肿瘤干细胞中受H3K9me2调控的干性基因的筛选

为了分析比较甲基转移酶G9a和组蛋白H3K9me2修饰在胶质瘤干细胞与非干细胞中存在的差异,筛选出维持胶质瘤干细胞干性的相关基因。通过G9a抑制剂促进U87细胞成球和过表达G9a促进U87细胞分化的方法,培养了成球的胶质瘤干细胞和贴壁的非干细胞,这两种细胞的CD133表达差异明显。再利用H3K9me2抗体通过Ch IP-seq技术比较H3K9me2修饰在干细胞组与非干细胞组中的差异,在存在差异的基因中,对TSS±2 000 bp范围内的基因进行了GO分析,并随机选出10个转录因子进行QPCR验证,结果与Ch IP-seq实验基本一致。     

8-氯腺苷诱导的组蛋白H3K79双甲基化促进NBS1和p21的基因转录激活

组蛋白H3第79位赖氨酸甲基化（H3K79me）修饰有单甲基、双甲基及三甲基3种形式,是常染色质的标志.然而,对于组蛋白H3K79三种甲基化各自在基因转录、DNA损伤修复中所起的作用尚不十分清楚.本研究以8-氯腺苷（8-Cl-Ado）为DNA双链断裂（DNA double-stranded breaks,DSB）诱导剂,采用Western 印迹,在人肺癌细胞H1299检测出了DNA修复分子NBS1、细胞周期检验点相关分子p21,并发现H3K79me1、H3K79me2和H3K79me3三种甲基化修饰的组蛋白明显增加;染色质免疫共沉淀结合实时定量PCR实验显示,只H3K79me2与DNA损伤检验点分子p21、DNA修复分子NBS1的启动子区域相结合,说明H3K79双甲基化修饰与这些基因的转录激活有关.结果提示,在8-氯腺苷引起 DSB时,是H3K79me2、而不是H3K79me1和H3K79me3参与NBS1和p21基因转录激活时的染色质重塑.8-氯腺苷诱导H3K79双甲基化增强、促进H3K79me2所在染色质区域的NBS1和p21基因转录激活可能是8-Cl-Ado抑制肿瘤细胞生长作用机制之一.     

NF-κB p65在高糖诱导3T3-L1脂肪细胞胰岛素抵抗中的作用

建立高糖诱导胰岛素抵抗的细胞模型,研究高糖对3T3-L1脂肪细胞NF-κB p65表达及转位的影响。诱导成熟的3T3-L1脂肪细胞与5.0mmol/L的葡萄糖含或不含0.6nmol/L的胰岛素(LGIns 组与LGIns-组)或者与25.0mmol/L葡萄糖含或不含0.6nmol/L的胰岛素(HGIns 组与HGIns-组)培养18h,以2-脱氧-[3H]-D-葡萄糖摄入法观察葡萄糖的转运率,用Western印迹检测总NF-κBp65及核NF-κB p65的表达,用激光扫描共聚焦(CLSM)对NF-κB p65进行定位显示。结果显示,仅HGIns 组,即3T3-L1脂肪细胞与25.0mmol/L葡萄糖含0.6nmol/L的胰岛素培养18h后,胰岛素刺激的葡萄糖转运减少55%(P<0.01),同时Western印迹和CLSM均显示NF-κB p65核转位增加(P<0.01),但对3T3-L1脂肪细胞总NF-κB p65的表达无明显影响(P>0.05)。研究结果表明,只有在胰岛素(0.6nmol/L)存在的条件下,高糖(25.0mmol/L)才可以诱导胰岛素抵抗,其分子机制可能与其刺激NF-κB p65的核转位,调节相关基因的表达有关。     

ROCKⅠ／Ⅱ基因下调对血管平滑肌细胞迁移及增殖的影响

目的：探讨ROCK亚型ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ对血管平滑肌细胞（A7r5）迁移及增殖的影响。方法：利用Western blot技术检测ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ蛋白在A7r5细胞中的表达水平;利用siRNA技术使ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ基因表达分别下调,并检测基因下调后蛋白表达水平;利用Boyden小室法,观察ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ基因下调后及ROCK特异抑制剂Y-27632对PDGF诱导的A7r5细胞迁移的影响;使用MTT法检测ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ基因下调后对A7r5细胞生长曲线的影响。结果：ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ在A7r5细胞中的蛋白表达水平不同,ROCKⅡ较ROCKⅠ的表达水平高4倍;通过对A7r5细胞进行ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡsiRNA转染,使二者蛋白表达水平分别下调83.4％和94.7％;基因表达下调后,ROCKⅠ明显抑制了PDGF诱导的A7r5细胞的迁移,而ROCKⅡ无明显影响,Y-27632也抑制了A7r5细胞的迁移;ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ基因下调后对A7r5细胞生长曲线的影响无明显差别。结论：ROCKⅠ在血管平滑肌细胞迁移过程中起主导作用,ROCKⅠ和ROCKⅡ对血管平滑肌细胞的增殖作用无明显差异。     

p38蛋白激酶参与BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化

目的:初步分析丝裂原活化蛋白激酶p38在BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化过程中的作用.方法:利用BMP9重组腺病毒感染C3H10T1/2细胞,Western blot检测p38激酶总蛋白表达水平和磷酸化水平.p38的特异性抑制剂SB203580抑制p38活性或RNA干扰抑制p38表达后,分析ALP活性...     

组蛋白去甲基酶UTX在发育和疾病中的作用

UTX(ubiquitously transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat,X chromosome)是抑制性组蛋白H3K27me3的特异性去甲基化酶,和甲基转移酶PRC2共同调控H3K27me3。此外,UTX也是组蛋白H3K4甲基转移酶MLL3/MLL4的组成部分。UTX参与胚胎发育、HOX基因的表达和重编程等生命过程。在歌舞伎综合征中,UTX突变是关键的致病因素。同时,UTX作为肿瘤抑制因子参与多种实体肿瘤和血液肿瘤的产生。该文总结了UTX在正常发育和疾病发生中的作用及近期研究的重大突破,并结合我们的研究探讨了UTX对体细胞重编程的影响。     

通平养心方对高糖诱导H9c2心肌细胞损伤的保护作用机制研究

观察通平养心方对高糖诱导的H9c2细胞损伤的保护作用机制。高糖造成细胞损伤模型;MTT法检测细胞存活率;激光扫描共聚焦显微镜成像法,检测线粒体特异性荧光染料四甲基罗丹明乙酯(tetramethyrhodamine ester,TMRE),观察细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,△Ψm)的变化,证明通平养心方是否通过抑制线粒体通透性转移孔(mitochondrial permeability transition pore,m PTP)的开放而发挥心肌线粒体的保护作用;Western-blot检测p-JNK、p-GSK-3β。结果发现,通平养心方和JNK抑制剂均能阻断高糖造成的H9c2心肌细胞损伤;0.1μg/m L通平养心方预处理10 min,细胞存活率升高、TMRE荧光减弱程度降低,p-JNK表达下降,p-GSK-3β表达升高。表明通平养心方能够通过线粒体保护途径对抗高糖诱导的H9c2细胞损伤,机制可能是通过JNK通路促进其下游因子GSK-3β磷酸化,从而抑制m PTP的开放实现的。     

雷公藤内酯醇对多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡及组蛋白H3K4甲基化的影响

目的：探讨雷公藤内酯醇（TPL）对多发性骨髓瘤RPMI8226细胞增殖、凋亡和组蛋白H3K4甲基化的影响。方法：以人多发性骨髓瘤细胞株RPMI8226为研究对象,在不同浓度（10、20、40、80、160 nmol/L） TPL中共培养不同时间（24 h、48 h、72 h）后,采用噻唑蓝（MTT）法检测细胞增殖活性;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡和细胞周期;Western blot法检测组蛋白H3K4me2、H3K4me3的甲基化状态,实时荧光定量RT-PCR分析组蛋白甲基化酶SMYD3和组蛋白去甲基化酶LSD1的表达水平。结果：TPL对RPMI8226细胞有明显的增殖抑制作用,呈剂量和时间依赖性（P<0.05）;TPL对RPMI8226细胞有明显诱导凋亡的作用,并且随着TPL作用浓度的增加,细胞凋亡比例逐渐增加（P<0.05）;同时TPL还可以诱导RPMI8226细胞周期阻滞于G₂/M期;TPL以浓度依赖性降低组蛋白H3K4me2、H3K4me3的甲基化水平（P<0.05,P<0.01）,并抑制SMYD3和上调LSD1的表达（P<0.05）。结论：TPL可抑制RPMI8226细胞增殖、引起细胞周期阻滞于G₂/M期,并诱导其凋亡;通过抑制组蛋白甲基化酶SMYD3和增强组蛋白去甲基化酶LSD1的表达,降低组蛋白H3K4me3和H3K4me2的甲基化水平,这可能是TPL诱导多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡和抗肿瘤作用的机制之一。     

通平养心方对高糖诱导H9c2心肌细胞损伤的保护作用机制研究北大核心CSCD

观察通平养心方对高糖诱导的H9c2细胞损伤的保护作用机制。高糖造成细胞损伤模型;MTT法检测细胞存活率;激光扫描共聚焦显微镜成像法,检测线粒体特异性荧光染料四甲基罗丹明乙酯(tetramethyrhodamine ester,TMRE),观察细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,△Ψm)的变化,证明通平养心方是否通过抑制线粒体通透性转移孔(mitochondrial permeability transition pore,m PTP)的开放而发挥心肌线粒体的保护作用;Western-blot检测p-JNK、p-GSK-3β。结果发现,通平养心方和JNK抑制剂均能阻断高糖造成的H9c2心肌细胞损伤;0.1μg/m L通平养心方预处理10 min,细胞存活率升高、TMRE荧光减弱程度降低,p-JNK表达下降,p-GSK-3β表达升高。表明通平养心方能够通过线粒体保护途径对抗高糖诱导的H9c2细胞损伤,机制可能是通过JNK通路促进其下游因子GSK-3β磷酸化,从而抑制m PTP的开放实现的。     

组蛋白赖氨酸甲基转移酶2D调控H9c2细胞中HIF-1α/VEGF通路（英文）

组蛋白赖氨酸甲基转移酶2D (histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2D, KMT2D)作为主要的组蛋白3第4位赖氨酸(H3K4)甲基转移酶,在调控胚胎发育、组织分化、代谢和肿瘤抑制方面发挥重要作用。在小鼠体内,敲除Kmt2d会导致严重的心脏发育缺陷最终造成胚胎期死亡。低氧诱导因子-1α(hypoxia-inducible factor 1α, HIF-1α)作为调节细胞应对低氧的关键转录因子,能够调控多种下游基因转录。有相关研究揭示,表观遗传调控者能够调节HIF-1α的稳定性和活性。同样,作为表观遗传调控者的组蛋白甲基转移酶KMT2D是否参与低氧条件下HIF-1α对下游基因的调控,目前仍未知。在本研究中,观察在Kmt2d正常或缺乏的情况下,心肌细胞H9c2对低氧环境的应答反应。结果显示,与常氧条件相比,低氧状态下HIF-1α、组蛋白乙酰化酶P300、KMT2D及其介导的H3K4一甲基化(H3K4 mono-methylation, H3K4me1)的蛋白质水平增加(P0.05);HIF-1α下游基因血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor, Vegf)的mRNA表达水平明显上调(P0.01)。染色质免疫共沉淀实验(chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, ChIP-qPCR)检测结果显示,H3K4me1和组蛋白3第27位赖氨酸乙酰化(histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation, H3K27ac)在Vegf基因启动子区域的结合丰度明显增加(P0.05)。低氧条件下沉默Kmt2d之后,H3K4me1蛋白水平和Vegf的mRNA表达下降(P0.05)。本研究表明,低氧条件下KMT2D参与调控HIF-1α和下游基因Vegf的表达。     

The p53-induced lincRNA-p21 derails somatic cell reprogramming by sustaining H3K9me3 and CpG methylation at pluripotency gene promoters

Recent studies have boosted our understanding of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in numerous biological processes, but few have examined their roles in somatic cell reprogramming. Through expression profiling and functional screening, we have identified that the large intergenic noncoding RNA p21 (lincRNA-p21) impairs reprogramming. Notably, lincRNA-p21 is induced by p53 but does not promote apoptosis or cell senescence in reprogramming. Instead, lincRNA-p21 associates with the H3K9 methyltransferase SETDB1 and the maintenance DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, which is facilitated by the RNA-binding protein HNRNPK. Consequently, lincRNA-p21 prevents reprogramming by sustaining H3K9me3 and/or CpG methylation at pluripotency gene promoters. Our results provide insight into the role of lncRNAs in reprogramming and establish a novel link between p53 and heterochromatin regulation.     

Emerging Role of Linker Histone Variant H1x as a Biomarker with Prognostic Value in Astrocytic Gliomas. A Multivariate Analysis including Trimethylation of H3K9 and H4K20

Although epigenetic alterations play an essential role in gliomagenesis, the relevance of aberrant histone modifications and the respective enzymes has not been clarified. Experimental data implicates histone H3 lysine (K) methyltransferases SETDB1 and SUV39H1 into glioma pathobiology, whereas linker histone variant H1.0 and H4K20me3 reportedly affect prognosis. We investigated the expression of H3K9me3 and its methyltransferases along with H4K20me3 and H1x in 101 astrocytic tumors with regard to clinicopathological characteristics and survival. The effect of SUV39H1 inhibition by chaetocin on the proliferation, colony formation and migration of T98G cells was also examined. SETDB1 and cytoplasmic SUV39H1 levels increased from normal brain through low-grade to high-grade tumors, nuclear SUV39H1 correlating inversely with grade. H3K9me3 immunoreactivity was higher in normal brain showing no association with grade, whereas H1x and H4K20me3 expression was higher in grade 2 than in normal brain or high grades. These expression patterns of H1x, H4K20me3 and H3K9me3 were verified by Western immunoblotting. Chaetocin treatment significantly reduced proliferation, clonogenic potential and migratory ability of T98G cells. H1x was an independent favorable prognosticator in glioblastomas, this effect being validated in an independent set of 66 patients. Diminished nuclear SUV39H1 expression adversely affected survival in univariate analysis. In conclusion, H4K20me3 and H3K9 methyltransferases are differentially implicated in astroglial tumor progression. Deregulation of H1x emerges as a prognostic biomarker.     

G9α‐dependent histone H3K9me3 hypomethylation promotes overexpression of cardiomyogenesis‐related genes in foetal mice

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause foetal alcohol syndrome and congenital heart disease. Nonetheless, the underlying mechanism of alcohol‐induced cardiac dysplasia remains unknown. We previously reported that alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause abnormal expression of cardiomyogenesis‐related genes, and histone H3K9me3 hypomethylation was observed in alcohol‐treated foetal mouse heart. Hence, an imbalance in histone methylation may be involved in alcohol‐induced cardiac dysplasia. In this study, we investigated the involvement of G9α histone methyltransferase in alcohol‐induced cardiac dysplasia in vivo and in vitro using heart tissues of foetal mice and primary cardiomyocytes of neonatal mice. Western blotting revealed that alcohol caused histone H3K9me3 hypomethylation by altering G9α histone methyltransferase expression in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, overexpression of cardiomyogenesis‐related genes (MEF2C, Cx43, ANP and β‐MHC) was observed in alcohol‐exposed foetal mouse heart. Additionally, we demonstrated that G9α histone methyltransferase directly interacted with histone H3K9me3 and altered its methylation. Notably, alcohol did not down‐regulate H3K9me3 methylation after G9α suppression by short hairpin RNA in primary mouse cardiomyocytes, preventing MEF2C, Cx43, ANP and β‐MHC overexpression. These findings suggest that G9α histone methyltransferase‐mediated imbalance in histone H3K9me3 methylation plays a critical role in alcohol‐induced abnormal expression cardiomyogenesis‐related genes during pregnancy. Therefore, G9α histone methyltransferase may be an intervention target for congenital heart disease.     

KDM4A regulates myogenesis by demethylating H3K9me3 of myogenic regulatory factors

Histone lysine demethylase 4A (KDM4A) plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, cell differentiation, development and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the function of KDM4A in muscle development and regeneration. Here, we found that the conditional ablation of KDM4A in skeletal muscle caused impairment of embryonic and postnatal muscle formation. The loss of KDM4A in satellite cells led to defective muscle regeneration and blocked the proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells. Myogenic differentiation and myotube formation in KDM4A-deficient myoblasts were inhibited. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that KDM4A promoted myogenesis by removing the histone methylation mark H3K9me3 at MyoD, MyoG and Myf5 locus. Furthermore, inactivation of KDM4A in myoblasts suppressed myoblast differentiation and accelerated H3K9me3 level. Knockdown of KDM4A in vitro reduced myoblast proliferation through enhancing the expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P21 and decreasing the expression of cell cycle regulator Cyclin D1. Together, our findings identify KDM4A as an important regulator for skeletal muscle development and regeneration, orchestrating myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation.Subject terms: Differentiation, Muscle stem cells, Epigenetics     

The PR-Set7 binding domain of Riz1 is required for the H4K20me1-H3K9me1 trans-tail ‘histone code’ and Riz1 tumor suppressor function

PR-Set7/Set8/KMT5a is the sole histone H4 lysine 20 monomethyltransferase (H4K20me1) in metazoans and is essential for proper cell division and genomic stability. We unexpectedly discovered that normal cellular levels of monomethylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me1) were also dependent on PR-Set7, but independent of its catalytic activity. This observation suggested that PR-Set7 interacts with an H3K9 monomethyltransferase to establish the previously reported H4K20me1-H3K9me1 trans-tail ‘histone code’. Here we show that PR-Set7 specifically and directly binds the C-terminus of the Riz1/PRDM2/KMT8 tumor suppressor and demonstrate that the N-terminal PR/SET domain of Riz1 preferentially monomethylates H3K9. The PR-Set7 binding domain was required for Riz1 nuclear localization and maintenance of the H4K20me1-H3K9me1 trans-tail ‘histone code’. Although Riz1 can function as a repressor, Riz1/H3K9me1 was dispensable for the repression of genes regulated by PR-Set7/H4K20me1. Frameshift mutations resulting in a truncated Riz1 incapable of binding PR-Set7 occur frequently in various aggressive cancers. In these cancer cells, expression of wild-type Riz1 restored tumor suppression by decreasing proliferation and increasing apoptosis. These phenotypes were not observed in cells expressing either the Riz1 PR/SET domain or PR-Set7 binding domain indicating that Riz1 methyltransferase activity and PR-Set7 binding domain are both essential for Riz1 tumor suppressor function.     

Abnormal histone H3K9 dimethylation but normal dimethyltransferase EHMT2 expression in cloned sheep embryos

The objective was to investigate the relationship between histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation (me2) and the histone methyltransferase EHMT2 (also known as G9A) in ovine embryos cloned by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Levels of H3K9me2 or EHMT2 were detected (with immunostaining) and compared between SCNT and IVF-derived preimplantation embryos. In one-cell embryos, SCNT zygotes had significantly higher levels of H3K9me2 and EHMT2 than IVF zygotes. In cloned embryos, H3K9me2 remained hypermethylated relative to IVF embryos at two-cell and late developmental stages (morula and blastocyst), with no difference (P > 0.05) between IVF and SCNT embryos in EHMT2 levels from two-cell to blastocyst stages. The EHMT2-specific inhibitor, BIX01294, reduced global H3K9me2 levels in cultured ovine cells or SCNT embryos, but it was not appropriate for somatic cell nuclear transfer because of its high cellular toxicity. We inferred that abnormal H3K9me2 hypermethylation in SCNT embryos may not completely arise from EHMT2 expression error.     

Histone H3 lysine 27 and 9 hypermethylation within the Bad promoter region mediates 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine-induced Leydig cell apoptosis: implications of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine toxicity to male reproduction

5-Aza-2′-deoxycitidine (5-Aza), an anticancer agent, results in substantial toxicity to male reproduction, causing a decline in sperm quality associated with reduced testosterone. Here, we report that 5-Aza increased the apoptotic protein Bad epigenetically in the testosterone-producing mouse TM3 Leydig cell line. 5-Aza decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner with concomitant increase in Bad protein. This increase is accompanied by increased cleavages of both poly ADP ribose polymerase and caspase-3. Flow cytometric analysis further supported 5-Aza-derived apoptosis in TM3 cells. Bisulfite sequencing analysis failed to identify putative methylcytosine site(s) in CpG islands of the Bad promoter. A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed decreased levels of trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27-3me) and H3K9-3me in the Bad promoter region in response to 5-Aza treatment. Knock-down by siRNA of enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase responsible for H3K27-3me, or demethylation of H3K9-3me by BIX-01294 showed significantly increased levels in Bad expression and consequent Leydig cell apoptosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrate for the first time that Bad expression is regulated at least by EZH2-mediated H3K27-3me or G9a-like protein/euchromatic histone methyltransferase 1 (GLP/Eu-HMTase1)-mediated H3K9-3me in mouse TM3 Leydig cells, which may be implicated in 5-Aza-derived toxicity to male reproduction.