Synthetic DNA-binding proteins have found broad application in gene therapies and as tools for interrogating biology. Engineered proteins based on the CRISPR/Cas9 and TALE systems have been used to alter genomic DNA sequences, control transcription of endogenous genes, and modify epigenetic states. Although the activity of these proteins at their intended genomic target sites have been assessed, the genome-wide effects of their action have not been extensively characterized. Additionally, the role of chromatin structure in determining the binding of CRISPR/Cas9 and TALE proteins to their target sites and the regulation of nearby genes is poorly understood. Characterization of the activity these proteins using modern high-throughput genomic methods would provide valuable insight into the specificity and off-target effects of CRISPR- and TALE-based genome engineering tools. We have analyzed the genome-wide effects of TALE- and CRISPR-based transcriptional activators targeted to the promoters of two different endogenous human genes in HEK293T cells using a variety of high-throughput DNA sequencing methods. In particular, we assayed the DNA-binding specificity of these proteins and their effects on the epigenome. DNA-binding specificity was evaluated by ChIP-seq and RNA-seq was used to measure the specificity of these activators in perturbing the transcriptome. Additionally, DNase-seq was used to identify the chromatin state at target sites of the synthetic transcriptional activators and the genome-wide chromatin remodeling that occurs as a result of their action. Our results show that these genome engineering technologies are highly specific in both binding to their promoter target sites and inducing expression of downstream genes when multiple activators bind to a single promoter. Moreover, we show that these synthetic activators are able to induce the expression of silent genes in heterochromatic regions of the genome by opening regions of closed chromatin and decreasing DNA methylation. Interestingly, the transcriptional activation domain was not necessary for DNA-binding or chromatin remodeling in these regions, but was critical to inducing gene expression. This study shows that these CRISPR- and TALE-based transcriptional activators are exceptionally specific. Although we detected limited binding of off-target sites in the genome and changes to genome structure, these off-target event did not lead to any detectable changes in gene regulation. Collectively, these results underscore the potential for these technologies to make precise changes to gene expression for gene and cell therapies or fundamental studies of gene function. Overall design: HEK293T cells were transfected in triplicate with plasmids expressing synthetic transcription factors. The synthetic TFs were either (a) dCas9-VP64 fusion protein and a targeting guide RNA (gRNA), or (b) a TALE-VP64 fusion protein engineered to bind to a specific target site in the genome. As a control, cells were transfected with plasmids expressing GFP. After transfection, RNA-seq was used to identify both on-target and off-target binding sites for the synthetic TFs. The data in this submission were generated using the TALE transfection experiments.
Genome-wide specificity of DNA binding, gene regulation, and chromatin remodeling by TALE- and CRISPR/Cas9-based transcriptional activators.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesSynthetic transcription factors can be applied in many areas of biotechnology, medicine, and basic research. In contrast to current methods based on engineering new DNA-binding proteins, we show that Cas9 fused to a transcriptional activation domain can be targeted by combinations of guide RNA molecules to induce the expression of endogenous human genes. This simple approach for targeted gene activation circumvents the need for engineering new proteins and will enable widespread synthetic gene regulation. Overall design: HEK293T cells were transfected with plasmid expressing Cas9-VP64 fusion protein and a guide RNA. As a control, empty guide RNA was transfected. Gene expression was then measured using mRNA-seq, and differential expression calculated using DESeq. All experiments were performed in biological duplicates or triplicates.
RNA-guided gene activation by CRISPR-Cas9-based transcription factors.
Cell line, Subject
View SamplesAlternative mRNA splicing is an important mechanism for regulation of gene expression. Changes in gene expression contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure. However, changes in mRNA splicing have not been systematically examined in heart disease. We hypothesized that mRNA splicing is changed in diseased hearts.
Heart failure-associated changes in RNA splicing of sarcomere genes.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesPublished molecular profiling studies in patients with lymphoma suggested the influence of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1) targets in prognosis of DLBCL. Yet, the role of hypoxia in hematological malignancies remains unclear. We observed that activation of HIF1 resulted in global translation repression during hypoxic stress in DLBCL. Protein translation efficiency as measured using 35S-labeled methionine incorporation revealed a 50% reduction in translation upon activation of HIF1. Importantly, translation was not completely inhibited and expression of clinically correlated hypoxia targets such as GLUT1, HK2, and CYT-C was found to be refractory to translational repression under hypoxia in DLBCL cells. Notably, hypoxic induction of these genes was not observed in normal primary B-cells. Translational repression was coupled with a decrease in mitochondrial function. Screening of primary DLBCL patient samples revealed that expression of HK2, which encodes for the enzyme hexokinase 2, was significantly correlated with DLBCL phenotype. Genetic knockdown studies demonstrated that HK2 is required for promoting growth of DLBCL under hypoxic stress. Altogether, our findings provide strong support for the direct contribution of HK2 in B-cell lymphoma development and suggest that HK2 is a key metabolic driver of the DLBCL phenotype.ne incorporation revealed a 50% reduction in translation upon activation of HIF1. Importantly, translation was not completely blunted and expression of clinically correlated hypoxia targets such as GLUT1, HK2, and CYT-C was found to be refractory to translational repression under hypoxia in DLBCL cells. Notably, hypoxic induction of these genes was not observed in normal primary B-cells. Translational repression was coupled with decrease in mitochondrial function. Screening of DLBCL patient samples identified that expression of HK2, which encodes for the enzyme hexokinase 2, was significantly correlated with DLBCL phenotype. Genetic knockdown studies show that HK2 is required for promoting growth of DLBCL under hypoxic stress. Altogether, our findings provide more definitive proof of direct contribution of HK2 in development of B-cell lymphoma and suggest that HK2 is a key metabolic driver of DLBCL phenotype.
Role of hypoxia in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: Metabolic repression and selective translation of HK2 facilitates development of DLBCL.
Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesSeveral aspects common to a Western lifestyle, including obesity and decreased physical activity, are known risks for gastrointestinal cancers. There is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting that diet profoundly affects the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Moreover, there is now unequivocal evidence linking a dysbiotic gut to cancer development. Yet, the mechanisms through which high-fat diet (HFD)-mediated changes in the microbial community impact the severity of tumorigenesis in the gut, remain to be determined.
High-fat-diet-mediated dysbiosis promotes intestinal carcinogenesis independently of obesity.
Sex, Age, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Integrative genomics identifies molecular alterations that challenge the linear model of melanoma progression.
Cell line
View SamplesThe two most common melanoma histopathologic subtypes, superficial spreading (SSM) and nodular melanoma (NM), are believed to represent sequential phases of linear progression from radial to vertical growth. Studies suggest, however, that SSM and NM are biologically distinct. We utilized an integrative genomic approach to examine the possibility that SSM and NM are the result of independent pathways characterized by unique molecular alterations. Cell lines including SSM, NM, metastatic melanoma, and melanocyte controls were evaluated for copy number changes and differential mRNA expression using single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP 6.0, Affymetrix) and gene array (U133A 2.0, Affymetrix). Data sets were integrated to identify copy number alterations that correlated with gene expression, and array results were validated using immunohistochemistry on human tissue microarrays (TMAs) and an external data set. The functional effect of genomic deletion was assessed by lentiviral overexpression. Integrative genomics revealed 8 genes in which NM/SSM-specific copy number alterations were correlated with NM/SSM differential gene expression (P<0.05, Spearmans rank). Pathways analysis of differentially expressed genes (N=114) showed enrichment for metabolic-related processes. SSM-specific genomic deletions (DIS3, MTAP, G3BP2, SEC23IP, USO1) were verified in an expanded panel of cell lines, and forced overexpression of MTAP in SSM resulted in reduced cell growth. Metabolism-related gene ALDH7A1 was verified as overexpressed in NM using human TMAs.The identification of recurrent genomic deletions in SSM not present in NM challenges the linear model of melanoma progression and supports the unique molecular classification of SSM and NM.
Integrative genomics identifies molecular alterations that challenge the linear model of melanoma progression.
Cell line
View SamplesPurpose: To characterize transcriptional changes associated with homozygous inactivation of Dot1l or Mll1 in MN1 driven AML Methods: We sequenced mRNA from murine LSK-cells transformed using forced expression of MN1 (MSCV-MN1-IRES-GFP), and transduced with Cre-vector to inactivate either Dot1l or Mll1. Cells were sorted for Cre-expression (pTomato fluorescent marker) or expression of an inert control vector. Results: Inactivation of either Dot1l or Mll1 in this model leads to a substantial delay or complete abrogation of leukemia development.Loss of Dot1l or Mll1 are associated with gene expression changes that have substantial overlap. In addition, genes that are downregulated follwing inactivation of Dot1l or Mll1 have substantial overlap with the gene set upregulated in MN1 transduced CMPs. Conclusions: MN1 mediated leukemogenesis is associated with a gene expression program that dependes on Mll1 and Dot1l Overall design: Examination of mRNA levels between Dot1l f/f and Dot1l ko, and Mll1 f/f and Mll1 ko.
MLL1 and DOT1L cooperate with meningioma-1 to induce acute myeloid leukemia.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesPurpose: To characterize transcriptional changes associated with inhibition of Dot1l in 2 inv(16) patient AML samples Methods: We sequenced mRNA from patient samples that were exposed to 5 uM EPZ004777 or DMSO control for 7 days. Results: Inhibition of Dot1l leads to gene expression changes in genes related to cell growth and cell cycle. Overall design: Examination of mRNA levels between cells treated with 5 uM EPZ004777 or DMSO control
MLL1 and DOT1L cooperate with meningioma-1 to induce acute myeloid leukemia.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCancer is a disease of both genetic and epigenetic changes. While increasing evidence demonstrates that oncogenic progression entails chromatin-mediated changes such as DNA methylation, the role of histone variants in cancer initiation and progression currently remains unexplored. Here, we report that the histone variant macroH2A (mH2A) suppresses tumour progression of malignant melanoma.
The histone variant macroH2A suppresses melanoma progression through regulation of CDK8.
Specimen part, Disease
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