CRISPRi-mediated functional analysis of NKX2-1-binding sites in the lung

Commun Biol. 2021 May 12;4(1):568. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02083-4.

Abstract

The transcription factor NKX2-1/TTF-1 is involved in lung pathophysiology, including breathing, innate defense and tumorigenesis. To understand the mechanism by which NKX2-1 regulates genes involved in such pathophysiology, we have previously performed ChIP-seq and identified genome-wide NKX2-1-binding sites, which revealed that NKX2-1 binds to not only proximal promoter regions but also multiple intra- and inter-genic regions of the genes regulated by NKX2-1. However, the roles of such regions, especially non-proximal ones, bound by NKX2-1 have not yet been determined. Here, using CRISPRi (CRISPR/dCas9-KRAB), we scrutinize the functional roles of 19 regions/sites bound by NKX2-1, which are located in genes involved in breathing and innate defense (SFTPB, LAMP3, SFTPA1, SFTPA2) and lung tumorigenesis (MYBPH, LMO3, CD274/PD-L1). Notably, the CRISPRi approach reveals that a portion of NKX2-1-binding sites are functionally indispensable while the rest are dispensable for the expression of the genes, indicating that functional roles of NKX2-1-binding sites are unequally yoked.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites / genetics
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Genetic Engineering / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / genetics
  • Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 / genetics*
  • Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1 / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • NKX2-1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1
  • Transcription Factors