Epigenetic signatures and temporal expression of lineage-specific genes in hESCs during differentiation to hepatocytes in vitro

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) maintain unique epigenetic states to maintain their pluripotency. Differentiation of ESCs into specialized cell types requires changes in these epigenetic states. However, the dynamics of epigenetic marks found in hESCs during differentiation are poorly understood. Here, we report the variation in the dynamics of epigenetic modifications associated with the expression of lineage-specific genes during differentiation of hESCs to hepatocytes in vitro. The promoter regions of pluripotency marker genes characterized by permissive histone marks such as trimethylation of H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and acetylation of H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9ac) in hESCs were instead enriched with repressive histone marks such as dimethylation of H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me2), trimethylation of H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) and trimethylation of H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3) during differentiation to hepatocytes. Interestingly, expression of definitive endoderm marker genes containing bivalent and non-bivalent domains may be modulated by a marked reduction in H3K27me3 and a significant enhancement of permissive marks such as H3K4me3 and H3K9ac during hESC differentiation. Expression of hepatocyte marker genes regulated by histone modifications was similar to that of pluripotency marker genes. Our findings provide insight into the epigenetic mechanisms regulating expression of developmental genes. Of particular interest, they may be differentially regulated either in a bivalent or non-bivalent domain manner during hESC differentiation.     

Expression of progesterone receptor isoforms in corpora lutea of human subjects: correlation with serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations

To understand the biological significance of progesterone receptor forms A (PR-A) and B (PR-B) in human corpus luteum, the expression of mRNA and serum steroid hormone concentrations were determined simultaneously in the luteal stages. The expression of PR-A mRNA predominated over PR-B mRNA in all samples analysed. Total PR (PR-AB) and PR-B mRNA concentrations at the late secretory phase were significantly (P < 0.01) lower than those at the early and mid secretory phases of the menstrual cycle. The ratio of PR-B to PR-AB mRNA concentration showed no significant change during the secretory phase. In the early and mid secretory phases, there was a negative correlation between PR-B mRNA concentration and serum progesterone concentration, and between the ratio of PR-B to PR-AB mRNA concentrations and serum progesterone concentration (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that human corpus luteum might intracellularly synthesize PR-A and PR-B, and thus be involved in the steroid functional regulation of the corpus luteum, especially at the early and mid secretory phases, and that progesterone might regulate the synthesis of PR-A and PR-B.      

Global and gene-specific histone modification profiles of mouse multipotent adult germline stem cells

We previously reported the generation of multipotent adult germline stem cells (maGSCs) from spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) isolated from adult mouse testis. In a later study, we substantiated the pluripotency of maGSCs by demonstrating their close similarity to pluripotent male embryonic stem cells (ESCs) at the epigenetic level of global and gene-specific DNA methylation. Here, we extended the comparative epigenetic analysis of maGSCs and male ESCs by investigating the second main epigenetic modification in mammals, i.e. global and gene-specific modifications of histones (H3K4 trimethylation, H3K9 acetylation, H3K9 trimethylation and H3K27 trimethylation). Using immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and western blot analysis, we show that maGSCs are very similar to male ESCs with regard to global levels and nuclear distribution patterns of these modifications. Chromatin immunoprecipitation real-time PCR analysis of these modifications at the gene-specific level further revealed modification patterns of the pluripotency marker genes Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog in maGSCs that are nearly identical to those of male ESCs. These genes were enriched for activating histone modifications including H3K4me3 and H3K9ac and depleted of repressive histone modifications including H3K27me3 and H3K9me3. In addition, Hoxa11, a key regulator of early embryonic development showed the ESC-typical bivalent chromatin conformation with enrichment of both the activating H3K4me3 and the repressive H3K27me3 modification also in maGSCs. Collectively, our results demonstrate that maGSCs also closely resemble ESCs with regard to their chromatin state and further evidence their pluripotent nature.     

Widespread, exceptionally high levels of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation largely mediate "privileged" gene expression

We examined the molecular determinants for sustained high-level expression of "privileged" genes, defined as the 0.03% most highly expressed genes within any specific cell. We identified histone modifications by chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses on Keratin 8, the most highly expressed gene in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, based on serial analysis of gene expression. Quantitative comparisons to the "normal" counterpart cell line, MCF-10A, expressing 350-fold lower levels of Keratin 8 and other breast cancer cell lines expressing higher levels were performed using real-time PCR. Extraordinarily high levels of trimethyl histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) were found primarily in the first intron of the Keratin 8 gene stretching from 400 to 2000 bp downstream from the promoter in all breast cancer cells lines but not in MCF-10A cells. The highest levels of histone H3K4 trimethylation in MCF-7 cells ranged from 70% to 80% over input within 1200 bp of this region. Knockdown of mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), the specific methyltransferase for histone H3K4, with MLL-specific siRNA decreased histone H3K4 trimethylation on the Keratin 8 gene and decreased Keratin 8 mRNA levels. Histone H3K4 trimethylation mediates approximately 86% of the elevated, sustained expression of the Keratin 8 gene in MCF-7 cells.     

Progesterone receptor modulator CDB-2914 down-regulates vascular endothelial growth factor, adrenomedullin and their receptors and modulates progesterone receptor content in cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded concentrations (10(-8), 10(-7) and 10(-6) M) of progesterone receptor (PR) modulator CDB-2914 on the protein contents of PR, of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), adrenomedullin (ADM) and their receptors in cultured human uterine leiomyoma and matching myometrial cells. METHODS: PR-A, PR-B, VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, ADM and ADM receptor (ADMR) contents were assessed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with 100 ng/ml progesterone increased VEGF-A, VEGF-B and ADM contents in cultured leiomyoma cells and normal myometrial cells. The concomitant treatment with 10(-6) M CDB-2914 significantly decreased the progesterone-induced VEGF-A, VEGF-B and ADM contents in cultured leiomyoma cells but not in normal myometrial cells. CDB-2914 treatment alone decreased VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and ADMR contents in cultured leiomyoma cells but not in normal myometrial cells. CDB-2914 treatment increased PR-A and decreased PR-B contents in cultured leiomyoma cells in a dose-dependent manner compared with untreated cultures, whereas no significant changes in PR isoform contents were observed in normal myometrial cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CDB-2914 down-regulates VEGF, ADM and their receptor contents and modulates PR isoform contents in cultured leiomyoma cells in a cell-type-specific manner.     

Progesterone receptor expression in human decidua and fetal membranes before and after contractions: possible mechanism for functional progesterone withdrawal

In humans, progesterone levels are sustained before the onset of labour. Therefore, the mechanism for parturition that has been proposed for humans is 'functional' progesterone withdrawal. Immunohistochemical staining for the progesterone receptor (PR) was positive in the decidua with a decline after contractions began. Western blot analysis revealed a number of PR isoforms expressed in the decidua, with the PR-B form being dominant. After contractions began, all PR isoforms decreased sharply. PR-B and PR-A decreased by 85.8% +/- 6.7 and 78.2% +/- 7.1, respectively (P < 0.001). Incubation of decidua with Prostaglandin F2alpha 1.0 microg/ml decreased the expression of all forms of PR isoforms. PR-B was reduced by 64% +/- 6.09 (P < 0.01); PR-A was reduced by 77% +/- 5.9 (P < 0.05), while PR-C was reduced by 80% +/- 7.24 (P < 0.05). Progesterone (80 microg/ml) increased the PR-B, PR-C the 45 and 36 kDa isoforms to 150% +/- 7.89, 210% +/- 12.4, 270% +/- 9.7 and 216% +/- 13.5, respectively (P < 0.05). In immunohistochemical studies, the PR was not identified in the amnion or in the chorion, regardless of the presence or absence of contractions. Western blot analysis demonstrated that PR-C (60 kDa) and the 36 kDa isoforms were dominant in the amnion. After contractions began, PR-A decreased significantly by 61.9% +/- 7.1 (P < 0.001).     

A double take on bivalent promoters

Histone modifications and chromatin-associated protein complexes are crucially involved in the control of gene expression, supervising cell fate decisions and differentiation. Many promoters in embryonic stem (ES) cells harbor a distinctive histone modification signature that combines the activating histone H3 Lys 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) mark and the repressive H3K27me3 mark. These bivalent domains are considered to poise expression of developmental genes, allowing timely activation while maintaining repression in the absence of differentiation signals. Recent advances shed light on the establishment and function of bivalent domains; however, their role in development remains controversial, not least because suitable genetic models to probe their function in developing organisms are missing. Here, we explore avenues to and from bivalency and propose that bivalent domains and associated chromatin-modifying complexes safeguard proper and robust differentiation.     

IgA肾病组蛋白H3K4三甲基化和DNA甲基化基因修饰的相关性

目的: 探讨IgA肾病(IgAN)外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)组蛋白H3赖氨酸4 (H3K4)三甲基化与DNA甲基化之间的关系。方法: 采用染色质免疫共沉淀联合芯片技术(ChIP-chip)对40例IgAN患者和40例健康者的PBMCs H3K4三甲基化进行高通量筛选,染色质免疫共沉淀-实时定量聚合酶链反应 (ChIP-qPCR) 验证芯片结果,定量反转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测阳性基因的mRNA表达水平,采用甲基化DNA免疫共沉淀定量聚合酶链反应(MeDIP-qPCR)检测DNA甲基化水平。结果: IgAN病人PBMCs 基因组H3K4三甲基化水平升高,基因组DNA甲基化水平降低。 4个阳性基因H3K4三甲基化水平和DNA甲基化水平与正常对照组相比,显著差异(P<0.05)。结论: IgAN患者PBMCs基因组H3K4三甲基化和DNA甲基化水平存在显著改变,DNA甲基化和组蛋白H3K4三甲基化基因修饰存在相互作用。     

A plant homeodomain in RAG-2 that binds Hypermethylated lysine 4 of histone H3 is necessary for efficient antigen-receptor-gene rearrangement

V(D)J recombination is initiated by the recombination activating gene (RAG) proteins RAG-1 and RAG-2. The ability of antigen-receptor-gene segments to undergo V(D)J recombination is correlated with spatially- and temporally-restricted chromatin modifications. We have found that RAG-2 bound specifically to histone H3 and that this binding was absolutely dependent on dimethylation or trimethylation at lysine 4 (H3K4me2 or H3K4me3). The interaction required a noncanonical plant homeodomain (PHD) that had previously been described within the noncore region of RAG-2. Binding of the RAG-2 PHD finger to chromatin across the IgH D-J(H)-C locus showed a strong correlation with the distribution of trimethylated histone H3 K4. Mutation of a conserved tryptophan residue in the RAG-2 PHD finger abolished binding to H3K4me3 and greatly impaired recombination of extrachromosomal and endogenous immunoglobulin gene segments. Together, these findings are consistent with the interpretation that recognition of hypermethylated histone H3 K4 promotes efficient V(D)J recombination in vivo.