Lam, J. C. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2025

Single-stranded DNA binding proteins are essential components of the architectural LDB1 protein complex

Transcriptional enhancers are brought into proximity with promoters via chromatin looping. The architectural transcription cofactor LDB1 facilitates spatial connectivity among enhancers and promoters but whether this occurs through simple dimerization or requires partner molecules is unknown. Here we investigated single-stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBPs), known LDB1 interactors, in regulating LDB1-mediated chromatin looping and transcription. SSBP2, SSBP3, and SSBP4 colocalize with LDB1 genome wide. Among these, only SSBP3 is essential for erythroid cell viability, LDB1 function, and transcription. LDB1, but not single-stranded DNA, is the predominant genome-wide tether of SSBP3 to chromatin. Notably, SSBP3 depletion for under one hour in SSBP2/4 knockout cells globally weakened LDB1-dependent chromatin loops and lowered nascent transcription without impacting LDB1s chromatin binding. Chromatin tethering experiments revealed SSBP3 and LDB1 mutually depend on each other to form looped contacts. SSBP3 stabilizes LDB1 homodimers in solution providing a possible mechanism of action. In sum, SSBPs emerge as key functional components of the architectural LDB1 complex, shedding new light on the regulation of enhancer-promoter interactions and gene expression.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

LDB1 establishes multi-enhancer networks to regulate gene expression

How specific enhancer-promoter pairing is established is still mostly unclear. Besides the CTCF/cohesin machinery, only a few nuclear factors have been studied for a direct role in physically connecting regulatory elements. Here, we show via acute degradation experiments that LDB1 directly and broadly promotes enhancer-promoter loops. Most LDB1-mediated contacts, even those spanning hundreds of kb, can form in the absence of CTCF, cohesin, or YY1 as determined via the use of multiple degron systems. Moreover, an engineered LDB1-driven chromatin loop is cohesin independent. Cohesin-driven loop extrusion does not stall at LDB1 occupied sites but may aid the formation of a subset of LDB1 anchored loops. Leveraging the dynamic reorganization of nuclear architecture during the transition from mitosis to G1-phase, we establish a relationship between LDB1-dependent interactions in the context of TAD organization and gene activation. Lastly, Tri-C and Region Capture Micro-C reveal that LDB1 organizes multi-enhancer networks to activate transcription. This establishes LDB1 as a direct driver of regulatory network inter-connectivity.

molecular biology↗