scholarly journals Mutations in Pdd1 Reveal Distinct Requirements for Its Chromodomain and Chromoshadow Domain in Directing Histone Methylation and Heterochromatin Elimination

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Schwope ◽  
Douglas L. Chalker
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Focus Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Somatic Genome ◽  
Low Levels

ABSTRACTPdd1, a specialized HP1-like protein, is required for genome-wide DNA rearrangements that restructure a previously silent germ line genome into an active somatic genome during macronuclear differentiation ofTetrahymena thermophila. We deleted or otherwise mutated conserved regions of the protein to investigate how its different domains promote the excision of thousands of internal eliminated sequences (IESs). Previous studies revealed that Pdd1 contributes to recognition of IES loci after they are targeted by small-RNA-guided methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27), subsequently aids the establishment of H3K9 methylation, and recruits proteins that lead to excision. The phenotypes we observed for different Pdd1 alleles showed that each of the two chromodomains and the chromoshadow domain (CSD) have distinct contributions during somatic genome differentiation. Chromodomain 1 (CD1) is essential for conjugation as either its deletion or the substitution of two key aromatic amino acid residues (the W97A W100A mutant) is lethal. These mutations caused mislocalization of a cyan fluorescent protein (CFP)-tagged protein, prevented the establishment of histone H3 dimethylated on K9 (H3K9me2), and abolished IES excision. Nevertheless, the requirement for CD1 could be bypassed by recruiting Pdd1 directly to an IES by addition of a specific DNA binding domain. Chromodomain 2 (CD2) was necessary for producing viable progeny, but low levels of H3K9me2 and IES excision still occurred. A mutation in the chromoshadow domain (CSD) prevented Pdd1 focus formation but still permitted ∼17% of conjugants to produce viable progeny. However, this mutant was unable to stimulate excision when recruited to an ectopic IES, indicating that this domain is important for recruitment of excision factors.

scholarly journals Deposition and Function of Histone H3 Variants in Tetrahymena thermophila

2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (20) ◽  
pp. 7719-7730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowen Cui ◽  
Yifan Liu ◽  
Martin A. Gorovsky
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Repair Synthesis ◽  
Nucleosome Density ◽  
Sexual Progeny ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Dna Repair Synthesis ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT In Tetrahymena, HHT1 and HHT2 genes encode the same major histone H3; HHT3 and HHT4 encode similar minor H3 variants (H3s), H3.3 and H3.4. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged H3 is deposited onto chromatin through a DNA replication-coupled (RC) pathway. GFP-tagged H3.3 and H3.4 can be deposited both by a transcription-associated, replication-independent (RI) pathway and also weakly by an RC pathway. Although both types of H3s can be deposited by the RC pathway, DNA repair synthesis associated with meiotic recombination utilizes H3 specifically. The regions distinguishing H3 and H3.3 for their deposition pathways were identified. RC major H3 is not essential. Cells can grow without major H3 if the minor H3s are expressed at high levels. Surprisingly, cells lacking RI H3s are also viable and maintain normal nucleosome density at a highly transcribed region. The RC H3 is not detectably deposited by the RI pathway, even when there are no RI H3s available, indicating that transcription-associated RI H3 deposition is not essential for transcription. Minor H3s are also required to produce viable sexual progeny and play an unexpected role in the germ line micronuclei late in conjugation that is unrelated to transcription.

scholarly journals Lia1p, a Novel Protein Required during Nuclear Differentiation for Genome-Wide DNA Rearrangements in Tetrahymena thermophila

2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 1320-1329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles H. Rexer ◽  
Douglas L. Chalker
Keyword(s):  
Genome Rearrangement ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Chromatin Modification ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Macronuclear Development ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Novel Protein

ABSTRACT Extensive genome-wide rearrangements occur during somatic macronuclear development in Tetrahymena thermophila. These events are guided by RNA interference-directed chromatin modification including histone H3 lysine 9 methylation, which marks specific germ line-limited internal eliminated sequences (IESs) for excision. Several genes putatively involved in these developmental genome rearrangements were identified based on their proteins' localization to differentiating somatic nuclei, and here we demonstrate that one, LIA1, encodes a novel protein that is an essential component of the genome rearrangement machinery. A green fluorescent protein-Lia1 fusion protein exhibited dynamic nuclear localization during development that has striking similarity to that of the dual chromodomain-containing DNA rearrangement protein, Pdd1p. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments showed that Lia1p associates with Pdd1p and IES chromatin during macronuclear development. Cell lines in which we disrupted both the germ line and somatic copies of LIA1 (ΔLIA1) grew normally but were unable to generate viable progeny, arresting late in development just prior to returning to vegetative growth. These mutant lines failed to properly form Pdd1p-containing nuclear structures and eliminate IESs despite showing normal levels of H3K9 methylation. These data indicate that Lia1p is required late in conjugation for the reorganization of the Tetrahymena genome.

scholarly journals SUMOylation Is Developmentally Regulated and Required for Cell Pairing during Conjugation in Tetrahymena thermophila

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amjad M. Nasir ◽  
Qianyi Yang ◽  
Douglas L. Chalker ◽  
James D. Forney
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Reproduction ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Covalent Attachment ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sumo Pathway

ABSTRACT The covalent attachment of s mall u biquitin-like mo difier (SUMO) to target proteins regulates numerous nuclear events in eukaryotes, including transcription, mitosis and meiosis, and DNA repair. Despite extensive interest in nuclear pathways within the field of ciliate molecular biology, there have been no investigations of the SUMO pathway in Tetrahymena . The developmental program of sexual reproduction of this organism includes cell pairing, micronuclear meiosis, and the formation of a new somatic macronucleus. We identified the Tetrahymena thermophila SMT3 (SUMO) and UBA2 (SUMO-activating enzyme) genes and demonstrated that the corresponding green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged gene products are found predominantly in the somatic macronucleus during vegetative growth. Use of an anti-Smt3p antibody to perform immunoblot assays with whole-cell lysates during conjugation revealed a large increase in SUMOylation that peaked during formation of the new macronucleus. Immunofluorescence using the same antibody showed that the increase was localized primarily within the new macronucleus. To initiate functional analysis of the SUMO pathway, we created germ line knockout cell lines for both the SMT3 and UBA2 genes and found both are essential for cell viability. Conditional Smt3p and Uba2p cell lines were constructed by incorporation of the cadmium-inducible metallothionein promoter. Withdrawal of cadmium resulted in reduced cell growth and increased sensitivity to DNA-damaging agents. Interestingly, Smt3p and Uba2p conditional cell lines were unable to pair during sexual reproduction in the absence of cadmium, consistent with a function early in conjugation. Our studies are consistent with multiple roles for SUMOylation in Tetrahymena , including a dynamic regulation associated with the sexual life cycle.

scholarly journals Role of ATG8 and Autophagy in Programmed Nuclear Degradation in Tetrahymena thermophila

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Liang Liu ◽  
Meng-Chao Yao
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Nuclear Periphery ◽  
Unicellular Eukaryote ◽  
Knockout Mutant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nuclear Degradation

ABSTRACT Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for the degradation of cellular components, but its role in enucleation during differentiation has not been established. Tetrahymena thermophila is a unicellular eukaryote with two functionally distinct nuclei, the somatic (macro-) and the germ line (micro-) nuclei. These nuclei are produced during sexual reproduction (conjugation), which involves differentiation and selective degradation of several specific nuclei. To examine the role of autophagy in nuclear degradation, we studied the function of two ATG8 genes in Tetrahymena . Through fluorescent protein tagging, we found that both proteins are targeted to degrading nuclei at specific stages, with some enrichment on the nuclear periphery, suggesting the formation of autophagosomes surrounding these nuclei. In addition, ATG8 knockout mutant cells showed a pronounced delay in nuclear degradation without apparently preventing the completion of other developmental events. This evidence provided direct support for a critical role for autophagy in programmed nuclear degradation. The results also showed differential roles for two ATG8 genes, with ATG8-65 playing a more significant role in starvation than ATG8-2 , although both are important in nuclear degradation.

scholarly journals Depletion of UBC9 Causes Nuclear Defects during the Vegetative and Sexual Life Cycles in Tetrahymena thermophila

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1240-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianyi Yang ◽  
Amjad M. Nasir ◽  
Robert S. Coyne ◽  
James D. Forney
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Fusion Gene ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macronuclear Development ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Ubc9p is the sole E2-conjugating enzyme for SUMOylation, and its proper function is required for regulating key nuclear events such as transcription, DNA repair, and mitosis. In Tetrahymena thermophila , the genome is separated into a diploid germ line micronucleus (MIC) that divides by mitosis and a polyploid somatic macronucleus (MAC) that divides amitotically. This unusual nuclear organization provides novel opportunities for the study of SUMOylation and Ubc9p function. We identified the UBC9 gene and demonstrated that its complete deletion from both MIC and MAC genomes is lethal. Rescue of the lethal phenotype with a GFP-UBC9 fusion gene driven by a metallothionein promoter generated a cell line with CdCl 2 -dependent expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Ubc9p. Depletion of Ubc9p in vegetative cells resulted in the loss of MICs, but MACs continued to divide. In contrast, expression of catalytically inactive Ubc9p resulted in the accumulation of multiple MICs. Critical roles for Ubc9p were also identified during the sexual life cycle of Tetrahymena . Cell lines that were depleted for Ubc9p did not form mating pairs and therefore could not complete any of the subsequent stages of conjugation, including meiosis and macronuclear development. Mating between cells expressing catalytically inactive Ubc9p resulted in arrest during macronuclear development, consistent with our observation that Ubc9p accumulates in the developing macronucleus.

scholarly journals A Developmentally Regulated Gene, ASI2, Is Required for Endocycling in the Macronuclear Anlagen of Tetrahymena

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1343-1353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lihui Yin ◽  
Susan T. Gater ◽  
Kathleen M. Karrer
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Mitotic Cycle ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Ciliated Protozoa ◽  
Dna Rearrangement ◽  
Developmentally Regulated ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Multicellular Organisms

ABSTRACT Ciliated protozoa contain two types of nuclei, germ line micronuclei (Mic) and transcriptionally active macronuclei (Mac). During sexual reproduction, the parental Mac degenerates and a new Mac develops from a mitotic product of the zygotic Mic. Macronuclear development involves extensive endoreplication of the genome. The present study shows that endoreplication of macronuclear DNA in Tetrahymena is an example of endocyling, a variant of the mitotic cycle with alternating S and G phases in the absence of cell division. Thus, endocycling is conserved from ciliates to multicellular organisms. The gene ASI2 in Tetrahymena thermophila encodes a putative signal transduction receptor. ASI2 is nonessential for vegetative growth, but it is upregulated during development of the new Mac. Cells that lack ASI2 in the developing Mac anlagen are arrested in endoreplication of the DNA and die. This study shows that ASI2 is also transcribed in the parental Mac early in conjugation and that transcription of ASI2 in the parental Mac supports endoreplication of the DNA during early stages of development of the Mac anlagen. Other molecular events in Mac anlage development, including developmentally regulated DNA rearrangement, occur normally in matings between ASI2 knockouts, suggesting that ASI2 specifically regulates endocycling in Tetrahymena.

scholarly journals Chromatin Profiling of the Repetitive and Nonrepetitive Genomes of the Human Fungal Pathogen Candida albicans

mBio ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Jordan Price ◽  
Esther Weindling ◽  
Judith Berman ◽  
Alessia Buscaino
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Chromatin Structure ◽  
Fungal Pathogen ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chromatin States ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Chromatin Profiling

ABSTRACT Eukaryotic genomes are packaged into chromatin structures that play pivotal roles in regulating all DNA-associated processes. Histone posttranslational modifications modulate chromatin structure and function, leading to rapid regulation of gene expression and genome stability, key steps in environmental adaptation. Candida albicans, a prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, can rapidly adapt and thrive in diverse host niches. The contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology is largely unexplored. Here, we generated the first comprehensive chromatin profile of histone modifications (histone H3 trimethylated on lysine 4 [H3K4me3], histone H3 acetylated on lysine 9 [H3K9Ac], acetylated lysine 16 on histone H4 [H4K16Ac], and γH2A) across the C. albicans genome and investigated its relationship to gene expression by harnessing genome-wide sequencing approaches. We demonstrated that gene-rich nonrepetitive regions are packaged into canonical euchromatin in association with histone modifications that mirror their transcriptional activity. In contrast, repetitive regions are assembled into distinct chromatin states; subtelomeric regions and the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus are assembled into heterochromatin, while major repeat sequences and transposons are packaged in chromatin that bears features of euchromatin and heterochromatin. Genome-wide mapping of γH2A, a marker of genome instability, identified potential recombination-prone genomic loci. Finally, we present the first quantitative chromatin profiling in C. albicans to delineate the role of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in controlling chromatin structure and gene expression. This report presents the first genome-wide chromatin profiling of histone modifications associated with the C. albicans genome. These epigenomic maps provide an invaluable resource to understand the contribution of chromatin to C. albicans biology and identify aspects of C. albicans chromatin organization that differ from that of other yeasts. IMPORTANCE The fungus Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that normally lives on the human body without causing any harm. However, C. albicans is also a dangerous pathogen responsible for millions of infections annually. C. albicans is such a successful pathogen because it can adapt to and thrive in different environments. Chemical modifications of chromatin, the structure that packages DNA into cells, can allow environmental adaptation by regulating gene expression and genome organization. Surprisingly, the contribution of chromatin modification to C. albicans biology is still largely unknown. For the first time, we analyzed C. albicans chromatin modifications on a genome-wide basis. We demonstrate that specific chromatin states are associated with distinct regions of the C. albicans genome and identify the roles of the chromatin modifiers Sir2 and Set1 in shaping C. albicans chromatin and gene expression.

scholarly journals Vacuolar Protein Sorting Protein 13A, TtVPS13A, Localizes to the Tetrahymena thermophila Phagosome Membrane and Is Required for Efficient Phagocytosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1207-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haresha S. Samaranayake ◽  
Ann E. Cowan ◽  
Lawrence A. Klobutcher
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Protein Sorting ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Vacuolar Protein Sorting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Vacuolar Protein

ABSTRACT Vacuolar protein sorting 13 (VPS13) proteins have been studied in a number of organisms, and mutations in VPS13 genes have been implicated in two human genetic disorders, but the function of these proteins is poorly understood. The TtVPS13A protein was previously identified in a mass spectrometry analysis of the Tetrahymena thermophila phagosome proteome (M. E. Jacobs et al., Eukaryot. Cell 5:1990–2000, 2006), suggesting that it is involved in phagocytosis. In this study, we analyzed the structure of the macronuclear TtVPS13A gene, which was found to be composed of 17 exons spanning 12.5 kb and was predicted to encode a protein of 3,475 amino acids (aa). A strain expressing a TtVPS13A-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein was constructed, and the protein was found to associate with the phagosome membrane during the entire cycle of phagocytosis. In addition, Tetrahymena cells with a TtVPS13A knockout mutation displayed impaired phagocytosis. Specifically, they grew slowly under conditions where phagocytosis is essential, they formed few phagosomes, and the digestion of phagosomal contents was delayed compared to wild-type cells. Overall, these results provide evidence that the TtVPS13A protein is required for efficient phagocytosis.

scholarly journals Our recent progress in epigenetic research using the model ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Cheng ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Jie Huang ◽  
Xiao Chen ◽  
Xiaolu Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Team ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Tetrahymena Thermophila ◽  
Histone H3 ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Unique System ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Epigenetic Research

AbstractEpigenetic research focuses on heritable changes beyond the DNA sequence, which has led to a revolution in biological studies and benefits in many other fields. The well-known model ciliate, Tetrahymena thermophila offers a unique system for epigenetic studies due to its nuclear dimorphism and special mode of sexual reproduction (conjugation), as well as abundant genomic resources and genetic tools. In this paper, we summarize recent progress made by our research team and collaborators in understanding epigenetic mechanisms using Tetrahymena. This includes: (1) providing the first genome-wide base pair-resolution map of DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) and revealed it as an integral part of the chromatin landscape; (2) dissecting the relative contribution of cis- and trans- elements to nucleosome distribution by exploring the unique nuclear dimorphism of Tetrahymena; (3) demonstrating the epigenetic controls of RNAi-dependent Polycomb repression pathways on transposable elements, and (4) identifying a new histone monomethyltransferase, TXR1 (Tetrahymena Trithorax 1), that facilitates replication elongation through its substrate histone H3 lysine 27 monomethylation (H3K27me1).

scholarly journals The Drosophila Ortholog of MLL3 and MLL4 , trithorax related , Functions as a Negative Regulator of Tissue Growth

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 1702-1710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kanda ◽  
Alexander Nguyen ◽  
Leslie Chen ◽  
Hideyuki Okano ◽  
Iswar K. Hariharan
Keyword(s):  
Histone H3 ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Cyclin B ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
H3k4 Methylation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Promote Cell Survival ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Mutant Cells

The human MLL genes ( MLL1 to MLL4 ) and their Drosophila orthologs, trithorax ( trx ) and trithorax related ( trr ), encode proteins capable of methylating histone H3 on lysine 4. MLL1 and MLL2 are most similar to trx , while MLL3 and MLL4 are more closely related to trr . Several MLL genes are mutated in human cancers, but how these proteins regulate cell proliferation is not known. Here we show that trr mutant cells have a growth advantage over their wild-type neighbors and display changes in the levels of multiple proteins that regulate growth and cell division, including Notch, Capicua, and cyclin B. trr mutant clones display markedly reduced levels of H3K4 monomethylation without obvious changes in the levels of H3K4 di- and trimethylation. The trr mutant phenotype resembles that of Utx , which encodes a H3K27 demethylase, consistent with the observation that Trr and Utx are found in the same protein complex. In contrast to the overgrowth displayed by trr mutant tissue, trx clones are underrepresented, express low levels of the antiapoptotic protein Diap1, and exhibit only modest changes in global levels of H3K4 methylation. Thus, in Drosophila eye imaginal discs, Trr, likely functioning together with Utx, restricts tissue growth. In contrast, Trx appears to promote cell survival.

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