Biology subjects

Ostrowski, M. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Ostrowski, M. S..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

The single-molecule accessibility landscape of newly replicated mammalian chromatin

The higher-order structure of newly replicated (i.e. nascent) chromatin fibers remains poorly-resolved, limiting our understanding of how epigenomes are maintained across cell divisions. To address this, we present Replication-Aware Single-molecule Accessibility Mapping (RASAM), a long-read sequencing method that nondestructively measures genome-wide replication-status and protein-DNA interactions simultaneously on intact chromatin templates. We report that individual human and mouse nascent chromatin fibers are hyperaccessible compared to steady-state chromatin. This hyperaccessibility occurs at two, coupled length-scales: first, individual nucleosome core particles on nascent DNA exist as a mixture of partially-unwrapped nucleosomes and other subnucleosomal species; second, newly-replicated chromatin fibers are significantly enriched for irregularly-spaced nucleosomes on individual DNA molecules. Focusing on specific cis-regulatory elements (e.g. transcription factor binding sites; active transcription start sites [TSSs]), we discover unique modes by which nascent chromatin hyperaccessibility is resolved at the single-molecule level: at CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) binding sites, CTCF and nascent nucleosomes compete for motifs on nascent chromatin fibers, resulting in quantitatively-reduced CTCF occupancy and motif accessibility post-replication; at active TSSs, high levels of steady-state chromatin accessibility are preserved, implying that nucleosome free regions (NFRs) are rapidly re-established behind the fork. Our study introduces a new paradigm for studying higher-order chromatin fiber organization behind the replication fork. More broadly, we uncover a unique organization of newly replicated chromatin that must be reset by active processes, providing a substrate for epigenetic reprogramming.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2022

Sensitive multimodal profiling of native DNA by transposase-mediated single-molecule sequencing

We present SMRT-Tag: a multiplexable, PCR-free approach for constructing low-input, single-molecule Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) sequencing libraries through Tn5 transposition. As proof-of-concept, we apply SMRT-Tag to resolve human genetic and epigenetic variation in gold-standard human reference samples. SMRT-Tag requires 1-5% as much input material as existing protocols (15,000 - 50,000 human cell equivalents) and enables highly-sensitive and simultaneous detection of single nucleotide variants, small insertions / deletions, and CpG methylation comparable to the current state-of-the-art. We further combine SMRT-Tag with in situ adenine methyltransferase footprinting of nuclei (SAMOSA-Tag) to facilitate joint analysis of nucleosome repeat length, CTCF occupancy, and CpG methylation on individual chromatin fibers in osteosarcoma cells. SMRT-Tag promises to enable basic and clinical research by offering scalable, sensitive, and multimodal single-molecule genomic and epigenomic analyses in rare cell populations.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2021

Single-fiber nucleosome density shapes the regulatory output of a mammalian chromatin remodeling enzyme

ATP-dependent chromatin remodelers regulate the DNA accessibility required of virtually all nuclear processes. Biochemical studies have provided insight into remodeler action at the nucleosome level, but how these findings translate to activity on chromatin fibers in vitro and in vivo remains poorly understood. Here, we present a massively multiplex single-molecule platform allowing high-resolution mapping of nucleosomes on fibers assembled on mammalian genomic sequences. We apply this method to distinguish between competing models for chromatin remodeling by the essential ISWI ATPase SNF2h: linker-length-dependent dynamic positioning versus fixed-linker-length static clamping. Our single-fiber data demonstrate that SNF2h operates as a density-dependent, length-sensing chromatin remodeler whose ability to decrease or increase DNA accessibility depends on single-fiber nucleosome density. In vivo, this activity manifests as different regulatory modes across epigenomic domains: at canonically-defined heterochromatin, SNF2h generates evenly-spaced nucleosome arrays of multiple nucleosome repeat lengths; at SNF2h-dependent accessible sites, SNF2h slides nucleosomes to increase accessibility of motifs for the essential transcription factor CTCF. Overall, our generalizable approach provides molecularly-precise views of the processes that shape nuclear physiology. Concurrently, our data illustrate how a mammalian chromatin remodeling enzyme can effectively sense nucleosome density to induce diametrically-opposed regulatory effects within the nucleus.

genomics↗