Estrogen induces global reorganization of chromatin structure in human breast cancer cells

PLoS One. 2014 Dec 3;9(12):e113354. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113354. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

In the cell nucleus, each chromosome is confined to a chromosome territory. This spatial organization of chromosomes plays a crucial role in gene regulation and genome stability. An additional level of organization has been discovered at the chromosome scale: the spatial segregation into open and closed chromatins to form two genome-wide compartments. Although considerable progress has been made in our knowledge of chromatin organization, a fundamental issue remains the understanding of its dynamics, especially in cancer. To address this issue, we performed genome-wide mapping of chromatin interactions (Hi-C) over the time after estrogen stimulation of breast cancer cells. To biologically interpret these interactions, we integrated with estrogen receptor α (ERα) binding events, gene expression and epigenetic marks. We show that gene-rich chromosomes as well as areas of open and highly transcribed chromatins are rearranged to greater spatial proximity, thus enabling genes to share transcriptional machinery and regulatory elements. At a smaller scale, differentially interacting loci are enriched for cancer proliferation and estrogen-related genes. Moreover, these loci are correlated with higher ERα binding events and gene expression. Taken together these results reveal the role of a hormone--estrogen--on genome organization, and its effect on gene regulation in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly*
  • Chromosomes, Human / chemistry
  • Chromosomes, Human / genetics
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Estradiol / metabolism*
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Genetic Loci
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells

Substances

  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Estrogens
  • Estradiol