Biology subjects

Lyons, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Lyons, C..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The transcription of a single olfactory receptor per neuron is enforced by epigenetic silencing of their enhancers

The ability to discriminate thousands of odors in our environment requires each olfactory neuron to express a single olfactory receptor from hundreds of available genes. The biochemical mechanism enforcing this monogenic expression remains unknown. We show that deletion of the chromatin protein TRIM66 causes individual olfactory neurons to express multiple receptors at a high level, demonstrating that monogenic expression relies on an epigenetic silencing mechanism. Moreover, TRIM66 is specifically recruited to olfactory receptor gene super-enhancers during neuronal progenitor maturation, thereby silencing nearby olfactory receptor genes. Loss of monogenic expression disrupted axonal projections to the olfactory bulb, resulting in an aberrant topographic map and impaired social odor discrimination and reproductive behaviors. These findings uncover the chromatin-based silencing of super-enhancers as the mechanism underlying the organization of the mammalian olfactory system.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy drives cortical neuronal disturbances in human organoids harbouring the common m.3243A>G mutation

Mitochondrial diseases frequently affect the brain leading to severe and disabling neurological symptoms. The heteroplasmic m.3243A>G mutation in MT-TL1, encoding mt-tRNALeu, is responsible for [~]80% of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), which is one of the most characteristic mitochondrial syndromes, leading to disability and early death. There are no animal models harbouring this mutation to provide precise mechanistic insights informing therapeutic interventions. Here, we generated a human iPSC-derived cerebral organoid slice model that recapitulates cortical architecture and mitochondrial pathology. Using biological assays and single-cell RNA sequencing, we uncovered heteroplasmy-dependent transcriptional shifts and changes in key cellular processes in cortical neurons. Organoids with high heteroplasmy showed a predominant impairment of deep-layer neurons triggered by mitochondrial stress, leading to axonal degeneration and apoptosis, similar to brain autopsy of a MELAS patient. Our findings provide insights into the vulnerability of long-range projection neurons in mitochondrial diseases, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms with a view to potential therapeutic strategies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Role of histone variants H2BC1 and H2AZ.2 in H2AK119ub nucleosome organization and Polycomb gene silencing

Ubiquitination of histone H2A at lysine 119 residue (H2AK119ub) plays critical roles in a wide range of physiological processes, including Polycomb gene silencing 1,2, replication 3-5, DNA damage repair 6-10, X inactivation 11,12, and heterochromatin organization 13,14. However, the underlying mechanism and structural basis of H2AK119ub remains largely elusive. In this study, we report that H2AK119ub nucleosomes have a unique composition, containing histone variants H2BC1 and H2AZ.2, and importantly, this composition is required for H2AK119ub and Polycomb gene silencing. Using the UAB domain of RSF1, we purified H2AK119ub nucleosomes to a sufficient amount and purity. Mass spectrometry analyses revealed that H2AK119ub nucleosomes contain the histone variants H2BC1 and H2AZ.2. A cryo-EM study resolved the structure of native H2AK119ub nucleosomes to a 2.6A resolution, confirming H2BC1 in one subgroup of H2AK119ub nucleosomes. Tandem GST-UAB pulldown, Flag-H2AZ.2, and HA-H2BC1 immunoprecipitation revealed that H2AK119ub nucleosomes could be separated into distinct subgroups, suggesting their composition heterogeneity and potential dynamic organization. Knockout or knockdown of H2BC1 or H2AZ.2 reduced cellular H2AK119ub levels, establishing H2BC1 and H2AZ.2 as critical determinants of H2AK119ub. Furthermore, genomic binding profiles of H2BC1 and H2AZ.2 overlapped significantly with H2AK119ub binding, with the most significant overlapping in the gene body and intergenic regions. Finally, assays in developing embryos reveal an interaction of H2AZ.2, H2BC1, and RING1A in vivo. Thus, this study revealed, for the first time, that the H2AK119ub nucleosome has a unique composition, and this composition is required for H2AK119ub and Polycomb gene silencing.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

DIMT1, a regulator of ribosomal biogenesis, controls beta-cell protein synthesis, mitochondrial function and insulin secretion

We previously reported that transcription factor B1 mitochondrial (TFB1M) is involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) owing to mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we describe that dimethyladenosine transferase 1 homolog (DIMT1), a homologue of TFB1M, is expressed and active in pancreatic {beta}-cells. Like TFB1M, it has been implicated in control of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) but its role in {beta}-cells or T2D remains to be identified. Silencing of DIMT1 impacted mitochondrial function, leading to reduced expression of mitochondrial OXPHOS proteins, reduced oxygen consumption rate (OCR), dissipated mitochondrial membrane potential ({Delta}{Psi}m) and caused a lower rate of ATP production (mATP). In addition, DIMT1 knockdown slowed the rate of protein synthesis. In accordance with these findings, DIMT1-deficiency perturbed insulin secretion in rodent and human {beta}-cell lines. These effects are likely a result of destabilization of ribosomal assembly, involving NIN1 (RPN12) binding protein 1 homolog (NOB-1) and Pescadillo ribosomal biogenesis factor 1 (PES-1). These are two critical ribosomal subunits proteins, whose interactions were perturbed upon DIMT1-deficiency, thereby disturbing protein synthesis in {beta}-cells. Thus, we have here highlighted a role of DIMT1 in ribosomal biogenesis that perturbs protein synthesis, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and disrupted insulin secretion, both being potential pathogenetic factors in T2D.

molecular biology↗