Project description:We report the application of single-cell ATAC-seq to reconstruct the epigenetic program and differentiation trajectory associated with the retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation in cultured male germline stem cells (GSCs). We also identified key transcription factors and regulatory elements regulated by RA.
Project description:We report the application of single-cell ATAC-seq to reconstruct the epigenetic program and identify key transcription factors and cis-regulatory elements associated with the epithelial and mesenchymal heterogeneity and G9a inhibition in cultured male germline stem cells (GSCs). First, we identified epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like clusters in the sample. Pseudotime trajectory also indicated that GSCs could undergo EMT-like process with unique regulators in different stages. Lastly, we showed that G9a inhibition could suppress the EMT-like process in GSCs.
Project description:Spermatogonial stem cells are the most primitive spermatogonia in testis, which can self-renew to maintain the stem cell pool or differentiate to give rise to germ cells including haploid spermatids. All-trans-retinoic acid (RA), a bioactive metabolite of vitamin A, plays a fundamental role in initiating spermatogonial differentiation. In this study, single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) was used to obtain genome-wide chromatin maps of cultured germline stem cells (GSCs) that were in control and RA-induced differentiation states. We showed that different subsets of GSCs can be distinguished based on chromatin accessibility of self-renewal and differentiation signature genes. Importantly, both progenitors and a subset of stem cells are able to respond to RA and give rise to differentiating cell subsets with distinct chromatin accessibility profiles. In this study, we identified regulatory regions that undergo chromatin remodeling and are associated with the retinoic signaling pathway. Moreover, we reconstructed the differentiation trajectory and identified novel transcription factor candidates enriched in different spermatogonia subsets. Collectively, our work provides a valuable resource for understanding the heterogeneity associated with differentiation and RA response in GSCs.
Project description:Cell-to-cell variation is a universal feature of life that impacts a wide range of biological phenomena, from developmental plasticity to tumor heterogeneity. While recent advances have improved our ability to document cellular phenotypic variation the fundamental mechanisms that generate variability from identical DNA sequences remain elusive. Here we reveal the landscape and principles of cellular DNA regulatory variation by developing a robust method for mapping the accessible genome of individual cells via assay of transposase accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq). Single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) maps from hundreds of single-cells in aggregate closely resemble accessibility profiles from tens of millions of cells and provides insights into cell-to-cell variation. Accessibility variance is systematically associated with specific trans-factors and cis-elements, and we discover combinations of trans-factors associated with either induction or suppression of cell-to-cell variability. We further identify sets of trans-factors associated with cell-type specific accessibility variance across 6 cell types. Targeted perturbations of cell cycle or transcription factor signaling evoke stimulus-specific changes in this observed variability. The pattern of accessibility variation in cis across the genome recapitulates chromosome topological domains de novo, linking single-cell accessibility variation to three-dimensional genome organization. All together, single-cell analysis of DNA accessibility provides new insight into cellular variation of the “regulome.” Profiles of single cell epigenomes, assayed using scATAC-seq, across 8 cell types and 4 targeted cell manipulations. The complete data set contains a total of 1,632 assayed wells.
Project description:Plasmodium-specific CD4+ T cells from mice infected with Plasmodium chabaudi chabaudi AS parasites were recovered at Days 0, 4, 7, and 32 to undergo processing and to generate scATAC-seq dataset. At Day 7, CXCR5+ and CXCR6+ cells were recovered separately. At Day 32, mice were administered with either saline or artesunate (intermittent artesunate therapy - IAT). scATAC-seq dataset was analysed to investigate epigenomic landscapes of CD4+ T cells from effector to memory states.
Project description:Gametogenesis is dependent on the expression of germline-specific genes. However, it remains unknown how the germline epigenome is distinctly established from that of somatic lineages. Here we show that genes commonly expressed in somatic lineages and spermatogenesis-progenitor cells undergo repression in a genome-wide manner in late stages of the male germline and identify underlying mechanisms. SCML2, a germline-specific subunit of a Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), establishes the unique epigenome of the male germline through two distinct antithetical mechanisms. SCML2 works with PRC1 and promotes RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A, thereby marking somatic/progenitor genes on autosomes for repression. Paradoxically, SCML2 also prevents RNF2-dependent ubiquitination of H2A on sex chromosomes during meiosis, thereby enabling unique epigenetic programming of sex chromosomes for male reproduction. Our results reveal divergent mechanisms involving a shared regulator by which the male germline epigenome is distinguished from that of the soma and progenitor cells.
Project description:The purpose of this protocol is to develop a detailed MRI technique and haemodynamic maps enabling early detection of colorectal metastases in the liver.