Epidermal progenitors suppress GRHL3-mediated differentiation through intronic polyadenylation promoted by CPSF-HNRNPA3 collaboration

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 19;12(1):448. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20674-3.

Abstract

In self-renewing somatic tissue such as skin epidermis, terminal differentiation genes must be suppressed in progenitors to sustain regenerative capacity. Here we show that hundreds of intronic polyadenylation (IpA) sites are differentially used during keratinocyte differentiation, which is accompanied by downregulation of the Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor (CPSF) complex. Sustained CPSF expression in undifferentiated keratinocytes requires the contribution from the transcription factor MYC. In keratinocytes cultured in undifferentiation condition, CSPF knockdown induces premature differentiation and partially affects dynamically used IpA sites. These sites include an IpA site located in the first intron of the differentiation activator GRHL3. CRISPR knockout of GRHL3 IpA increased full-length GRHL3 mRNA expression. Using a targeted genetic screen, we identify that HNRNPA3 interacts with CPSF and enhances GRHL3 IpA. Our data suggest a model where the interaction between CPSF and RNA-binding proteins, such as HNRNPA3, promotes site-specific IpA and suppresses premature differentiation in progenitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Self Renewal / genetics
  • Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor / genetics
  • Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor / metabolism*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B / genetics
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Keratinocytes / physiology*
  • Polyadenylation / genetics
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Re-Epithelialization / genetics*
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • CPSF1 protein, human
  • Cleavage And Polyadenylation Specificity Factor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • GRHL3 protein, human
  • HNRNPA3 protein, human
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B
  • Transcription Factors