scholarly journals Telomeres in Plants and Humans: Not So Different, Not So Similar

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Procházková Schrumpfová ◽  
Miloslava Fojtová ◽  
Jiří Fajkus
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Multiple Model ◽  
Molecular Systems ◽  
Telomere Biology ◽  
Genotoxic Factors

Parallel research on multiple model organisms shows that while some principles of telomere biology are conserved among all eukaryotic kingdoms, we also find some deviations that reflect different evolutionary paths and life strategies, which may have diversified after the establishment of telomerase as a primary mechanism for telomere maintenance. Much more than animals, plants have to cope with environmental stressors, including genotoxic factors, due to their sessile lifestyle. This is, in principle, made possible by an increased capacity and efficiency of the molecular systems ensuring maintenance of genome stability, as well as a higher tolerance to genome instability. Furthermore, plant ontogenesis differs from that of animals in which tissue differentiation and telomerase silencing occur during early embryonic development, and the “telomere clock” in somatic cells may act as a preventive measure against carcinogenesis. This does not happen in plants, where growth and ontogenesis occur through the serial division of apical meristems consisting of a small group of stem cells that generate a linear series of cells, which differentiate into an array of cell types that make a shoot and root. Flowers, as generative plant organs, initiate from the shoot apical meristem in mature plants which is incompatible with the human-like developmental telomere shortening. In this review, we discuss differences between human and plant telomere biology and the implications for aging, genome stability, and cell and organism survival. In particular, we provide a comprehensive comparative overview of telomere proteins acting in humans and in Arabidopsis thaliana model plant, and discuss distinct epigenetic features of telomeric chromatin in these species.

scholarly journals G-Quadruplexes at Telomeres: Friend or Foe?

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
pp. 3686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy M. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Tandem Repeats ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Telomeric Dna ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Telomere Biology ◽  
Linear Chromosomes

Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes that cap and protect the ends of linear chromosomes. In almost all species, telomeric DNA has a G/C strand bias, and the short tandem repeats of the G-rich strand have the capacity to form into secondary structures in vitro, such as four-stranded G-quadruplexes. This has long prompted speculation that G-quadruplexes play a positive role in telomere biology, resulting in selection for G-rich tandem telomere repeats during evolution. There is some evidence that G-quadruplexes at telomeres may play a protective capping role, at least in yeast, and that they may positively affect telomere maintenance by either the enzyme telomerase or by recombination-based mechanisms. On the other hand, G-quadruplex formation in telomeric DNA, as elsewhere in the genome, can form an impediment to DNA replication and a source of genome instability. This review summarizes recent evidence for the in vivo existence of G-quadruplexes at telomeres, with a focus on human telomeres, and highlights some of the many unanswered questions regarding the location, form, and functions of these structures.

scholarly journals The Relevance of G-Quadruplexes for DNA Repair

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (22) ◽  
pp. 12599
Author(s):  
Rebecca Linke ◽  
Michaela Limmer ◽  
Stefan Juranek ◽  
Annkristin Heine ◽  
Katrin Paeschke
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Genetic Disorders ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Dna Structures ◽  
G4 Dna ◽  
G Quadruplex ◽  
Repair Pathways

DNA molecules can adopt a variety of alternative structures. Among these structures are G-quadruplex DNA structures (G4s), which support cellular function by affecting transcription, translation, and telomere maintenance. These structures can also induce genome instability by stalling replication, increasing DNA damage, and recombination events. G-quadruplex-driven genome instability is connected to tumorigenesis and other genetic disorders. In recent years, the connection between genome stability, DNA repair and G4 formation was further underlined by the identification of multiple DNA repair proteins and ligands which bind and stabilize said G4 structures to block specific DNA repair pathways. The relevance of G4s for different DNA repair pathways is complex and depends on the repair pathway itself. G4 structures can induce DNA damage and block efficient DNA repair, but they can also support the activity and function of certain repair pathways. In this review, we highlight the roles and consequences of G4 DNA structures for DNA repair initiation, processing, and the efficiency of various DNA repair pathways.

scholarly journals The Emerging Roles of TERRA in Telomere Maintenance and Genome Stability

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Bettin ◽  
Claudio Oss Pegorar ◽  
Emilio Cusanelli
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Replicative Senescence ◽  
Chromosome Instability ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Telomere Biology ◽  
Telomere Structure ◽  
Chromosome End Protection

The finding that transcription occurs at chromosome ends has opened new fields of study on the roles of telomeric transcripts in chromosome end maintenance and genome stability. Indeed, the ends of chromosomes are required to be protected from activation of DNA damage response and DNA repair pathways. Chromosome end protection is achieved by the activity of specific proteins that associate with chromosome ends, forming telomeres. Telomeres need to be constantly maintained as they are in a heterochromatic state and fold into specific structures (T-loops), which may hamper DNA replication. In addition, in the absence of maintenance mechanisms, chromosome ends shorten at every cell division due to limitations in the DNA replication machinery, which is unable to fully replicate the extremities of chromosomes. Altered telomere structure or critically short chromosome ends generate dysfunctional telomeres, ultimately leading to replicative senescence or chromosome instability. Telomere biology is thus implicated in multiple human diseases, including cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that a class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed at telomeres, known as TERRA for “TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA,” actively participates in the mechanisms regulating telomere maintenance and chromosome end protection. However, the molecular details of TERRA activities remain to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the emerging roles of TERRA in telomere maintenance and genome stability and their implications in human diseases.

scholarly journals S. pombe DNA translocases Rrp1 and Rrp2 have distinct roles at centromeres and telomeres that ensure genome stability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Barg-Wojas ◽  
Kamila Schirmeisen ◽  
Jakub Muraszko ◽  
Karol Kramarz ◽  
Gabriela Baranowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Chromosome Instability ◽  
Telomere Maintenance ◽  
Nucleosome Dynamics ◽  
Dna Translocases ◽  
Telomere Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
Dna Translocase

ABSTRACTHomologous recombination (HR) is a DNA repair mechanism that ensures, together with heterochromatin machinery, the proper replication, structure and function of telomeres and centromeres that is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity. Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rrp1 and Rrp2 participate in HR and are orthologues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Uls1, a SWI2/SNF2 DNA translocase and SUMO-Targeted Ubiquitin Ligase. We show that Rrp1 or Rrp2 upregulation leads to chromosome instability and growth defects. These phenotypes depend on putative DNA translocase activities of Rrp1 and Rrp2. Either Rrp1 or Rrp2 overproduction results in a reduction in global histone levels, suggesting that Rrp1 and Rrp2 may modulate nucleosome dynamics. In addition we show that Rrp2, but not Rrp1, acts at telomeres. We propose that this role depends on the previously described interaction between Rrp2 and Top2. We conclude that Rrp1 and Rrp2 have important roles for centromere and telomere function and maintenance, contributing to the preservation of genome stability during vegetative cell growth.SUMMARY STATEMENTSchizosaccharomyces pombe DNA translocases Rrp1 and Rrp2 modulate centromere and telomere maintenance pathways and dysregulation of their activity leads to genome instability.

scholarly journals Interplay between genotoxic factors formaldehyde and UV-B exacerbates genome instability in Arabidopsis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Wang ◽  
Jinzheng WANG ◽  
Qiang Lv ◽  
Yi-Kun He
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Genotoxic Stress ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Ros Accumulation ◽  
Genotoxic Factors ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Alcohol Dehydrogenase 2

Maintenance of genome stability is quintessential feature for all living organisms. The simplest aldehyde formaldehyde and UV-B radiation, two environmental toxic factors, cause DNA damage, affect genome stability, subsequently growth and development across kingdoms. However, the interrelationship of genotoxicity caused by formaldehyde and UV-B remains fragmented in plants. Here, we show that mutants lacking one aldehyde detoxifying enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2, also named GSNOR/FALDH), are hypersensitive to low dosage UV-B radiation or UV-B radiation-mimetic chemical in seedling and root growth. The defects are not caused by the alteration of UV-B sensing, secondary metabolites flavonoid accumulation, or ROS accumulation, rather are UV-B-induced genotoxicity. Increased DNA damage response genes and comet assay tail, cell cycle arrest upon exposure to UV-B provide direct evidence for DNA damage in gsnor mutant. Pharmacological analyses show that the susceptibility to genotoxic stresses is caused by the increased DNA crosslink which results from the enhanced endogenous formaldehyde in gsnor while UV-B promotes the production of formaldehyde. This implies formaldehyde clearance through GSNOR plays a critical role in response to environmental genotoxic stress and interplay between formaldehyde and UV-B exacerbates genome instability.

scholarly journals Targeting Genome Stability in Melanoma—A New Approach to an Old Field

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3485
Author(s):  
Marta Osrodek ◽  
Michal Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Old Field ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Mapk Inhibitors

Despite recent groundbreaking advances in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma, it remains one of the most treatment-resistant malignancies. Due to resistance to conventional chemotherapy, the therapeutic focus has shifted away from aiming at melanoma genome stability in favor of molecularly targeted therapies. Inhibitors of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) pathway significantly slow disease progression. However, long-term clinical benefit is rare due to rapid development of drug resistance. In contrast, immune checkpoint inhibitors provide exceptionally durable responses, but only in a limited number of patients. It has been increasingly recognized that melanoma cells rely on efficient DNA repair for survival upon drug treatment, and that genome instability increases the efficacy of both MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss recent developments in the field of melanoma research which indicate that targeting genome stability of melanoma cells may serve as a powerful strategy to maximize the efficacy of currently available therapeutics.

scholarly journals The Ribosomal Gene Loci—The Power behind the Throne

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 763
Author(s):  
Konstantin I. Panov ◽  
Katherine Hannan ◽  
Ross D. Hannan ◽  
Nadine Hein
Keyword(s):  
Genome Stability ◽  
Cell Cycle Progression ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Ribosomal Gene ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Dynamic Regulation ◽  
Pol I ◽  
Polymerase I

Nucleoli form around actively transcribed ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes (rDNA), and the morphology and location of nucleolus-associated genomic domains (NADs) are linked to the RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) transcription status. The number of rDNA repeats (and the proportion of actively transcribed rRNA genes) is variable between cell types, individuals and disease state. Substantial changes in nucleolar morphology and size accompanied by concomitant changes in the Pol I transcription rate have long been documented during normal cell cycle progression, development and malignant transformation. This demonstrates how dynamic the nucleolar structure can be. Here, we will discuss how the structure of the rDNA loci, the nucleolus and the rate of Pol I transcription are important for dynamic regulation of global gene expression and genome stability, e.g., through the modulation of long-range genomic interactions with the suppressive NAD environment. These observations support an emerging paradigm whereby the rDNA repeats and the nucleolus play a key regulatory role in cellular homeostasis during normal development as well as disease, independent of their role in determining ribosome capacity and cellular growth rates.

scholarly journals Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the mesangial identity and species diversity of glomerular cell transcriptomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing He ◽  
Ping Chen ◽  
Sonia Zambrano ◽  
Dina Dabaghie ◽  
Yizhou Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Human Kidney ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Mural Cell ◽  
Glomerular Cell ◽  
Individual Gene ◽  
The Individual

AbstractMolecular characterization of the individual cell types in human kidney as well as model organisms are critical in defining organ function and understanding translational aspects of biomedical research. Previous studies have uncovered gene expression profiles of several kidney glomerular cell types, however, important cells, including mesangial (MCs) and glomerular parietal epithelial cells (PECs), are missing or incompletely described, and a systematic comparison between mouse and human kidney is lacking. To this end, we use Smart-seq2 to profile 4332 individual glomerulus-associated cells isolated from human living donor renal biopsies and mouse kidney. The analysis reveals genetic programs for all four glomerular cell types (podocytes, glomerular endothelial cells, MCs and PECs) as well as rare glomerulus-associated macula densa cells. Importantly, we detect heterogeneity in glomerulus-associated Pdgfrb-expressing cells, including bona fide intraglomerular MCs with the functionally active phagocytic molecular machinery, as well as a unique mural cell type located in the central stalk region of the glomerulus tuft. Furthermore, we observe remarkable species differences in the individual gene expression profiles of defined glomerular cell types that highlight translational challenges in the field and provide a guide to design translational studies.

scholarly journals Genome-wide characterization of 2-oxoglutarate and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenase family genes in tomato during growth cycle and their roles in metabolism

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo Wei ◽  
Wen Zhang ◽  
Rao Fu ◽  
Yang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Growth Cycle ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Gibberellin Biosynthesis ◽  
Type I ◽  
Multiple Model ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Tomato Growth

Abstract Background 2-Oxoglutarate and Fe(II)-dependent dioxygenases (2ODDs) belong to the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD) superfamily and are involved in various vital metabolic pathways of plants at different developmental stages. These proteins have been extensively investigated in multiple model organisms. However, these enzymes have not been systematically analyzed in tomato. In addition, type I flavone synthase (FNSI) belongs to the 2ODD family and contributes to the biosynthesis of flavones, but this protein has not been characterized in tomato. Results A total of 131 2ODDs from tomato were identified and divided into seven clades by phylogenetic classification. The Sl2ODDs in the same clade showed similar intron/exon distributions and conserved motifs. The Sl2ODDs were unevenly distributed across the 12 chromosomes, with different expression patterns among major tissues and at different developmental stages of the tomato growth cycle. We characterized several Sl2ODDs and their expression patterns involved in various metabolic pathways, such as gibberellin biosynthesis and catabolism, ethylene biosynthesis, steroidal glycoalkaloid biosynthesis, and flavonoid metabolism. We found that the Sl2ODD expression patterns were consistent with their functions during the tomato growth cycle. These results indicated the significance of Sl2ODDs in tomato growth and metabolism. Based on this genome-wide analysis of Sl2ODDs, we screened six potential FNSI genes using a phylogenetic tree and coexpression analysis. However, none of them exhibited FNSI activity. Conclusions Our study provided a comprehensive understanding of the tomato 2ODD family and demonstrated the significant roles of these family members in plant metabolism. We also suggest that no FNSI genes in tomato contribute to the biosynthesis of flavones.

scholarly journals Characterization of metabolic responses, genetic variations, and microsatellite instability in ammonia-stressed CHO cells grown in fed-batch cultures

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan G. Chitwood ◽  
Qinghua Wang ◽  
Kathryn Elliott ◽  
Aiyana Bullock ◽  
Dwon Jordana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Instability ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Cho Cells ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Genome Instability ◽  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Functional Genes ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
De Novo Mutations

Abstract Background As bioprocess intensification has increased over the last 30 years, yields from mammalian cell processes have increased from 10’s of milligrams to over 10’s of grams per liter. Most of these gains in productivity can be attributed to increasing cell densities within bioreactors. As such, strategies have been developed to minimize accumulation of metabolic wastes, such as lactate and ammonia. Unfortunately, neither cell growth nor biopharmaceutical production can occur without some waste metabolite accumulation. Inevitably, metabolic waste accumulation leads to decline and termination of the culture. While it is understood that the accumulation of these unwanted compounds imparts a suboptimal culture environment, little is known about the genotoxic properties of these compounds that may lead to global genome instability. In this study, we examined the effects of high and moderate extracellular ammonia on the physiology and genomic integrity of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Results Through whole genome sequencing, we discovered 2394 variant sites within functional genes comprised of both single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertion/deletion mutations as a result of ammonia stress with high or moderate impact on functional genes. Furthermore, several of these de novo mutations were found in genes whose functions are to maintain genome stability, such as Tp53, Tnfsf11, Brca1, as well as Nfkb1. Furthermore, we characterized microsatellite content of the cultures using the CriGri-PICR Chinese hamster genome assembly and discovered an abundance of microsatellite loci that are not replicated faithfully in the ammonia-stressed cultures. Unfaithful replication of these loci is a signature of microsatellite instability. With rigorous filtering, we found 124 candidate microsatellite loci that may be suitable for further investigation to determine whether these loci may be reliable biomarkers to predict genome instability in CHO cultures. Conclusion This study advances our knowledge with regards to the effects of ammonia accumulation on CHO cell culture performance by identifying ammonia-sensitive genes linked to genome stability and lays the foundation for the development of a new diagnostic tool for assessing genome stability.

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