G-quadruplexes (G4s) are four-stranded helical structures that regulate several nuclear processes, including gene expression and telomere maintenance. We observed that G4s are located in GC-rich (euchromatin) regions and outside the fibrillarin-positive compartment of nucleoli. Genomic regions around G4s were preferentially H3K9 acetylated and H3K9 dimethylated, but H3K9me3 rarely decorated G4 structures. We additionally observed the variability in the number of G4s in selected human and mouse cell lines. We found the highest number of G4s in human embryonic stem cells. We observed the highest degree of colocalization between G4s and transcription factories, positive on the phosphorylated form of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II). Similarly, a high colocalization rate was between G4s and nuclear speckles, enriched in pre-mRNA splicing factor SC-35. PML bodies, the replication protein SMD1, and Cajal bodies colocalized with G4s to a lesser extent. Thus, G4 structures seem to appear mainly in nuclear compartments transcribed via RNAP II, and pre-mRNA is spliced via the SC-35 protein. However, α-amanitin, an inhibitor of RNAP II, did not affect colocalization between G4s and transcription factories as well as G4s and SC-35-positive domains. In addition, irradiation by γ-rays did not change a mutual link between G4s and DNA repair proteins (G4s/γH2AX, G4s/53BP1, and G4s/MDC1), accumulated into DNA damage foci. Described characteristics of G4s seem to be the manifestation of pronounced G4s stability that is likely maintained not only via a high-order organization of these structures but also by a specific histone signature, including H3K9me2, responsible for chromatin compaction.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA repair, G-quadruplex structure, epigenetics, nuclear bodies, nuclear speckles, transcription factories,
• MeSH
• acetylace MeSH
• buněčná inkluze metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčné jadérko metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčné jádro metabolismus   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• chromatin metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA metabolismus   MeSH
• epigeneze genetická MeSH
• G-kvadruplexy * MeSH
• genetická transkripce * MeSH
• histony metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metylace MeSH
• myši MeSH
• oprava DNA MeSH
• zastoupení bazí genetika   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chromatin MeSH
• DNA MeSH
• histony MeSH

The essential components of splicing are the splicing factors accumulated in nuclear speckles; thus, we studied how DNA damaging agents and A-type lamin depletion affect the properties of these regions, positive on the SC-35 protein. We observed that inhibitor of PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), and more pronouncedly inhibitors of RNA polymerases, caused DNA damage and increased the SC35 protein level. Interestingly, nuclear blebs, induced by PARP inhibitor and observed in A-type lamin-depleted or senescent cells, were positive on both the SC-35 protein and another component of the spliceosome, SRRM2. In the interphase cell nuclei, SC-35 interacted with the phosphorylated form of RNAP II, which was A-type lamin-dependent. In mitotic cells, especially in telophase, the SC35 protein formed a well-visible ring in the cytoplasmic fraction and colocalized with β-catenin, associated with the plasma membrane. The antibody against the SRRM2 protein showed that nuclear speckles are already established in the cytoplasm of the late telophase and at the stage of early cytokinesis. In addition, we observed the occurrence of splicing factors in the nuclear blebs and micronuclei, which are also sites of both transcription and splicing. This conclusion supports the fact that splicing proceeds transcriptionally. According to our data, this process is A-type lamin-dependent. Lamin depletion also reduces the interaction between SC35 and β-catenin in mitotic cells.

• Klíčová slova
• PARP inhibitor, RNA pol II, SC-35, splicing,
• MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• laminy metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• PARP inhibitory terapeutické užití   MeSH
• poly-ADP-ribóza-polymeráza 1 MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II metabolismus   MeSH
• sestřihové faktory metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• laminy MeSH
• PARP inhibitory MeSH
• PARP1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• poly-ADP-ribóza-polymeráza 1 MeSH
• RNA-polymerasa II MeSH
• sestřihové faktory MeSH

The nucleolus is a well-organized site of ribosomal gene transcription. Moreover, many DNA repair pathway proteins, including ATM, ATR kinases, MRE11, PARP1 and Ku70/80, localize to the nucleolus (Moore et al., 2011 ). We analyzed the consequences of DNA damage in nucleoli following ultraviolet A (UVA), C (UVC), or γ-irradiation in order to test whether and how radiation-mediated genome injury affects local motion and morphology of nucleoli. Because exposure to radiation sources can induce changes in the pattern of UBF1-positive nucleolar regions, we visualized nucleoli in living cells by GFP-UBF1 expression for subsequent morphological analyses and local motion studies. UVA radiation, but not 5 Gy of γ-rays, induced apoptosis as analyzed by an advanced computational method. In non-apoptotic cells, we observed that γ-radiation caused nucleolar re-positioning over time and changed several morphological parameters, including the size of the nucleolus and the area of individual UBF1-positive foci. Radiation-induced nucleoli re-arrangement was observed particularly in G2 phase of the cell cycle, indicating repair of ribosomal genes in G2 phase and implying that nucleoli are less stable, thus sensitive to radiation, in G2 phase.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA damage, UBF1, live cells, nucleolus, nuncleoli tracking,
• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky záření   MeSH
• buněčné jadérko účinky záření   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• buněčný cyklus účinky záření   MeSH
• G2 fáze účinky záření   MeSH
• genetická transkripce MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• poškození DNA účinky záření   MeSH
• transkripční iniciační komplex Pol1 - proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření MeSH
• výpočetní biologie MeSH
• záření gama škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• transcription factor UBF MeSH Prohlížeč
• transkripční iniciační komplex Pol1 - proteiny MeSH

BACKGROUND: The repair of spontaneous and induced DNA lesions is a multistep process. Depending on the type of injury, damaged DNA is recognized by many proteins specifically involved in distinct DNA repair pathways. RESULTS: We analyzed the DNA-damage response after ultraviolet A (UVA) and γ irradiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and focused on upstream binding factor 1 (UBF1), a key protein in the regulation of ribosomal gene transcription. We found that UBF1, but not nucleolar proteins RPA194, TCOF, or fibrillarin, was recruited to UVA-irradiated chromatin concurrently with an increase in heterochromatin protein 1β (HP1β) level. Moreover, Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) confirmed interaction between UBF1 and HP1β that was dependent on a functional chromo shadow domain of HP1β. Thus, overexpression of HP1β with a deleted chromo shadow domain had a dominant-negative effect on UBF1 recruitment to UVA-damaged chromatin. Transcription factor UBF1 also interacted directly with DNA inside the nucleolus but no interaction of UBF1 and DNA was confirmed outside the nucleolus, where UBF1 recruitment to DNA lesions appeared simultaneously with cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers; this occurrence was cell-cycle-independent. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the simultaneous presence and interaction of UBF1 and HP1β at DNA lesions is activated by the presence of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and mediated by the chromo shadow domain of HP1β. This might have functional significance for nucleotide excision repair.

• Klíčová slova
• DNA repair, DNA-damage response, Irradiation, Live-cell studies, Nucleolus, UBF1,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Cajal bodies are important nuclear structures containing proteins that preferentially regulate RNA-related metabolism. We investigated the cell-type specific nuclear distribution of Cajal bodies and the level of coilin, a protein of Cajal bodies, in non-irradiated and irradiated human tumor cell lines and embryonic stem (ES) cells. Cajal bodies were localized in different nuclear compartments, including DAPI-poor regions, in the proximity of chromocenters, and adjacent to nucleoli. The number of Cajal bodies per nucleus was cell cycle-dependent, with higher numbers occurring during G2 phase. Human ES cells contained a high coilin level in the nucleoplasm, but coilin-positive Cajal bodies were also identified in nuclei of mouse and human ES cells. Coilin, but not SMN, recognized UVA-induced DNA lesions, which was cell cycle-independent. Treatment with γ-radiation reduced the localized movement of Cajal bodies in many cell types and GFP-coilin fluorescence recovery after photobleaching was very fast in nucleoplasm in comparison with GFP-coilin recovery in DNA lesions. By contrast, nucleolus-localized coilin displayed very slow fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, which indicates very slow rates of protein diffusion, especially in nucleoli of mouse ES cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Cajal bodies, DNA repair, chromatin, coilin, nucleolus, nucleus,
• MeSH
• buněčné jádro genetika   metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• buněčné linie MeSH
• buňky K562 MeSH
• Cajalova tělíska genetika   metabolismus   účinky záření   MeSH
• DNA genetika   účinky záření   MeSH
• G2 fáze genetika   MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• jaderné proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nádorové buněčné linie MeSH
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• záření gama škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• zelené fluorescenční proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA MeSH
• jaderné proteiny MeSH
• p80-coilin MeSH Prohlížeč
• rekombinantní fúzní proteiny MeSH
• zelené fluorescenční proteiny MeSH

Protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) are responsible for symmetric and asymmetric methylation of arginine residues of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. In the nucleus, PRMTs belong to important chromatin modifying enzymes of immense functional significance that affect gene expression, splicing and DNA repair. By time-lapse microscopy we have studied the sub-cellular localization and kinetics of PRMT1 after inhibition of PRMT1 and after irradiation. Both transiently expressed and endogenous PRMT1 accumulated in cytoplasmic bodies that were located in the proximity of the cell nucleus. The shape and number of these bodies were stable in untreated cells. However, when cell nuclei were microirradiated by UV-A, the mobility of PRMT1 cytoplasmic bodies increased, size was reduced, and disappeared within approximately 20 min. The same response occurred after γ-irradiation of the whole cell population, but with delayed kinetics. Treatment with PRMT1 inhibitors induced disintegration of these PRMT1 cytoplasmic bodies and prevented formation of 53BP1 nuclear bodies (NBs) that play a role during DNA damage repair. The formation of 53BP1 NBs was not influenced by PRMT1 overexpression. Taken together, we show that PRMT1 concentrates in cytoplasmic bodies, which respond to DNA injury in the cell nucleus, and to treatment with various PRMT1 inhibitors.

• MeSH
• 53BP1 MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• cytoplazma enzymologie   MeSH
• DNA vazebné proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• HeLa buňky MeSH
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• poškození DNA * MeSH
• proteinarginin-N-methyltransferasy antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• represorové proteiny antagonisté a inhibitory   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• ultrafialové záření * MeSH
• záření gama * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 53BP1 MeSH
• chromozomální proteiny, nehistonové MeSH
• DNA vazebné proteiny MeSH
• intracelulární signální peptidy a proteiny MeSH
• PRMT1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• Prmt1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• proteinarginin-N-methyltransferasy MeSH
• represorové proteiny MeSH
• TP53BP1 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• Trp53bp1 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč

The study of embryonic stem cells is in the spotlight in many laboratories that study the structure and function of chromatin and epigenetic processes. The key properties of embryonic stem cells are their capacity for self-renewal and their pluripotency. Pluripotent stem cells are able to differentiate into the cells of all three germ layers, and because of this property they represent a promising therapeutic tool in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes, or in the healing of lesions after heart attack. As the basic nuclear unit, chromatin is responsible for the regulation of the functional status of cells, including pluripotency and differentiation. Therefore, in this review we discuss the functional changes in chromatin during differentiation and the correlation between epigenetics events and the differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells. In particular we focus on post-translational histone modification, DNA methylation and the heterochromatin protein HP1 and its unique function in mouse and human embryonic stem cells.

• Klíčová slova
• Chromatin, Differentiation, Embryonic stem cells, Epigenetics, Nucleus, Pluripotency,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH