The super elongation complex family of RNA polymerase II elongation factors: gene target specificity and transcriptional output.

The elongation stage of transcription is highly regulated in metazoans. We previously purified the AFF1- and AFF4-containing super elongation complex (SEC) as a major regulator of development and cancer pathogenesis. Here, we report the biochemical isolation of SEC-like 2 (SEC-L2) and SEC-like 3 (SEC-L3) containing AFF2 and AFF3 in association with P-TEFb, ENL/MLLT1, and AF9/MLLT3. The SEC family members demonstrate high levels of polymerase II (Pol II) C-terminal domain kinase activity; however, only SEC is required for the proper induction of the HSP70 gene upon stress. Genome-wide mRNA-Seq analyses demonstrated that SEC-L2 and SEC-L3 control the expression of different subsets of genes, while AFF4/SEC plays a more dominant role in rapid transcriptional induction in cells. MYC is one of the direct targets of AFF4/SEC, and SEC recruitment to the MYC gene regulates its expression in different cancer cells, including those in acute myeloid or lymphoid leukemia. These findings suggest that AFF4/SEC could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of leukemia or other cancers associated with MYC overexpression.

Codependency of H2B monoubiquitination and nucleosome reassembly on Chd1.

Monoubiquitination of histone H2B on Lys 123 (H2BK123ub) is a transient histone modification considered to be essential for establishing H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation by Set1/COMPASS and Dot1, respectively. Here, we identified Chd1 as a factor that is required for the maintenance of high levels of H2B monoubiquitination, but not for H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation. Loss of Chd1 results in a substantial loss of H2BK123ub levels with little to no effect on the genome-wide pattern of H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation. Our data show that nucleosomal occupancy is reduced in gene bodies in both chd1Δ and, as has been shown, K123A mutant backgrounds. We also demonstrated that Chd1's function in maintaining H2BK123ub levels is conserved from yeast to humans. Our study provides evidence that only small levels of H2BK123ub are necessary for full levels of H3K4 and H3K79 trimethylation in vivo and points to a possible role for Chd1 in positively regulating gene expression through promoting nucleosome reassembly coupled with H2B monoubiquitination.

Polycomb repressive complex 2-dependent and -independent functions of Jarid2 in transcriptional regulation in Drosophila.

Jarid2 was recently identified as an important component of the mammalian Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), where it has a major effect on PRC2 recruitment in mouse embryonic stem cells. Although Jarid2 is conserved in Drosophila, it has not previously been implicated in Polycomb (Pc) regulation. Therefore, we purified Drosophila Jarid2 and its associated proteins and found that Jarid2 associates with all of the known canonical PRC2 components, demonstrating a conserved physical interaction with PRC2 in flies and mammals. Furthermore, in vivo studies with Jarid2 mutants in flies demonstrate that among several histone modifications tested, only methylation of histone 3 at K27 (H3K27), the mark implemented by PRC2, was affected. Genome-wide profiling of Jarid2, Su(z)12 (Suppressor of zeste 12), and H3K27me3 occupancy by chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing (ChIP-seq) indicates that Jarid2 and Su(z)12 have very similar distribution patterns on chromatin. However, Jarid2 and Su(z)12 occupancy levels at some genes are significantly different, with Jarid2 being present at relatively low levels at many Pc response elements (PREs) of certain Homeobox (Hox) genes, providing a rationale for why Jarid2 was never identified in Pc screens. Gene expression analyses show that Jarid2 and E(z) (Enhancer of zeste, a canonical PRC2 component) are not only required for transcriptional repression but might also function in active transcription. Identification of Jarid2 as a conserved PRC2 interactor in flies provides an opportunity to begin to probe some of its novel functions in Drosophila development.

The little elongation complex regulates small nuclear RNA transcription.

Eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia (ELL) participates in the super elongation complex (SEC) with the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) CTD kinase P-TEFb. SEC is a key regulator in the expression of HOX genes in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-based hematological malignancies, in the control of induced gene expression early in development, and in immediate early gene transcription. Here, we identify an SEC-like complex in Drosophila, as well as a distinct ELL-containing complex that lacks P-TEFb and other components of SEC named the "little elongation complex" (LEC). LEC subunits are highly enriched at RNA Pol II-transcribed small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes, and the loss of LEC results in decreased snRNA expression in both flies and mammals. The specialization of the SEC and LEC complexes for mRNA and snRNA-containing genes, respectively, suggests the presence of specific classes of elongation factors for each class of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase II.

Dynamic transcriptional events in embryonic stem cells mediated by the super elongation complex (SEC).

Transcriptional regulation of developmentally controlled genes is at the heart of differentiation and organogenesis. In this study, we performed global genomic analyses in murine embryonic stem (ES) cells and in human cells in response to activation signals. We identified an essential role for the ELL (eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia gene)/P-TEFb (positive transcription elongation factor)-containing super elongation complex (SEC) in the regulation of gene expression, including several genes bearing paused RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Paused Pol II has been proposed to be associated with loci that respond rapidly to environmental stimuli. However, our studies in ES cells also identified a requirement for SEC at genes without paused Pol II, which also respond dynamically to differentiation signals. Our findings suggest that SEC is a major class of active P-TEFb-containing complexes required for transcriptional activation in response to environmental cues such as differentiation signals.

Genomic and biochemical approaches in the discovery of mechanisms for selective neuronal vulnerability to oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress (OS) is an important factor in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Certain neurons in different brain regions exhibit selective vulnerability to OS. Currently little is known about the underlying mechanisms of this selective neuronal vulnerability. The purpose of this study was to identify endogenous factors that predispose vulnerable neurons to OS by employing genomic and biochemical approaches. RESULTS: In this report, using in vitro neuronal cultures, ex vivo organotypic brain slice cultures and acute brain slice preparations, we established that cerebellar granule (CbG) and hippocampal CA1 neurons were significantly more sensitive to OS (induced by paraquat) than cerebral cortical and hippocampal CA3 neurons. To probe for intrinsic differences between in vivo vulnerable (CA1 and CbG) and resistant (CA3 and cerebral cortex) neurons under basal conditions, these neurons were collected by laser capture microdissection from freshly excised brain sections (no OS treatment), and then subjected to oligonucleotide microarray analysis. GeneChip-based transcriptomic analyses revealed that vulnerable neurons had higher expression of genes related to stress and immune response, and lower expression of energy generation and signal transduction genes in comparison with resistant neurons. Subsequent targeted biochemical analyses confirmed the lower energy levels (in the form of ATP) in primary CbG neurons compared with cortical neurons. CONCLUSION: Low energy reserves and high intrinsic stress levels are two underlying factors for neuronal selective vulnerability to OS. These mechanisms can be targeted in the future for the protection of vulnerable neurons.

Mimecan/osteoglycin-deficient mice have collagen fibril abnormalities.

PURPOSE: To study the role of mimecan, a member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) gene family and one of the major components of the cornea and other connective tissues, mice that lack a functional mimecan gene were generated and characterized. METHODS: Mimecan-deficient mice were generated by gene-targeting using standard techniques. Mice were genotyped by Southern blot analysis. The absence of mimecan transcripts was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. Corneal clarity was examined by slit lamp biomicroscopy. The strength of the skin was evaluated using a biomechanical skin fragility test. Collagen morphology in cornea and skin preparations from mimecan-null and control wild-type mice was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter of collagen fibrils in these tissues was determined by morphometric analysis. RESULTS: Mice lacking mimecan appear to develop normally, are viable and fertile. In a controlled laboratory environment they do not display an evident pathological phenotype compared to wild type mice. Examination of corneal clarity and measurements of corneal thickness show no significant changes in the cornea. However, a skin fragility test revealed a moderate reduction in the tensile strength of skin from mutant mice. Ultrastructural analyses show, on average, thicker collagen fibrils in both corneal and skin preparations from mimecan-null mice. Collagen fibrils from the cornea of mutant mice show an average diameter of 31.84+/-0.322 nm, versus 22.40+/-0.296 nm in their wild type litter-mates. The most pronounced increase in collagen fibril diameter was found in the skin of mimecan-null mice, who demonstrated an average diameter of 130.33+/-1.769 nm, versus 78.82+/-1.157 nm in the wild type mice. In addition, size variability and altered collagen morphology was detected in dorsal and tail skin preparations from the mutant mice. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that mimecan, similar to other members of the SLRP gene family, has a role in regulating collagen fibrillogenesis in vivo. Further studies, such as functional challenges, an evaluation of potential compensation by other proteins (including members of the SLRP family), and generation of double-knockouts will be necessary to fully uncover physiological functions of mimecan in mice.