Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:In this study, we characterize the fusion protein produced by the EPC1-PHF1 translocation in Low Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS) and Ossifying FibroMyxoid Tumors (OFMT). We express the fusion protein and necessary controls in K562 Cells. The fusion protein assembles a mega-complex harboring both NuA4/TIP60 and PRC2 subunits and enzymatic activities and leads to mislocalization of chromatin marks in the genome, linked to aberrant gene expression.
Project description:Round spermatid injection (ROSI) gives rise to a lower birth rate than intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which uses mature spermatozoa and has limited clinical application. Inefficient development of ROSI-embryos has been attributed to epigenetic abnormalities. However, the chromatin-based mechanism that underpins the low birth rate of ROSI remains to be determined. Here we show that a repressive histone mark H3K27me3 persists from doner round spermatids into zygotes in ROSI and that paternally derived H3K27me3 is associated with less accessible chromatin and impaired zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in ROSI-derived zygotes. These H3K27me3 marked loci in the paternal germline undergo histone turnover in spermiogenesis, resulting in the reduced paternal H3K27me3 in normal spermatozoa. Thus, the lack of histone turnover during spermiogenesis led to the dysregulation of chromatin accessibility and ZGA in ROSI-embryos. Our results unveil a molecular logic by which chromatin states in round spermatids impinge on chromatin states and ZGA in ROSI-embryos, highlighting the importance of chromatin remodeling in spermiogenesis in successful reproduction.
Project description:Round spermatid injection (ROSI) gives rise to a lower birth rate than intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which uses mature spermatozoa and has limited clinical application. Inefficient development of ROSI-embryos has been attributed to epigenetic abnormalities. However, the chromatin-based mechanism that underpins the low birth rate of ROSI remains to be determined. Here we show that a repressive histone mark H3K27me3 persists from doner round spermatids into zygotes in ROSI and that paternally derived H3K27me3 is associated with less accessible chromatin and impaired zygotic genome activation (ZGA) in ROSI-derived zygotes. These H3K27me3 marked loci in the paternal germline undergo histone turnover in spermiogenesis, resulting in the reduced paternal H3K27me3 in normal spermatozoa. Thus, the lack of histone turnover during spermiogenesis led to the dysregulation of chromatin accessibility and ZGA in ROSI-embryos. Our results unveil a molecular logic by which chromatin states in round spermatids impinge on chromatin states and ZGA in ROSI-embryos, highlighting the importance of chromatin remodeling in spermiogenesis in successful reproduction.
Project description:Round spermatid injection (ROSI) results in a lower birth rate than intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which has hampered its clinical application. Inefficient development of ROSI embryos has been attributed to epigenetic abnormalities. However, the chromatin-based mechanism that underpins the low birth rate in ROSI remains to be determined. Here, we show that a repressive histone mark H3K27me3 persists from mouse round spermatids into zygotes in ROSI and that round spermatid-derived H3K27me3 is associated with less accessible chromatin and impaired gene expression in ROSI embryos. These loci are initially marked by H3K27me3 but undergo histone modification remodelling in spermiogenesis, resulting in reduced H3K27me3 in normal spermatozoa. Therefore, the absence of the epigenetic remodelling, presumably mediated by histone turnover during spermiogenesis, leads to dysregulation of chromatin accessibility and transcription in ROSI embryos. Thus, our results unveil a molecular logic, in which chromatin states in round spermatids impinge on chromatin accessibility and transcription in ROSI embryos, highlighting the importance of epigenetic remodelling during spermiogenesis in successful reproduction.
Project description:During the human in vitro fertilization procedure in the assisted reproductive technology, intracytoplasmic sperm injection is routinely used to inject a spermatozoon or a less mature elongating spermatid into the oocyte. In some infertile men, round spermatids (haploid male germ cells that have completed meiosis) are the most mature cells visible during testicular biopsy. The microsurgical injection of a round spermatid into an oocyte as a substitute is commonly referred to as round spermatid injection (ROSI). Currently, human ROSI is considered a very inefficient procedure and of no clinical value. Herein, we report the birth and development of 14 children born to 12 women following ROSI of 734 oocytes previously activated by an electric current. The round spermatids came from men who had been diagnosed as not having spermatozoa or elongated spermatids by andrologists at other hospitals after a first Micro-TESE. A key to our success was our ability to identify round spermatids accurately before oocyte injection. As of today, all children born after ROSI in our clinic are without any unusual physical, mental, or epigenetic problems. Thus, for men whose germ cells are unable to develop beyond the round spermatid stage, ROSI can, as a last resort, enable them to have their own genetic offspring.
Project description:The histone lysine acetyltransferase TIP60 is the main enzyme that catalyzes histone H4 acetylation in cells. Domains on TIP60 regulate its enzymatic activity from different aspects. Here we use a CRISPR-Cas9 tiling screen to scan for essential domains on TIP60 protein and found that the Tudor-knot domain is essential for cell survival and intercellular H4 acetylation. We performed in-vitro biochemical assays and demonstrated Tudor-knot domain is not a histone reader. And deficiency of the Tudor-knot domain has mild effects on TIP60 intracellular localization, as well as the TIP60 complex’s constitution. But Tudor-knot deficiency significantly reduces TIP60 HAT activity both in vivo and in vitro. By comparing the catalytic efficiency of nucleosome substrate and histone octamer substrate, as well as TIP60 protein alone or TIP60 complex, we found the nucleosomal structure and other TIP60 complex components are required for Tudor-knot relative HAT activity regulation. We propose that the Tudor-knot domain function to increase nucleosome accessibility. Finally, we show that the Tudor-knot domain is required for TIP60-dependent transcription regulation. Altogether, our study reveals a mechanism that the Tudor-knot domain that regulates TIP60-dependent transcription through the regulation of TIP60 substrate catalytic efficiency.
Project description:The histone lysine acetyltransferase TIP60 is the main enzyme that catalyzes histone H4 acetylation in cells. Domains on TIP60 regulate its enzymatic activity from different aspects. Here we use a CRISPR-Cas9 tiling screen to scan for essential domains on TIP60 protein and found that the Tudor-knot domain is essential for cell survival and intercellular H4 acetylation. We performed in-vitro biochemical assays and demonstrated Tudor-knot domain is not a histone reader. And deficiency of the Tudor-knot domain has mild effects on TIP60 intracellular localization, as well as the TIP60 complex’s constitution. But Tudor-knot deficiency significantly reduces TIP60 HAT activity both in vivo and in vitro. By comparing the catalytic efficiency of nucleosome substrate and histone octamer substrate, as well as TIP60 protein alone or TIP60 complex, we found the nucleosomal structure and other TIP60 complex components are required for Tudor-knot relative HAT activity regulation. We propose that the Tudor-knot domain function to increase nucleosome accessibility. Finally, we show that the Tudor-knot domain is required for TIP60-dependent transcription regulation. Altogether, our study reveals a mechanism that the Tudor-knot domain that regulates TIP60-dependent transcription through the regulation of TIP60 substrate catalytic efficiency.