Project description:The impact of depleting SAF-A (HNRNPU) on the genome-wide replication timing program in human hTERT-RPE1 cells was assessed by a single-cell replication timing analysis.
Project description:We present here the characterization of the replication timing program in 6 human cell lines : U2OS, RKO, 293T, HeLa, MRC5 and K562
Project description:Extensive changes in replication timing occur during early mouse development, but their biological significance remains uncertain. To identify evolutionarily conserved features of replication timing and their relationships to epigenetic properties in humans, we profiled replication timing genome-wide in four human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, hESC-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs), lymphoblastoid cells, and two independently derived human induced pluripotent stem cell lines (hiPSCs). Results confirm the conservation of coordinately replicated megabase-sized units of chromosomes (replication domains) with stable cell type specific molecular boundaries that consolidate into larger replication domains during differentiation. Replication timing changes encompassed units of 400-800 kb and were coordinated with changes in transcription similar to mouse. Moreover, significant cell-type specific conservation of replication timing profiles was observed across regions of conserved synteny, despite significant species variation in the alignment of replication timing to isochore GC/LINE-1 content. Replication profiling also revealed a closer genome-wide epigenetic alignment of hESCs to mouse epiblast-derived stem cells (mEpiSCs) than to mouse ESCs. Finally, we identify a signature of chromatin modifications marking the boundaries of early replicating domains and a remarkably strong link between spatial proximity of chromatin as measured by Hi-C analysis and replication timing. Together, our results reveal evolutionarily conserved elements of the replication program in mammalian early development, demonstrate the power of replication profiling to identify important epigenetic distinctions between closely related stem cell populations (e.g. ESCs vs. EpiSCs), and strengthen the hypothesis that replication domains are structural and functional units of 3D chromosomal architecture. 8 cell types, with a total of 13 individual replicates (i.e. 5 in duplicates, 3 in single replicates)
Project description:<p>In this study we used next generation deep sequencing technologies to analyze the genomes of Harvard University Stem Cell lines 63 and 64. We performed 101-bp paired-end whole genome sequencing of the two cell lines using Illumina HiSeq platforms. The sequence reads obtained were analyzed for copy number and used for replication timing analysis. Our data suggests that read depth profiles can be used to map replication timing in Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Further we observe that replication profiles are highly correlated across ESCs but distinct from those of other cell types such as Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines (LCLs). These results demonstrated that read depth data from whole genome sequencing can be used to study variation in replication timing within the human population and across different cell types. Whole genome sequences from HUES63 and HUES64 used for this study are being submitted.</p>
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:Extensive changes in replication timing occur during early mouse development, but their biological significance remains uncertain. To identify evolutionarily conserved features of replication timing and their relationships to epigenetic properties in humans, we profiled replication timing genome-wide in four human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines, hESC-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs), lymphoblastoid cells, and two independently derived human induced pluripotent stem cell lines (hiPSCs). Results confirm the conservation of coordinately replicated megabase-sized units of chromosomes (replication domains) with stable cell type specific molecular boundaries that consolidate into larger replication domains during differentiation. Replication timing changes encompassed units of 400-800 kb and were coordinated with changes in transcription similar to mouse. Moreover, significant cell-type specific conservation of replication timing profiles was observed across regions of conserved synteny, despite significant species variation in the alignment of replication timing to isochore GC/LINE-1 content. Replication profiling also revealed a closer genome-wide epigenetic alignment of hESCs to mouse epiblast-derived stem cells (mEpiSCs) than to mouse ESCs. Finally, we identify a signature of chromatin modifications marking the boundaries of early replicating domains and a remarkably strong link between spatial proximity of chromatin as measured by Hi-C analysis and replication timing. Together, our results reveal evolutionarily conserved elements of the replication program in mammalian early development, demonstrate the power of replication profiling to identify important epigenetic distinctions between closely related stem cell populations (e.g. ESCs vs. EpiSCs), and strengthen the hypothesis that replication domains are structural and functional units of 3D chromosomal architecture.
Project description:We have sequenced miRNA libraries from human embryonic, neural and foetal mesenchymal stem cells. We report that the majority of miRNA genes encode mature isomers that vary in size by one or more bases at the 3’ and/or 5’ end of the miRNA. Northern blotting for individual miRNAs showed that the proportions of isomiRs expressed by a single miRNA gene often differ between cell and tissue types. IsomiRs were readily co-immunoprecipitated with Argonaute proteins in vivo and were active in luciferase assays, indicating that they are functional. Bioinformatics analysis predicts substantial differences in targeting between miRNAs with minor 5’ differences and in support of this we report that a 5’ isomiR-9-1 gained the ability to inhibit the expression of DNMT3B and NCAM2 but lost the ability to inhibit CDH1 in vitro. This result was confirmed by the use of isomiR-specific sponges. Our analysis of the miRGator database indicates that a small percentage of human miRNA genes express isomiRs as the dominant transcript in certain cell types and analysis of miRBase shows that 5’ isomiRs have replaced canonical miRNAs many times during evolution. This strongly indicates that isomiRs are of functional importance and have contributed to the evolution of miRNA genes
Project description:Deregulated DNA replication is a major contributor to human developmental disorders and cancer, yet our understanding of how replication is coordinated with changes in transcription and chromatin structure is limited. Our lab has employed the zebrafish model to investigate the mechanisms driving changes in the replication timing program during development. Previous studies have identified changes in replication timing patterns from the onset of zygotic transcription through gastrulation in zebrafish embryos. The protein Rif1 is crucial for replication timing in a wide range of eukaryotes, yet its role in establishing the replication timing program and chromatin structure during early vertebrate development is not well understood. Using Rif1 mutant zebrafish and performing RNA sequencing and whole-genome replication timing analysis, we found that Rif1 mutants were viable but had a defect in female sex determination. Interestingly, Rif1 loss primarily affected DNA replication timing after gastrulation, while its impact on transcription was more pronounced during zygotic genome activation. Our results indicate that Rif1 has distinct roles in regulating DNA replication and transcription at different stages of development.
Project description:Deregulated DNA replication is a major contributor to human developmental disorders and cancer, yet our understanding of how replication is coordinated with changes in transcription and chromatin structure is limited. Our lab has employed the zebrafish model to investigate the mechanisms driving changes in the replication timing program during development. Previous studies have identified changes in replication timing patterns from the onset of zygotic transcription through gastrulation in zebrafish embryos. The protein Rif1 is crucial for replication timing in a wide range of eukaryotes, yet its role in establishing the replication timing program and chromatin structure during early vertebrate development is not well understood. Using Rif1 mutant zebrafish and performing RNA sequencing and whole-genome replication timing analysis, we found that Rif1 mutants were viable but had a defect in female sex determination. Interestingly, Rif1 loss primarily affected DNA replication timing after gastrulation, while its impact on transcription was more pronounced during zygotic genome activation. Our results indicate that Rif1 has distinct roles in regulating DNA replication and transcription at different stages of development.