Enhanced reprogramming of Xist by induced upregulation of Tsix and Dnmt3a

Stem Cells. 2008 Nov;26(11):2821-31. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2008-0482. Epub 2008 Aug 28.

Abstract

Reactivation of Oct4 gene expression occurs within 2 days of fusion of somatic cells with pluripotent stem cells and within 9 days of postinfection of four transcription factors. We sought to determine whether somatic genome reprogramming is completed by the onset of Oct4 reactivation. The complex regulation of the reactivation of inactive X chromosome (Xi) serves as a model for studying reprogramming of chromatin domains. A time-course analysis of the DNA methylation, gene expression, and X inactivation-specific transcript (Xist)/Tsix RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that expression of pluripotency- and tissue-specific marker genes was reset to the level of pluripotent stem cells within 2 days of fusion, whereas reprogramming of Xist/reactivation of Xi took at least 9 days. We found that trichostatin A, which normally activates gene expression, results in downregulation of Xist. This is due to activation of Dnmt3a and Tsix, two negative regulators of Xist. Moreover, delayed reprogramming of Xist/reactivation of inactive X chromosome after cell fusion was accelerated by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation of Xist, which follow upregulation of Dnmt3a and Tsix. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cell Line
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases / biosynthesis*
  • DNA Methylation
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / cytology
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Hybrid Cells
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / biosynthesis
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Untranslated / biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Untranslated / metabolism*
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation
  • X Chromosome / physiology

Substances

  • Dnmt3a protein, mouse
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • Pou5f1 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Long Noncoding
  • RNA, Untranslated
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Tsix transcript, mouse
  • XIST non-coding RNA
  • DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases
  • DNA Methyltransferase 3A
  • Histone Deacetylases