Epigenetic disruption of ribosomal RNA genes and nucleolar architecture in DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1) deficient cells |
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Authors: | Espada Jesús Ballestar Esteban Santoro Raffaella Fraga Mario F Villar-Garea Ana Németh Attila Lopez-Serra Lidia Ropero Santiago Aranda Agustin Orozco Helena Moreno Vanessa Juarranz Angeles Stockert Juan Carlos Längst Gernot Grummt Ingrid Bickmore Wendy Esteller Manel |
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Affiliation: | Jesús Espada, Esteban Ballestar, Raffaella Santoro, Mario F. Fraga, Ana Villar-Garea, Attila Németh, Lidia Lopez-Serra, Santiago Ropero, Agustin Aranda, Helena Orozco, Vanessa Moreno, Angeles Juarranz, Juan Carlos Stockert, Gernot Längst, Ingrid Grummt, Wendy Bickmore, and Manel Esteller |
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Abstract: | The nucleolus is the site of ribosome synthesis in the nucleus, whose integrity is essential. Epigenetic mechanisms are thought to regulate the activity of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene copies, which are part of the nucleolus. Here we show that human cells lacking DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1), but not Dnmt33b, have a loss of DNA methylation and an increase in the acetylation level of lysine 16 histone H4 at the rRNA genes. Interestingly, we observed that SirT1, a NAD+-dependent histone deacetylase with a preference for lysine 16 H4, interacts with Dnmt1; and SirT1 recruitment to the rRNA genes is abrogated in Dnmt1 knockout cells. The DNA methylation and chromatin changes at ribosomal DNA observed are associated with a structurally disorganized nucleolus, which is fragmented into small nuclear masses. Prominent nucleolar proteins, such as Fibrillarin and Ki-67, and the rRNA genes are scattered throughout the nucleus in Dnmt1 deficient cells. These findings suggest a role for Dnmt1 as an epigenetic caretaker for the maintenance of nucleolar structure. |
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