X chromosome inactivation is an essential mammalian epigenetic process that serves to balance the levels of X-linked gene expression between the sexes. The inactive X chromosome (Xi) is the most extensive example of developmentally regulated gene silencing, and provides a model to explore in depth the epigenetic features of heterochromatin and to relate these to the underlying genomic DNA sequence. Unexpectedly, the X-linked macrosatellite DXZ4 is packaged into the opposite chromatin arrangement than that of the surrounding chromosome. Consequently, DXZ4 on the Xi is organized into euchromatin, whereas the array on the active X chromosome (Xa) is heterochromatic. DXZ4 is bi-directionally transcribed on both the Xa and Xi, but the processing of the non-coding RNAs differs between the two chromosomes. Cleavage of the antisense transcript into small RNAs coincides with the heterochromatic form of DXZ4, and the small RNAs themselves directly align with nucleosomes bearing the heterochromatin modification H3K9me3. Meanwhile, antisense RNA originating from the Xi is sufficiently stable that it can be detected as a longer transcript. Intriguingly, the chromatin insulator and epigenetic organizer protein CTCF binds specifically to the Xi array, immediately adjacent to the DXZ4 bi-directional promoter. To what extent CTCF is involved in establishing and maintaining DXZ4 chromatin on the Xi, and the impact this unusual organization has on flanking chromatin is unknown. However, the contrasting arrangement of DXZ4 chromatin between the X chromosomes and the specific binding of CTCF to the Xi is conserved at the functional homologue of DXZ4 on the mouse X chromosome (Dxz4), suggesting that this organization serves an important function. Our long-term goal is to understand the role of DXZ4 on the Xa and Xi and the extent to which it is involved in organizing and maintaining flanking chromatin and gene expression. We hypothesize that (A) The Xa processed antisense small RNAs are intimately linked to H3K9me3, via a mammalian pathway similar to RNAi mediated heterochromatin formation described for S.pombe, and (B) The Xi specific association of CTCF with DXZ4 ensures stabilization of antisense transcripts, packaging of the array into euchromatin and maintenance of flanking heterochromatin. In order to test these hypotheses, we propose three specific aims: (i) To define in detail the chromatin organization of DXZ4/Dxz4 on the Xa and Xi, (ii) To understand the role of DXZ4 features in maintaining chromatin and expression of both the array and flanking genomic interval on the Xa and Xi and (iii) To assess the role of Dxz4 on the mouse X. Taken together, these studies are designed to explore the mechanisms that direct packaging of DNA into euchromatin and heterochromatin and will provide valuable insight into the role of RNA in chromatin organization in complex genomes. As such, this research has direct relevance to all forms of epigenetic abnormalities including imprinting disorders, genetic disease involving mutation of chromatin proteins, and the many chromatin alterations observed in cancer.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed studies aim to investigate an unusual epigenetic phenomena involving the macrosatellite sequence DXZ4 on the inactive X chromosome. DXZ4 is a paradigm to explore in depth the interplay between epigenetic features in establishing and maintaining chromatin organization. Therefore, this research has direct relevance to all forms of epigenetic abnormalities including imprinting disorders such as Prader-Willi/Angleman syndrome or Beckwith-Weidemann syndrome, genetic disease involving mutation of chromatin proteins such as Rett syndrome, and the many chromatin changes observed in cancer. Furthermore, understanding the packaging and organization of DXZ4 will have direct impact on Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy research, a devastating macrosatellite contraction disorder.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM073120-08
Application #
8327212
Study Section
Molecular Genetics B Study Section (MGB)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2005-02-01
Project End
2014-08-31
Budget Start
2012-09-01
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$305,631
Indirect Cost
$94,909
Name
Florida State University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
790877419
City
Tallahassee
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
32306
Darrow, Emily M; Huntley, Miriam H; Dudchenko, Olga et al. (2016) Deletion of DXZ4 on the human inactive X chromosome alters higher-order genome architecture. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:E4504-12
Figueroa, Debbie M; Darrow, Emily M; Chadwick, Brian P (2015) Two novel DXZ4-associated long noncoding RNAs show developmental changes in expression coincident with heterochromatin formation at the human (Homo sapiens) macrosatellite repeat. Chromosome Res 23:733-52
Darrow, Emily M; Chadwick, Brian P (2014) A novel tRNA variable number tandem repeat at human chromosome 1q23.3 is implicated as a boundary element based on conservation of a CTCF motif in mouse. Nucleic Acids Res 42:6421-35
Darrow, Emily M; Seberg, Andrew P; Das, Sunny et al. (2014) A region of euchromatin coincides with an extensive tandem repeat on the mouse (Mus musculus) inactive X chromosome. Chromosome Res 22:335-50
Culver-Cochran, Ashley E; Chadwick, Brian P (2013) Loss of WSTF results in spontaneous fluctuations of heterochromatin formation and resolution, combined with substantial changes to gene expression. BMC Genomics 14:740
Chadwick, Brian P; Scott, Kristin C (2013) Molecular versatility: the many faces and functions of noncoding RNA. Chromosome Res 21:555-9
Darrow, Emily M; Chadwick, Brian P (2013) Boosting transcription by transcription: enhancer-associated transcripts. Chromosome Res 21:713-24
Horakova, Andrea H; Calabrese, J Mauro; McLaughlin, Christine R et al. (2012) The mouse DXZ4 homolog retains Ctcf binding and proximity to Pls3 despite substantial organizational differences compared to the primate macrosatellite. Genome Biol 13:R70
Moseley, Shawn C; Rizkallah, Raed; Tremblay, Deanna C et al. (2012) YY1 associates with the macrosatellite DXZ4 on the inactive X chromosome and binds with CTCF to a hypomethylated form in some male carcinomas. Nucleic Acids Res 40:1596-608
Culver-Cochran, Ashley E; Chadwick, Brian P (2012) The WSTF-ISWI chromatin remodeling complex transiently associates with the human inactive X chromosome during late S-phase prior to BRCA1 and ?-H2AX. PLoS One 7:e50023

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