Biology subjects

Wang, L.-I.

Publications and source records attributed to Wang, L.-I..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Gene mobility elements mediate cell type specific genome organization and radial gene movement in vivo

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the level of genome organization that governs gene regulation remains a challenge despite advancements in chromatin profiling techniques. Cell type specific chromatin architectures may be obscured by averaging heterogeneous cell populations. Here we took a reductionist perspective, starting with the relocation of the hunchback gene to the nuclear lamina in Drosophila neuroblasts. We previously found that this event terminates competence to produce early-born neurons and is mediated by an intronic 250 base-pair element, which we term gene mobility element (GME). Here we found over 800 putative GMEs globally that are chromatin accessible and are Polycomb (PcG) target sites. GMEs appear to be distinct from PcG response elements, however, which are largely chromatin inaccessible in neuroblasts. Performing in situ Hi-C of purified neuroblasts, we found that GMEs form megabase-scale chromatin interactions, spanning multiple topologically associated domain borders, preferentially contacting other GMEs. These interactions are cell type and stage-specific. Notably, GMEs undergo developmentally- timed mobilization to/from the neuroblast nuclear lamina, and domain swapping a GFP reporter transgene intron with a GME relocates the transgene to the nuclear lamina in embryos. We propose that GMEs constitute a genome organizational framework and mediate gene-to-lamina mobilization during progenitor competence state transitions in vivo.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Meiosis-specific functions of kinetochore protein SPC105R required for chromosome segregation in Drosophila oocytes

The reductional division of meiosis I requires the separation of chromosome pairs towards opposite poles. We have previously implicated the outer kinetochore protein SPC105R/KNL1 in driving meiosis I chromosome segregation through lateral attachments to microtubules and co-orientation of sister centromeres. To identify the domains of SPC105R that are critical for meiotic chromosome segregation, an RNAi-resistant gene expression system was developed. We found that SPC105Rs C-terminal domain (aa 1284-1960) is necessary and sufficient for recruiting NDC80 to the kinetochore and building the outer kinetochore. Furthermore, the C-terminal domain recruits BUBR1, which in turn recruits the cohesion protection proteins MEI-S332 and PP2A. Of the remaining 1283 amino acids, we found the first 473 are most important for meiosis. The first 123 amino acids of the N-terminal half of SPC105R contain the conserved SLRK and RISF motifs that are targets of PP1 and Aurora B kinase and are most important for regulating the stability of microtubule attachments and maintaining metaphase I arrest. The region between amino acids 124 and 473 are required for two activities that are critical for accurate chromosome segregation in meiosis I, lateral microtubule attachments and bi-orientation of homologs. Significance StatementO_LIKinetochore proteins regulate meiosis specific functions. SPC105R is a central regulator of kinetochore function but its role in meiosis is not well understood. C_LIO_LIWe identified regions of SPC105R that regulate key meiosis I functions, including fusing sister centromeres and the way the kinetochore interacts with the microtubules. C_LIO_LISPC105R is a hub that recruits several proteins to regulate kinetochore activity. Future work will involve identifying the proteins recruited by SPC105R that mediate these functions in meiosis. C_LI

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

Chromosome-directed oocyte spindle assembly depends HP1 and the Chromosomal Passenger Complex

The chromosomes in the oocytes of many animals appear to promote bipolar spindle assembly. In Drosophila oocytes, spindle assembly requires the chromosome passenger complex (CPC), which consists of INCENP, Borealin, Survivin and Aurora B. To determine what recruits the CPC to the chromosomes and its role in spindle assembly, we developed a strategy to manipulate the function and localization of INCENP, which is critical for recruiting the Aurora B kinase. We found that an interaction between Borealin and the chromatin is crucial for the recruitment of the CPC to the chromosomes and is sufficient to build kinetochores and recruit spindle microtubules. We also found that HP1 moves from the chromosomes to the spindle microtubules along with the CPC. We propose that the interaction with HP1 promotes the movement of the CPC from the chromosomes to the microtubules. In addition, within the central spindle, rather than at the centromeres, the CPC and HP1 are required for homologous chromosome bi-orientation.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2019

Cohesin and microtubule dependent mechanisms regulate sister centromere fusion during meiosis I

Sister centromere fusion is a process unique to meiosis that promotes co-orientation of the sister kinetochores, ensuring they attach to microtubules from the same pole. We have found that the kinetochore protein SPC105R/KNL1 and Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1-87B) are required for this process. The analysis of these two proteins, however, has shown that two independent mechanisms maintain sister centromere fusion during meiosis I in Drosophila oocytes. Double depletion experiments demonstrated that the precocious separation of centromeres in Spc105R RNAi oocytes is Separase-dependent, suggesting cohesin proteins must be maintained at the core centromeres. In contrast, precocious sister centromere separation in Pp1-87B RNAi oocytes does not depend on Separase or Wapl. Further analysis with microtubule destabilizing drugs showed that PP1-87B maintains sister centromeres fusion by regulating microtubule dynamics. Additional double depletion experiments demonstrated that PP1-87B has this function by antagonizing Polo kinase and BubR1, two proteins known to promote kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachments. These results suggest that PP1-87B maintains sister centromere fusion by inhibiting stable KT-MT attachments. Surprisingly, we found that loss of C(3)G, the transverse element of the synaptonemal complex (SC), suppresses centromere separation in Pp1-87B RNAi oocytes. This is evidence for a functional role of centromeric SC in the meiotic divisions. We propose two mechanisms maintain co-orientation in Drosophila oocytes: one involves SPC105R to protect cohesins at sister centromeres and another involves PP1-87B to regulate spindle forces at end-on attachments.\n\nAuthor SummaryMeiosis involves two cell divisions. In the first division, pairs of homologous chromosomes segregate, in the second division, the sister chromatids segregate. These patterns of division are mediated by regulating microtubule attachments to the kinetochores and stepwise release of cohesion between the sister chromatids. During meiosis I, cohesion fusing sister centromeres must be intact so they attach to microtubules from the same pole. At the same time, arm cohesion must be released for anaphase I. Upon entry into meiosis II, the sister centromeres must separate to allow attachment to opposite poles, while cohesion surrounding the centromeres must remain intact until anaphase II. How these different populations of cohesion are regulated is not understood. We identified two genes required for maintaining sister centromere cohesion, and surprisingly found they define two distinct mechanisms. The first is a kinetochore protein that maintains sister centromere fusion by recruiting proteins that protect cohesion. The second is a phosphatase that antagonizes proteins that stabilize microtubule attachments. We propose that entry into meiosis II coincides with stabilization of microtubule attachments, resulting in the separation of sister centromeres without disrupting cohesion in other regions, facilitating attachment of sister chromatids to opposite poles.

genetics↗