Dosage compensation in the mammal occurs by transcriptional silencing of one X-chromosome in the female sex. Known as ?X-chromosome inactivation? (XCI), this process exemplifies the large number of regulatory mechanisms used in epigenomic regulation, particularly those involving interactions between long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and chromatin modifiers. The X-inactivation center (Xic) ? the X-linked region that controls the initiation, spread, and maintenance of silencing ? harbors a large number of genes encoding functional lncRNAs, including Xist, RepA, Tsix, and Jpx, each of which plays a distinct role during XCI. The crucial Xist RNA initiates formation of heterochromatin as the RNA spreads along the X-chromosome. During the last funding period (2010-2014), our work has helped define mechanisms by which Xist RNA recruits Polycomb complexes to the X. Major achievements include: (i) discovering a ?nucleation center? required for loading of Xist-Polycomb complexes before they are propagated in cis; (ii) defining YY1 as an essential factor that tethers Xist RNA to the nucleation center; (iii) identifying a hierarchy of binding sites for spreading of Polycomb complexes along the inactive X; and (iv) uncovering a genomewide transcriptome of >9,000 transcripts that associate with PRC2. Together, these findings lead to two over-arching conclusions. First, targeting of Polycomb complexes is genetically and biochemically separable from loading. Second, both steps require RNA. Third, RNA-mediated targeting of Polycomb complexes is likely to be a general theme in epigenomic regulation. Over the next five years, we will use XCI as a model and extend understanding of RNA-guided chromatin change by addressing: (1) How nucleation of the Xist-Polycomb complex is regulated; (2) How spreading of XCI occurs via a hierarchy of Polycomb stations; and (3) How lncRNAs target and load Polycomb complexes throughout the genome. Because many lncRNAs are misexpressed in human disease and Polycomb complexes are often aberrantly targeted in cancers, answers to these questions will help develop novel methodologies to treat diseases in which Polycomb complexes and lncRNAs are implicated.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed research to study long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), Polycomb proteins, and YY1 is of significant public health relevance due to the growing awareness of their involvement in development of congenital diseases and cancer. As evidence, technologies and lncRNA targets that emerged from the last funding cycle have already been licensed to RaNA Therapeutics, a company that seeks to harness the potential of Polycomb lncRNAs to treat diseases of the brain, imprinting, and cancer. Knowledge gained from follow-up studies proposed herein will further enhance understanding of normal development, define steps towards disease, and identify additional therapeutic strategies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM090278-08
Application #
9321107
Study Section
Molecular Genetics B Study Section (MGB)
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2010-03-01
Project End
2018-07-31
Budget Start
2017-08-01
Budget End
2018-07-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02114
Saltzman, Arneet L; Soo, Mark W; Aram, Reta et al. (2018) Multiple Histone Methyl-Lysine Readers Ensure Robust Development and Germline Immortality in Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetics 210:907-923
Kundu, Sharmistha; Ji, Fei; Sunwoo, Hongjae et al. (2018) Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 Generates Discrete Compacted Domains that Change during Differentiation. Mol Cell 71:191
Wang, Chen-Yu; Jégu, Teddy; Chu, Hsueh-Ping et al. (2018) SMCHD1 Merges Chromosome Compartments and Assists Formation of Super-Structures on the Inactive X. Cell 174:406-421.e25
Froberg, John E; Pinter, Stefan F; Kriz, Andrea J et al. (2018) Megadomains and superloops form dynamically but are dispensable for X-chromosome inactivation and gene escape. Nat Commun 9:5004
Rosenberg, Michael; Blum, Roy; Kesner, Barry et al. (2017) Denaturing CLIP, dCLIP, Pipeline Identifies Discrete RNA Footprints on Chromatin-Associated Proteins and Reveals that CBX7 Targets 3' UTRs to Regulate mRNA Expression. Cell Syst 5:368-385.e15
Savol, Andrej J; Wang, Peggy I; Jeon, Yesu et al. (2017) Genome-wide identification of autosomal genes with allelic imbalance of chromatin state. PLoS One 12:e0182568
Sunwoo, Hongjae; Colognori, David; Froberg, John E et al. (2017) Repeat E anchors Xist RNA to the inactive X chromosomal compartment through CDKN1A-interacting protein (CIZ1). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:10654-10659
Wang, Chen-Yu; Froberg, John E; Blum, Roy et al. (2017) Comment on ""Xist recruits the X chromosome to the nuclear lamina to enable chromosome-wide silencing"". Science 356:
Kundu, Sharmistha; Ji, Fei; Sunwoo, Hongjae et al. (2017) Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 Generates Discrete Compacted Domains that Change during Differentiation. Mol Cell 65:432-446.e5
Zovoilis, Athanasios; Cifuentes-Rojas, Catherine; Chu, Hsueh-Ping et al. (2016) Destabilization of B2 RNA by EZH2 Activates the Stress Response. Cell 167:1788-1802.e13

Showing the most recent 10 out of 29 publications