PubMed · 14169952
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P BROOKES, P D LAWLEY. 1964. ALKYLATING AGENTS.. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a070323
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DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) is a newly recognized transcription-associated epigenetic mark in eukaryotes. While its methylation pathway has been well established, the identity of eukaryotic 6mA demethylase(s) responsible for its removal and dynamic regulation has remained elusive. Here, we identify and characterize DMT3 (TtALKBH5), an AlkB family dioxygenase in Tetrahymena thermophila, as a 6mA demethylase in ciliates and potentially several other unicellular eukaryotes with abundant 6mA and a defined AMT1 methyltransferase (MTase) complex, supported by genetic and molecular evidence. DMT3 acts on both fully and hemimethylated ApT dinucleotides, an activity partially facilitated by a naturally occurring cysteine-to-serine substitution. Genome profiling shows that DMT3 is enriched at transcription start sites (TSSs) of 6mA-enriched genes, complementary to the occupancy pattern of the AMT1 complex, where it selectively removes spurious 6mA deposited by AMT1. Genetic disruption of DMT3-mediated demethylation, either by knockout or catalytic inactivation, leads to aberrant 6mA accumulation at TSS regions, transcriptional dysregulation, altered chromatin accessibility, and impaired initiation of sexual reproduction. Notably, simultaneous removal of DMT3 and AMT1 eliminates these defects, indicating that spurious TSS 6mA underlies transcriptional and developmental impairment.
A strategy coupling high-activity nucleases with dimeric TadA-8e optimizes plant Cas12-based adenine base editors, boosts editing efficiency, and provides precise editors for crop breeding and genomics research.
Dysfunction of mitochondrial ATPase (F1F(o)-ATP synthase) due to missense mutations in ATP6 [mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA)-encoded subunit a] is a frequent cause of severe mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. We have investigated a rare mtDNA mutation, i.e. a 2 bp deletion of TA at positions 9205 and 9206 (9205DeltaTA), which affects the STOP codon of the ATP6 gene and the cleavage site between the RNAs for ATP6 and COX3 (cytochrome c oxidase 3). The mutation was present at increasing load in a three-generation family (in blood: 16%/82%/>98%). In the affected boy with severe encephalopathy, a homoplasmic mutation was present in blood, fibroblasts and muscle. The fibroblasts from the patient showed normal aurovertin-sensitive ATPase hydrolytic activity, a 70% decrease in ATP synthesis and an 85% decrease in COX activity. ADP-stimulated respiration and the ADP-induced decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential at state 4 were decreased by 50%. The content of subunit a was decreased 10-fold compared with other ATPase subunits, and [35S]-methionine labelling showed a 9-fold decrease in subunit a biosynthesis. The content of COX subunits 1, 4 and 6c was decreased by 30-60%. Northern Blot and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis further demonstrated that the primary ATP6--COX3 transcript is cleaved to the ATP6 and COX3 mRNAs 2-3-fold less efficiently. Structural studies by Blue-Native and two-dimensional electrophoresis revealed an altered pattern of COX assembly and instability of the ATPase complex, which dissociated into subcomplexes. The results indicate that the 9205DeltaTA mutation prevents the synthesis of ATPase subunit a, and causes the formation of incomplete ATPase complexes that are capable of ATP hydrolysis but not ATP synthesis. The mutation also affects the biogenesis of COX, which is present in a decreased amount in cells from affected individuals.