation of serine 5 (S5-P) and serine 2 (S2-P) in the CTD of RNA polymerase II have been described to define initiated and elongating complexes, respectively. We performed the ChIP-chip experiments for H3K4me3, H3K9Ac, RNA polymerase II (S5-P) and RNA polymerase II (S2-P) from U251 cells transfected with p53-specific siRNA or control siRNA (2 biological replicates each). To analyze binding of mutant p53 to the genes covered by the tiling array we performed mutant p53 ChIP-chip experiments in 4 biological replicates of. In addition, we analyzed the distribution of SP1 and ETS1 binding sites in 3 biological replicates.

Project description:Abstract: (1) Background: The LEO1 (Left open reading frame 1) protein is a conserved subunit of the PAF1C complex (RNA polymerase II associated factor 1 complex). PAF1C has well-established mechanistic functions in elongation of transcription and RNA processing. We have previously shown, in fission yeast, that LEO1 is controlling histone H3K9 methylation levels by affecting the turnover of histone H3 in chromatin, and that it is essential for proper regulation of gene expression during cellular quiescence. Human fibroblasts enter a reversible quiescence state upon serum deprivation in the growth media. Here we investigate the function of LEO1 in human fibroblasts. (2) Methods: We knocked out the LEO1 gene using CRISPR/Cas9 methodology in human fibroblasts and verified that the LEO1 protein was undetectable by Western blot. We characterized the phenotype of the DLEO1 knockout cells with FACS analysis and cell growth assays. We used RNA-sequencing using spike-in controls to measure gene expression and spike-in controlled ChIP-sequencing experiments to measure the histone modification H3K9me2 genome-wide. (3) Results: Gene expression levels are altered in quiescent cells, however factors controlling chromatin and gene expression changes in quiescent human cells are largely unknown. The DLEO1 knockout fibroblasts are viable but have reduced metabolic activity compared to wild type cells. DLEO1 cells showed a slower entry into quiescence and a different morphology compared to wild type cells. Gene expression was generally reduced in quiescent wild type cells. The downregulated genes included genes involved in cell proliferation. A small number of genes were upregulated in quiescent wild type cells including several genes involved in ERK1/ERK2 and Wnt signaling. In quiescent DLEO1 cells many genes were mis-regulated compared to wild type cells. This included genes involved in Calcium ion transport and cell morphogenesis. Finally, spike-in controlled ChIP-sequencing experiments demonstrated that the histone modification H3K9me2 levels are globally increased in quiescent DLEO1 cells. (4) Conclusions: Thus, LEO1 is important for proper entry into cellular quiescence, control H3K9me2 levels and gene expression in human fibroblasts.

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Epigenome mapping in quiescent cells reveals a key role for H3K4me3 in regulation of RNA polymerase II activity

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