Epigenetic regulation serves as the basis for stem cell differentiation into distinct cell types, but it is unclear how global epigenetic changes are regulated during this process. Here, we tested the hypothesis that global chromatin organization affects the lineage potential of stem cells and that manipulation of chromatin dynamics influences stem cell function. Using nuclease sensitivity assays, we found a progressive decrease in chromatin digestion between pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs), multipotent hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), and mature hematopoietic cells. Quantification of chromatin composition by high-resolution microscopy revealed that ESCs contain significantly more euchromatin than HSPCs, with a further reduction in euchromatin as HSPCs transition into mature cells. Increased cellular maturation also led to heterochromatin localization to the nuclear periphery. Functionally, prevention of heterochromatin formation by inhibition of the histone methyltransferase G9a resulted in delayed hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) differentiation. Our results demonstrate significant global rearrangements of chromatin structure during embryonic and adult stem cell differentiation, and that heterochromatin formation by H3K9 methylation is an important regulator of HSC differentiation. Overall design: Examination of gene expression profile of in vitro cultured mouse HSC with the G9a inhibitor UNC0638
Progressive Chromatin Condensation and H3K9 Methylation Regulate the Differentiation of Embryonic and Hematopoietic Stem Cells.
Specimen part, Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesThe goal of this study is to determine if pDCs reconstituted from T cell depleted allogeneic STAT1-/- bone marrow express genes that contribute to Graft versus host disease (GVHD) resistance as compared to STAT1+/+ bone marrow
Absence of STAT1 in donor-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells results in increased STAT3 and attenuates murine GVHD.
Specimen part
View SamplesHeterochromatin protein 1a (HP1a) is a chromatin associated protein that has been well studied in many model organisms, such as Drosophila, where it is a determining factor for classical heterochromatin. HP1a is associated with the two histone methyltransferases SETDB1 and Su(var)3-9, which mediate H3K9 methylation marks and participate in the establishment and spreading of HP1a enriched chromatin. While HP1a is generally regarded as a factor that represses gene transcription, several reports have linked HP1a binding to active genes, and in some cases, it has been shown to stimulate transcriptional activity. To clarify the function of HP1a in transcription regulation and its association with Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and the chromosome 4 specific protein POF, we conducted genome-wide expression studies and combined the results with available binding data in Drosophila melanogaster. The results suggested that HP1a has a repressing function on chromosome 4, where it preferentially targets non-ubiquitously expressed genes (NUEGs), and a stimulating function in pericentromeric regions. Further, we showed that the effects of SETDB1 and Su(var)3-9 are similar to HP1a, and on chromosome 4, Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and HP1a target the same genes. In contrast, transposons are repressed by HP1a and Su(var)3-9 but are un-affected by SETDB1 and POF. In addition, we found that the binding level and expression effects of HP1a are affected by gene length. Our results indicate that genes have adapted to be properly expressed in their local chromatin environment.
HP1a, Su(var)3-9, SETDB1 and POF stimulate or repress gene expression depending on genomic position, gene length and expression pattern in Drosophila melanogaster.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesStudy of single and double mutants of the two roX RNAs in D. melanogaster Overall design: Study of single and double mutants of the two roX RNAs in D. melanogaster
RNA-on-X 1 and 2 in Drosophila melanogaster fulfill separate functions in dosage compensation.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesThe aim was to identify genes that were commonly influenced by a siRNA targeting PRKCD in breast cancer cell lines.
Down Regulation of CLDND1 Induces Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesHuman mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are of interest for clinical therapy, in part because of their capacity for proliferation and differentiation. However, results from clinical trials and in vitro models have been variable, possibly due to MSC heterogeneity and a lack of standardization between MSC in vitro expansion protocols. Here we defined changes in MSCs during expansion in vitro. In low density cultures, MSCs expand through distinct lag, exponential growth and stationary phases. We assayed cultures of passage 2 human MSCs from three donors at low density (50 cells/cm2) at about 5% confluence on Day 2 and after the cultures had expanded to about 70% confluence on Day 7. On Day 2 genes involved in cell division were up-regulated. On Day 7 genes for cell development were up-regulated. The variations between three donors were less than the variation within the expansion of MSCs from a single donor. The microarray data for selected genes were confirmed by real-time PCR, ELISA and FACScan. About 50% of cells at Day 2 were in S-phase compared to 10% at Day 7. The results demonstrated major differences in early and late stage cultures of MSCs that should be considered in using the cells in experiments and clinical applications.
Human multipotent stromal cells undergo sharp transition from division to development in culture.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesExpression profiling by high throughput sequencing Overall design: 23 Tumor samples were obtained from a Sleeping Beauty forward genetic screen and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq 2000
<i>Sleeping Beauty</i> Insertional Mutagenesis Reveals Important Genetic Drivers of Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe analyzed the genome-wide expression by RNA-seq of a yeast strain that expresses Cas9d and a guideRNA targeted to the GAL10 locus (called +116), which inhibits GAL10 ncRNA expression from the antisense strand. We compared this strain to a strain expressing a scrambled guideRNA. The goal was to examine the effects of ncRNA inhibition and to examine if CRISPR inhibition of gene expression has off-target effects. We find that CRISPR-mediated inhibtion of GAL10 ncRNA only significantly changes expression of transcripts at the GAL1-10 locus, showing that CRISPR is highly specific, and that GAL10 ncRNA only control genes at the GAL locus. Overall design: RNA-seq of 2 strains with CRISPR scrambled and 2 strains with CRISPR +116, the latter of which inhibits GAL10 ncRNA
Single-Molecule Imaging Reveals a Switch between Spurious and Functional ncRNA Transcription.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesAneuploidy, i.e., variation in the number of individual chromosomes (chromosomal aneuploidy) or chromosome segment (segmental aneuploidy) is associated with developmental abnormalities and reduced fitness in all species examined, is the leading cause of miscarriages and mental retardations and a hallmark of cancer. Despite their documented importance in disease the effects of aneuploidies on the transcriptome remains largely unknown. Here we have examined the expression output in seven deficiency heterozygotes as single deficiencies and in all pairwise combinations. The results show that genes in one copy are buffered, i.e., are expressed above the expected 50% expression level compared to wild type and the buffering is general and not influenced by additional haploid regions. Long genes are significantly better buffered than short genes and our analysis suggests that gene length is the primary determinant for the degree of buffering. For short genes the degree of buffering depends on expression level and expression pattern. Furthermore, the results show that in deficiency heterozygotes the expression of genes involved in proteolysis is enhanced and negatively correlates with the degree of buffering. Our results suggest that proteolysis is a general response induced by aneuploidy.
Buffering and proteolysis are induced by segmental monosomy in Drosophila melanogaster.
Sex
View SamplesThe ATP-dependent DExH/D-box helicase DHX9 is a key participant in a number of gene regulatory steps, including transcriptional, translational, microRNA-mediated control, DNA replication, and maintenance of genomic stability. DHX9 has also been implicated in maintenance of the tumorigenic process and in drug response. Here, we report that inhibition of DHX9 expression is lethal to multiple human and mouse cancer cell lines. In contrast, using a novel conditional shDHX9 mouse model, we demonstrate that sustained and prolonged suppression of DHX9 is well tolerated at the organismal level. Our results demonstrate a robust tolerance for DHX9 knockdown in non-transformed cells and supports the targeting of DHX9 as an effective and specific chemotherapeutic approach.
Tumor cell survival dependence on the DHX9 DExH-box helicase.
Specimen part
View Samples