Cited by 2,233Genomics and Chromatin DynamicsEpigenetics and DNA MethylationPluripotent Stem Cells Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 39 of the 39 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

A unique chromatin signature uncovers early developmental enhancers in humans

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Abstract

Cell-fate transitions involve the integration of genomic information encoded by regulatory elements, such as enhancers, with the cellular environment. However, identification of genomic sequences that control human embryonic development represents a formidable challenge. Here we show that in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), unique chromatin signatures identify two distinct classes of genomic elements, both of which are marked by the presence of chromatin regulators p300 and BRG1, monomethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me1), and low nucleosomal density. In addition, elements of the first class are distinguished by the acetylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27ac), overlap with previously characterized hESC enhancers, and are located proximally to genes expressed in hESCs and the epiblast. In contrast, elements of the second class, which we term 'poised enhancers', are distinguished by the absence of H3K27ac, enrichment of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), and are linked to genes inactive in hESCs and instead are involved in orchestrating early steps in embryogenesis, such as gastrulation, mesoderm formation and neurulation. Consistent with the poised identity, during differentiation of hESCs to neuroepithelium, a neuroectoderm-specific subset of poised enhancers acquires a chromatin signature associated with active enhancers. When assayed in zebrafish embryos, poised enhancers are able to direct cell-type and stage-specific expression characteristic of their proximal developmental gene, even in the absence of sequence conservation in the fish genome. Our data demonstrate that early developmental enhancers are epigenetically pre-marked in hESCs and indicate an unappreciated role of H3K27me3 at distal regulatory elements. Moreover, the wealth of new regulatory sequences identified here provides an invaluable resource for studies and isolation of transient, rare cell populations representing early stages of human embryogenesis.

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Metadata

Authors
Rada-Iglesias, A., Bajpai, R., Swigut, T., Brugmann, S. A., Flynn, R. A., & Wysocka, J.
Affiliations
Stanford Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Wysocka, Joanna
Venue
Nature
Published
2010-12-15
Volume
470
Issue
7333
Pages
279-283
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2154746182
Cited by
2,233
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 70 · 2025: 108 · 2024: 118 · 2023: 134 · 2022: 117 · 2021: 154 · 2020: 162 · 2019: 144 · 2018: 151 · 2017: 158 · 2016: 154 · 2015: 181 · 2014: 190 · 2013: 185 · 2012: 140
FWCI
50.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (K99DE019853)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Genomics and Chromatin Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Pluripotent Stem Cells Research
Keywords
enhancers, poised enhancers, human embryonic stem cells, chromatin signatures, H3K4me1, H3K27ac, H3K27me3, P300, SMARCA4, nucleosome density, epiblast, neuroectoderm differentiation, gastrulation, mesoderm formation, neurulation
MeSH terms
Acetylation, Animals, Cell Differentiation, Cell Line, Chromatin, DNA Helicases, Enhancer Elements, Genetic, Germ Layers, Histones, Humans, Lysine, Mesoderm, Methylation, Nuclear Proteins, RNA, Transcription Factors, Zebrafish, Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental, Epigenesis, Genetic, Embryonic Development, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, p300-CBP Transcription Factors, Embryonic Stem Cells, Neural Plate, Neurulation, Gastrulation

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