scholarly journals Unmethylated thyroglobulin promoter may be repressed by methylation of flanking DNA sequences

1994 ◽  
Vol 298 (3) ◽  
pp. 537-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Pichon ◽  
C Christophe-Hobertus ◽  
G Vassart ◽  
D Christophe

The thyroglobulin gene, like many other tissue-specific genes, appears to be specifically less methylated in the differentiated cell type where it is transcribed. The thyroglobulin gene promoter elements themselves are highly CG-deficient and do not contain any HpaII/MspI sites. In this study, using DNA constructs that were methylated in vitro with HpaII or MspI methylases, we show that DNA methylation of vector sequences is sufficient to repress the activity of the thyroglobulin gene promoter in transient transfection experiments. Reporter-gene expression from a plasmid containing only the proximal thyroglobulin gene promoter is sensitive to DNA methylation even in fully differentiated thyrocytes. Transcription from methylated plasmids containing the thyroglobulin gene enhancer and proximal promoter is also clearly reduced when the transfected cells are maintained under less-differentiated conditions. These results indicate that DNA methylation can influence, from a distance, the activity of an unmodified promoter. Our results also agree with the view that loss of DNA methylation does not constitute a prerequisite for thyroglobulin gene expression in differentiated thyrocytes, where the thyroglobulin gene enhancer and promoter are activated. However, the production of thyroglobulin transcripts could be severely impaired when this activation is not maximal, as is the case in less-differentiated cells or when the enhancer element is lacking. We suggest that DNA methylation helps to maintain the thyroglobulin gene in an inactive state unless all of the conditions required for its expression are fulfilled, and that the thyroid-specific demethylation events are a consequence of the activation state of the gene.

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
D. Salilew-Wondim ◽  
M. Hoelker ◽  
U. Besenfelder ◽  
V. Havlicek ◽  
F. Rings ◽  
...  

Most often, in vitro produced embryos display poor quality and altered gene expression patterns compared to their in vivo counterparts. Aberrant DNA methylation occurring during in vitro embryo development is believed to be one of the multifaceted factors which may cause altered gene expression and poor embryo quality. Here, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns of in vitro derived embryos using the recently developed Bovine EmbryoGENE Methylation Platform (BEGMP) array (Shojaei Saadi et al. BMC Genomics 2014 15, 451. doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-451) to unravel the aberrantly methylated genomic region in in vitro developed embryos. For this, in vitro and in vivo produced blastocysts were produced and used for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis. In vitro blastocysts were produced from oocytes retrieved from ovaries collected from the local abattoir and matured, fertilized, and cultured in vitro using SOF media. The in vivo blastocysts were produced by superovulation and AI of Simmental heifers followed by uterine flushing. Genomic DNA (gDNA) was then isolated from four replicates (each 10 blastocysts) of in vivo and in vitro derived blastocysts using Allprep DNA/RNA micro kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) and the gDNA was then fragmented using the MseI enzyme. Following this, MseLig21 and MseLig were ligated to the MseI-digested genomic fragments in the presence of Ligase enzyme. Methyl-sensitive enzymes, HpaII, AciI, and Hinp1I, were used to cleave unmethlayted genomic regions within the MseI-MseI region of the fragmented DNA. The gDNA was subjected to two rounds of ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (LM-PCR) amplification. After removal of the adapters, the amplified gDNA samples from in vivo or in vitro groups were labelled either Cy-3 or Cy-5 dyes in dye-swap design using ULS Fluorescent gDNA labelling kit (Kreatech Biotechnology BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Hybridization was performed for 40 h at 65°C. Slides were scanned using Agilent's High-Resolution C Scanner (Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA, USA) and features were extracted with Agilent's Feature Extraction software (Agilent Technologies Inc.). The results have shown that from a total of 414 566 probes harboured by the BEGMP array, 248 453 and 253 147 probes were detected in in vitro and in vivo derived blastocysts, respectively. Data analysis using the linear modelling for microarray (LIMMA) package and R software (The R Project for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria) revealed a total of 3434 differentially methylated regions (DMRs; Fold change ≥1.5, P-value <0.05), of which 42 and 58% were hyper- and hypo-methylated, respectively, in in vitro derived blastocysts compared to their in vivo counterparts. The DMRs were found to be localised in the intronic, exonic, promoter, proximal promoter, and distal promoter, and some of the probes did not have nearby genes. In addition, 10.8% of the DMRs were found to be stretched in short, long, or intermediate CpG islands. Thus, this study demonstrated genome-wide dysregulation in the epigenome landscape of in vitro-derived embryos by the time they reach to the blastocysts stage.


1998 ◽  
Vol 331 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio ESPOSITO ◽  
Stefania MICCADEI ◽  
Adolfo SAIARDI ◽  
Donato CIVITAREALE

In this study we report on a novel natural target of the paired domain transcription factor PAX 8 in the enhancer element of the human thyroperoxidase gene, one of the most important thyroid differentiation markers. It is the primary enzyme involved in thyroid hormone synthesis and PAX 8 has been previously identified as an activating factor of the rat thyroperoxidase gene promoter. In vitro, PAX 8 binds a ciselement of the human enhancer and its exogenous expression induces the enhancer activity in co-transfection experiments in Cos-7 cells. When mutated at this binding site, the enhancer is no longer activated by PAX 8. Our finding strengthens the PAX 8 role in the maintenance of thyroid differentiation and in particular in the tissue-specific thyroperoxidase gene expression.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 251686571881111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maud de Dieuleveult ◽  
Benoit Miotto

DNA methylation plays an essential role in the control of gene expression during early stages of development as well as in disease. Although many transcription factors are sensitive to this modification of the DNA, we still do not clearly understand how it contributes to the establishment of proper gene expression patterns. We discuss here the recent findings regarding the biological and molecular function(s) of the transcription factor ZBTB38 that binds methylated DNA sequences in vitro and in cells. We speculate how these findings may help understand the role of DNA methylation and DNA methylation–sensitive transcription factors in mammalian cells.


2012 ◽  
Vol 443 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ning Liu ◽  
Zhanyang Yu ◽  
Shuanglin Xiang ◽  
Song Zhao ◽  
Anna Tjärnlund-Wolf ◽  
...  

Ngb (neuroglobin) has been identified as a novel endogenous neuroprotectant. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of Ngb expression, especially under conditions of hypoxia. In the present study, we located the core proximal promoter of the mouse Ngb gene to a 554 bp segment, which harbours putative conserved NF-κB (nuclear factor κB)- and Egr1 (early growth-response factor 1) -binding sites. Overexpression and knockdown of transcription factors p65, p50, Egr1 or Sp1 (specificity protein 1) increased and decreased Ngb expression respectively. Experimental assessments with transfections of mutational Ngb gene promoter constructs, as well as EMSA (electrophoretic mobility-shift assay) and ChIP (chromatin immunoprecipitation) assays, demonstrated that NF-κB family members (p65, p50 and cRel), Egr1 and Sp1 bound in vitro and in vivo to the proximal promoter region of the Ngb gene. Moreover, a κB3 site was found as a pivotal cis-element responsible for hypoxia-induced Ngb promoter activity. NF-κB (p65) and Sp1 were also responsible for hypoxia-induced up-regulation of Ngb expression. Although there are no conserved HREs (hypoxia-response elements) in the promoter of the mouse Ngb gene, the results of the present study suggest that HIF-1α (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α) is also involved in hypoxia-induced Ngb up-regulation. In conclusion, we have identified that NF-κB, Egr1 and Sp1 played important roles in the regulation of basal Ngb expression via specific interactions with the mouse Ngb promoter. NF-κB, Sp1 and HIF-1α contributed to the up-regulation of mouse Ngb gene expression under hypoxic conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Tinarelli ◽  
Elena Ivanova ◽  
Ilaria Colombi ◽  
Erica Barini ◽  
Edoardo Balzani ◽  
...  

Abstract Background DNA methylation has emerged as an important epigenetic regulator of brain processes, including circadian rhythms. However, how DNA methylation intervenes between environmental signals, such as light entrainment, and the transcriptional and translational molecular mechanisms of the cellular clock is currently unknown. Here, we studied the after-hours mice, which have a point mutation in the Fbxl3 gene and a lengthened circadian period. Methods In this study, we used a combination of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro approaches. We measured retinal responses in Afh animals and we have run reduced representation bisulphite sequencing (RRBS), pyrosequencing and gene expression analysis in a variety of brain tissues ex vivo. In vitro, we used primary neuronal cultures combined to micro electrode array (MEA) technology and gene expression. Results We observed functional impairments in mutant neuronal networks, and a reduction in the retinal responses to light-dependent stimuli. We detected abnormalities in the expression of photoreceptive melanopsin (OPN4). Furthermore, we identified alterations in the DNA methylation pathways throughout the retinohypothalamic tract terminals and links between the transcription factor Rev-Erbα and Fbxl3. Conclusions The results of this study, primarily represent a contribution towards an understanding of electrophysiological and molecular phenotypic responses to external stimuli in the Afh model. Moreover, as DNA methylation has recently emerged as a new regulator of neuronal networks with important consequences for circadian behaviour, we discuss the impact of the Afh mutation on the epigenetic landscape of circadian biology.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Sotolongo ◽  
Yi-Zhou Jiang ◽  
John Karanian ◽  
William Pritchard ◽  
Peter Davies

Objective: One of the first clinically detectable changes in the vasculature during atherogenesis is the accumulation of cholesterol within the vessel wall. Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by dysfunctional endothelial-dependent vessel relaxation and impaired NOS3 function. Since DNA methylation at gene promoter regions strongly suppresses gene expression, we postulated that high-fat/high-cholesterol diet suppresses endothelial NOS3 through promoter DNA methylation. Methods: Domestic male pigs were fed control diet (CD) or isocaloric high fat and high cholesterol diet (HC; 12% fat and 1.5% cholesterol) for 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks prior to tissue collection. Furthermore, to determine the effects of risk factor withdrawal, an additional group of swine received HC for 12 weeks and then CD for 8 weeks; a control group received HC continuously for 20 weeks. Endothelial cells were harvested from common carotid aorta. In parallel in vitro studies, cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were treated with human LDL, GW3956 (LXR agonist) and RG108 (DNA methyltransferase [DNMT] inhibitor). In cells from both sources, DNA methylation at the NOS3 promoter was measured using methylation specific pyro sequencing, and endothelial gene expression was measured using RT PCR. Results: HC diet increased plasma cholesterol level from 75 mg/dl on CD to a plateau of about 540 mg/dl within 2 weeks. Endothelial NOS3 expression was significantly reduced (71±9 % of CD) after 4 weeks of HC, a level sustained at subsequent time points. Withdrawal of HC for 8 weeks did not recover NOS3 expression. After 12-week HC, the NOS3 promoter was hypermethylated. Withdrawal of HC did not reverse NOS3 promoter methylation. In vitro treatment of HAEC with human LDL (200 mg/dl total cholesterol) or GW3956 (5μM) suppressed NOS3 mRNA to 50% and 30% respectively, suggesting that LXR/RXR is involved in suppression of NOS3. Nitric oxide production was consistently suppressed by GW3959. Both could be reversed through inhibition of DNMTs by RG108. Conclusions: DNA methylation and LXR/RXR pathway can mediate the HC-suppression of endothelial NOS3. The study identifies novel pharmaceutical targets in treating endothelial dysfunction. Crosstalk between these pathways is under investigation.


1984 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 1843-1852
Author(s):  
R J Focht ◽  
S L Adams

We analyzed the control of type I collagen synthesis in four kinds of differentiated cells from chicken embryos which synthesize very different amounts of the protein. Tendon, skin, and smooth muscle cells were found to have identical amounts of type I collagen RNAs; however, the RNAs had inherently different translatabilities, which were observed both in vivo and in vitro. Chondrocytes also had substantial amounts of type I collagen RNAs, even though they directed no detectable synthesis of the protein either in vivo or in vitro. Type I collagen RNAs in chondrocytes display altered electrophoretic mobilities, suggesting that in these cells the reduction in translational efficiency may be mediated in part by changes in the RNA structure. These data indicate that control of type I collagen gene expression is a complex process which is exerted at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.


2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1095-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Plumb ◽  
N. Steele ◽  
P.W. Finn ◽  
R. Brown

Histone deacetylation and DNA methylation have a central role in the control of gene expression, including transcriptional repression of tumour suppressor genes. Loss of DNA mismatch repair due to methylation of the hMLH1 gene promoter results in resistance to cisplatin in vitro and in vivo. The cisplatin-resistant cell line A2780/cp70 is 8-fold more resistant to cisplatin than the non-resistant cell line, and has the hMLH1 gene methylated. Treatment with an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase, DAC (2-deoxy-5′-azacytidine), results in a partial reversal of DNA methylation, re-expression of MLH1 (mutL homologue 1) and sensitization to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo. PXD101 is a novel hydroxamate type histone deacetylase inhibitor that shows antitumour activity in vivo and is currently in phase I clinical evaluation. Treatment of A2780/cp70 tumour-bearing mice with DAC followed by PXD101 results in a marked increase in the number of cells that re-express MLH1. Since the clinical use of DAC may be limited by toxicity and eventual re-methylation of genes, we suggest that the combination of DAC and PXD101 could have a role in increasing the efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with tumours that lack MLH1 expression due to hMLH1 gene promoter methylation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 327-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowu Chen ◽  
Yonghua Zhao ◽  
Yudong He ◽  
Jinliang Zhao

AbstractSkewed sex development is prevalent in fish hybrids. However, the histological observation and molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we showed that the interspecific hybrids of the two fish species, Oreochromis niloticus and Oreochromis aureus, had a male ratio of 98.02%. Microscopic examination revealed that the gonads of both male and female hybrids were developmentally retarded. Compared with the ovaries, the testes of both O. niloticus and hybrids showed higher DNA methylation level in two selected regions in the promoter of cyp19a, the gonadal aromatase gene that converts androgens into estrogens, cyp19a showed higher level gene expression in the ovary than in the testis in both O. niloticus and hybrid tilapia. Methylation and gene expression level of cyp19a were negative correlation between the testis and ovary. Gene transcription was suppressed by the methylation of the cyp19a promoter in vitro. While there is no obvious difference of the methylation level in testis or ovary between O. niloticus and hybrids. Thus, the DNA methylation of the promoter of cyp19a may be an essential component of the sex maintenance, but not a determinant of high male ratio and developmental retardation of gonads in tilapia hybrids.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4185-4193
Author(s):  
K A Roebuck ◽  
R J Walker ◽  
W E Stumph

The DNA sequence requirements of chicken U1 RNA gene expression have been examined in an oocyte transcription system. An enhancer region, which was required for efficient U1 RNA gene expression, is contained within a region of conserved DNA sequences spanning nucleotide positions -230 to -183, upstream of the transcriptional initiation site. These DNA sequences can be divided into at least two distinct subregions or domains that acted synergistically to provide a greater than 20-fold stimulation of U1 RNA synthesis. The first domain contains the octamer sequence ATGCAAAT and was recognized by a DNA-binding factor present in HeLa cell extracts. The second domain (the SPH domain) consists of conserved sequences immediately downstream of the octamer and is an essential component of the enhancer. In the oocyte, the DNA sequences of the SPH domain were able to enhance gene expression at least 10-fold in the absence of the octamer domain. In contrast, the octamer domain, although required for full U1 RNA gene activity, was unable to stimulate expression in the absence of the adjacent downstream DNA sequences. These findings imply that sequences 3' of the octamer play a major role in the function of the chicken U1 RNA gene enhancer. This concept was supported by transcriptional competition studies in which a cloned chicken U4B RNA gene was used to compete for limiting transcription factors in oocytes. Multiple sequence motifs that can function in a variety of cis-linked configurations may be a general feature of vertebrate small nuclear RNA gene enhancers.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document