Advances in the role of SWI/SNF complexes in tumours

Cancer development is a complex process involving both genetic and epigenetic changes. The SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose non-fermentable) chromatin remodelling complex, one of the most studied ATP-dependent complexes, plays an important role in coordinating chromatin structural stability, gene expression and post-translational modifications. The SWI/SNF complex can be classified into BAF, PBAF and GBAF according to their constituent subunits. Cancer genome sequencing studies have shown a high incidence of mutations in genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex, with abnormalities in one or more of these genes present in nearly 25% of all cancers, which indicating that stabilizing normal expression of genes encoding subunits in the SWI/SNF complex may prevent tumorigenesis. In this paper, we will review the relationship between the SWI/SNF complex and some clinical tumours and its mechanism of action. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis to guide the diagnosis and treatment of tumours caused by mutations or inactivation of one or more genes encoding subunits of the SWI/SNF complex in the clinical setting.     

The interactions of yeast SWI/SNF and RSC with the nucleosome before and after chromatin remodeling

Interactions of the yeast chromatin-remodeling complexes SWI/SNF and RSC with nucleosomes were probed using site-specific DNA photoaffinity labeling. 5 S rDNA was engineered with photoreactive nucleotides incorporated at different sites in DNA to scan for the subunits of SWI/SNF in close proximity to DNA when SWI/SNF is bound to the 5 S nucleosome or to the free 5 S rDNA. The Swi2/Snf2 and Snf6 subunits of SWI/SNF were efficiently cross-linked at several positions in the nucleosome, whereas only Snf6 was efficiently cross-linked when SWI/SNF was bound to free DNA. DNA photoaffinity labeling of RSC showed that the Rsc4 subunit is in close proximity to nucleosomal DNA and not when RSC is bound to free DNA. After remodeling, the Swi2/Snf2 and Rsc4 subunits are no longer detected near the nucleosomal DNA and are evidently displaced from the surface of the nucleosome, indicating significant changes in SWI/SNF and RSC contacts with DNA after remodeling.     

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzymes: two heads are not better, just different

ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes enable rapid rearrangements in chromatin structure in response to developmental cues. The ATPase subunits of remodeling complexes share homology with the helicase motifs of DExx box helicases. Recent single-molecule experiments indicate that, like helicases, many of these complexes use ATP to translocate on DNA. Despite sharing this fundamental property, two key classes of remodeling complexes, the ISWI class and the SWI/SNF class, generate distinct remodeled products. SWI/SNF complexes generate nucleosomes with altered positions, nucleosomes with DNA loops and nucleosomes that are capable of exchanging histone dimers or octamers. In contrast, ISWI complexes generate nucleosomes with altered positions but in standard structures. Here, we draw analogies to monomeric and dimeric helicases and propose that ISWI and SWI/SNF complexes catalyze different outcomes in part because some ISWI complexes function as dimers while SWI/SNF complexes function as monomers.     

Sin mutations alter inherent nucleosome mobility

Previous studies have identified sin mutations that alleviate the requirement for the yeast SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex, which include point changes in the yeast genes encoding core histones. Here we characterise the biochemical properties of nucleosomes bearing these mutations. We find that sin mutant nucleosomes have a high inherent thermal mobility. As the SWI/SNF complex can alter nucleosome positioning, the higher mobility of sin mutant nucleosomes provides a means by which sin mutations may substitute for SWI/SNF function. The location of sin mutations also provides a new opportunity for insights into the mechanism for nucleosome mobilisation. We find that both mutations altering histone DNA contacts at the nucleosome dyad and mutations in the dimer-tetramer interface influence nucleosome mobility. Furthermore, incorporation of H2A.Z into nucleosomes, which also alters dimer-tetramer interactions, affects nucleosome mobility. Thus, variation of histone sequence or subtype provides a means by which eukaryotes may regulate access to chromatin through alterations to nucleosome mobility.     

A cooperative activation loop among SWI/SNF, γ‐H2AX and H3 acetylation for DNA double‐strand break repair

Although recent studies highlight the importance of histone modifications and ATP‐dependent chromatin remodelling in DNA double‐strand break (DSB) repair, how these mechanisms cooperate has remained largely unexplored. Here, we show that the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex, earlier known to facilitate the phosphorylation of histone H2AX at Ser‐139 (S139ph) after DNA damage, binds to γ‐H2AX (the phosphorylated form of H2AX)‐containing nucleosomes in S139ph‐dependent manner. Unexpectedly, BRG1, the catalytic subunit of SWI/SNF, binds to γ‐H2AX nucleosomes by interacting with acetylated H3, not with S139ph itself, through its bromodomain. Blocking the BRG1 interaction with γ‐H2AX nucleosomes either by deletion or overexpression of the BRG1 bromodomain leads to defect of S139ph and DSB repair. H3 acetylation is required for the binding of BRG1 to γ‐H2AX nucleosomes. S139ph stimulates the H3 acetylation on γ‐H2AX nucleosomes, and the histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 is responsible for this novel crosstalk. The H3 acetylation on γ‐H2AX nucleosomes is induced by DNA damage. These results collectively suggest that SWI/SNF, γ‐H2AX and H3 acetylation cooperatively act in a feedback activation loop to facilitate DSB repair.     

The DNA-binding properties of the ARID-containing subunits of yeast and mammalian SWI/SNF complexes

SWI/SNF complexes are ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes that are highly conserved from yeast to human. From yeast to human the complexes contain a subunit with an ARID (A-T-rich interaction domain) DNA-binding domain. In yeast this subunit is SWI1 and in human there are two closely related alternative subunits, p270 and ARID1B. We describe here a comparison of the DNA-binding properties of the yeast and human SWI/SNF ARID-containing subunits. We have determined that SWI1 is an unusual member of the ARID family in both its ARID sequence and in the fact that its DNA-binding affinity is weaker than that of other ARID family members, including its human counterparts, p270 and ARID1B. Sequence analysis and substitution mutagenesis reveals that the weak DNA-binding affinity of the SWI1 ARID is an intrinsic feature of its sequence, arising from specific variations in the major groove interaction site. In addition, this work confirms the finding that p270 binds DNA without regard to sequence specificity, excluding the possibility that the intrinsic role of the ARID is to recruit SWI/SNF complexes to specific promoter sequences. These results emphasize that care must be taken when comparing yeast and higher eukaryotic SWI/SNF complexes in terms of DNA-binding mechanisms.     

Stabilization of chromatin structure by PRC1, a Polycomb complex.

The Polycomb group (PcG) genes are required for maintenance of homeotic gene repression during development. Mutations in these genes can be suppressed by mutations in genes of the SWI/SNF family. We have purified a complex, termed PRC1 (Polycomb repressive complex 1), that contains the products of the PcG genes Polycomb, Posterior sex combs, polyhomeotic, Sex combs on midleg, and several other proteins. Preincubation of PRC1 with nucleosomal arrays blocked the ability of these arrays to be remodeled by SWI/SNF. Addition of PRC1 to arrays at the same time as SWI/SNF did not block remodeling. Thus, PRC1 and SWI/SNF might compete with each other for the nucleosomal template. Several different types of repressive complexes, including deacetylases, interact with histone tails. In contrast, PRC1 was active on nucleosomal arrays formed with tailless histones.